Some advice/help needed fo upcoming US May trip!

[Nicsjtp]

Ok Im needing some advice/help! I was so organised for our May 2011 trip 6 months ago but during the past few months have seperated from my husband and am dealing with setback after setback!! Anyway he is is no longer coming on the trip so my mum and I are still taking my children!!!

The first major thing is accomodation - I found out only a few days ago that he has cancelled our previously booked accomodation in Washington, New York and San Fran.... so can anyone give me any tips on where to search for CHEAP accomodation in these areas ??? I cant afford much - I wanst budgeting on this happening!

A few other things Im yet to organise are mainly transportation questions...

1. Kennedy Space Center - how to get there from WDW? Is it worth it for an 8 and 6 year old boy?
2. Universal Studios - getting from WDW to Universal with 2 adults 2 children and 1 2 year old - cheapest option??
3. Getting from WDW to Port Canaveral for Disney Dream Cruise... what is the cheapest option for 5 of us?
4. Getting from Port Canaveral to MCO Airport...

That will do me for now.... trying to get the first 2 weeks sorted then move on to the remaining 2 weeks!

Would appreciate any advice/help - still cant believe this once in a lifetime trip has come to this!!!! But I will not disappoint my children who have been so looking forward to this for the past 12 months!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hi Nicsjtp. So sorry to read about your setbacks and I wish you well for your trip with mum and the kids. It sounds like you're going to need a really good holiday.

In terms of accommodation, try bidding on Priceline.com (http://www.priceline.com/). I have some friends that have used it for their last trip to the US and managed to get accommodation in Anaheim, San Francisco and LA without any issue.

I took my then 5 yo boy to KSC and he loved it. I suspect this comes down to what your boys will like and whether looking at rockets is something that would keep them engaged or not.

I normally hire a car and drive myself; but in the Orlando area, there is the Mears Shuttle which would take you from location to location. I do not know if they would take you to KSC or not; but it is worth looking them up and checking it out.

To get from WDW to Universal, you can catch a taxi. It will roughly cost about $40 - $50 one way. I didn't organise a taxi; but on the morning that we were going, we went to concierge at Coronado Springs Resort and there was a resort van/driver waiting outside. With tips, we paid $40 and he gave us his cell phone number to call when we were ready to go back to CSR.

As I get really seasick, I've never looked at a cruise. So, I can't provide any tips on getting to/from Port Canaveral. But there are plenty of other Aussies that will probably mosey along and provide their experiences and tips.

Hope you and the family have a fabulous time!

 

[WAMUMOF4]

Hi, sorry to hear about your news.
Here is a link on the disboards
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2270021
If you look at it and click on the signature you will find a discounted room rate that you can use I have got some great deals of it, Go to the last page and click on the one on that page.
I cant help you with trasport around Orlando haven't been yet and we will have a car but I went on the Kennedy space centre site last night and if you type the code Liftoff in the promotions section you get $5 off each ticket.

I Hope your week gets better

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I'm so sorry to hear about all of the upheaval in your life.

We caught a cab to Universal from Pop Century and I agree with Princess, it cost approx. $40, seemed like the cheaper option than Mears and esp if you have 5 people.

I can't help with the other transport info but I wish you the best.

 

[Nicsjtp]

Thanks everyone for your help so far!

 

[DVCAustralia]

Clearly not the best lead up to a holiday as the planner.

In relation to transport, I cannot recommend renting a car highly enough if you are venturing off WDW property. The cost is almost always significantly less than individual transfers and taxis (as mentioned $80 just for Universal) and you get complete freedom. For example, if you rent for the week including the cruise, you can drive to and from the cruise at your convenience (the cruise terminal parking is only $15 per night), drive to Universal (Regular Parking $15.00) and Kennedy (no charge for parking), and use it for other things such as shopping. Also parking at the resort and theme park car parks is included as an on-site guest. I recommend National/Alamo as they quote an all-inclusive price on their website with pick up at the Disney Car Care Center (arrange transport from any Disney resort for free) and drop-off at the airport.

 

[osprey6]

Hotwire.com and lastminutetravel.com are good choices for hotels as well.

As far as the cruise transfers, I believe those are worked out through Mears, and I think they're included in the price of the package. Ask your travel agent to call if need be.

I strongly agree about the car rentals to KSC and USF. If the option is available to you, definitely take it.

 

[DVCAustralia]

Originally posted by osprey6

As far as the cruise transfers, I believe those are worked out through Mears, and I think they're included in the price of the package

They are definately not INCLUDED, you pay to add them, and generally if you have more than two people they are the most expensive and less flexible form of transfer available.