PLAN A - LHR -> JFK -> ORL

[stevechase]

Hi all

We are starting to plan a trip of mamouth proportions. A trip of this magnitude has only once been previoulsy undertaken, this was when Scott attempted to take the Pole.

Anyway, We are looking to fly from UK (not fussed where really, Bham would be better, but they dont seem to fly anywhere other than Spain, thats another gripe)

July 12 2006 UK -> JFK

July 12 2006 2 adults, 3 sprouts, NY at the embassy suites

July 16 2006 JFK -> ORL

July 17 2006, 2 adults 3 sprouts, 10 nights at ASM

July 27 2006, Pick up minivan

July 27 2006, 2 adults 3 sprouts, 7 nights Alden Beach, St Petes

August 3 2006 ORL -> UK

Right, the prices,

flights to and from the UK with Virgin £3071.50
hotel in NY £847.26
flights NY - ORL £263.00
ASM £590.00
car £282.00
hotel at St Petes £738.00

Has anyone (who has stayed awake) any ideas or recomendations on hotels in NY and/or St Petes. The route from NY - ORL seems to be reasonable, it is £3 cheaper by rail but takes 24hrs.

Any help/advice/suggestions/what you have done would be great

Thanks everyone

Steve

 

[carolfoy]

Hotels in NY I'd recommend that aren't ridiculously expensive are The Milford Plaza, thirty thirty, the New Yorker, The Carlton and Edison are nice too, sorry not much help on St Petes!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

The Aiden Beach Resort is nice , 5900 Gulf Blvd , St Petes Beach
or
Dolphin Beach Resort, 4900 Gulf Blvd

Both good standard, clean accomodation

or try : www.floridasbeach.com/lodging

 

[stevechase]

Thanks for the help so quickly. It seems it may be cheaper to book a 2 centre for 3 weeks, 2 at disney and 1 at St Petes somewhere and in the middle nip off to NY for a few days.

Thanks

Steve

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

How about Continental from Birmingham to New york
CO 27 dep 09:00 arr 11:55
or
CO33 dep 12:35 arr 15:25

 

[patdavies]

What flight are you planning from JFK to ORL?

ORL is Orlando Executive airport and usually only takes GA aircraft

 

[Frances999]

Have you tried SONG or JetBlue for transportation from New York to Orlando? We used SONG this past August and got an incredible low fare through Expedia ($200 for all five of us). They fly from JFK-MCO and the planes have full seat-back in-flight entertainment plus a very generous baggage allowance.

We have stayed at The Hilton New York (amongst others) and would highly recommend it. The location is unbeatable - a short walk from Central Park, Fifth Avenue and Times Square (max 10 minutes).

 

[stevechase]

Pat (I assume)

I only put the ORL out of laziness, I wasnt on about a particular Orlando airport, the flight was with Delta from JFK to the Orlando Intl.

It was 58.00 each one way, it was only £6 in total more than the train, but 19hours quicker.

The train seems a nice way to go as we could stop off in Washington, but with a 2.5 year old 21+ hours on a train could be a bit much.

Thanks again

Steve

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Steve, with a three year old, that's why we fly direct from Gatwick to Orlando at the moment.
there are some great flight deals if you go via amsterdam, but the less travelling time with him the better!

we are going to try London to Boston, then drive up to Vermont next November, that should be fun, a 24 hour total journey on the way back!

 

[kristieuk]

Definitely look at JetBlue prices for JFK to Orlando flight - they are cheap anyway, but they always have special offers. We've used them a few times - excellent.

I have a cousin who lives in NY and he always recommends the Embassy Suites to visiting family - I'm not sure if there are more than one, but the one he talks about is somewhere down in Lower Manhattan / Battery Park City where he lives - this is one of my favourite parts of NY because it's so quiet but still so accessible. If you wanted to push the boat out, the Ritz in Battery Park City is superb, and not always stupidly expensive.

There are so many alternatives regarding the flights - but it could possibly be cheapest to get a return flight from UK - JFK, then an internal flight from JFK Orlando, so that your flight home is basically two legs. We did this earlier this year, but to Las Vegas and it worked brilliantly (save for a electrical fumes in the cabin halfway across the Atlantic on the way home which resulted in a 2 hour turn back to Newfoundland, but that's another story!).

You have so many options. It sounds like a wonderful trip. Sorry can't help with St Pete as we have only been there for the day. Good luck!

 

[xmasinorlando]

Hi Steve. B'ham would have been the best option for us, but after flying to New York last year with Continental,which was like being on a plane to Spain only 3x longer...very boring, with 4 kids, therefore decided to fly Virgin from Heathrow to Newark....just for the entertainment for kids. We are flying with AA and Delta for flights to and from Orlando, about $60 each way. Booked those flights the day they came on sale...now are 3x more. Have booked Sirata at St Petes...but regretting it after reading Tripadvisor...oh well.

Have a good trip

 

[kristieuk]

Have booked Sirata at St Petes...but regretting it after reading Tripadvisor...oh well.

Have a good trip

Haven't been to this hotel myself, but there are a lot of brides on a West Coast Florida wedding board that are getting married there and absolutely rave about it (before and after the wedding. It sounds wonderful!

Just to add to mt JetBlue post above - in view of the 'landing difficulties' being broadcast today, I just wanted to make it clear that the fumes in the cabin problem we had was on an American Airlines flight from JFK to LHR, not the JetBlue flight - we couldn't fault them!

 

[edenlee]

have you considered and american airline that gives you a free stop over. We did this - flew to Washington DC stopped off for 5 nights to visits my family then internal flight to Orlando. The airline was United and it was great. A big advantage is that you will be one of the few Brits aboard so immigration is a doddle. Definitely worth considering. Also try internet for prices for hotels - go to the hotel's own website. It proves much cheaper. We always make our own holidays this way. Flights booked on line direct with airline, rooms on line direct with hotel and car hire also online. We have never had any problems and find it considerably cheaper.

 

[stevechase]

Thanks everyone, I knew it would take some planning..

Steve

 

[Stella_the_Staff]

Another vote for United Airlines.