Going to Florida for a month next December. Is it worth doing Disney?

[IlanaK]

We will be in both Ft Lauderdale and Key West with relatives. My kids are desperate to go to Disney while we are there. I totally discounted it due to distance and cost, but am wondering if I was too hasty.

My kids will be 10, 7, and 3 when we go. We are going to Eurodisney this March so I don't feel the need for the whole Disney experience twice! But they are huge Harry Potter fans and want to go to Harry Potter world.

Any thoughts?

Harry Potter is at Universal (Orlando) which is in a different part of Orlando than Disney - although not far.

Having done Disney Land Paris several times and Walt Disney World (Florida) once - I have to say they are 2 different things. DLP is the equivalent of just The Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios (although florida Hollywood Studios is bigger). DisneyWorld Florida also offers Epcot,Animal kingdom as well as the water parks (Typhoon lagoon and Blizzard beach) - although even in Florida the weather maybe a tad too cool for the waterparks in December.

Personally I think it would be a shame to miss the experience as you are in Florida - however, unlike DLP - WDW does take more than a few days to enjoy it. Plus the crowds over Xmas are hideous.

I have been told it is less busy early Dec after the Thanksgiving crowds have gone and before the Xmas rush arrives.
You may find more advice and info on The Dibb - Google it - its a website for people visiting any Disney park in the world - lots of tips and advice but some totally Disney freaks as well.

Also - I hate to say it (much as I loved DLP) but our visit to WDW in Florida knocked spots off DLP. A better atmosphere, more organised for parades, charcter meets and greets,better customer service, better behaved guests and tourists etc etc. The americans really do do it better than the french.

It is just soooooo far from wherewe will be!!!

I have never done the drive between the 2 places but I LOVE Disney and Universal Studios in Florida.

How long are your planning on staying out there as many be you can have a few family days away from all the relives if its for a few weeks or something: Like a holiday in a holiday!

It is - I agree. Are you staying with relatives? Or staying close by and hanging out with relatives as and when?

I ask because IME with the best will in the world - if you are actually staying WITH relaives you (and they) may be glad of the break from you/them at some point in a whole month.

Not sure of the drive time from Fort Lauderdale myself, have you looked into internal flights? No idea of the costs here - just an idea. I know some people fly into Miami instead of Orlando for cheaper air fares then drive upto Orlando !!! My idea of hell with the kids - but must work for some I suppose.

Its not the end of the world if you dont do Disney but you could save yourself the airfares and cost of another WDW trip in the future if you kill 2 birds with 1 stone now.

I have to admit to loving the disney park thing - not the rides so much - but am not a total disney freak like some on the Dibb. However, I dont think I would miss the opportunity to do some Disney if I was actually in Florida for a whole month.

Sorry I just read you are going for a month so I think do it if you can so it saves a 9 hour or so flight in going back out there again!

Harry Potter World is at Universal Studios (the newer one called Islands of Adventure).

I once did a 2 center Orlando and Fort Lauderdale holiday. For some reason that I cannot now recall, the travel co decided to drive us down from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale. Its a heck of a long drive and an experience I would not wish to repeat. I think it took at least 4 hours to arrive there (also speed limit is 55).

If you are there for a month I would seriously consider looking at flying into Orlando from Fort Lauderdale instead although cost could be steep.

Also if children are 11 or over the parks will then charge them the adult admission price.

Early December is far better for visiting the Orlando theme parks (less crowded) than between the Christmas and New Year period.