Orlando/Disney 2018
Discussion
Due to an ongoing house extension it looks unlikely we’ll have a family holiday this year however in order to redeem myself I’m planning a holiday to Orlando/Disney with the view to traveling around late August or early September 2018
I’ve been looking over the past couple of weeks however I find myself going round in circles with regards to which way to go, either stay in Disney its self or something along International drive, Hyatt Regency Orlando and Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando are both standing out if we decide to stay outside Disney
We are looking for nice accommodation 4+ or 5* which is fully geared up for young children, the more restaurants ect the better
I’ll be traveling with the Mrs plus 2 young children (5 & 1 at the time of traveling)
Any tips or advice would be much appreciated
Cheers
I’ve been looking over the past couple of weeks however I find myself going round in circles with regards to which way to go, either stay in Disney its self or something along International drive, Hyatt Regency Orlando and Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando are both standing out if we decide to stay outside Disney
We are looking for nice accommodation 4+ or 5* which is fully geared up for young children, the more restaurants ect the better
I’ll be traveling with the Mrs plus 2 young children (5 & 1 at the time of traveling)
Any tips or advice would be much appreciated
Cheers
Disney properties are best. They would most certainly be my first choice. They're clinically designed that you get pretty much exactly what you pay for - the more you pay the nicer the place; there are no 'bargains'. If the all stars resort is cheaper than say Coronado Springs (which it is), it's because it isn't as good. And the top-of-the-range Grand Floridian is better than Port Orleans so it costs more. So choose your budget and there will typically be a few Disney hotels in each 'price bracket' - economy, moderate, deluxe or whatever, and then see if there's a style you like.
The 2 'wild card' properties are the Swan and the Dolphin. These are the only hotels within WDW that aren't owned by Disney. But since they're on property they're very nice and well themed in a Disneyesque way (stunning architecture) and walkable to The Boardwalk, then walkable/water taxi to Epcot and Disney Studios. But being non-Disney owned, these are the only WDW hotels that set their own prices and there can sometimes be decent rates at certain times of year. We stayed for a number of Christmases at the Dolphin is they had great deals on, but that seems to have stopped over the holidays of late. Check them out though.
If you don't want to stay in a Disney property than I'd be looking at something in Lake Buena Vista. Walkable to the expanded Disney Springs (previously Disney Village), close to Disney, and the hotels all have bus links to the parks. The Hilton and Windham are real close to Disney Springs and are OK stayed in both, and also stayed at what is now the Best Western and it's OK too but a bit further to walk.
International Drive has become really tacky IMHO, especially as you go further north. And unlike Disney Springs there's really not a lot to do there.
The 2 'wild card' properties are the Swan and the Dolphin. These are the only hotels within WDW that aren't owned by Disney. But since they're on property they're very nice and well themed in a Disneyesque way (stunning architecture) and walkable to The Boardwalk, then walkable/water taxi to Epcot and Disney Studios. But being non-Disney owned, these are the only WDW hotels that set their own prices and there can sometimes be decent rates at certain times of year. We stayed for a number of Christmases at the Dolphin is they had great deals on, but that seems to have stopped over the holidays of late. Check them out though.
If you don't want to stay in a Disney property than I'd be looking at something in Lake Buena Vista. Walkable to the expanded Disney Springs (previously Disney Village), close to Disney, and the hotels all have bus links to the parks. The Hilton and Windham are real close to Disney Springs and are OK stayed in both, and also stayed at what is now the Best Western and it's OK too but a bit further to walk.
International Drive has become really tacky IMHO, especially as you go further north. And unlike Disney Springs there's really not a lot to do there.
I would wait until the 1 year old is at least 5.
We stayed in the Hyatt a couple of years ago. It's a nice resort. Amazing pools and grounds. Restaurants were OK. The area is a bit grim outside the grounds, but the grounds are so vast you are unlikely to be wandering out. It's a very handy location for the parks too.
We stayed in the Hyatt a couple of years ago. It's a nice resort. Amazing pools and grounds. Restaurants were OK. The area is a bit grim outside the grounds, but the grounds are so vast you are unlikely to be wandering out. It's a very handy location for the parks too.
RicksAlfas said:
I would wait until the 1 year old is at least 5.
Me too ! 1 year old on trans atlantic flights + jet lag + trolling around the parks in the heat .... no thanks .... !!!We did Paris when my son was about 6, but he was never really interested in the Disney thing, so we waited until he was 11 for Florida & did all the parks with big rides.
Steve Campbell said:
RicksAlfas said:
I would wait until the 1 year old is at least 5.
Me too ! 1 year old on trans atlantic flights + jet lag + trolling around the parks in the heat .... no thanks .... !!!In terms of the flights, our kids were always happy to sit and do something quietly - play, draw, sleep etc., and that pre-dated video games. I've been on flights and seen much older kids incapable of sitting down even with seatbelt signs on, so I think behaviour on a plane is more down to the kid's character and parents' attitude rather than age.
I certainly don't regret taking a 2 year-old - it all worked fine, but in fairness we were just out of nappies at that time. I'd think travelling with a kid that needed nappies and this nappy changes would be a real pain,
I'm taking my 4yr old and 1 year old next June when they will be 5 and 2 we were also looking at 4 n 5 star but they seem boring for young kids so on advice we are staying at disneys all stars movies resort as they have very large characters and it's very Disney for kids which suits us, we were going to stay at shingle creek which is a 5 star and was actually cheaper than the Disney (value) hotel but the kids would be fed up so for us this time around tackier the better! (Still costing 5,800 lol) I think when we go again in 2020 the kids will be 7 and near on 5 we might stay at animal kingdom lodge although it gets mixed reviews
We've been a lot of times and staying in a Disney hotel does change the holiday as you feel immersed in Disney.
One quick thing I'd say if you've got small kids, especially if using a cot, is a couple of weeks in a standard (at any Disney hotel level) room will be a squash. There's not much storage space either.
One quick thing I'd say if you've got small kids, especially if using a cot, is a couple of weeks in a standard (at any Disney hotel level) room will be a squash. There's not much storage space either.
I don't mean to add to the confusion, however, have you considered renting a villa? We rented one on the Emerald Isle resort a couple of years ago, it was cheaper than a hotel, gave us vastly more space and a private pool. Also enabled us to escape from disney when it got too much (or too hot!). There are literally loads of villas to rent around that area and there are restaurants and supermarkets everywhere so eating out or self catering was easy.
Went last October with my mrs and 10 year old lad, our first time. Stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel, 5-10 min walk/5 min boat taxi ride to Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios and City Walk - absolutely brilliant and suited us down to the ground. Advantages for us:
Early entry to Universal Studios, 1 hour before the normal entry. Walk in for 8am (or whatever it was), straight for Gringots, do that then fly round a few of the other main rides, hop on the first Hogwarts Express of the morning at 9am, straight onto the other Harry Potter ride then a few more of the other rides before heading back to the hotel just as the big crowds start steaming in. Bit of breakfast and a couple of hours round the pool waiting for the parks to steady off and back in. We had fast track passes with virgin and they were fantastic.
Staff extremely friendly and helpful.
Cool as f
k place to stay, assuming you like dad rock!
Pretty decent pool.
Dive in movies every night great for the kids.
Food in the bar pretty good, if a bit limited choice. The restaurants are OK (both breakfast, dinner and tea) without being brilliant.
Only an walk to City Walk that has around a dozen restaurants, a few fast food joints and a couple of bars.
Fairly cheap Uber ride to plenty of choice for both food and attractions (10 dollars ish to Seaworld)
We were there during Hurricane Matthew, we couldn't have been better looked after. The threat was very real even though it never really materialised, the hotel kept us informed constantly of the curfews, opened up all the restaurants and served buffets so as many people as possible could eat easily, opened up the conference rooms as kind of play rooms for the kids showing all the Harry Potter films on the day we weren't allowed outdoors.
We never went to Disney and didn't feel like we missed anything at all and still didn't get chance to do everything we wanted to do. Staying in the Hard Rock was absolutely perfect for us.
What some people were doing was going to stay at the Hard Rock for one night taking advantage of free entry to the parks for 2 days including the early entry one morning. This could be an option for you.
Early entry to Universal Studios, 1 hour before the normal entry. Walk in for 8am (or whatever it was), straight for Gringots, do that then fly round a few of the other main rides, hop on the first Hogwarts Express of the morning at 9am, straight onto the other Harry Potter ride then a few more of the other rides before heading back to the hotel just as the big crowds start steaming in. Bit of breakfast and a couple of hours round the pool waiting for the parks to steady off and back in. We had fast track passes with virgin and they were fantastic.
Staff extremely friendly and helpful.
Cool as f
k place to stay, assuming you like dad rock!Pretty decent pool.
Dive in movies every night great for the kids.
Food in the bar pretty good, if a bit limited choice. The restaurants are OK (both breakfast, dinner and tea) without being brilliant.
Only an walk to City Walk that has around a dozen restaurants, a few fast food joints and a couple of bars.
Fairly cheap Uber ride to plenty of choice for both food and attractions (10 dollars ish to Seaworld)
We were there during Hurricane Matthew, we couldn't have been better looked after. The threat was very real even though it never really materialised, the hotel kept us informed constantly of the curfews, opened up all the restaurants and served buffets so as many people as possible could eat easily, opened up the conference rooms as kind of play rooms for the kids showing all the Harry Potter films on the day we weren't allowed outdoors.
We never went to Disney and didn't feel like we missed anything at all and still didn't get chance to do everything we wanted to do. Staying in the Hard Rock was absolutely perfect for us.
What some people were doing was going to stay at the Hard Rock for one night taking advantage of free entry to the parks for 2 days including the early entry one morning. This could be an option for you.
We are a way off going to Disney (have a 4 year old and a baby due any day) but we were talking about this the other day. I went when I was 11 and we are thinking we'd want the kids to be 7&11 or 8&12 to get the most out of it. But one thing I have no idea of is costs - what would you be looking at for 2 weeks (1 in Orlando, 1 down near Tampa) with all the parks etc? Only looking at a ball park as I've honestly no idea.
You're talking about 7-8 years away, so who knows?
In scale, I'd say you're looking at £10K sort of area at current prices. School holiday flights, hotel/villa, car hire, park tickets, food, spending money.
We went in the 90's and it was very dear. It went cheaper in the 00's but now it's gone dearer again, and the exchange rate since the Brexit vote is horrible.
ETA: Everyone does Florida differently, but I wouldn't bother with the split stay - we've done it a couple of times but now prefer to stay Orlando and take things a bit easier, without the pressure of trying to do the whole place in a week.
Two weeks is pushing it as well, we generally go for 18 days although that bumps up the car hire price as 4 days can be the same price as a week, and park tickets need a bit of juggling if you buy the standard 14 day passes.
In scale, I'd say you're looking at £10K sort of area at current prices. School holiday flights, hotel/villa, car hire, park tickets, food, spending money.
We went in the 90's and it was very dear. It went cheaper in the 00's but now it's gone dearer again, and the exchange rate since the Brexit vote is horrible.
ETA: Everyone does Florida differently, but I wouldn't bother with the split stay - we've done it a couple of times but now prefer to stay Orlando and take things a bit easier, without the pressure of trying to do the whole place in a week.
Two weeks is pushing it as well, we generally go for 18 days although that bumps up the car hire price as 4 days can be the same price as a week, and park tickets need a bit of juggling if you buy the standard 14 day passes.
Edited by Sheepshanks on Tuesday 30th May 15:26
Sheepshanks said:
Tony Angelino said:
Went last October with my mrs and 10 year old lad...
Do you reckon your holiday would suit the OP, with 1 and 5 year olds?But seen as the OP asked this:
brianb said:
I’ve been looking over the past couple of weeks however I find myself going round in circles with regards to which way to go, either stay in Disney its self or something along International drive, Hyatt Regency Orlando and Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando are both standing out if we decide to stay outside Disney
I thought it may help him judge if the Hard Rock Hotel was suitable for him given what he wants from his holiday......
we are just going to enjoy ourselves but not doing discovery cove or volcano bay as i think my kids are far too young to enjoy those places,
just for reference to the guy who asked about prices, our disney hotel was 3500 for 2 week for 2 adults 1 child at 5yr old and the other under 3 so basically free we upgraded to premium economy so another 1k, then the 14 for 7 days 6 parks disney tickets which were 1100 which came to 5800
if we stayed at animal kingdom now it would be an extra 2k on that
universal, islands of adventure is around 700 in tickets as well
so even we won't get much change out of 6500/7k
we are also having a hire car at around 400-500 and taking 5000 in spending money
with the hope of bringing back some of that
just for reference to the guy who asked about prices, our disney hotel was 3500 for 2 week for 2 adults 1 child at 5yr old and the other under 3 so basically free we upgraded to premium economy so another 1k, then the 14 for 7 days 6 parks disney tickets which were 1100 which came to 5800
if we stayed at animal kingdom now it would be an extra 2k on that
universal, islands of adventure is around 700 in tickets as well
so even we won't get much change out of 6500/7k
we are also having a hire car at around 400-500 and taking 5000 in spending money
with the hope of bringing back some of that
Some fantastic info chaps, thanks for taking the time to reply
The more we look into this we are swaying towards Lake Buenavista area specifically a hotel within walking distance of Disney Springs (thanks tvrolet) which as far as I can see narrows my search down to the following
B Resort & Spa,
Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace,
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista,
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista (some reviews say its dated however it looks to have been modernised?)
Disney's Saratoga Springs (looks quite dated on the pictures?)
The swan and dolphin look good however a little remote for our liking?
Generally like to have a wander during the evenings to different bars / restaurants / children’s entertainment hence the reason towards Disney Springs, Hard Rock hotel looks really good however as mentioned my suite us better when the children are older, point taken regarding International Drive
The more we look into this we are swaying towards Lake Buenavista area specifically a hotel within walking distance of Disney Springs (thanks tvrolet) which as far as I can see narrows my search down to the following
B Resort & Spa,
Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace,
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista,
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista (some reviews say its dated however it looks to have been modernised?)
Disney's Saratoga Springs (looks quite dated on the pictures?)
The swan and dolphin look good however a little remote for our liking?
Generally like to have a wander during the evenings to different bars / restaurants / children’s entertainment hence the reason towards Disney Springs, Hard Rock hotel looks really good however as mentioned my suite us better when the children are older, point taken regarding International Drive
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