Here is a pre pre trip + checklist to see if we have forgotten anything, so any advice if we have would be welcome 
Pre pre Trip preport + pre checklist
Cast...
Michael DH 41 (me)
Melissa DW 37
Alyshea DD 15
Lavona DD 11
Cerys DD 8
Mandy (Family friend)
Alan (Family Friend)
As this is our 1st trip to the USA and Florida I was not sure on who to go with and what the prices would be like. So off i went to loads of travel agents in the high street and got loads of brouchers on Florida holidays and WDW/Universal, and after being flirted with by loads of TA's to book there and then, i returned home for a mamouth read.
A few days later and after much talking we decided that we would not stay onsite as there is 7 of us and we like our space and timeout to relax from the hussle and bussle for a few hours at least LOL. We also decided that we wanted to visit all of Walt Disney World, Universal Studios/Island of Adventure, Sea World and Busch Gardens and at our own pace and if needed different parks in 1 day, So we went for the 14 day ultimate for Disney and the 14 day 5 park flexi ticket for Universal etc.
As to staying offsite we wanted a villa with a pool but as not knowing anyone at the time who had been there and stayed in a villa we was unsure where would be good so this was a bit of a worry at the time and would think about it later !
We knew when we wanted to go (2 weeks 1st half of April), so armed with this information I clicked the "e" button on my desktop and off i went to get some rough prices from different companys (remember we never done this before and stuck with companys I knew of) The best price I came back with was from Virgin Holidays at just over £6700 (flights, 4 bed villa no pool (30 mins away) all the park tickets, and a 7 seater SUV and prem insurance) as to us this price seemed good and everyone paying said yup thats ok, I printed the details off and went in to town to see if i could get cheaper (love a good haggle) .. Went to Going places, never again, told them what i was looking for and was told sorry cant beat that and they walked off without even trying (very rude as well), a few stops later and still no-one could beat it, I walked into First Choice, and after 45 mins of the Lady asking questions and on the phone and lots of typing away at keyboard she came back with, we cant beat it but can match it and give you 4 bed luxury villa with pool (at Windsor hills) 5 mins away from Disney and 8 seater minivan, all sounded good and was acctually £200 cheaper than VH, so armed with this i told the lady i would be back later that day if all was good. As soon as i got home i rang VH to see if they could match or better it LOL they could match it but only if i booked there and then, and i dont like pressure sales and also being 1st time i would rather book face to face and deal with a person in front of me (but I will always try for a haggle lol). So of I drive back to First Choice. Paid them the deposit and walked out with dates etc 10th April - 24th April 08 flying with Virgin at 12.45pm and staying at Windsor Hills ...
As time passed (a couple of weeks) I got curious as to where we would be staying and had i made the right choices for us. After many hours searching and joining forums, I found 1 called Explore The Magic and they were very helpfull, but being American thought i would have more help from a place called DisBoard and boy was they right, so many questions and worrys, i clicked the join button and asked loads of questions that many others had probably asked before, but everyone has been and still is being very helpfull with everything i ask, and reading everyone else's questions has also helped.
I know know that where we are staying is a very nice place and is very close to where we need to be, and the car we have will be good for our needs, and also we might not get to do everything we want to do LOL but will have a good time trying and with the help of things like Live maps, i have driven the route from the airport to villa so many times i could do it blind folded LOL and scouted the area to see what is around etc etc, looks so nice there
So to recap, Sorted flights, place to sleep, parks to visit, car to drive, taxi to and from Gatwick (we dont live to far, £60 each way fair). Read through airport procedues at both airports (1st time we flown as well). Places to go shopping (DW loves shopping). Passports sorted, suite cases brought, travel plugs got, wife already started to sort what clothes the kids will be taking !!! Even planned a Dis meet at Epcot on the 19th. Meet some very helpfull people, and some of them are even on the same flight as us looked into driving on the "wrong side of the road" and the way they drive over there
So all that i can think of that is left to plan at the moment is places to eat (we not eating at Disney) we will have some food in villa like breakfast maybe lol and the odd light snack etc, going to goto Publix for stuff like that as been told that they are better and they very close to where we are staying. Also what days at what park and what we want to do in the parks (what rides etc etc) Youtube has been brilliant for getting the feel of the rides and what the children can do and cant do (height limits etc), me, i want to go on them all lol and do everything, so for me it's gonna be hard to pick
I know know we could have probably got the holiday for cheaper by doing it DIY, but being out 1st time and being Orlando Noobies, we felt safer doing it this way, and this once in a life time trip might happen again (i have already looked at going again and scouted prices for staying onsite for the next trip LOL, dont tell DW though lol)
So is there anything I have not planned for, something you think I have not thought of ?
Pre pre Trip preport + pre checklist
Cast...
Michael DH 41 (me)
Melissa DW 37
Alyshea DD 15
Lavona DD 11
Cerys DD 8
Mandy (Family friend)
Alan (Family Friend)
As this is our 1st trip to the USA and Florida I was not sure on who to go with and what the prices would be like. So off i went to loads of travel agents in the high street and got loads of brouchers on Florida holidays and WDW/Universal, and after being flirted with by loads of TA's to book there and then, i returned home for a mamouth read.
A few days later and after much talking we decided that we would not stay onsite as there is 7 of us and we like our space and timeout to relax from the hussle and bussle for a few hours at least LOL. We also decided that we wanted to visit all of Walt Disney World, Universal Studios/Island of Adventure, Sea World and Busch Gardens and at our own pace and if needed different parks in 1 day, So we went for the 14 day ultimate for Disney and the 14 day 5 park flexi ticket for Universal etc.
As to staying offsite we wanted a villa with a pool but as not knowing anyone at the time who had been there and stayed in a villa we was unsure where would be good so this was a bit of a worry at the time and would think about it later !
We knew when we wanted to go (2 weeks 1st half of April), so armed with this information I clicked the "e" button on my desktop and off i went to get some rough prices from different companys (remember we never done this before and stuck with companys I knew of) The best price I came back with was from Virgin Holidays at just over £6700 (flights, 4 bed villa no pool (30 mins away) all the park tickets, and a 7 seater SUV and prem insurance) as to us this price seemed good and everyone paying said yup thats ok, I printed the details off and went in to town to see if i could get cheaper (love a good haggle) .. Went to Going places, never again, told them what i was looking for and was told sorry cant beat that and they walked off without even trying (very rude as well), a few stops later and still no-one could beat it, I walked into First Choice, and after 45 mins of the Lady asking questions and on the phone and lots of typing away at keyboard she came back with, we cant beat it but can match it and give you 4 bed luxury villa with pool (at Windsor hills) 5 mins away from Disney and 8 seater minivan, all sounded good and was acctually £200 cheaper than VH, so armed with this i told the lady i would be back later that day if all was good. As soon as i got home i rang VH to see if they could match or better it LOL they could match it but only if i booked there and then, and i dont like pressure sales and also being 1st time i would rather book face to face and deal with a person in front of me (but I will always try for a haggle lol). So of I drive back to First Choice. Paid them the deposit and walked out with dates etc 10th April - 24th April 08 flying with Virgin at 12.45pm and staying at Windsor Hills ...
As time passed (a couple of weeks) I got curious as to where we would be staying and had i made the right choices for us. After many hours searching and joining forums, I found 1 called Explore The Magic and they were very helpfull, but being American thought i would have more help from a place called DisBoard
and boy was they right, so many questions and worrys, i clicked the join button and asked loads of questions that many others had probably asked before, but everyone has been and still is being very helpfull with everything i ask, and reading everyone else's questions has also helped.I know know that where we are staying is a very nice place and is very close to where we need to be, and the car we have will be good for our needs, and also we might not get to do everything we want to do LOL but will have a good time trying
and with the help of things like Live maps, i have driven the route from the airport to villa so many times i could do it blind folded LOL and scouted the area to see what is around etc etc, looks so nice there So to recap, Sorted flights, place to sleep, parks to visit, car to drive, taxi to and from Gatwick (we dont live to far, £60 each way fair). Read through airport procedues at both airports (1st time we flown as well). Places to go shopping (DW loves shopping). Passports sorted, suite cases brought, travel plugs got, wife already started to sort what clothes the kids will be taking !!! Even planned a Dis meet at Epcot on the 19th. Meet some very helpfull people, and some of them are even on the same flight as us
looked into driving on the "wrong side of the road" and the way they drive over there So all that i can think of that is left to plan at the moment is places to eat (we not eating at Disney) we will have some food in villa like breakfast maybe lol and the odd light snack etc, going to goto Publix for stuff like that as been told that they are better and they very close to where we are staying. Also what days at what park and what we want to do in the parks (what rides etc etc) Youtube has been brilliant for getting the feel of the rides and what the children can do and cant do (height limits etc), me, i want to go on them all lol and do everything, so for me it's gonna be hard to pick
I know know we could have probably got the holiday for cheaper by doing it DIY, but being out 1st time and being Orlando Noobies, we felt safer doing it this way, and this once in a life time trip might happen again (i have already looked at going again and scouted prices for staying onsite for the next trip LOL, dont tell DW though lol)
So is there anything I have not planned for, something you think I have not thought of ?
Again, I second what Helen said about not ruling out the Disney restaurants. Some of them are excellent - but I totally understand what you mean about not wanting to be tied down to ADRs etc. We are making half a dozen or so ADRs for our April trip and, hopefully, that will be more than enough as there are plenty of great restaurants off-site too.
). We are hoping to go to one on the 11th as that is my DD's 14th Birthday. Obviously, we're looking forward to meeting you on the plane - and at Epcot on the 19th. Otherwise, you've got my Email address if you need anything before then 
