Where and When ?

[THE DENTIST]

Hi everyone,

I've been away for a while but that Disney feeling is causing tremors again.

Were a couple from the UK and could really use advise on ;

1) When to visit in Aug, Sept, Oct for 10-14 days as we are flexible for the best rates and low-ish crowds?
2) Where to stay if we wanted a condo/ apartment rather than a hotel room?

We would be driving but wish to be nearest the parks. We do like a private pool if possible.

I have looked briefly at windsor hills and emerald isles but need to know if these would offer our kind of smaller accomodation.

Thanks for reading.

KV

 

[lbklyn]

Hi! While I certainly am not a Disney Expert I have been in August and October. I remember the heat being very bad in August and from these boards have learned September is just as bad. August is very crowded due to summer vacation. They say crowds are low in September. My choice would be October. The weather was beautiful and the crowds were not bad at all. You would have to schedule Magic Kingdom around the Halloween Party's they have in October. I believe the park closes early (like 7).
Windsor Hills is great and they have condos that I am sure would be perfect for two, although you would not have a private pool unless you get a house. I think they have splash pools. Just go on www.windsorhillsrent.com.:)

 

[spiceycat]

confused - apartments/condo - don't have private pools.

houses do.

so do you want an apartment/condo/timeshares - or a home with a pool?


www.vrbo.com

 

[THE DENTIST]

Hi I realize condos don't have private pools but i understand that some developments have better pools and less crowding.

We would go in october if my wife allows us!

Any ideas on particular apartments or landlords?

How bout car hire and flights?

Cheers

 

[sjanus]

I would also choose October, as the weather is very nice. However, September would be the cheapest rates. The 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom townhomes in Windsor Hills have a splash pool with a screened in lanai. They are very nice. Vista Cay is about 6 to 8 miles from Disney property in Orlando by the convention center, but they have a very nice Clubhouse and Pool, which is less crowded. There is also a beautifully landscaped walkway around the lake. The 2 bedroom, 3 bedroom condos, and 3 bedroom townhomes are very upscale and nicely decorated.

You can find many on www.vrbo.com or www.homeaway.com. The Vista Cay properties will be under Orlando, while the Windsor Hills properties will be under Kissimmee. Each property also has owner sites, www.windsorhillsrent.com and www.vistacayrent.com.

If you are staying 2 weeks and are doing other things beside Disney, Vista Cay is centrally located. It is close to Universal, Sea World, and Aquatica and about 1/2 mile from International Drive.

 

[spiceycat]

can't count on the pool - sometimes hardily anyone is there - sometimes it is overloaded with kids.

cypress pointe

it is older - very close to DD and pretty nice.

that say you want a 2-bedroom - there 1-bedroom are more like fancy studios

http://www.hotelkingdom.com/city_page.cfm?city=Orlando&state=FL

Sheraton Vistana Resort - the same - sometimes there a ton of kids here
at the bottom on this link
http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/

you might see if dreams unlimited can help you.

also here
http://www.mousesavers.com/preferred.html
for the double tree suites

also this one - you might find it cheaper on www.vrbo.com
http://www.lbvorlandoresort.com/
it is next door to my favorite outlet mall in Orlando

can't common on the pool -only seem it in pictures.

if you have any friends who own a timeshares and trade thru RCI or II - then see if they can't help you.

 

[THE DENTIST]

Thanks for your help to date.

I will look at the links, Vista Cay etc and see whats on offer but now september has been mentioned i'll look at rates.

When would i look at airfares? Would i try last minute or is this risky?

Cheers,

KV

 

[TnTWalter]

There are some townhomes in Windsor Hills that have small splash pools. Plus the neighborhood has pool with a slide and it's close to WDW. Or you could rent a condo there right next to the pool.

Bonnet Creek is right there. And you could get a 2 bedroom there for reasonable in October. Search for 'ken price', many rent from him. It's also right next to Caribbean Beach Resort.

What about staying at WDW since they're offering free dining during that time?

And don't forget the Food and Wine Festival. Mmm mmm. Not sure of dates of Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween but if you could time it in October so you could do F&W and MNSSHP that would be great!

October is fabulous. Great weather and low crowds.

Trish

 

[sjanus]

It has been my experience that if I book air fare Tuesday or Wednesday to Tuesday or Wednesday I usually get it cheaper. So you might check the airlines to see what days are less money before you make your condo/villa reservation. If you see a good price, I would lock in if you are sure of the days coordinating with the condo/villa you would like to book.

I noticed that the closer to the dates, the more expensive air fare seems to get, although you think that would be the opposite. It seems once they sell so many seats, the seats left are more in demand, and thus the price goes up. At least, that has been my experience.

 

[spiceycat]

not sure about airlines - go to the UK boards for help there

they would also know about the specials. Disney generally has some special for UK visitiors

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=47

 

[KayR]

I would check out prices now, but having kept an eye on Virgin Atlantics prices for the past few months, it may be worth waiting to see if they have any really good specials in the Autumn months.

October has school holidays for the UK, so crowds/prices tend to pick up a bit during October.

September is quieter - I would aim for the end of September.

If Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party interests you, they do have hours in September. MNSSHP also causes the Magic Kingdom to close early on the days the party is on.

The Formosa Gardens area is close to Disney, you can be at the parks within minutes. Communities in this area include windsor hills, windsor palms, emerald island. There is very little difference in travelling time between them all

www.windsor-palms-florida.net
www.StayAtEmeraldIsland.com
www.windsorhillsrent.com

Windsor Palms has townhomes (some with splash pools), condos and single family homes with private pools. Windsor Hills is the same although newer and larger. Emerald Island has townhomes and single family homes. There are other communities in the area, but I believe most of them are single family homes. (Rolling Hills, Oak Island, Indian Creek)

Smallest homes with private pools are generally 4 bedroom, but I believe there is one 3 bedroom at Windsor Palms.

-Kay

 

[THE DENTIST]

Thank you guys for all the above, very helpful advice.

I guess i'm goinig to have to tie down the exact flight dates.

We're thinking sept 26 till oct 10. Any concerns with these that you can think of?

We're 2 adults, no kids and don't want to pay more just if it's holidays etc, but we're flexible on dates as we're self employed.

Would love to do MNSSHP.

 

[KayR]

Dates look great to me.

MNSSHP Details

The event will be held from 7pm–12am on the following dates in 2009:

* September 4, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29
* October 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
* November 1

Tickets available May 1st

Disney's webpage for MNSSHP

 

[THE DENTIST]

Do the above tickets for MNSSHP tend to sell out fast? I'm waiting to book flights later if they go on sale?

K

 

[KayR]

I don't know if they sell out fast. Historically 10/31 sells out, but I can't imagine early October selling out fast.

-K

 

[sjanus]

It sounds like a great plan! I would like to attend the MNSSHP myself sometime. We went to Mickey's Magical Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom on December 10th, and that was one great celebration! I'm sure the MNSSHP will be just as great!

 

[THE DENTIST]

I'm still watching the prices for flights. I feel the dates we chose are good but the tickets are not going on sale?

Wot to do, wot to do.......

K