Twin Centre is it a good idea??

[Englands Disney Gang]

Hi

I have not been on the boards for over a year due to illness so hello to anyone who may remember me

Hopefully in August 2008 I will be back on top form and so ready for a holiday as we have not been since 2005!!. I have promised my boys we will be going back to Florida for 2 weeks (as they so deserve it!) but we would also like to add on another week and maybe do another country or maybe a cruise.

I find this very daunting as we have never done anything like that before....any tips, advice, help, guide or just anything else would be brilliant as I dont know where to even start and want to really enjoy the planning stage!

 

[wayneg]

Hi Jane
Many on here like to go to coast to add a week after Orlando. We did it once and totally regretted it, Clearwater was just not for us. After the usual fantastic time in Orlando it was boring, places to eat were not what we like, don't like beaches prefer a pool etc.
Now adding a cruise is our kind of extra, Disney if you can afford it. In August Disney can be over double cost of Royal Caribbean. Next August you would only be able to do 3 or 4 night Disney as the Magic is over on the West coast again so no 7 nighters. If you do 4 night next August they are doing Castaway Cay double dip, 2 days instead of 1.
The entertainment and food is great. Get of and see other places if you want or like us let everyone get off and we enjoy the quiet ship.
Prices are on their websites now for cruising.

 

[castanea1985]

Hi Jane,
Welcome back, and I hope you are 'on the mend'.
IMHO I think there is more than enough to do in Florida, especially in just two weeks.
Are you going to stay 'on site'? Which parks do you want to visit?
I'd put a list of 'must do's' down first, see how many days that takes up, then think about what or where else you want to do! You'll be amazed when you start listing all the places you want to visit, just how many days are taken up.
Also, remember some rest times too!
If you want to visit all the Disney parks, you'll be looking at nearly a week, with the four main parks and the water parks. If you want to 'do' US and IOA that's at least another day! Not to mention the Sea world parks!

You can always go on 'days' out to: Kennedy Space Centre, or the beach, or even have a trip up to St.Augustine, or down to the Keys?

Whatever you decide have fun planning it!
Tracy

 

[CustardTart]

We've spent holidays where we've visited the Florida coast and in July 2003 we spent time in Florida and then flew to Nassau for a stay at the Atlantis resort. We had a great time on all our trips but, like wayneg, I really recommend a DCL cruise as an add-on to your WDW holiday. It's very straightforward getting to/fro the Port and the onboard experience is fantastic for kids and adults. The 2 stops at Castaway Cay are not to be missed...

 

[irongirlof12]

I quite fancy a twin centre next year as well, being as we don't like to drive, I was thinking 1 week at a disney hotel and 1 week at a universal hotel,but of course I would LOVE to fit in a 3 night disney cruise too! Too many options really!

Keep us posted on what you decide.

 

[DebIreland]

On our first trip in 2005, we went to New York for 4 days and then took an internal flight from NY to Orlando where we stayed for 12 nights. It was fantastic and I would definitely do it again! To have 2 weeks for Orlando and a third week for NY or somewhere else would be heavenly! Also, from our point of view direct flights to NY were easy to come by and good value (compared to finding a direct flight from here to Orlando) so it broke up the journey too. Next time we go, we're thinking of going to NY for 3 nights, Boston for 3 nights and then Orlando for 12 or 14 nights. (This is all just at the dream stage of course )

Good luck in your decision.

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

Our first trip we stayed Orlando for a week,then 3 nights St Petes,3 nights in Naples which is gorgeus I have to admit,then onto Miami for a couple of nights.
It was fun and we did loads of driving etc but I wouldnt do it again I would love to go to Orlando then onto New York that would be fantastic.

Its hard if you go to Disney first everything after that seemed a down peg for me I sulked in St petes, Kinda came round in Naples then was crying in Miami! lol

Whatever you decide there is plenty options. Have fun planning.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Hi Jane,

How old are your boys??? If they are older I'm sure they would love New York (although I would go there first as it can be quite tiring!) but my vote also goes to Disney Cruise - it can't be beaten and from what you've said about your poor health - I reckon a pampering relaxing cruise Disney Style is just what you deserve!!

Have fun planning!!!

 

[AliceGardner]

Probably depends on a lot of things:
- the age of your boys
- what sort of things you want to do
- whether you are happy to drive or not, etc

You say that you have been to Florida before, but that you have never done anything like this before and feel a bit daunted.... maybe you want to keep things simple? Maybe you are worried about driving? The "simplest" thing might be 7 nights on-site at Disney, a 4 night Disney Cruise (you can have Disney transfers out to port and back again) and 3 nights on-site at Universal. That way you would get lots of variety, but wont spread yourself too thin and wont have to drive: you would be immersing yourself in Disney/Universal for the two weeks - if that appeals...

I haven't done a Disney Cruise yet, but have seen other people's VERY positive reviews and it sounds great (am waiting for my daughter, Lucy, to be a little bit older first - she is coming up to 2 years old).

Alice

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I think being regular visitors to Florida we are thinking more and more of spending a few days away from Orlando. Mainly because many parts of the holiday are becoming too familiar now.
It is many years since we did a traditional 2 centre holiday but have been fortunate to visit many parts of Florida.

I guess ultimatley it depends on what sort of holiday you are looking for, whilst I agree with Wayne if perhaps you are looking for a peaceful and relaxing week then the likes of Clearwater and Naples for example are appealing. Though having visited both neither have a lot going on , just a lazy week by the beach really. It just depends on what you are looking for.

 

[jns]

Welcome back on board , glad to hear you are feeling better again
I remember you

here's another vote for Disney cruise line

we spent a week in st petes beach first time we ever went to Florida , really nice and relaxing after a busy week in the parks
but the boys will not do that now

New York is great too , but is not cheap to stay there , I booked the flights first and then went looking at hotel rooms

enjoy the planning

Check the link to my trip report , we had a ball in NY and on The disney wonder

 

[gilld]

What about flying down to the Caribbean for a week after your week at WDW? Flights are fairly cheap from Florida.

 

[Andy B]

We have had a good time at Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. If you are to take a two centre it may be nice to experience somewhere other than Florida.

 

[castanea1985]

There are so many places you could visit if you're looking outside of Florida!
We have taken our kids to loads of places both in Florida and in other states!

Ideas for out of state:
New York: suitable for older kids: ours loved Central Park, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and Empire State Building!
Washington DC: DS loved the Air and Space museum, we had to go back twice!
Williamsburg, VA: A re-created town - fabulous to visit for any ages(not too far from Washington)
Smoky Mountains, VA: Gatlinburg is a great place to stay in the mountains.
Toronto/ Niagara Falls: Suitable for all ages.

You could easily combine any of these by having a stop off flight!
Happy planning!
Tracy