Where do I start??

[PJackson]

Hi all

New over 'here'. Been a member of the DISBoards for some time but mainly over on Paris section as been to DLRP twice.

My inlaws surprised us on Xmas day and said they'd like to book a family trip to Florida in 2013 to celebrate my MIL's 70th and DH's 40th.

I'm a bit unsure about it all - DD1 will be 8 and DD2 5 but DD2 is a terrible traveller/likes routine etc and I'm not sure she will be old enough then to cope with it all. In addition, while it's very generous of my inlaws to offer to pay for flights/villa hire I know from little research that it is still going to be very expensive as we'll have park tickets (not just for Disney) and spending money/meals etc to pay for. I had a quick look at Disney tickets and for 7 days it was coming out at around £1k alone for four of us.

Finally, my inlaws are not package holiday types/don't eat out much/are not theme park goers etc so I'm not sure how they'll take to it all and how much free time we'll have to do what we would like to do. It could end up a bit strained

All a bit up in the air I guess and I'm fairly confused about it all

I guess I'm trying to work out how much money we will need realistically for the stuff we'll need to buy/how long we need to go for (inlaws were saying 3 weeks but again comes down to cost more than anything). Would have to go in school summer hols - how busy is it then/how hot etc?

There just seems so much to do over there that it's all a bit daunting - I'm used to DLRP which while large, is nothing when scaled to Orlando and WDW!

I'm the kind of person that likes to do everything and not feel like I've missed out while on holiday and it worries me that we'll not be able to achieve everything in the time we have without running ourselves ragged! There is no way we'll get to go again so it will be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

If you've read this far - thanks! I think I need to take a chill pill - it's not like it's even 2012 when we'd be going!

 

[dixonsontour]

Welcome

On paper your children are great ages to go. Your little one will have changed alot by 2013 - so just because they are not a good traveller now doesn't mean they will be when you go.

Summer hols is busy and very hot/humid. Most seem to aim for end August if summer is the only option as US schools go back and it is a bit quieter but still hot/humid.

WDW is huge and you can easily spend a whole holiday there if you wish.

Flights are the dearest bit so if you can go for 3 weeks that would make sense.

There is no way to do everything in one holiday so narrow down your options - the brits guide to orlando by simon veness is a good intro book.

Have a good think about what everyone wants and logistics eg if you are in a villa with one car what will you do if PIL only want to stay a couple of hours in a park?

I know the dibb forum has a section with nice villas advertised on.

A popular choice on here is staying onsite in a 1 or 2 bed disney villa at Old key west or Saratoga springs resort with the free dining promotion. Then you can use disney transport to come and go as you wish.

 

[Kath2003]

I guess I'm trying to work out how much money we will need realistically for the stuff we'll need to buy/how long we need to go for (inlaws were saying 3 weeks but again comes down to cost more than anything). Would have to go in school summer hols - how busy is it then/how hot etc?

You don't really say what your inlays expectations are. Which parks do they want to visit? Will you eat out, eat in the villa or a combination of both? Will you shop? How will you get around?

In terms of cost, for the four of you, you're looking at something like £1000 for Disney tickets + your other parks (e.g. An Orlando combo ticket for Universal, Islands of Adventure, Sea World and two water parks will set you back another £700). Even with three weeks there, you still won't ever see it all so maybe your families should decide on a smaller number of attractions to visit.

Car - I guess you're looking at around £100 per week + gas + parking (not to be underestimated at £10/day!), so if we assume a 50:50 split, that'll come to around another £200-250.

Food - I suppose if you eat in the villa, it may not cost you much more than feeding the family at home. That said, it's difficult not to eat out in Orlando. We eat one counter-service meal a day and one restaurant meal a day (not at expensive places particularly). That, plus drinks (although we mainly drink water and fill up at water fountains) and the odd ice cream comes to around £20-25 per adult per day. So I guess if you halved that, and assumed our kids only spend half that, you'd still be looking at £50/day for food, or approx £1000 over the three weeks. You could cut this down considerably by not eating at table service restaurants, ordering family-sized take out pizza and eating in the villa, though. It is a LOT cheaper to eat in Orlando than it is in or around Disneyland Paris - about half the cost in the parks, and about a third outside of the parks.

Insurance - we seem to pay about £20 each so say £80 for you all.
Esta - £40
Transport to/from airport etc.

So I guess based on some rough calculations, you're looking at between say £1800 as a best-case scenario (which is less than £100/day!) and nearer £3000 for the works. But that doesn't include your shopping

Seriously, it will be wonderful; you have a long time to save up and you will never get a trip to Orlando in the summer for anywhere near those prices - summer flights are expensive!!

In my opinion, WDW and Orlando blow DLRP out of the water. You cannot even compare the two - you will love it!!

In terms of crowds, it will be packed. If you go at the end of August, the crowds may be lighter as some US schools have stated back by that time. However, the later into August you get, the higher the chance of huge storms, tropical storms and hurricanes. It will rain almost every afternoon, heavily and briefly. Everything will dry out within an hour. Temperatures will be 30-35 degrees or more most days and humidity 90%+. Having said that, it's still my favourite time to visit

Have fun planning

 

[PJackson]

Thanks so much for your replies .

Kath - I think you hit the nail on the head, I don't know what their expectations are really and I think we need to find out. MIL mentioned they won't stay in Florida the whole time and might go off to the Carribean

I had thought about £2.5k really for the whole thing but I guess we can get tickets a fair bit beforehand to allow us to budget better (that is if and when the holiday is actually booked).

I'm not one for eating in on holiday (sorry if that sounds lazy but it is a holiday for me too as I make meals all year round the rest of the time lol!). I am quite happy to do breakfast and even the odd light lunch in the villa but would be looking to do one table service meal a day for the enjoyment/experience. I'd also want to do some of the more 'themed' meals like Auberge at DLRP but obv in WDW etc. Which I know are not cheap.

Do WDW do half board type vouchers like DLRP do? That you can purchase in advance? Although, I guess if you are staying offsite you don't get the opportunity to buy (bit like DLRP).

Dixons - I know you mention those villas but I think MIL already has it in her mind where we will stay - apparently a relative of theirs did the same last year (I think) and they have recommended a villa - whether it is convenient location, I'm not sure - again something we will have to discuss. The option of getting free dining appeals though and might work out cheaper - I will look at it - thanks.

I think I'll try and get Simon's book - I have the DLRP one and it was invaluable for our first visit. Someone over on the DLRP has recommended another too.

Last thing - you say the weather is changeable in August. My girls would be back at school early Sept so we would be looking to go mid August probably. Anyone know when the kids go back in US? Can I find out somewhere? DLRP on our last trip was manic (end August) as it was so busy with school children. We had thought that the French kids had gone back our first day but turns out it was the secondary schools only - so youngsters were still off for another few days! Our first DLRP trip was in term time - bliss! We'll not have that again though as we are tied to school holidays now! Just wondering if maybe Easter holidays would be better?? They get 2 weeks off and an extra few days may be OK to take them out I guess (not keen but if needs must)....

 

[Kath2003]

The Easter holidays are no better; they are also very crowded although the temperatures are lower, there's less rain and it's not hurricane season. The flight prices are nuts if you want to go for two weeks, though - Huge premium on the Saturday flights either end.

US kids start back mid-/late August; depends where they live. That said, WDW is much more "ordered" than DLRP and you don't find it "mobbed" in the same way. DLRP is very child-orientated whereas WDW has more of a range - lots if older teens, young couples etc. We found DLRP to be almost entirely families with young children when we've been. The two have very different atmospheres.

 

[joolz1910]

Hi Patsy! I remember you from the DLP boards. We are staying onsite next year (there are 5 of us) at Old Key West. We get free dining and transportation plus a free shuttle from the airport. Perhaps your in-laws would consider that? You could go your separate ways much more easily if you were onsite. I think the dining offer included August and OKW was 42% off!

My youngest DD will be 5 when we go and my middle DD will be 8 - can't think of better ages to enjoy the magic.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Hi Patsy and

As you thought, you cannot buy the dining plan without staying onsite at WDW - so if you are in a villa then this will not be an option for you. There are many wonderful places to eat both on and off site.

If you are looking to book a few meals then you can book 180 days out (either online or by telephone). I would recommend a character meal (or 2) for the children, we always enjoy Crystal Palace in the MK but there are plenty to choose from.

Have you thought about buying an annual pass for 1 person as this will entitle you to free car parking at the theme parks? You also get a discount at a few places and this may be worth considering.

It may be that your inlaws won't come to the park every day and may chill out a bit more. When we went in August, we always seemed to be back in the pool by the afternoon before going out again in the evening - either to a park again or out to eat.

There are plenty of State Parks, gardens, beaches etc if your relations fancy something other than WDW. Will you be getting 2 cars so that you have some independence?

I'm sure you will have a great time and I hope you don't get bamboozled with all the different ideas we throw at you

 

[dixonsontour]

I like the website touringplans.com - it costs a few dollars to subscribe for the year but is well worth it imo. Helpful for deciding when to go and for planning.

It gives you a crowd calendar each day out of 10 so 10/10 is mega busy, 1/10 quiet. It lists all the parades, special events etc.

eg for 2012 it has week commencing 13th August 9/10 and week of 20th August 5 or 6/10.

Easter is 10/10.

Schools seem to go back about the 20th August in 2012 but varies by state.

We've never been August only September but it is a tropical climate. The heat and humidity is amazing - it also has thunderstorms every afternoon. Personally I would avoid if you can especially for a first visit but I know it is difficult with school holidays.

The equivalent of the dlrp meal vouchers is the disney dining plan but this is only available to people staying onsite. For alot of the year disney offer free dining to uk visitors. We should find out in April if the promotion is running again for 2013.

The character and themed meals are pricey - if you want to do alot then staying onsite with free dining may work out cheaper. eg we paid $78.78 plus tip for 2 adults and a child at chef mickey in October.

If you are going to do an offsite villa then I think you need to iron out expectations and transport before booking.

Common complaints are family members not wanting to get up and hit the parks for opening meaning you arrive at 11am when you've missed the quiestest two hours and all the fast passes have gone/are for hours later. They grumble after a few hours how busy it is and want to go back to the villa. Your DH ends up driving everywhere and is grumpy. You are caught in the middle - i've read many a sorry tale on forums!

I know some people do travel happily with family but others say never again.

All villa's seem to say mins from disney. Before booking do look at a map of villa communities/ask on here.

 

[queendisney]

.

Finally, my inlaws are not package holiday types/don't eat out much/are not theme park goers etc so I'm not sure how they'll take to it all and how much free time we'll have to do what we would like to do. It could end up a bit strained

Well here is my take on it.......!!

Just by this quote alone I sort of wonder in all honesty if it is really worth you all going together as you obviously have a lot of reservation about it. Going with family is often a strain even if you think its going to be ok. But you obviously have reservations to start with by saying 'how much free time we'll have to do what we want to do'! I think that maybe you should ask yourself if you really want to do Disney with people that aren't really Disney fans? I know that sounds harsh but we have been in your exact situation and it was hell. Luckilly we had been before and knew that we could enjoy it again without them!!! The relationship all sides of the family had with each other suffered for ages afterwards.

Hope it all works out for you and you have a wonderful time planning.

 

[PJackson]

Hi again and happy new year to you all

Spoke again today briefly about it and to be honest, I think the cost is exceeding what they thought anyway. Think they'd looked in a brochure, seen £900-1000 per person for villa & flights inc car in a brochure and thought 'great'. Actually, when you add on park tickets (not just Disney), car insurance etc etc suddenly it's a lot more..... And that's even with us having our own spending money and paying our own way once there.

I don't want to seem pessimistic but I think our Florida dream may be a few more years away for us yet : As it happens, although I'm a bit disappointed as I was coming round to the idea (thank god I didn't tell my DD1), I would feel more comfortable in another 3-4 years taking my girls anyway. So, never say never .

Thanks for all your help though - I do agree family relations can be strained when travelling and trying to compromise!