Off site

[baba]

As a family coming to visit from Canada in Nov. (for the first time!)we are looking for the least expensive accomodation we can, due to the exorbitant exchange rate! We contacted Travelhero and reserved the Super 8 Motel -Maingate, 7571 West Irlo. Bronson Highway Kissimmee. I am rather nervous about what it will be like! We will be okay with it as long as it is very clean, and there is a good shuttle service. Has anyone ever stayed at this place before? How far is it from the parks? If this is not a good choice, could you recommend another place? Also I am wondering if we should just focus on WDW or also try to see Universal and IOA. We will be there for 7 days and want to make the most of our time!

 

[sammi]

Welcome to the DIS fellow Canadian!

I have no information on the Super 8 motel but I know of a nice place The Magic Castle Inns and Suites that many of us here on the DIS have stayed at. It's a very simple hotel but is very clean and the staff were excellant. Also they have a wonderful (and free) continental breakfast in the lobby each morning consisting of cereal,toast,bagels,fruit,Krispy Kreme do-nuts, juice coffe,tea etc! And if your coming with a family, that alone can save you big bucks (and boy with our tiny looney every little bit helps)! LOL!

We paid $29.99 US a night and would go back again.The chain has 2 hotels all on the Irlo Bronson Hwy and both only a few minuites from Disney!Here's a link for you to take a look at their site.
http://www.magicorlando.com/

Hmmm you only have 7 days......We love US/IOA but it depends really on time doesn't it? Whatever you decide..... have a ball! PM me if I can answer any more questions!

~~ Cindy~~

 

[emmalgin]

Just go the week before or after US Thanksgiving.

As for accomodation, you can find very good prices if you try www.skyauction.com. Don't screw up by staying someplace substandard. I used Ready Set Go off the Skyaction and have a 2-br condo at a 5 star resort (Top 10 in Florida) and paid $299 taxes included. Also look to Hawthorn Suites or Hampton Inns where breakfast is included and can amount to large savings.

Also as a Canadian look at Universal or SeaWorld where they have great at par deals for at least a few days.

 

[PhotobearSam]

We are also Canadian and loved the Magic Castle.


We have pictures if anyone wants them!!!!!!!!!!!!
e-mail me if you want to see.

Have a great time

 

[baba]

Thanks for the info. from all three of you. Cindy, I love your icons as well
as your advice. Does the castle hotel have good shuttle service to
attractions? It doesn't mention anything about this on the site. Is it better
to rent a car? What did you all do for transportation? We are going from
Nov. 10 - Nov. 17th., so I think that the only day that might be a problem is
Veterans Day. I am trying to figure out a good itinerary to see as much as
possible! It would be helpful to know how long it takes to do each of the parks
as well as Universal/IOA. Also, what eateries to you recommend that are not too
pricey at the parks. Sorry for all the questions, but I am so thrilled to have found
people will answer them!
Take Care!

 

[PhotobearSam]

We had a car to drive down.

We ate most evening meals off-site because of the $$$$$$.

We did 2 days at MK
1 & 1/2 days at Epcot plus
1&1/2 days at MGM then Epcot at night
and 1 day at AK till closing then hopping back to Epcot
We also did a MNSSHalloween Party (5 hrs at MK)
1 day at Typhoon Lagoon
1 day at Blizzard Beach
and 1 day at Downtown Disney. (8 1/2 hrs of SHOPPING)

We still didn't see it all.

If it is your first trip down, I would suggest only doing Disney.
We were there for 11 days and still didn't do it all.

Come see us on the Canadian Board on this site.

 

[sammi]

Hi Baba! Thanks for the nice comments! We always rent a car while in Florida but I'm pretty sure they do shuttle service to the parks. There is a phone number on the web site too that you might want to call and verify that they do indeed have a shuttle.

We always spend one full day at each park and even then you can't possibly see everything....and don't even attempt to! LOL It will cause you too much stress...believe me!

I think that Pecos Bill's eatery at Magic Kingdom was the best...IMO!They have such a huge variet of toppings for burgers and the price wasn't too bad. (gotta remember that ugly exchange rate) We actually ate most meals away from the parks due to the costs.

Feel free to ask any more questions and I'll give it my best to answer them!

~~Cindy~~

 

[baba]

Hi again!
Talking to you guys is addictive!
We have been to Disney in California. Is the MK the same in Florida? If one had to choose between a day at Universal and a day at IOA which would be better(with 2 boys, 11 and 16)?
I'm still wondering how to set up our days. We likely won't go back to Florida for a long time as we are Western Canadians and it's quite a trek. I wish we had more time, but we are also doing a 7 day Carnival Cruise out of Miami the week before, so we will only be able to have 7 more days after that, for our 2 week vacation of a life time! I am soooo excited! I want to make sure we see as many parks as we can, and I'm uptight about doing it right! We are a very active "doing" family, but I don't want us to get so exhausted that it's not fun anymore.
This is how I've set it up in my mind, but it may be unrealistic. What do you think?
We'll probably arrive at Disney area at 2 or 3p.m. on Sun. - Do Epcot till closing
Mon.- Animal Kingdom - a.m. Epcot p.m.
Tue. - MGM
Wed. - MK
Thur.-Universal
Fri. -Disney Park Hopping
Sat. - IOA

 

[Debbie]

Welcome, Baba! Come on over to the Canadian board, but in the meantime, if you are a member of CAA, don't forget their Universal at Par tickets. $111. Canadian for 3 days, 2 parks, never expire tickets. That way, you'd have to go back...sometime! Anybody guesstimate how long to get from the Magic Castle to Universal?

 

[sammi]

Debbie I'd say maybe 1/2 hour or so. Did you get the email I sent you yesterday?

baba if your kids are real thrill ride lovers than I'd say do IOA but since we're not into coasters etc. we love US! And I've never been to DL so I'm not too sure if both parks are similar.

Debbie we still have 2 days left on our US/IOA passes that we bought 2 years ago from CAA! So yep we'll be back next year!

 

[Debbie]

Got it Sammi. You and PhotobearSam have answered a lot of my questions! Pics are great, too. Thanks! Talk soon.

 

[BarryCF]

Hi baba, and welcome to The Dis Msg Boards. I'm a BIG Disney nut, but i'm a firm believer in seeing other things while you are there. Go to Universal, you'll be glad you did. There's no way you can see all of WDW in 7 days or for that matter 10 days, so don't even try You said you have been to DL. The MK is bigger not to mention the other 3 theme parks and 2 water parks etc....You'll run yourself ragged trying to see it all. IOA is worth the trip for Spiderman alone, and with 2 teen boys, if they're thrill seekers at all they'll like IOA a lot better. If I go for 10 days, WDW gets 5 days tops. The other 5 I reserve for US, IOA, and Seaworld. I've never stayed off site without a car, so the best I can do is wish you good luck on the shuttle service. You may be able to rent a car reasonably enough to make it worth your while, especially if you plan to take a taxi 2 or 3 times. Whatever you decide to do, have fun and be sure to let everyone here know how it went when you get back.

Cheers

 

[baba]

Hi Barry,
Thank for the input. I think the kids would love to see Universal/IOA as well.I have considered renting a car, but am concerned about parking availability at the parks. Does it cost anything? How much of a trek is it from parking lot to the parks? We need to rent a car anyway to get from Miami to our hotel. Incidentally, anyone know how long/difficult a drive it is from Miami to Orlando? Also any ball park figures on renting a basic vehicle for a week? Debbie, I am also on the Canadian board.
Thanks all,
Kathy

 

[robinb]

baba,

If you are plannig to stay off-site I would recommend that you rent a car. Especially when you're going to need one from Miami. It's about 370 kilometers from Miami to the WDW area. Parking at the Disney parks is $6 per day. Trams pick guests up in the parking lots and drop them off at the door of the park.

 

[BarryCF]

Hi again Kathy Parking at US/IOA is in a parking garage and its a fair hike through Citywalk to the parks. I'm not sure if they have trams or not. Disney parking lots are big but they have trams to haul in guests from the nether reaches of the lots. I can't emphasize enough... WRITE DOWN YOUR PARKING LOCATION. Walking around looking for a strange car you don't usually drive is no fun after walking 15 miles or more in the theme parks. On I-4 just north of Orlando there is a sign that says Miami 345 miles. Why are you flying in to Miami? Are the airfares better or do you just want to see Florida? BTW...Budget is advertising weekly rates for $169 and $189 depending on the type of vehicle you want. I'm sure that rate is for compact or economy cars, but you should be able to get a car big enough for 4 and luggage for $200 or so. I can't imagine staying off site without a ride.

Cheers!

 

[baba]

Barry,
We need to go to Miami first because we are going on a Carnival cruise first! It leaves out of miami. I am so excited about this trip! We'll definitely keep the rental car for the duration in Orlando. Thanks alot for the advice and the info.
K.

 

[disneyfan551]

...but, I would MUCH rather stay at the Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista than the Magic Castle! It is sooo much closer to everything, and the hotel is better & cleaner. We stayed 2 weeks ago at CI-LBV for $35.99 vs. Magic Castle for $29.99. At the CI, we had a refrigerator AND a microwave (needed for baby bottles... ). The hotel has 2 pools and 2 restaurants, and is in a nice area. Just thought you may like to check them out also! Good luck!