DISNEY WORLD, FLORIDA

[JessicaRose92oxox]

Hi Everyone, new here on Mums Net so not sure I have put this in the right place!!

I am thinking of taking my children to Disney World Florida, but I have absolutely no idea where to begin. We have been to Disney in Paris but that was so straight forward, easier and cheaper!

Has anybody been to DW Florida before? Where did you stay? How much did you pay(if you don't mind, so I have a rough idea)? How much spending money is needed? Where did you book? Was it a package holiday? Do you book everything separately? How do you find the best deals? I basically need as much info as possible!

This is so overwhelming, I would have liked to have booked around 2 years in advance but that seems like it's not an option. (I work full time and would need so save, HARD! And were going to Egypt next year so would need to be the year after..)

Any advise is welcome, thank you :) xxx

We went last October. It was a great holiday - I expected the four year old to love it, which she did, but the adults enjoyed it more than expected.

We booked via BA holidays. I don't remember how much we paid.

We got 7 day Disney passes. Didn't do universal as I think that will be better for older kids (as it has Harry Potter, which she doesn't know yet). There are plenty of other things to do in Florida besides the parks but as we were only there for a week we stuck to the parks. If you want to do other things, obviously the cost adds up.

We didn't need loads of spending money - the food at the parks isn't great and the portions are large so we generally bought two portions between the three of us. There are lots of Disney shops in the parks, so be prepared to be pestered for toys.

In the evenings we were knackered and so generally ate at the hotel to save time, which was an expensive option. It would have been cheaper to go out.

Our hotel had regular buses to the parks so we didn't need a car and used very few taxis.

There are already a few threads on here with tips so you might want to look for those.

You need to join
the Dibb

All your questions will be answered there, and some!

I’ve booked for next year first time going.

I’ve spilt it, one week in a moderate Disney hotel with the meal plan, 14 day Disney passes and one week in a villa. My DC will be 16, 14, 12 &10 when we go so it’s costing a fortune.

Buy all the park tickets from Florida tix - if you go mid September to mid November you can usually get tickets to Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party (we bagged sooooo many sweets!)

We booked a package as it was our honeymoon. Did it through Thomas Cook and paid a minimal upgrade to go premier economy.

We spent £3k on the holiday, £2k spends and £1500 on park tickets for the two of us BUT we were on honeymoon, we didn't scrimp at all and we were staying in a 4* non-Disney resort.

Download the Disney park app and prebook all your fast passes as soon as you can. Use the app to see what rides have queues for a few days before you book as you may find you waste them on quieter rides. If the kids are not bothered about rides too much (or don't mind queueing) then use the fast passes for meet and greets. Book fast passes early in the day as you get extra each day once they're used.

Our holiday came with a free car and we used insurance4carhire.com to take out the relevant car insurance to drive over there at around £60. Otherwise you'll be charged £££'s at the airport (just tell them you've already purchased what you need if they push).

There are lots of sites that have info on what days are quietest at the parks. I did a spreadsheet and we planned everything around quiet days. It was brilliant because it really worked, it was only the Magic Kingdom that really felt busy. So Monday was Hollywood Studios, Tuesday was Animal Kingdom, etc.

We tended to eat a big breakfast and buy and take lighter snacks and drinks in the parks then have a big tea. Universal Studios is great as you can buy a cup and purchase the refill each day so you can have free refills everywhere including slushes. In the Florida heat it was amazing.

Lots and lots and lots of queues so fully charged phone/ iPad with games on them for kids

We are going for the 5th time with children this year

Its the last time we take them as they are adults or nearly adults and it costs a fortune when they are bg!

I would agree with the poster who recommended the dibb, its an incredibly helpful place

We book separately usually and spend a few days in a universal hotel that includes a fast pass (so portifino, hard road and royal pacific) i would VERY much recommend this...even for one night!

And we book a villa for the rest of the time

Are you going in August? And how old are the children

We're going for 3 weeks next August. It will be our 2nd trip.
Any child over 10 pays adult prices for park tickets.
We are staying in a moderate with upgraded dining for 2 weeks (the package we booked direct with Disney offered free quick service dining but we upgraded to one quick and one table service credit per day..handy for character meals)
2 weeks for 4 of us is costing £6k for 2 weeks at Disney
3 nights at Universal is £2k
3 nights by the sea £1k
Flights budget around £6/700pp
Spending money £2/3k (most meals are covered with the dining plan)

It's an expensive holiday but well worth it!
As a pp mentioned, The Dibb offers a wealth of knowledge, hints & tips for planning.

We’ve booked for next autumn. Paid 12k but that’s going to 3 weeks and flying premium class. Staying in a villa and have 14 days universal and Disney tickets and a trip to Kennedy space centre as well as car hire included. There are 4 of us - 2 adults, 13 year old and 10 year old.

We haven’t been before and it does seem like a ridiculously difficult process with people planning as if they’re tracking across the Sahara!

Did you know they're planning a shuttle launch at NASA Kennedy in August. Worth taking a look to see if you can get tickets (trust me it's worth it!)