san francisco & wdw some help needed!

[liberty]

Hey everyone
As some of you might of read i'm planning a suprise trip for my mum for christmas to visit wdw nxt august. This will be our first trip, so am a complete novice at this kinda thing, i've done quite a bit of planning mainly thanks to this board and i'm looking to stay at the grand flordian.

I have not told anyone about this untill today when i told my dad of my plans and his reponse was 'don't take her there, everyone goes there, she wont want to do anymore disney, its for kids...along with some other nasty lines!'

Anyways, we have been several times to dlrp, and loved it!, we have also not been abroad in 6 years, and never to America.!!. And i'm also paying for the whole trip.

So a little hurt by this i decided just incase to add a couple of days to San fransico to the trip, is it possible to fly on from there to orlando for the two week trip?, making it now a nice 16 day trip...has anyone done this, that could maybe help?, any suggestions, regarding packages, travel agents.

Sorry to ramble...thanks very much.

 

[Danauk]

If you also wanted to go to San Francisco how about a California trip and going to Disneyland instead then on the San Francisco. You could hit San Diego as well which is beautiful. Also the hotel Del Coronado is there which is what the Grand Floridian is based on, I have been there and it is wonderful.

 

[rickhasco]

Hi
United fly direct to MCO arriving 21:37 each day. best bet is to either use their site or Expedia type online options.
San Francisco is worth it for a few days but if you are going peak season, make sure you book the Alcatraz Visit online beforehand as standby queues can be quite long. This for us was by far the highlight of our visit alongside riding the Trams and have Chowder at the pier.

 

[wayneg]

Firstly I wouldn't spend that kind of money on a suprise, I would ask her outright if she wants to go. If she was so ungrateful and said she didn't then I would go without her.
Not everyone likes theme parks, even though we love Xmas in Florida some people hate it, it gets packed, upto 3 hour lines for a ride etc. I would not advise it for a 1st trip. especially if you mean between Xmas and New Year, early in Dec is better.
As for San Fran, 2 days personally is not worth the trail across to the West Coast. I love the West coast but all that travelling would not be for me, its a 5 hour flight between San Fran and Orlando.
For me to do SF I would do Disneyland CA, San Diego, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, but tottaly different holiday to Florida, We have had 2 trips to West coast but not SF yet, will be in next trip over there.
So difficult to give advise for someone you don't know, and for someone with no experience. I would say do a trip to Florida 1st but not Xmas if possible.

 

[kieras nana]

i think the surprise is for xmas,but to travel next aug,if i am reading it right.sorry if iv'e read it wrong!
we are doing this trip,in oct.we have booked the whole thing,through united vacations.we did hawaii & florida,with them in 06 & could not fault them.we paid,what i think,is a good price,although i have not chosen, top notch hotels,so of course,you can bump the price up,as much as you choose.
we are going to SF first,as we take our grandaughter & i prefer her to go back,to school after a shorter flight,but that's personal preference.
if your dad is anything,to go by,i would definately,run it by your mum first.is there anyway,it could be brought up,in conversation,so you could,find out,if it is her kind of trip?
i would not go with virgin,as i find their prices,way over the top.
when we booked united,were offering 2 free stopovers,but i'm not sure if this is still the case
happy planning
tracy

 

[wayneg]

i think the surprise is for xmas,but to travel next aug,if i am reading it right.sorry if iv'e read it wrong!

I missed that bit. Yes looks like August travel, sorry
Still I wouldn't advise 2 centres on opposite coasts of US for a 1st visit, especially for only 2 days in one place.
I like suprises of flowers or a little piece of jewellery but I think something like this needs planning with everyone from the start, just my thoughts, every family is different.

 

[liberty]

Thanks for the help everyone!
My mum is the kinda person that would be happy to go anywhere on holiday, as we havn't been in such a long time. She is also a teacher so it dosn't matter about her getting time off in August.

My dad is just being akward!!!

Ohh and thanks for the advice on dropping the word florida into a conversation!...sneaky!.lol

I chose sanfrancisco becuase she has always wanted to go there, but i am considering miami instead, as its in the same state!.lol.

I think i will ring up a couple of travel agents and look on expedia.

Thanks very much everyone

 

[wayneg]

I chose sanfrancisco becuase she has always wanted to go there, but i am considering miami instead, as its in the same state!.lol.

I think i will ring up a couple of travel agents and look on expedia.

Thanks very much everyone

Miami would be easier to arrange, you could fly into Miami and drive upto Orlando then fly back home from Orlando.

Good luck with Travel agents and expedia. Not booked with any of them for years, too expensive for me.
Try Orbitz.com, kayak.co.uk, travelsupermarket.com
Unfortunately August is one of most expensive times to go.

 

[liberty]

Yeh i no, its because of the school holidays i had to go for August..lol

I'm only trying to do a nice thing!, and i'm getting so much hassle.lol

Thanks i will have a look at them sites

 

[wayneg]

Thanks i will have a look at them sites

Just one thing its too early yet, you can't book scheduled flights until 336 days(approx 11 months) from your return date. If you want to return say 28th August then you need to start looking around end of Sept.

 

[liberty]

Ahh right i see!

 

[kieras nana]

what about new york & florida? i think that will be my next,twin centre.it would be pretty straight forward to arrange.it saves going,all the way to the west coast.
your mum,is one lucky lady
tracy

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

I was going to suggest Chicago & Florida. Chicago is a great place where you can walk around - and also has a lake fron complete with beach.

We really enjoyed it there

 

[liberty]

Ohh some great suggestions everyone!
I'm gonna have a look at some sites, i will let you no when i have it booked!

Thanks