Flights to Orlando
Discussion
Do not under any circumstances fly with monarch, we did once and I would rather swim across the atlantic than fly with them again.
Out dated old tired aircraft, poor customer service from cabin staff and the food was awful. Prices are not cheap either, at least if they were you may be able to justify everything that is bad about them but they are around the same price as the other carriers.
Out dated old tired aircraft, poor customer service from cabin staff and the food was awful. Prices are not cheap either, at least if they were you may be able to justify everything that is bad about them but they are around the same price as the other carriers.
Edited by ChrisBMW on Saturday 12th January 15:23
The problem you have is flying into MCO Orlando's main airport is that there is only 2 airlines flying direct and that is BA and Virgin. Flying into Sanford the other airport means you would have to fly with one of the package operators. ie Monarch, Thompson etc.
Do you need to fly into Orlando or could you fly to say Miami or Tampa? Your only other alternative is say fly to Atlanta then get an internal to Orlando. That might be a cheaper option if your budget won't stretch. Try "Dial A Flight" they are really good at finding flights. I use them every time i fly.
Do you need to fly into Orlando or could you fly to say Miami or Tampa? Your only other alternative is say fly to Atlanta then get an internal to Orlando. That might be a cheaper option if your budget won't stretch. Try "Dial A Flight" they are really good at finding flights. I use them every time i fly.
When I lived in Orlando I was flying TO the UK on a very regular basis. I found that BA and Virgin were generally competitive with the charter flights. Where the charters can get much cheaper is if you're flying business class, I seem to remember once getting a biz class RT out of Sanford for something like $1000 once.
If you fly into Miami do remember that its a roughly 200 mile drive to Orlando. MIA is also an airport that I avoid like the plague. Tampa isn't a terrible drive to Orlando but you will have to deal with traffic on I-4, which is the parking lot that runs from Tampa to Daytona via Orlando.
If you're changing planes to save money look at flying via JFK or EWR as there's lots and lots of flights to the UK daily from there, and you can also look at Delta, American and United in addition to BA and VS.
Oh, if you fly into MCO, watch for radar on 528 heading towards I-drive, especially near the exit for 441/ Orange Blossom Trail.
If you fly into Miami do remember that its a roughly 200 mile drive to Orlando. MIA is also an airport that I avoid like the plague. Tampa isn't a terrible drive to Orlando but you will have to deal with traffic on I-4, which is the parking lot that runs from Tampa to Daytona via Orlando.
If you're changing planes to save money look at flying via JFK or EWR as there's lots and lots of flights to the UK daily from there, and you can also look at Delta, American and United in addition to BA and VS.
Oh, if you fly into MCO, watch for radar on 528 heading towards I-drive, especially near the exit for 441/ Orange Blossom Trail.
Likewise, I live in Orlando and fly in and out of MCO every week and transatlantic at least 6 times a year.
I freely admit that I use neither BA nor Virgin, because all of my status is with US carriers and because my travel is work related, I sit up front.
Where I to travel economy, I think I would conciously avoid direct flights from Europe - only because they are invariably filled with screaming, petulant, snot-nosed kids.
Flying transatlantic into non-tourist destinations, reduces the screaming brat factor substantially, meaning you only have to endure the high pitched aural assault and flying mucous for 2 hours, rather than 9.
The way that some folks on here revile US carriers and talk-up BA and Virgin like they are some kind of luxuriously superior alternative is a bit of a joke in my view. Coach, long-haul is horrible, whoever you fly with. It is more a trial to be endured, with the reward of nice weather and family fun as the reward. Going back, it's just plain miserable (overnight).
Finally, and motivated by Bill's comments on the local plod's radar activities - the most intensive speed enforcement activity in the entire county is focused on the south access road into and out of the airport - particularly around the cellphone lot intersection. The limit on this dual carriageway is 35mph - ignore it at your peril.
I freely admit that I use neither BA nor Virgin, because all of my status is with US carriers and because my travel is work related, I sit up front.
Where I to travel economy, I think I would conciously avoid direct flights from Europe - only because they are invariably filled with screaming, petulant, snot-nosed kids.
Flying transatlantic into non-tourist destinations, reduces the screaming brat factor substantially, meaning you only have to endure the high pitched aural assault and flying mucous for 2 hours, rather than 9.
The way that some folks on here revile US carriers and talk-up BA and Virgin like they are some kind of luxuriously superior alternative is a bit of a joke in my view. Coach, long-haul is horrible, whoever you fly with. It is more a trial to be endured, with the reward of nice weather and family fun as the reward. Going back, it's just plain miserable (overnight).
Finally, and motivated by Bill's comments on the local plod's radar activities - the most intensive speed enforcement activity in the entire county is focused on the south access road into and out of the airport - particularly around the cellphone lot intersection. The limit on this dual carriageway is 35mph - ignore it at your peril.
Just returned from Orlando over Xmas and New Year, No way is Sandford 40 mins from International Drive, Police must have been on holiday too as they were very conspicuous by their absence except for the occasional multiple shout to a murder ect!
We stayed at Southern Dunes Golf Resort (Not for the golf) and getting to and from the theme parks or International drive everyday was no problem even at UK type speeds, i.e over the limit!
We stayed at Southern Dunes Golf Resort (Not for the golf) and getting to and from the theme parks or International drive everyday was no problem even at UK type speeds, i.e over the limit!
dazco said:
I flew with Thomson last time I went, great flights.
In fact I got a flight, two weeks hotel accom, and 14 day tickets to Disney and Universal for £700.
The flight only was £400, so it worked out very well.
How long ago was that? It did go very cheap maybe 6 or 7 years ago but now those park tickets and flight taxes would probably be near-enough £700.In fact I got a flight, two weeks hotel accom, and 14 day tickets to Disney and Universal for £700.
The flight only was £400, so it worked out very well.
We went with Thomson a few years ago on 767 (I think the first year they started using that aircraft) and it was absolutely fine. I think Sanford not being a 'proper' airport is more of an issue than the flights themselves.
OTOH flew back last summer in PE on a Virgin A330 and that was horrible - way too hot in the cabin and no air-vents for the centre seats. Staff were rude and service throughout the flight was poor - I think something was going as the staff looked thoroughly miserable for the whole flight. Complained to Virgin and they ignored me until I posted on their Facebook page, then they responded instantly - so there's a lesson.
Deva Link said:
dazco said:
I flew with Thomson last time I went, great flights.
In fact I got a flight, two weeks hotel accom, and 14 day tickets to Disney and Universal for £700.
The flight only was £400, so it worked out very well.
How long ago was that? It did go very cheap maybe 6 or 7 years ago but now those park tickets and flight taxes would probably be near-enough £700.In fact I got a flight, two weeks hotel accom, and 14 day tickets to Disney and Universal for £700.
The flight only was £400, so it worked out very well.
We went with Thomson a few years ago on 767 (I think the first year they started using that aircraft) and it was absolutely fine. I think Sanford not being a 'proper' airport is more of an issue than the flights themselves.
OTOH flew back last summer in PE on a Virgin A330 and that was horrible - way too hot in the cabin and no air-vents for the centre seats. Staff were rude and service throughout the flight was poor - I think something was going as the staff looked thoroughly miserable for the whole flight. Complained to Virgin and they ignored me until I posted on their Facebook page, then they responded instantly - so there's a lesson.
dazco said:
Deva Link said:
dazco said:
It was last month
Oh! Well that is an amazing price - 14 day Disney ticket on its own is around £250.Got a Mustang convertible for £230 for two weeks too.
I have just had a look at prices, quite blinking expensive.
Thanks for all your replies. I was doing some more research at the weekend and the holiday is certainly getting expensive.
The best flights are now BA LGW to TPA at £2073 for 2 adults and 2 kids
The WDW tickets was a nasty surprise ~ £770 for a 5 day hopper pass
Car hire is coming in at £400 for a chevy impala - "just wish that chap who hired that merc GL out of miami would respond!"
The villa is coming in at £800 for 2 weeks which doesnt include pool heating. My kids are 5 and 3 and the OH has said pool heating is a must. The problem with the villa is that there is so many websites and so many areas to make a proper decision.
Havent a clue on spending money for food and petrol! SO all in all we are looking at over £5k easy.
Rgds
Richard
The best flights are now BA LGW to TPA at £2073 for 2 adults and 2 kids
The WDW tickets was a nasty surprise ~ £770 for a 5 day hopper pass
Car hire is coming in at £400 for a chevy impala - "just wish that chap who hired that merc GL out of miami would respond!"
The villa is coming in at £800 for 2 weeks which doesnt include pool heating. My kids are 5 and 3 and the OH has said pool heating is a must. The problem with the villa is that there is so many websites and so many areas to make a proper decision.
Havent a clue on spending money for food and petrol! SO all in all we are looking at over £5k easy.
Rgds
Richard
We never buy hopper tickets, we do a park a day and use these - http://www.park-tickets.com/ but you have to go and pick the tickets up when you get there.
We have stayed at Indian Point and found it a good base for reaching everywhere.
We have stayed at Indian Point and found it a good base for reaching everywhere.
richarda0109 said:
The WDW tickets was a nasty surprise ~ £770 for a 5 day hopper pass
I know you have to draw the line somewhere, but I always suggest Disney's 14 day Ultimate pass. For years it's been the same price as the 7 day and the flexibility it gives you is well worth it (in my opinion - YMMV). In the great scheme of things it doesn't cost much more than more limited tickets.It means if the kids are feeling crabby or the weather's crap you don't have to stick it out all day feeling that otherwise you're wasting a whole days ticket. You can also go to a park for a couple of hours in the evening, or go to Disney Quest, again without it seeming a waste.
richarda0109 said:
Car hire is coming in at £400 for a chevy impala - "just wish that chap who hired that merc GL out of miami would respond!"
I'm aware of what he did but it doesn't work any more. He may get stuffed when he collects the car anyway as he's done something a bit dodgy.I've had hassle with taking advantage of something that was clearly wrong - a couple of years ago Hertz via Expedia had a glitch that meant you were only charged for 5 days regardless of the length of booking. I booked a 7 seater SUV for 18 days for £250 when it should have been about £600. When I got there they had the reservation but no record that I'd paid. They shrugged and said call Expedia UK (on my mobile - their phones, typical in the US, wouldn't make international calls). It was late at night UK time and I got an Indian call centre who were clueless.
I had to pay in full at the local spot price ($2000) on my credit card before they would give me the car (although they did give me a Cadillac Escalade). I'm pretty laid back about such things and didn't really doubt it would be sorted but thinking about the possibility I might lose $2000 did weigh on my mind a bit during the holiday.
Hertz is offering 33% discount at present (haven't studied the details): http://www.hertz.co.uk/rentacar/q-12031635/the-her... .
richarda0109 said:
Thanks for all your replies. I was doing some more research at the weekend and the holiday is certainly getting expensive.
The best flights are now BA LGW to TPA at £2073 for 2 adults and 2 kids
The WDW tickets was a nasty surprise ~ £770 for a 5 day hopper pass
Car hire is coming in at £400 for a chevy impala - "just wish that chap who hired that merc GL out of miami would respond!"
The villa is coming in at £800 for 2 weeks which doesnt include pool heating. My kids are 5 and 3 and the OH has said pool heating is a must. The problem with the villa is that there is so many websites and so many areas to make a proper decision.
Havent a clue on spending money for food and petrol! SO all in all we are looking at over £5k easy.
Rgds
Richard
Richard,The best flights are now BA LGW to TPA at £2073 for 2 adults and 2 kids
The WDW tickets was a nasty surprise ~ £770 for a 5 day hopper pass
Car hire is coming in at £400 for a chevy impala - "just wish that chap who hired that merc GL out of miami would respond!"
The villa is coming in at £800 for 2 weeks which doesnt include pool heating. My kids are 5 and 3 and the OH has said pool heating is a must. The problem with the villa is that there is so many websites and so many areas to make a proper decision.
Havent a clue on spending money for food and petrol! SO all in all we are looking at over £5k easy.
Rgds
Richard
Just a quick query for you - have you considered booking flights and car hire together through BA? They get some competitive rates with AVIS - and if you join the executive club you can put the OH on as an additional driver FOC. Also - if you join Avis Preferred (free) then they guarantee to have you in your vehicle within 5 minutes of arriving at the desk - v good when there's a huge line!
Other advantage of booking a Flights & Car package is that your holiday is then considered a package holiday so is ATOL protected. You can also pay 10% deposit now then the balance 10 weeks before you travel. Helpful when it's getting expensive
Apologies if I'm teaching you to suck eggs with any of the above.
Cheers,
Alex
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