Well I've done it! - opinions please!

[Debsi]

Have tried to do Florida on a budget during School summer holidays!

Flyglobespan flights (No Frills) £1100 Sun/Sun (fits in with timeshare accom)
HGVC at Seaworld & Vistana Villages £300 (For 2 weeks)

Now need to think about car hire and passes. We want to do Discovery Cove and get 7 days Seaworld included (know we won't use them all!). US & IOA 2 day (get 3 free) and maybe BB,AK & MGM! Have done MK & Epcot to death (Sorry!) I think I might just get disney at the gate in case we don't feel the need to be out every day, as we hope to have some down time as well!

What do you think of my ideas, any suggestions welcome, or indeed any good tips!

Many thanks
Deb

PS I forgot to mention we have a 6 hour drive to Glasgow the day before we go, but the savings are worth it and have never been to Scotland!

 

[tartangirl]

My opinion - shame on you for not coming to Scotland before - it's a great place

I wouldn't want to have a 6 hour drive and flight on the same day - I'd stay the night before in Glasgow.

Getting tickets at the gates for Disney is a good idea - there aren't savings to be made on a small number of visits. Personally if you've done Epcot and MK to death I'd be tempted to give MGM a miss as well and just do more time at Universal.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Your plans look good to me and there is nothing wrong with spending more time at Universal, we are big fans if US , hence we bought Annual Passes.

We also feel that having been many times that we do some of the parks in small doses, because of that we purchased Disney Magic Your Way tickets in August - we have the hopper facility which means we can move from park to park but more importantly the passes we have never expire so we can save days for later holidays.

This fits into going in August - which we have to do now, school holidays - because although the parks are quiet from mid August onwards, it is very hot and does take a bit of time to adjust..not really suited to people who have to rush round all the parks to see everything...in that respect you are like us and it is a big advantage.

Are you driving straight home after you return from your holiday? - we did that from Gatwick once (a 5 hour drive), never again.

For details of different ticket options, if you choose not to get them at the gate try - www.mapleleaftickets.com

 

[isla bonita]

When you get the Discovery and Sea World for a $20.00 fee I think you can get to go to Busch Gardens. That might be a day of fun if you have a coaster fans?

 

[Cinders Mum]

not quite what you are asking about but what about flying to Glasgow from your local airport? would this be an option? If not then I agree with tartanTigger and come up the night before there is a Holiday Inn Express on site at the airport so reasonable and handy too.

I don't blame you doing the globespan flights they are really good value for money.

Have a great trip

Val
xx

 

[Debsi]

Thanks for your suggestions. We intend to drive up on Saturday and stay overnight, I have thought about flying up and haven't checked out how much it would cost yet. As both of us drive we can at least share the journey and intend to stop half way. We are quite keen drivers and have enjoyed many camping/motoring holidays in Europe, the furthest being Lake Garda, about 13 hours, so we do know what we are letting ourselves in for! However coming home is the problem, might have to come up with a plan to stay in Scotland a day or two!

As suggested we could give MGM a miss but we are ride fans and the whole point of the trip is that my 12 year old is now tall enough for the big rides, and although she has done ToT and RNRc before they are currently her favourites! She has yet to experience Kraken, Hulk and Duelling Dragon's though! Having been to Busch Gardens before also we thought we might give it a miss but shall re-think this nearer the time as it's quite cheap to add to the Discovery Cove package.

Thanks for your comments.
Deb

 

[fizz13]

Just wanted to say well done for the prices you got , seems like you researched well, and have a great time,
Claire xx

 

[mark&sue]

Debsi

We are in your neighbouring borough of Barnet. Hi.

Hope you have a great time. My DH is from Livingston in Scotland and he never minds driving up. He once drove up and back to London in one day to drop his parents home!!!!

I am finding it increasing hard to get time off work in summer holidays and we tend to go in October half term which is now just as hard and expensive to book. Luckily enough our timeshare (DVC) has no specific weeks.

Keep in touch with us to let us know how your journey and holiday goes.



Susan

 

[Debsi]

Hello Susan & Mark

It's good to know that other people consider the journey manageable. I am dreading the return though!

If you bank with the Halifax, I was working in Barnet about 13 years ago! I rarely have cause to go there these days,execpt for a bi-yearly haircut!

October is a better time to go I should think, but only 1 week off school!

Will be hanging around the boards in the coming months so will be in touch.

Best wishes

Deb

 

[mark&sue]

Deb

I do use the Halifax in Barnet but as I work in Whetstone I tend to walk to the North Finchley branch at lunchtime.

We drove to Spain in 2003 and drove 2,000 miles round the country so have no problems driving. If there was no other direct flights I would drive to Scotland as I hate take off and landings so the less of these the better!!!

Enjoy planning your trip and have a great time.


Susan