Disneyland Florida - worth it these days?
Discussion
I know most will say don't stay on site, but why not? Or do 1 week in a Disney Hotel, then 1 week in a villa?
If you go outside of holidays, say at the end of summer hols, you can get good deals with park tickets/dining plan thrown in. We took our 4 year old in November 2017, and she loved it. We stayed in the Disney Beach resort, so a five minute walk into Epcot/World Showcase. What's not to love, reasonably short queues, plus you also get 60 day early fastpass bookings if staying on site - a must need for avatar.
I think we will leave it for a few years, but when we do go again, a week onsite and a week in a villa for a more chilled holiday sounds like the thing to look at.
If you go outside of holidays, say at the end of summer hols, you can get good deals with park tickets/dining plan thrown in. We took our 4 year old in November 2017, and she loved it. We stayed in the Disney Beach resort, so a five minute walk into Epcot/World Showcase. What's not to love, reasonably short queues, plus you also get 60 day early fastpass bookings if staying on site - a must need for avatar.
I think we will leave it for a few years, but when we do go again, a week onsite and a week in a villa for a more chilled holiday sounds like the thing to look at.
I went last year.
Stayed down south, but did a couple of days in Orlando
The cost of park tickets is just now ridiculous. Wife wanted to go to Harry Potter land but it was £180 each for a day so even she wouldn't pay that.
We wound up going to Typhoon Lagoon and had a great day. $100 for the both of us.
I'd echo the comments about supermarkets being expensive. They just don't do the cheap offers on things like we get and fresh food like salad and meat is surprisingly expensive.
I last went in 2009 when it was nearer $2 to £1 and the cost of clothes, etc was noticeably different (obviously)
Still cheaper than UK though in places like Ralph Lauren, Levis
Stayed down south, but did a couple of days in Orlando
The cost of park tickets is just now ridiculous. Wife wanted to go to Harry Potter land but it was £180 each for a day so even she wouldn't pay that.
We wound up going to Typhoon Lagoon and had a great day. $100 for the both of us.
I'd echo the comments about supermarkets being expensive. They just don't do the cheap offers on things like we get and fresh food like salad and meat is surprisingly expensive.
I last went in 2009 when it was nearer $2 to £1 and the cost of clothes, etc was noticeably different (obviously)
Still cheaper than UK though in places like Ralph Lauren, Levis
Trax said:
I know most will say don't stay on site, but why not? Or do 1 week in a Disney Hotel, then 1 week in a villa?
If you go outside of holidays, say at the end of summer hols, you can get good deals with park tickets/dining plan thrown in. We took our 4 year old in November 2017, and she loved it. We stayed in the Disney Beach resort, so a five minute walk into Epcot/World Showcase. What's not to love, reasonably short queues, plus you also get 60 day early fastpass bookings if staying on site - a must need for avatar.
I think we will leave it for a few years, but when we do go again, a week onsite and a week in a villa for a more chilled holiday sounds like the thing to look at.
If you and the family are into Disney it changes the holiday when you stay on-site - you do feel immersed in the Disney experience.If you go outside of holidays, say at the end of summer hols, you can get good deals with park tickets/dining plan thrown in. We took our 4 year old in November 2017, and she loved it. We stayed in the Disney Beach resort, so a five minute walk into Epcot/World Showcase. What's not to love, reasonably short queues, plus you also get 60 day early fastpass bookings if staying on site - a must need for avatar.
I think we will leave it for a few years, but when we do go again, a week onsite and a week in a villa for a more chilled holiday sounds like the thing to look at.
It's too late for free dining for 2018 - those offers finished a while ago, and the tickets aren't thrown in. You have to stay onsite AND buy tickets with your accommodation to get free dining. They used to heavily discount a couple of the deluxe resorts during the offer period which made them relatively a bargain but they didn't do that for 2018.
However a lot depends on your family size - rooms are generally pretty small and are only really geared up for typical Americans' 4-5 day stay. Our daughters would sleep together OK, but if you have kids that won't then it means using a roll-away bed. Last time we went we had a 1 bed villa (a small apartment, really) at Saratoga Springs. That was spacious but only slept 4 and still had very limited storage space.
I don't agree with taking it easy - don't go bonkers and think you can do a park a day from open until close, but when it's costing £500/day to be there then I want to get some value out of it. You can chill out at home!
I spend a lot of time in Florida and also have two Girls 7 and 9.
My advice. rent a villa and a car Disney is great but its nice to be able to get away from it and there is so much else to see and do!
get yourself organised with fast pass rides and factor in rest days. I have a full 2 week itinerary i can send you if you like which i did for my last trip a few months ago noting the most popular rides and the ones you will need to fast pass.
Dont bother with universal, its for older kids and make no mistake you will be going back. Get the Disney tickets and you'll have 5 parks to go to, more than enough for two weeks
buy this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brit-Guide-Orlando-2017/d...
My advice. rent a villa and a car Disney is great but its nice to be able to get away from it and there is so much else to see and do!
get yourself organised with fast pass rides and factor in rest days. I have a full 2 week itinerary i can send you if you like which i did for my last trip a few months ago noting the most popular rides and the ones you will need to fast pass.
Dont bother with universal, its for older kids and make no mistake you will be going back. Get the Disney tickets and you'll have 5 parks to go to, more than enough for two weeks
buy this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brit-Guide-Orlando-2017/d...
Some friends of mine took their grandchildren there in the summer. I was staggerd to hear how much of their time in the parks was actually spent queing for rides.
Why this is necessary? Why can't people go at prearranged times for their rides?
They could give the kids a wristband with a timer on for their ride times or even give a numbered ticket like they do at the deli in supermarkets. Anything's got to be better than wasting time in f
king great long queues.
Why this is necessary? Why can't people go at prearranged times for their rides?
They could give the kids a wristband with a timer on for their ride times or even give a numbered ticket like they do at the deli in supermarkets. Anything's got to be better than wasting time in f
king great long queues.I went last may/June for two weeks and got married out there.
Flights and villa was booked through Thomas cook, premium eco seats £780per person, car was done via Alamo, £512 for two weeks all inc insurance etc, and tickets possible through travel republic.
My kids are 4/6 and they loved it, only did universal for a day, but they loved the Disney parks most and got into most rides.
Looking to go again next may/June again.
Flights and villa was booked through Thomas cook, premium eco seats £780per person, car was done via Alamo, £512 for two weeks all inc insurance etc, and tickets possible through travel republic.
My kids are 4/6 and they loved it, only did universal for a day, but they loved the Disney parks most and got into most rides.
Looking to go again next may/June again.
Brave Fart said:
To the OP: my advice is simply "don't try to do it all in one trip" - especially if it's your first. You may think three weeks is a lot, but if you want to do all of the Disney and Universal parks, and Kennedy, and Miami..........you'll spend all your time rushing around, queuing, sat in traffic.....you get the picture. It's very tiring - for example it can take 30 minutes from reaching the Universal car park entrance (yep, $20 to park before 6 p.m.) to entering the park itself. And then another 20 minutes all the way round to Harry Potter. All in 30 degrees heat. And you're stressed 'cos you're lost already!
I completely agree.I've been 5 times now and dont try and do too much. The last trip (just a week mind) came in at circa £1350 each all in including Volcano Bay & Halloween Horror Night tickets. We did have free 3 day multi park passes to Universal though.
Some of the prices talked about are crazy. I couldn't justify spending that much.
I was there October 2016. We had a party of 5 adults and 2 kids. We stayed at Regal Oaks Kissimmee, which for us was fantastic. A lot of the benefits of a villa with alot of the benefits of staying in a hotel. It was also easy walking distance to Kissimmee old town which meant i could ditch the car most evenings if i fancied a beer. (I was the only driver in the group)
We had two weeks full access tickets for all the Disney parks, hired a Ford expedition suv ( It was massive) We took in a trip to Clearwater, spent a day at Wild Florida, rode an airboat amongst loads of other stuff.
We booked the lot for around 1000pp.
There's was spending money on top of That, but we didn't go daft. Took packed lunches to the parks. Did a few supermarket runs for the villa. We didn't feel we missed out by not dining at Disney. Saved us a fortune.
We're currently pricing up for this year and I can get a fly drive for 330 quid per person for 2 weeks or 360 if I want to go for 3. That with a basic car. It's not much more to upgrade to something better.
I was there October 2016. We had a party of 5 adults and 2 kids. We stayed at Regal Oaks Kissimmee, which for us was fantastic. A lot of the benefits of a villa with alot of the benefits of staying in a hotel. It was also easy walking distance to Kissimmee old town which meant i could ditch the car most evenings if i fancied a beer. (I was the only driver in the group)
We had two weeks full access tickets for all the Disney parks, hired a Ford expedition suv ( It was massive) We took in a trip to Clearwater, spent a day at Wild Florida, rode an airboat amongst loads of other stuff.
We booked the lot for around 1000pp.
There's was spending money on top of That, but we didn't go daft. Took packed lunches to the parks. Did a few supermarket runs for the villa. We didn't feel we missed out by not dining at Disney. Saved us a fortune.
We're currently pricing up for this year and I can get a fly drive for 330 quid per person for 2 weeks or 360 if I want to go for 3. That with a basic car. It's not much more to upgrade to something better.
Don't know if anyone can help with where to look etc? Still not given up on looking at this....
We figured if doing 2 weeks, we may as well do 3!
2 adults and 3 kids - 10, 5, 4 travelling out on 23rd july, back on 14th august (land on 15th)
I have found Virgin flights for £3200 direct with Virgin
A 3 bed condo - Tuscana Resort - £1830 for 22 nights
Hire car for £470 for the duration for a 'full size' car via Travelsupermarket
Disney 'Utimate tickets' 14 days £1900
Discovery Cove (swim with dolphins x 5) including 7 days to SeaWorld. Busch, Aquatica and Kennedy - £1500
This totals £8900
I figure on £3000 or so spending money, totalling £12000.
Anywhere I could be likely to save money on this? I can't believe I am even considering this!!!!
I made an 'off the cuff' comment of why spend £3k on a week in Tenerife when we could go to Florida for a bit more, and wifey is now sold on it!!
We figured if doing 2 weeks, we may as well do 3!
2 adults and 3 kids - 10, 5, 4 travelling out on 23rd july, back on 14th august (land on 15th)
I have found Virgin flights for £3200 direct with Virgin
A 3 bed condo - Tuscana Resort - £1830 for 22 nights
Hire car for £470 for the duration for a 'full size' car via Travelsupermarket
Disney 'Utimate tickets' 14 days £1900
Discovery Cove (swim with dolphins x 5) including 7 days to SeaWorld. Busch, Aquatica and Kennedy - £1500
This totals £8900
I figure on £3000 or so spending money, totalling £12000.
Anywhere I could be likely to save money on this? I can't believe I am even considering this!!!!
I made an 'off the cuff' comment of why spend £3k on a week in Tenerife when we could go to Florida for a bit more, and wifey is now sold on it!!
Just booked up for two weeks in Feb flying Virgin from Manchester Premium economy for a grand total of £1842.
Now need to consider venturing into the brave new world of AirBNB or just book a conventional hotel base for the first 5/6 days then wing it via booking.com on a day to day basis as we want to wonder about down the Gulf coast after doing Universal & Kennedy space centre.
Now need to consider venturing into the brave new world of AirBNB or just book a conventional hotel base for the first 5/6 days then wing it via booking.com on a day to day basis as we want to wonder about down the Gulf coast after doing Universal & Kennedy space centre.
I can see £2981 with Virgin to Orlando. Are you using Sky Scanner?
Also just checking you have factored in if you are in a Villa you may/may not need the pool heated. They charge a lot for this but probably not necessary in July (I have not been then so can't comment but would think its not necessary).
Your car hire looks too cheap.Car hire queues in the US are long usually and if that's "off " airport you will start the holiday exhausted by getting a shuttle to get the car, probably best leaving the family at arrivals and coming back for them.I would recommend comparing it to a quote on holiday autos where you can buy all the insurance up front with a £0 excess. If you do this at the desk it can double the cost of the overall hire and they are pushy.
Have you factored in cost to park for 3 weeks at the airport, any animals need kennels or cattery when you are away etc, Esta visas needed not much costs (£50), travel insurance for USA, it all adds up I am not trying to put you off.
It's the best place on earth for kids and you will love it but its all about the planning. You also need some down days, probably a week in the 3 weeks you should do half days or days off by the pool, shopping etc. The kids will get very tired.
One last thing is take a buggy or "stroller" as they like to call it and make sure you take booster seats for the kids in your luggage (rental companies like to charge a fortune for them). You may need to take a double buggy but you will save a lot of money. With the humidity and size of the parks the kids get tired. Our little one was 5 when we first went and she walked everywhere here without complaint but we rented a buggy almost at every park after she constant complained and I bet it cost us over £100 for the two weeks. You are better getting a double buggy off gumtree for your 4 and 6 year old if they need it and leave it at the condo.
Also just checking you have factored in if you are in a Villa you may/may not need the pool heated. They charge a lot for this but probably not necessary in July (I have not been then so can't comment but would think its not necessary).
Your car hire looks too cheap.Car hire queues in the US are long usually and if that's "off " airport you will start the holiday exhausted by getting a shuttle to get the car, probably best leaving the family at arrivals and coming back for them.I would recommend comparing it to a quote on holiday autos where you can buy all the insurance up front with a £0 excess. If you do this at the desk it can double the cost of the overall hire and they are pushy.
Have you factored in cost to park for 3 weeks at the airport, any animals need kennels or cattery when you are away etc, Esta visas needed not much costs (£50), travel insurance for USA, it all adds up I am not trying to put you off.
It's the best place on earth for kids and you will love it but its all about the planning. You also need some down days, probably a week in the 3 weeks you should do half days or days off by the pool, shopping etc. The kids will get very tired.
One last thing is take a buggy or "stroller" as they like to call it and make sure you take booster seats for the kids in your luggage (rental companies like to charge a fortune for them). You may need to take a double buggy but you will save a lot of money. With the humidity and size of the parks the kids get tired. Our little one was 5 when we first went and she walked everywhere here without complaint but we rented a buggy almost at every park after she constant complained and I bet it cost us over £100 for the two weeks. You are better getting a double buggy off gumtree for your 4 and 6 year old if they need it and leave it at the condo.
Edited by interstellar on Friday 5th January 21:49
interstellar said:
I can see £2981 with Virgin to Orlando. Are you using Sky Scanner? looked again - £2988 Virgin via JFK - better - was on Skyscanner
Also just checking you have factored in if you are in a Villa you may/may not need the pool heated. They charge a lot for this but probably not necessary in July (I have not been then so can't comment but would think its not necessary). Looked at apartment with communal pool -
https://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/accommodation/p4665...
Your car hire looks too cheap.Car hire queues in the US are long usually and if that's "off " airport you will start the holiday exhausted by getting a shuttle to get the car, probably best leaving the family at arrivals and coming back for them.I would recommend comparing it to a quote on holiday autos where you can buy all the insurance up front with a £0 excess. If you do this at the desk it can double the cost of the overall hire and they are pushy.
I quoted car hire from travelsupermarket - I know theres insurances to pay extra but planned to research in more detail once we had a definite plan. The one I looked at was a reasonable Mondeo size car collected from the airport.
Have you factored in cost to park for 3 weeks at the airport, any animals need kennels or cattery when you are away etc, Esta visas needed not much costs (£50), travel insurance for USA, it all adds up I am not trying to put you off.
We have a dog but also a family member runs kennels so not an issue really. Ive got full family travel insurance through work so one expense I don't have to find! I would get taxis to/from the airport I think - have friends with transport as Heathrow parking is a ripoff.
It's the best place on earth for kids and you will love it but its all about the planning. You also need some down days, probably a week in the 3 weeks you should do half days or days off by the pool, shopping etc. The kids will get very tired.
One last thing is take a buggy or "stroller" as they like to call it and make sure you take booster seats for the kids in your luggage (rental companies like to charge a fortune for them). You may need to take a double buggy but you will save a lot of money. With the humidity and size of the parks the kids get tired. Our little one was 5 when we first went and she walked everywhere here without complaint but we rented a buggy almost at every park after she constant complained and I bet it cost us over £100 for the two weeks. You are better getting a double buggy off gumtree for your 4 and 6 year old if they need it and leave it at the condo.
I hadn't considered booster seats but they are only 2/3kg, so we could take them I guess.
Loads of great help - thankyou - points I hadn't considered!!
Also just checking you have factored in if you are in a Villa you may/may not need the pool heated. They charge a lot for this but probably not necessary in July (I have not been then so can't comment but would think its not necessary). Looked at apartment with communal pool -
https://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/accommodation/p4665...
Your car hire looks too cheap.Car hire queues in the US are long usually and if that's "off " airport you will start the holiday exhausted by getting a shuttle to get the car, probably best leaving the family at arrivals and coming back for them.I would recommend comparing it to a quote on holiday autos where you can buy all the insurance up front with a £0 excess. If you do this at the desk it can double the cost of the overall hire and they are pushy.
I quoted car hire from travelsupermarket - I know theres insurances to pay extra but planned to research in more detail once we had a definite plan. The one I looked at was a reasonable Mondeo size car collected from the airport.
Have you factored in cost to park for 3 weeks at the airport, any animals need kennels or cattery when you are away etc, Esta visas needed not much costs (£50), travel insurance for USA, it all adds up I am not trying to put you off.
We have a dog but also a family member runs kennels so not an issue really. Ive got full family travel insurance through work so one expense I don't have to find! I would get taxis to/from the airport I think - have friends with transport as Heathrow parking is a ripoff.
It's the best place on earth for kids and you will love it but its all about the planning. You also need some down days, probably a week in the 3 weeks you should do half days or days off by the pool, shopping etc. The kids will get very tired.
One last thing is take a buggy or "stroller" as they like to call it and make sure you take booster seats for the kids in your luggage (rental companies like to charge a fortune for them). You may need to take a double buggy but you will save a lot of money. With the humidity and size of the parks the kids get tired. Our little one was 5 when we first went and she walked everywhere here without complaint but we rented a buggy almost at every park after she constant complained and I bet it cost us over £100 for the two weeks. You are better getting a double buggy off gumtree for your 4 and 6 year old if they need it and leave it at the condo.
I hadn't considered booster seats but they are only 2/3kg, so we could take them I guess.
Loads of great help - thankyou - points I hadn't considered!!
Edited by interstellar on Friday 5th January 21:49[/footnote]
[footnote]Edited by broken biscuit on Friday 5th January 22:14We went at the end of November beginning of December for 2 weeks. Booked flights, park tickets (just Disney and discover cove) and a detached villa with pool all separately. I've no idea of the final cost but wife tells me we saved many thousands of pounds. If you are sensible with where you eat you can spend a lot less then eating in the parks.
Discovery Cove was bloody expensive but a great day. You will need an extra couple of hunred £ for the photos and dvd of the dolphin meeting. Going to DC gets you a ticket to Seaworld.
We had a great time. Helped by the fact the parks were quiet and the temperature was spot on.
Discovery Cove was bloody expensive but a great day. You will need an extra couple of hunred £ for the photos and dvd of the dolphin meeting. Going to DC gets you a ticket to Seaworld.
We had a great time. Helped by the fact the parks were quiet and the temperature was spot on.
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