Travel advice for January please

[cjeong]

My family (2 adults & 2 young adults 19 & 17 yrs) are planning a trip from Australia to USA from January 5-15,- stopping in Orlando (5 nights) New Orleans (2 nights), Memphis (2 nights) and LA.

Can anyone give some advice to make this trip a memorable one? The young ones are difficult to please and I would love a holiday that would suit both my husband, myself and the kids. Please any suggestions...

Also can anyone provide any info on the following:

1) Is this time a busy period for theme parks and accommodation in Orlando? eg long queues for theme parks and hotel shuttles to theme parks. Is it recommended to stay on site and travel by shuttle bus to theme parks or cheaper to stay off site and hire a car?

2) Online bookings for Disney resort deluxe accommodation appear not available. Is this correct? Are they already booked up? Any recommendations for deluxe accomodation at a good rate?


3) Any suggestions to make my short time in the USA time efficient - allowing my family to see the best of each of the above localities?

I came across this site by accident. I have been reading the Disboard forum messages for hours trying to pick up info - this a fantastic medium - keep up the good work.

Regards from Down Under.

 

[mbb]

And welcome to the Dis!!

January is a GREAT time to go!! Very low crowds, temps are perfect for touring!

Stay on-site...you'll get more of a Disney "feel"

Head over to the DVC Board, and "rent" points from a DVCer...get a two bedroom villa - ONSITE!!- at Beach Club Villas, or Boardwalk Villas, or Saratoga Springs. If your kids are "pool lovers", do Beach Club for Stormalong Bay, if "Late night entertainment, fun lovin' " head to Boardwalk or Saratoga Springs. Points generally rent for $10/point, and January is Value season..

And keep reading!!

 

[cjeong]

Thanks for the advice. I'm looking forward to our Orlando trip.

 

[cjeong]

I'm desperately needing some advice so I can book my holiday from Australia.

Can anyone help in giving some suggestions for visiting in January.

My travel agent here has no idea.

Can anyone give me some key pointers in choosing accommodation (deluxe) and places to see? Or am I too late to book the good ones?

Desperate aussie

 

[Cujo]

We visited Orlando a few years ago in January and had a wonderful holiday. In order to take advantage of all that disney world has to offer we bought the 7 day passes that included 4 extra days at the water parks. You can easily keep your days filled with disney itself. Then there is universal studios, which we had not visited, but heard that it was a great place to visit with older kids/teenagers. There is also Kennedy Space Center, Busch Gardens, Sea World and Discovery Cove. All of these places have informative web sites that will give you a good idea of what they have to offer. It is more or less up to you and what you are interested in doing or seeing.
When you get some ideas, check back on this board and you can read up on what other people have to say about their experiences or opinions.
Our trip was based on info. that we found on this web site, and our trip could not have gone any better.
Have you checked out the disney world resorts? Pick the one that you like and then punch the name into the "search" section of this site. . . .it will bring up all the discussion on the topic.
You can also call the hotels directly to get information about making reservations.
If you need extra help in choosing a hotel, "tripadvisor.com" has comments from people who have stayed at various hotels, which is helpful.
If there are any other questions, keep asking and perhaps start a new thread. There are many wonderful people that visit this site that are so helpful in sharing their info.
Good Luck with your planning & have a great vacation!

Sandra

 

[cjeong]

Sandra

Thanks for the info. There is so much to see and do - it become mind boggling at times.

As I'm from Australia I'm trying to get as much information and my travel agent is putting together a package for me. I am unsure whether we can get the same deals on you in the US.

I have been obsessed!! I have been on this website for days. My DS is going through withdrawal symptoms as he can't get onto the computer!!

Chris

 

[Cujo]

Chris,

You are right about things becoming mind boggling. There is so much to do, and so many options of where to stay that is very overwhelming.
I just noticed that you mentioned your kids being 17 & 19.
From what I have read, people often claim that if they are into joy rides, Universal Studios is a lot of fun.
I think Disney is worth visiting, if you get park hopper passes, you can go from park to park on the same day. We had a lot of fun at their water park.

It really does depend on what you want to do. We are from a small town in northern Canada, and do not have easy access to waterparks, or theme parks. So we really enjoyed all the entertainment.
If there is anything else you might want to ask, feel free to e-mail me @ auragirl_22@hotmail.com

Sandra

 

[april riddle]

We always go to Orlando in January right around the time you plan to be there. (2nd or 3rd week) You will love it then - there are no crowds at the parks and you should not have any problems with getting on the rides that you want to ride. We love this time of the year because normally the weather is perfect without humidity. We did experience the coldest week in a thirty year period there in January 03 (actually had to wear mitts and hats) but still had a blast and by the time our 10 days had passed we had more warm and beautiful days than cool and beautiful days. We always take the kids out of school in order to do this but when you are spending all this money you want the most for your dollar. (I realize that this is your summertime) Have a great time.

 

[cjeong]

What should I pack for the weather in January? Heavy jackets and jumpers?

Do the hotels get cold at night? Do they all have heating?

 

[Figment22]

Originally posted by cjeong
What should I pack for the weather in January? Heavy jackets and jumpers?

Do the hotels get cold at night? Do they all have heating?

When you go in January, you have to be prepared for any weather. We usually pack layers as it can be VERY cold in the early morning and then warm up to spring-like temperatures as the day goes on. I'll start with a cotton knit turtle neck, have a pull-over sweatshirt atop that and then a mid-weight jacket over it. At least you can shed a layer (or two) if necessary as the day goes on. I'll usually keep a pair of gloves in the jacket pockets too for early morning. Most likely, you won't need all those clothes, but it's good to be prepared. Last January (2003), it was near freezing as we arrived at the parks in the morning but it did get into the mid-fifties by afternoon.

All of the hotels have heat in the rooms. Keep in mind that not all pools are heated so it may not be possible to swim in January if you were hoping to do that.

 

[Snoopymom]

New Orleans and Memphis are both walkable and safe. You can see them both in the two days that you have planned for each.

In Memphis we stayed at the Radisson which was nice, but if it's affordable, I'd stay at The Peabody. (If you don't stay there, stop in to see the ducks get formally escorted down the elevator and into the fountain. I think they do it twice a day. It's fun!) There are shuttles to Graceland from all the hotels, so no need to worry about having a car. The area around Graceland is a little seedy and there's nothing else to do around there, so be sure to stay near Beale Street and you've got to try The Rendezvous for their bar-b-que ribs. It's down a back alley so you'll have to ask for directions. We weren't that impressed with Mud Island. There's a museum there on the history of the delta, but that's about it.

In New Orleans, the guided tours are great and we also liked the little aquarium there...a great place to get out of the hot sun. I don't think there's a bad restaurant around. I wouldn't stay right on Burbon Street. When we were there in April, there was a mini Mardi Gras each night, but everything was quiet and pleasant a block away in either direction. Be sure to have beignets at Cafe du Monde's

I don't have anything to add about Orlando, and if you are looking for more info about New Orleans and Memphis, you could post again with those in the heading and I'm sure some locals will respond with more and better advice.

I hope this helps and I hope you have a great time!!!

 

[cjeong]

Thanks Snoopymom for your advice. I'm slowly getting into the swing of things. So much to find out and look up. Every bit of info is wonderful and very much appreciated.

I must admit while searching the DISboards I get sidetracked and start looking at something completely different each time. Maybe that's why I spend so much time on this site.

This forum is just the best. Keep up the good work, you guys are fantastic!!

I'm looking to stay at the HRH. Has anyone got any info on transport between HRH & theme parks (eg time taken from HRH to parks by shuttle bus in January). Or recommend other means of transport.