Disney Florida Advice

[mr2aw11]

We're heading out to Florida late October for three weeks - first week on International Drive, second and third week in a WDW resort. 14 day tickets for both Universal and Disney (overlapping in the middle week). Pre-booked Discovery Cove and stuff.
We were planning on taking advantage of the trolley while on International Drive, and the hotel has a free shuttle to Universal, then the two weeks in Disney are just going to be pure childishness (been before, know what to expect, loved it).
However, the closer it's getting, the more tempted I am to get a car for the first week. Quick Google shows a Mustang soft top for less than £200 (Alamo... Though I'd prefer a Camaro).
OP, our trip is coming in at about £7k, flying Virgin, good hotel for week one, and a "moderate" resort on Disney. Me, Mrsmr2, and daughter (7). Got the basic counter serve Disney Dining also.
If we don't do a car, I'll revisit the thread in November to advise on the trolley and stuff (Busch Gardens is about the only place the hotel don't do a courtesy bus to).
Incidentally, those that do drive, which car hire firms have you used (especially if you got a Camaro!), and do you need a supplement to the UK driving licence?

[Sheepshanks]

mr2aw11 said:

Got the basic counter serve Disney Dining also.

Yuk - buy the upgrade to table service.

mr2aw11 said:

(Busch Gardens is about the only place the hotel don't do a courtesy bus to).

I've no idea of the details, but Busch Gardens do their own courtesy bus.


If you've been before you may know all this, but:

You're going at a great time for weather and you'll be there for the Epcot Food & Wine festival (you can use snack credits for food). Avoid the weekends as the locals go and get pissed.

Depending on when you're leaving, you might see the parks (especially magic Kingdom) transition from Halloween to Christmas. Watch for opening hours restrictions during party nights. You have to buy party tickets in advance but they might be sold out now.

[mr2aw11]

Sheepshanks said:

mr2aw11 said:

Got the basic counter serve Disney Dining also.

Yuk - buy the upgrade to table service.

mr2aw11 said:

(Busch Gardens is about the only place the hotel don't do a courtesy bus to).

I've no idea of the details, but Busch Gardens do their own courtesy bus.


If you've been before you may know all this, but:

You're going at a great time for weather and you'll be there for the Epcot Food & Wine festival (you can use snack credits for food). Avoid the weekends as the locals go and get pissed.

Depending on when you're leaving, you might see the parks (especially magic Kingdom) transition from Halloween to Christmas. Watch for opening hours restrictions during party nights. You have to buy party tickets in advance but they might be sold out now.

Sheepshanks, we did think about the table service plan, but counter will get us breakfasts and snacks - from experience of previous visits, the portion sizes at breakfast will get us through to evening meals nicely. That way, we can have our other meals at our convenience (especially as some of the restaurants don't do the table plan, so we'd pay anyway)... That's our logic, anyway.
Yup, we'll be getting both Halloween and Christmassy themes, and we weren't aware of the Epcot Food Festival when we booked, but since learned about it and looking forward to that too.

[Sheepshanks]

mr2aw11 said:

Sheepshanks, we did think about the table service plan, but counter will get us breakfasts and snacks - from experience of previous visits, the portion sizes at breakfast will get us through to evening meals nicely. That way, we can have our other meals at our convenience (especially as some of the restaurants don't do the table plan, so we'd pay anyway)... That's our logic, anyway.

We generally couldn't eat breakfast as we were still stuffed from the evening before, so mostly we had "brunch" (in practice early lunch) and dinner. You do realise you'll get 2 counter service meals per day, don't you?

It can be hard to get through them, but one thing you can do is to use CS credits to build meals out snacks at places like Starbucks and other bakery shops - get a coffee, sandwich and cake. The snack credits are handy for the Food & Wine festival, but make sure they use the credit and don't charge the room for the cost.

Pretty well all on-site restaurants are on the dining plan - are you looking at an out of date list (or maybe the 2015 list - they're often not added until the last minute)?

Having said that, the table service plan isn't as good as it used to be - it used to include 3 courses and the tip - so its value isn't so clear now. If you do want to eat in any of the park restaurants you'll need to book well in advance, which some people find a bit stifling.

[mr2aw11]

Sheepshanks said:

We generally couldn't eat breakfast as we were still stuffed from the evening before, so mostly we had "brunch" (in practice early lunch) and dinner. You do realise you'll get 2 counter service meals per day, don't you?

It can be hard to get through them, but one thing you can do is to use CS credits to build meals out snacks at places like Starbucks and other bakery shops - get a coffee, sandwich and cake. The snack credits are handy for the Food & Wine festival, but make sure they use the credit and don't charge the room for the cost.

Pretty well all on-site restaurants are on the dining plan - are you looking at an out of date list (or maybe the 2015 list - they're often not added until the last minute)?

Having said that, the table service plan isn't as good as it used to be - it used to include 3 courses and the tip - so its value isn't so clear now. If you do want to eat in any of the park restaurants you'll need to book well in advance, which some people find a bit stifling.

Pre-booked a few at the 180 day limit, including Akershus, Cinderella's Royal table (for tyke's birthday) and Be Our Guest... That was a ballache, books out so quickly. But yeah, the whole "in advance" thing tends to make it feel a bit regimented.

[sanf]

Just been sorting out our trip for next year. We have to go in holidays (wife is a teacher), so this instantly inflates the price. We've settled on May half term for 7 days. Having got initial prices through travel agent to stay in a hotel (room only!!), it was coming out around £8k -, this maybe a 'special' holiday but that was hard to swallow.

We're a family of 5, with my eldest now classed as an adult. A work colleague provided me with guide on booking Florida holidays & saving money. With renewed enthusiasm I started looking again. Found a villa through the guide, UK owners, villa at the Highland Reserve Golf Course this means the in-laws are now coming as well. Villa £620 for the week.

Flights were entertaining - working through the various web sites with deals that may or may not exist. In the end plumped for Norwegian - direct from Gatwick to Orlando. All 5 of us (in-laws booking their own)with added extra's (Food/Res Seats/Baggage) + cancellation Ins for £2,691. They are a budget carrier but reviews tend to be pretty good, my wife flew to Sweden with them last year and was impressed-so hopefully ok.

With car hire for around £250, looking to spend a maximum of 5 days in the parks hopefully all in for around £4,900.

While hunting a friend suggested www.lowcostholidays.co.uk - having looked at some of the deals they seem pretty good. Good luck getting your hols sorted.

[Ayahuasca]

Not to hire a car is bonkers. Makes no sense. Will spoil the holiday.

[nick heppinstall]

Ayahuasca said:

Not to hire a car is bonkers. Makes no sense. Will spoil the holiday.

Thanks I think we established that on page 2 ?

[Ayahuasca]

nick heppinstall said:

Ayahuasca said:

Not to hire a car is bonkers. Makes no sense. Will spoil the holiday.

Thanks I think we established that on page 2 ?

Good-oh.

We always stay in a condo, but with just three of you not sure it's worth it. There is no shortage of accomodation of all budgets.

As for best time to go, climatewise it is less humid in the winter, also less chance of thunderstorms.

Top tip - whichever park you go to, get there early, just as it opens - better parking, smaller crowds, shorter lines. Rides with an hour plus wait in the afternoon are only five / ten minutes first thing, so you can get your fix and then do something else in the afternoon.

[ChrisBMW]

Hardly a top tip, more like stating the bloody obvious.

[Ayahuasca]

ChrisBMW said:

Hardly a top tip, more like stating the bloody obvious.

Your brain cell seems to have misfired - if it were 'bloody obvious' everyone would arrive early which they patently don't, and if they did there would be no point in arriving early, would there?

[Sheepshanks]

Ayahuasca said:

Your brain cell seems to have misfired - if it were 'bloody obvious' everyone would arrive early which they patently don't, and if they did there would be no point in arriving early, would there?

I think you're over-estimating the intelligence of the typical Orlando visitor.

[mr2aw11]

Ayahuas said:

<snip>
Top tip - whichever park you go to, get there early, just as it opens - better parking, smaller crowds, shorter lines. Rides with an hour plus wait in the afternoon are only five / ten minutes first thing, so you can get your fix and then do something else in the afternoon.

For getting there early, the last time we visited, we had a booking at the BBB for our little one at opening time, so they let us in before the gates opened - Magic Kingdom all to ourselves, staff ("cast") mainly in the wings, but the photographers about. Got a pic I'll treasure forever, tyke in Cinderella dress, Main Street, USA, completely deserted, with the castle in the background.
With the app and park wifi, a bit of strategic fast-passing can help with the queues.

[ChrisBMW]

Ayahuasca said:

Your brain cell seems to have misfired - if it were 'bloody obvious' everyone would arrive early which they patently don't, and if they did there would be no point in arriving early, would there?

If you take the time to read any other "top tips" for going to the parks this is nearly always the first one on the list so it is hardly a well kept secret just common sense, Early morning can actually be quite busy now depending on what day of the week you visit. Late afternoon seems to be quieter now as people who have turned up early begin to leave and the queues decrease.

[-Z-]

Looks like we got a good deal comparing to others here.

Flying out 3rd week of May 2015 over half term.

13 nights at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge for 2 Adults and 2 Kids (6&3), flying Virgin, with Disney Table Dining, including 2 week park access and a $100 gift card for £6400.

Taking our daughter out of school, we will eat the probable fines as still several £k cheaper and less busy than Easter!

Edited by -Z- on Friday 26th September 00:16