Well here goes

[TonyEvans]

As you can see i joined this site 7 years ago and viewed it a lot and everyone else's questions helped me out when i needed somthing, I've even told a lot of poeple to go on here and view anything they ever needed as every subject get's covered

The Kid's where young way back then and we had been to Disney a couple of times

After a few years living alone and finding a partner we done tenerife a few times and NewYork 3 times, We got back from New York last Wednesday and on the way back i asked my Girlfriend if she would fancy Disney for my 40th later this year, I ran it past my kid's (Who are now 19, 22 and a 18month old Grandaughter) My 19 year old son is made up to go as is his Girlfriend, My daughter would like to leave it a few more years (Her partner was'nt to happy) till the baby is older, So it's just going to be Me, My G/F, My Son and his G/F.

Right here goes, Apoligies if it's too much to ask

I spent two nights searching for the best options with a budget of about £3k, Getting a car is out of the picture as i've never drove abroad before and i don't want to, so a car is defo a no-no.

Cheapest flights i was finding where like £500+ each

I know International Drive is my best bet as it's got half of the things i need i.e Seaworld, Universal and Belz

Now Travel City Direct have Quoted me £2,500 for a 2 Bedroomed Apartment in Parc Corniche in November flying direct from Man to Orlando with Airport Transfers and free Shuttles to Disney (The other half of the things i need)

And Expedia have Quoted me a little bit more £2,700 to stay at The Fountains (With Continetal Airlines stopping in Newark) which by looking at it look's a lot better for 4 Adults but i've got no transfers to Disney (Airport Transfers ain't a problem as they look cheap enough to book on line)

I want to stay at The Fountains but i'm worried about how much the Disney Transfers (They don't do a free shuttle) will cost me, in the two weeks we will at least go to Disney 5-7times and is it in a remote part of International Drive or will i be alright for the I-Drive Shuttle to take me up and down I-Drive.

I'm sure i'll have a lot more questions in the months ahead

But one thing i really really really want to know right now is

Is the Chinese all you can eat buffet restaurant still up the top end of I-Drive on the right about 2-3 stops away from the Outlets

As i said apoligies if it's a little long winded but i know if anyone can help me decide what to do it's you lot on here

 

[Goofyish]

Belz is no more I'm afraid, although it's being refurbished and renamed

Have you considered a split stay - 5 days in a Disney resort or one of the resorts close to Downtown Disney, and then the remaining time on I-Drive?

Staying on-site is a great experience and would save you the expense and hassle of using transfers (even the free ones are not that convenient).

Happy planning

 

[london75]

Try reading up about the driving here kissimmee-us192.com/british/mco_2_kissimmee2.html

Even though it feels like a great unknown and I was a little nervous it was an absolute doddle in the end and felt so relaxed. Despite hearing bad stories about American driving, I found it stress free and didn't wonder over to the wrong side of the road once. I found it more stressful back at home to be honest!

The shuttles are generally fine but they really limit your flexibility. I've never stayed onsite but that does sound like a good idea because at least you get the option of nipping back to your room at midday. Shuttles are normally 1 or two in the morning and the same coming back at night and because they frequently visit many hotels, they are loooooonng journeys.

To get a bit used to it, and this will sound dumb but was a great help, I bought a budget computer game, midtown madness that lets you drive around San Francisco I think, it at least got me used to lights and signs etc

Sorry if you're convinced about the no-car bit. Thought it was worth saying how I dealt with it though.

 

[Disney owl]

Welcome back

sorry can't help with your questions as we've only stayed in a villa & as you know you need a car for that.

 

[TonyEvans]

I remember the 1st time we went (Mid 90's) we hired a shuttle bus for 5 days to take us to where ever we wanted we just had to call them the day before we wanted to book them.

I think i may be better off asking this question over on the Transportation forum i think unless any Brit's have heard of this

 

[Goofyish]

I think Mears do an 'on demand' type shuttle service (or used to). I think it was something like $12 person each way from I-Drive to WDW.

Try the Mears site:

http://www.mearstransportation.com/

There is also a cab fare estimator on the above site.

Also, there is always the Lynx buses. Route 50 takes you from the TTC at WDW to Seaworld. You can then get the I-Ride trolley bus to anywhere on I-Drive:

http://www.golynx.com/

http://www.iridetrolley.com/

 

[TonyEvans]

Thanks Goofyish

I may chose The Fountains resort seeing that is close to Seaworld and easy for the Lynx bus

After finding my way around the New York Subway system last week the Lynx bus should be a easy

Famous last words

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Tony if you are considering staying on I-drive then the south end, closer to Sea World is much nicer and quieter.

 

[TonyEvans]

That's the place i'm looking at Johnny

I'm guessing it is the SeaWorld end

timeshareorlando.com/resorts/bluegreen/

"And Expedia have Quoted me a little bit more £2,700 to stay at The Fountains (With Continetal Airlines stopping in Newark) which by looking at it look's a lot better for 4 Adults but i've got no transfers to Disney (Airport Transfers ain't a problem as they look cheap enough to book on line)

I want to stay at The Fountains but i'm worried about how much the Disney Transfers (They don't do a free shuttle) will cost me, in the two weeks we will at least go to Disney 5-7times and is it in a remote part of International Drive or will i be alright for the I-Drive Shuttle to take me up and down I-Drive."

 

[stephensmum]

Tony, if you are staying near Seaworld, you could get lynx bus 50, which takes you to the transportation centre at Disney & then just get the monorail to Epcot or MK(or boat). I understand these run every 30 mins & cost 1.25 per trip. You can also get weekly passes.
Sharon

 

[Ali and boyz]

what about staying near the LBV area?

I am trying out driving this year and if I can try Tony you can

 

[maureen4200040]

On our first trip to Orlando we took a round trip on a shuttle to the Magic Kingdom from I-drive, I think it was about $13 each plus tip for the driver (2 ad & 1 ch). At the time we thought this was expensive as we wanted to do disney several times on that trip.

When we went again over those 2 weeks we took the I-trolley from I-drive to seaworld @ 75c and the lynx buses to disney @ $1.25 which work out cheaper, but involved more travelling time .

In more recent years we have selected which parks we really wanted to go to and booked hotels which gave the free shuttles to disney, wet&wild and seaworld. I won't lie these buses can be quite full at times but for price of a $2-$3 tip to the driver its worth it.

 

[Kaz65]

We are booked into the Parc Corniche for May this year. Has anyone stayed there recently please. Ive read mixed reviews about upkeep and cleanliness and hoping for a bit of reassurance!

 

[castanea1985]

Getting a car is out of the picture as i've never drove abroad before and i don't want to, so a car is defo a no-no.

Hi Tony,
Why won't you consider driving in the US?? If you drive over here, you shouldn't have a problem near Disney, and just think of the freedom, not to mention the extra time, it will give you? By having a car, you can stay where ever you like, and be in Disney in no time at all! Why not give it a try?
Tracy

PS. We have flown with Continental before (into Newark) and we were very happy with them!

 

[major]

Hi Tony,
We have done Orlando once with a car and twice without. We have found it really easy to get about without a car. We stayed nearer the universal side on I drive and used the I-ride buses get about international Drive. The easiest time we had was when we stayed at the Hewthorn suites on Canada drive (or was it avenue!!!}. They had complimentary shuttles to both universal & Disney, cocktail hour with snacks (again complimentary). The rooms were spacious, clean and had living area with double bed settee, kitchen and 2 queen beds in the bedroom. I know there is a Hawthorn in the sea world vicinity although I'm not sure how it compares to the one in Canada drive.
Whatever you decide I hope you have a great trip.