Disney Florida Advice
Discussion
We had been to florida 11 times and will be going on our twelve trip in six weeks, the first 4 times we went I didn't rent a car purely on the basis that I was nervous about driving over there. My honest opinion as person who has done the holiday with and without a car is get a car. Sure a lot of places run a bus but it is not great and with a villa you will require a car, hotels are a false economy in orlando when you compare them to a villa and what you get for your money with one.
And another thing DO NOT go at Easter, Easter and Christmas Day are the only occasions where Disney has reached capacity and closed the gates, as someone who has been when the park is busy I can only imagine it has hell on earth if it is so busy they closed the gates.
And another thing DO NOT go at Easter, Easter and Christmas Day are the only occasions where Disney has reached capacity and closed the gates, as someone who has been when the park is busy I can only imagine it has hell on earth if it is so busy they closed the gates.
OK...
So I need a car and a villa
Is a villa overkill with just the 3 of us ?
What time of year would you recommend ? I thought Easter because the temps would not be too bad and Little H has 2 weeks off school.
I went twice when I was a kid in September and both times we just missed Hurricanes !
So I need a car and a villa
Is a villa overkill with just the 3 of us ?
What time of year would you recommend ? I thought Easter because the temps would not be too bad and Little H has 2 weeks off school.
I went twice when I was a kid in September and both times we just missed Hurricanes !
With a young child the Disney parks are probably the best ones to visit. I would be looking at staying at one of the Disney resorts that way you get transport to all the Disney parks. You an get a hire car at the Swan and Dolphin hotels and at the Disney Car Care Centre outside of the Magic Kingdom if you need it for a couple of days, driving is very easy.
If you book a Disney hotel then transportation is free from the airport to your resort. When I looked the complete holiday through Virgin was about £2000 more expensive than booking the hotel direct with Disney and the flight direct with Virgin. I am staying at a Disney deluxe resort next October and the complete package for tow adults should come in at less than £4000.
If you book a Disney hotel then transportation is free from the airport to your resort. When I looked the complete holiday through Virgin was about £2000 more expensive than booking the hotel direct with Disney and the flight direct with Virgin. I am staying at a Disney deluxe resort next October and the complete package for tow adults should come in at less than £4000.
nick heppinstall said:
This maybe a 'Car Forum' But this is the 'Holidays & Travel' part of that Forum. Am I not allowed to post unless I hire a car ? ;-)
Of course! But a big part of going for many people, and this should apply more to PHers than the general population, is to hire an f-off SUV or muscle car (personally I wouldn't bother with the latter as it's not easy to be sure of what you're going to get).Plenty of people on the Dibb don't hire cars, so have a look there. It's not so much getting to parks (most hotels have some level of shuttle service) it's just that getting to restaurants and malls etc becomes more limited. You might feel a bit trapped.
If you stay in the International Drive area (which has nice and chavvy parts) then you can get about using the I-Ride shuttle.
Of course, if money was no object then the ideal way to do Orlando would be to jump in cabs - but that soon gets very expensive due to the distances involved.
jpringle819 said:
I am staying at a Disney deluxe resort next October and the complete package for tow adults should come in at less than £4000.
Really? Can you flesh out some details, please? Does that include Disney Dining? If so, it sounds a bit of a bargain.ETA - Unless you're only going for a week?
One thing you do have to take into account is the cost of parking at each attraction. If you are driving to one of the parks it could cost you $10-15 a day to park. A taxi to Disney from a close by community was about $20 so when you add in the hire car cost and the parking it probably works out close to equal.
jpringle819 said:
One thing you do have to take into account is the cost of parking at each attraction. If you are driving to one of the parks it could cost you $10-15 a day to park.
$17 this year at Disney. (Free if you have an annual pass 
). Or if you're staying on-site, of course.Watch for resort fees at off-site hotels if booking things yourself. Disney doesn't charge them.
We did the Florida thing late September 2009 for 2 weeks before kid, and spent as follows;
£450pp flights, direct with Thomas cook but bought via otbeach
£300 car hire - inc upgrade to Volvo convertible
£500 for first 5 nights hotel on iDrive with Seaworld, Busch Gardens and a Seaworld themed dinner included
We bought a Magic Kingdom day pass separately, as well as Universal and Kennedy.
That covered the first week, except for Busch which we saved for the second as we were out that way. We also played the best crazy golf on iDrive and visited Ripley's. There were also some really good restaurants to be found out an about.
Our 2nd week was spent down the keys and back up to Busch Gardens via the Everglades. Book a hotel that day for the night and enjoy what Florida has to offer rather than just the Disney parks.
Monkey boy is 2, we think we'll go back and do something similar when he's 5.
£450pp flights, direct with Thomas cook but bought via otbeach
£300 car hire - inc upgrade to Volvo convertible
£500 for first 5 nights hotel on iDrive with Seaworld, Busch Gardens and a Seaworld themed dinner included
We bought a Magic Kingdom day pass separately, as well as Universal and Kennedy.
That covered the first week, except for Busch which we saved for the second as we were out that way. We also played the best crazy golf on iDrive and visited Ripley's. There were also some really good restaurants to be found out an about.
Our 2nd week was spent down the keys and back up to Busch Gardens via the Everglades. Book a hotel that day for the night and enjoy what Florida has to offer rather than just the Disney parks.
Monkey boy is 2, we think we'll go back and do something similar when he's 5.
Went a couple of times as a kid with my folks in the 90s and we didn't have a car. My old man is a very nervous driver and readily admitted he would not be comfortable getting behind the wheel on the other side of the road. We stayed on site at Disney so majority of the places were catered for with complimentary coaches. The places off site like Universal etc, we went via taxis. The old man struck a deal with a taxi driver that was hungry for work so we used him several times. He was happy to get regular, decent fares and we got a discount and a regular, friendly driver for the 2 weeks.
nick heppinstall said:
OK... Interested to from anyone who has done the the Florida hol WITHOUT a car.
I was reading on a Florida forum of a woman who took her family and didn't get a car. It was taking them 2hrs to get to the parks and back by public transport. Seriously, get a car to it will be the holiday from hell, not of a lifetime.
I've been 9 times, 5 of them with kids.
We went twice, first time the last two weeks in May, second time the first two weeks in May.
It's about the perfect time though the first two weeks seemed better in terms of park volume.
Flew MyTravel first time (don't exist now) and Virgin the second (much better).
Hiring a villa is a no-brainer - we got one in Indian Point - criminally cheap, everything is so spacious, damn, the garage was bigger than most UK houses and you get a pool...you don't want to go home.
Car is a no-brainer too, not least because you MUST do Old Town in Kissimmee for the car shows. it's free and it was a complete highlight. They do have a couple of fairs there if your child is young.
Park tickets, scout the internet and you will find packages like 4 Disney parks, you should do both Universal parks, Sea World is OK, if you like nice zoos, there is an Alligator place over near Orange Blossom Drive, airboats, we did a water park which was great (watch you don't burn your feet though, flip flops essential) but although Discovery Cove is OK, I found it overpriced and a bit synthetic (because it is, of course).
Food is very cheap but don't forget to budget in tips. Budget for a few T-shirts too which are a million times better quality than here. Damn, I'm wearing a Camaro SS T-shirt, right now, that I bought there in 2005.
Just remember for buying petrol that you have to go in and pre-approve before they'll let you pump gas and damn, that stuff is cheap.
Skip the Park Hoppers and just do one park a day and if going for 14 days, have rest days doing nothing or head for the beach.
It's about the perfect time though the first two weeks seemed better in terms of park volume.
Flew MyTravel first time (don't exist now) and Virgin the second (much better).
Hiring a villa is a no-brainer - we got one in Indian Point - criminally cheap, everything is so spacious, damn, the garage was bigger than most UK houses and you get a pool...you don't want to go home.
Car is a no-brainer too, not least because you MUST do Old Town in Kissimmee for the car shows. it's free and it was a complete highlight. They do have a couple of fairs there if your child is young.
Park tickets, scout the internet and you will find packages like 4 Disney parks, you should do both Universal parks, Sea World is OK, if you like nice zoos, there is an Alligator place over near Orange Blossom Drive, airboats, we did a water park which was great (watch you don't burn your feet though, flip flops essential) but although Discovery Cove is OK, I found it overpriced and a bit synthetic (because it is, of course).
Food is very cheap but don't forget to budget in tips. Budget for a few T-shirts too which are a million times better quality than here. Damn, I'm wearing a Camaro SS T-shirt, right now, that I bought there in 2005.
Just remember for buying petrol that you have to go in and pre-approve before they'll let you pump gas and damn, that stuff is cheap.
Skip the Park Hoppers and just do one park a day and if going for 14 days, have rest days doing nothing or head for the beach.
Been 5 times in the last 5 years all with our daughter (now 5), and another 5 times since 94 (with parents and more recently the now mrs Rix - child free!)
Been without a car on two occasions when I went with my mrs in 2001 and 2004. On those occasions we stayed on international drive in some of the generic hotels. They are dirt cheap, yes you will be able to get shuttles to the major parks, and yes you will get a reasonable choice of eateries in walking distance of such a hotel. I remember back then we managed to get ourselves to a Walmart via a multi-bus route on public transport (Lynx buses). A lot of hassle but was fine as a yoof with no kids in tow!
For the last 7 times we've stayed in a villa. All but a couple of occasions it's just been the three of us. Usually costs about £450/week for a 3-4 bed place with pool via something booked via thedibb. Could recommend some places if needed. This year we got some bargain last minute flights at around £300 each, but expect to pay between £1000-£1500 each during holidays for direct flights. Off site international drive hotels are very cheap. Disney hotels very expensive.
Would never be car less now. It's sooo much easier, so cheap, so flexible, and gives you the choice of so much more stuff than the parks. As a regular visitor we do some samey things most trips but we also make sure we visit new places every trip. I'm a wee bit obsessive about the place (the whole area/state) but could never get bored.
Been without a car on two occasions when I went with my mrs in 2001 and 2004. On those occasions we stayed on international drive in some of the generic hotels. They are dirt cheap, yes you will be able to get shuttles to the major parks, and yes you will get a reasonable choice of eateries in walking distance of such a hotel. I remember back then we managed to get ourselves to a Walmart via a multi-bus route on public transport (Lynx buses). A lot of hassle but was fine as a yoof with no kids in tow!
For the last 7 times we've stayed in a villa. All but a couple of occasions it's just been the three of us. Usually costs about £450/week for a 3-4 bed place with pool via something booked via thedibb. Could recommend some places if needed. This year we got some bargain last minute flights at around £300 each, but expect to pay between £1000-£1500 each during holidays for direct flights. Off site international drive hotels are very cheap. Disney hotels very expensive.
Would never be car less now. It's sooo much easier, so cheap, so flexible, and gives you the choice of so much more stuff than the parks. As a regular visitor we do some samey things most trips but we also make sure we visit new places every trip. I'm a wee bit obsessive about the place (the whole area/state) but could never get bored.
We went last month' £1k each for flights, £300 for a full size automobile, £1500 for the villa (not in orlando though, on the gulf coast). If you book a package with a villa with virgin it will be upwards of a 30 minute drive back to orlando, they are miles away.
Petrol was 65p a litre though!
Petrol was 65p a litre though!
Me and mrs Rat went for our honeymoon 3 1/2 years ago, didnt hire a car. Didn't want to, I wanted to be able to have a drink while out and not worry about it. We just used the shuttle buses to parks, went on some day trips organised with our Virgin rep, had a couple of days lazing round the pool. Never once felt we needed a car.
We were there for 14 days, I think we spent around £4k including flights / hotel / park tickets.
We were there for 14 days, I think we spent around £4k including flights / hotel / park tickets.
We have been at a number of different times and I would say mid may to mid June or mid October are the best times of the year to visit. There are benefits to staying in Disney or universal but you will pay for the pleasure and while both are great you will want a break from over the course of two weeks which will be difficult if you are staying on site. There are only 3 of us and a villa is still by far the best accommodation to stay in whilst in orlando, so much better value than the hotels.
We've done villa and hotel - 3 of us.
Hotel - Plus was our daughter made friends. Minus was adjusting to time zone, what do you do in a hotel at 5am? Our daughter would crash at 6PM in first few days, and then we were stuck in the room. Have to eat out.
Villa - Bit more driving. Plus was size, space, own pool. Minus was bit of a drive to eat out, Daughter did not have friends to make at the villa - but made enough while out and about not really an issue.
Our daughter was 3 and 7 when we went. The actual highlight of her holiday both times was Aquatica. If you go around March/April it's also not busy. Have a look.
ETA
Prices quoted are making me wince. Last time Flights £1,600 for 3 of us (included a flight to NY and an Internal connection a few days later to Orlando). Car was circa £350. Villa was £600.
Time before that (2009) we paid £1,600 for flights, 4* hotel and a car (I did not use this car as the upgrade to anything half decent was more than a new rental from Hertz). That was a bargain.
Hotel - Plus was our daughter made friends. Minus was adjusting to time zone, what do you do in a hotel at 5am? Our daughter would crash at 6PM in first few days, and then we were stuck in the room. Have to eat out.
Villa - Bit more driving. Plus was size, space, own pool. Minus was bit of a drive to eat out, Daughter did not have friends to make at the villa - but made enough while out and about not really an issue.
Our daughter was 3 and 7 when we went. The actual highlight of her holiday both times was Aquatica. If you go around March/April it's also not busy. Have a look.
ETA
Prices quoted are making me wince. Last time Flights £1,600 for 3 of us (included a flight to NY and an Internal connection a few days later to Orlando). Car was circa £350. Villa was £600.
Time before that (2009) we paid £1,600 for flights, 4* hotel and a car (I did not use this car as the upgrade to anything half decent was more than a new rental from Hertz). That was a bargain.
Edited by surveyor on Sunday 7th September 18:30
I took my family in July last year, utter disaster, all the US/Euro/UK kids all off at the same time, massive queues from 10 in the morning, unbearably hot and the Villa was miles away.
The 2nd week we spent in Naples, far more relaxed and enjoyable as the whole place was so quiet for some reason, a total contrast.
The 2nd week we spent in Naples, far more relaxed and enjoyable as the whole place was so quiet for some reason, a total contrast.
Next may 15nights Rosen in pointe Orlando 4 adults Flying into Sanford from man 3472 car hire 330 for ford explorer 7 seat thing park tickets are about 500 for everything for an adult inc discovery cove non dolphin swim Disney 14 day universal and SeaWorld Busch etc
its a piece of piss to drive over there and a much worse experience without a car waiting for a bus in 90+ deg heat no ta. The ability to leave and come back easily to parks is invaluable also you sent tied to I drive for eating too
its a piece of piss to drive over there and a much worse experience without a car waiting for a bus in 90+ deg heat no ta. The ability to leave and come back easily to parks is invaluable also you sent tied to I drive for eating too
CoinSl0t said:
...the whole place was so quiet for some reason,
...because there's nothing to do there, especially for kids.I reckon people are better off staying in Orlando for 2 weeks rather than doing a split-stay, but taking it a bit easier. If you've got time on your side, particularly at hot & busy times of the year, there's no need to blitz the parks, just do half a day, and then do other stuff for the rest of the time. Maybe go back to a park in the evening.
That's the great thing about staying on-site but still having a car - Disney transport is convenient but it's often not quick. You can do everything in small bites, without transport arrangement dominating your plans. And if you want to pop off-site to go shopping for an hour, that's really easy too.
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