Disneyland Florida - worth it these days?
Discussion
The wife and I went to Florida in 2006 - did Disney, Universal, Busch, SeaWorld etc
Roll on to 2018, we have 3 kids (10 5 4) and wife wants to go back.
I have costed it out for two weeks in the school holidays and we're looking at £5k plus park tickets (she wants to do Disney, Seaworld, Discovery Cove to swim with dolphins etc) which is going to be circa £3.5k in tickets. Add 2k or so for spending money, and we are at £11,000!!!
Can I do this cheaper? Is it worth it? 11k is a new car!
Roll on to 2018, we have 3 kids (10 5 4) and wife wants to go back.
I have costed it out for two weeks in the school holidays and we're looking at £5k plus park tickets (she wants to do Disney, Seaworld, Discovery Cove to swim with dolphins etc) which is going to be circa £3.5k in tickets. Add 2k or so for spending money, and we are at £11,000!!!
Can I do this cheaper? Is it worth it? 11k is a new car!
I've costed it a few ways. 5k will get me a Thomas Cook package - direct flights, hire car, room only hotel for 2 weeks.
If I book separately - cheapo indirect flights, same hotel, own hire car I can get it to 4k. A villa is 4.5k cheapest all in if sourced separately.
Its a huge wedge of cash for me to part with, and will take a long long time to replenish my savings, so I have to be sure the kids are old enough to be able to do everything, enjoy it etc.
If I book separately - cheapo indirect flights, same hotel, own hire car I can get it to 4k. A villa is 4.5k cheapest all in if sourced separately.
Its a huge wedge of cash for me to part with, and will take a long long time to replenish my savings, so I have to be sure the kids are old enough to be able to do everything, enjoy it etc.
I have daughters aged 4 and 5 who are both Disney princess obsessed. I cant go to florida without doing the parks.
The wife also wants to do Discovery Cove and swim with dolphins which is £1300 for the 5 of us!!
I have a few things I want to do - Kennedy Space Centre, Daytona (circuit and beach), possibly down to Miami for a day so really 7 day park tickets will suffice.
One thought - I have distant family out in Florida - not known well enough to go and stay with etc, but who I could get to purchase tickets for our parks - is it cheaper for locals to buy tickets?
I have no issue with taking the kids out of school but my work is also school-based, so not only do I have to pay £120 fines for taking them out of school, I then have to pay for childcare for the two weeks I would have been off in the holidays...
The wife also wants to do Discovery Cove and swim with dolphins which is £1300 for the 5 of us!!
I have a few things I want to do - Kennedy Space Centre, Daytona (circuit and beach), possibly down to Miami for a day so really 7 day park tickets will suffice.
One thought - I have distant family out in Florida - not known well enough to go and stay with etc, but who I could get to purchase tickets for our parks - is it cheaper for locals to buy tickets?
I have no issue with taking the kids out of school but my work is also school-based, so not only do I have to pay £120 fines for taking them out of school, I then have to pay for childcare for the two weeks I would have been off in the holidays...
Rosen Inn on international Drive was the hotel I was looking at - very 'budget' lol but offered by all travel agents.
I could book (end july for 14 nights)
flights - 2 adults, 3 kids - via skyscanner -£3k or thereabouts
rosen inn (room only)- £990
budget villa via florida4less - 3 bed with pool - £1160
hire car - via netflights.com - £266
Same package via Thomas Cook (Rosen Inn) is £4949
Save myself around £500 booking myself
Planning to book it myself I can get a good deal on the high street?
I could book (end july for 14 nights)
flights - 2 adults, 3 kids - via skyscanner -£3k or thereabouts
rosen inn (room only)- £990
budget villa via florida4less - 3 bed with pool - £1160
hire car - via netflights.com - £266
Same package via Thomas Cook (Rosen Inn) is £4949
Save myself around £500 booking myself
Planning to book it myself I can get a good deal on the high street?
Just costed it out again - for 3 weeks:this time
Flights 3k - skyscanner
3 bed condo with communal pool - 1600 - ownersdirect
car hire 400 - gocompare
discovery cove (inc 14 day busch, seaworld and aquatica tickets) 1500
Disney 14 days tickets 1900
Total of £8400 + spends so figure £11k
That's a very nice second hand car, or two years of competitive motorsport for me...
Some serious saving to do!!
Flights 3k - skyscanner
3 bed condo with communal pool - 1600 - ownersdirect
car hire 400 - gocompare
discovery cove (inc 14 day busch, seaworld and aquatica tickets) 1500
Disney 14 days tickets 1900
Total of £8400 + spends so figure £11k
That's a very nice second hand car, or two years of competitive motorsport for me...
Some serious saving to do!!
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!!
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 22:14Well its official - we are going. Work and school commitments as of September mean we have the choice of July/August, or trying to do it last minute and going March/April. We have no valid passports at present! So the challenge is on!
Passports done and in this weekend - ESTA sorted as soon as we have passports - Mrs Biscuit and I both work for a police force, so are vetted/cleared so not expecting any issues there.
I'm now back to costing for everything and if I can pull it off, we will be in Florida in 11 weeks! Planning on going 26/3 - 16/4 or thereabouts
Passports done and in this weekend - ESTA sorted as soon as we have passports - Mrs Biscuit and I both work for a police force, so are vetted/cleared so not expecting any issues there.
I'm now back to costing for everything and if I can pull it off, we will be in Florida in 11 weeks! Planning on going 26/3 - 16/4 or thereabouts
I think i have got it sorted at last:
Virgin holidays package - 21 nights over Easter 2018 - 2 adults and 3 kids
Flights, 3 bed villa (with pool) and SUV hire car for £5027. Car insurance is an extra £113 (£450 via Virgin!)
I can get it a grand cheaper if I book myself - indirect flights, villa via ownersdirect. Thing is, my kids are 4,5 and 10. They've never flown before. I don't want the hassle of trying to find my way around JFK airport on a 90 minute transfer with them - rather pay a bit more and at least have Virgin there to call if anything goes wrong.
Wife had her heart set on us all swimming with dolphins at Discovery Cove. Their minimum age is 6, so that's scrubbed. We are going to do Disney, SeaWorld, Busch, Aquatica plus a few other bits - airboat ride and definitely Kennedy.
I think that will do for 3 weeks!
Virgin holidays package - 21 nights over Easter 2018 - 2 adults and 3 kids
Flights, 3 bed villa (with pool) and SUV hire car for £5027. Car insurance is an extra £113 (£450 via Virgin!)
I can get it a grand cheaper if I book myself - indirect flights, villa via ownersdirect. Thing is, my kids are 4,5 and 10. They've never flown before. I don't want the hassle of trying to find my way around JFK airport on a 90 minute transfer with them - rather pay a bit more and at least have Virgin there to call if anything goes wrong.
Wife had her heart set on us all swimming with dolphins at Discovery Cove. Their minimum age is 6, so that's scrubbed. We are going to do Disney, SeaWorld, Busch, Aquatica plus a few other bits - airboat ride and definitely Kennedy.
I think that will do for 3 weeks!
To update this -
We got what I think is a good deal:
2 adults, 3 children - 20 nights in a villa. Indirect flights (Chicago outbound, Charlotte Inbound) at good arrival/departure times. A 'minivan 7 seater hire car fully insured. 3 bed villa with pool, within 40 minutes of Disney (allocated on arrival)
£4400 through TUI.
I had no quotes under £5000 so I visited 3 travel agents and played them off against each other. TUI must have done it for pennies over cost - they started at £6k and it took a while - 4hrs in 3 travel agents!
We leave 10 weeks tomorrow. Thanks for all the advice - I have no doubt we would have booked anyway, but probably at greater costs and less informed
We got what I think is a good deal:
2 adults, 3 children - 20 nights in a villa. Indirect flights (Chicago outbound, Charlotte Inbound) at good arrival/departure times. A 'minivan 7 seater hire car fully insured. 3 bed villa with pool, within 40 minutes of Disney (allocated on arrival)
£4400 through TUI.
I had no quotes under £5000 so I visited 3 travel agents and played them off against each other. TUI must have done it for pennies over cost - they started at £6k and it took a while - 4hrs in 3 travel agents!
We leave 10 weeks tomorrow. Thanks for all the advice - I have no doubt we would have booked anyway, but probably at greater costs and less informed
I've held off exchanging money as our passports hadn't arrived until today. Wondering whether to order some dollars now at $1.42 or to wait. Was thinking of getting £2k worth - originally I was taking £1000 worth of dollars and using Halifax clarity for the rest - now I wonder whether to get more dollars now or wait. $1.42 seems to be a good rate.
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