Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Florida with a touch of Disney

11 replies

WinkyWinkola · 25/01/2011 22:21

We're thinking this summer (August) we'll go Florida way.

We'd like to spend one or two days at Disney but not more than that. I don't want to spend one minute there actually but it's all about compromise, isn't it? Or so they tell me.--

So, can anyone recommend hotels/villas/anywhere good for a family with children of six, four and 20 months, please?

OP posts:
catinthehat2 · 25/01/2011 22:27

Er, so while you're personally too grand for Disney, you're not actually too grand to accept accommodation advice from the plebs who go there.

I would be very wary of any advice you get, wouldn't want anyone to stitch you up you know....

Just a thought.

Original poster
WinkyWinkola · 25/01/2011 23:10

Too grand? I never said I was too grand. And I never said anything about plebs either. I just meant it wasn't my cup of tea.

Touchy.

OP posts:
Original poster
WinkyWinkola · 25/01/2011 23:10

Or perhaps I'm just not allowed to have personal preferences. Hmm

OP posts:
WinkyWinkola · 25/01/2011 23:11

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet.

tribpot · 25/01/2011 23:15

Could I also ask about Florida? Today is my 39th birthday and I'm working out what I might want to do for my 40th that is achievable with a (then) 6 year old and a DH in a wheelchair. I'm thinking Harry Potter World - ds loves Harry Potter, and with it being such a very new resort I'm assuming it must be wheelchair friendly?

pinkteddy · 25/01/2011 23:26

tribpot, I haven't been to HP world as it only opened last June but all the parks are very wheelchair friendly so I'm sure it will be. You can hire wheelchairs at Disney and Universal and some rides are adapated for wheelchair use too.

Winky, assuming you won't want to stay in resort but nearby? With a family you'd be best to stay in a villa. They are all massive and have everything you need. Recommend either, Windsor Hills, Indian Creek or Emerald Island all in the Kissimmee area. I've stayed at Windsor Hills and friends have stayed at the others, they come highly recommended.

Original poster
WinkyWinkola · 25/01/2011 23:33

Sounds amazing PinkTeddy. Thank you.

OP posts:
pinkteddy · 25/01/2011 23:38

You're welcome. It will be really hot. Get one with your own pool if possible. Take only cotton clothing!! They are all air conditioned anyway.

mumoverseas · 26/01/2011 08:47

I went to Harry Potter world in Universals Islands of Adventure in October/November. It was FABULOUS! I love the HP films as do DC1 and 2 and we had an amazing time there. Also had DC3 and 4 so had a buggy and I don't remember having any issues at all with access problems. I'm pretty sure that if you have a wheelchair then you can go to a special entrance to the rides (normally by the exit) and you get assistance there with getting onto the rides) There may be a few that are a bit difficult but as it is such a new park I would have though they would have planned it very well so it is accessible for wheelchairs as much as is possible.

A lot of villas are single story so hopefully you would find one that would be suitable.
Have a look at www.loyaltyusa.com They manage a lot of villas within 4 miles of Disney most of which have private pools and gamesrooms and most of which are single storey. A lot of the newer (and posher) villas at Windsor Hills and similar places are two storey so may not be suitable but places like Indian Ridge and Indian Ridge oaks are less than a mile away and are single storey so more suitable.

BelfastBloke · 26/01/2011 08:50

Is Harry Potter World a stand-alone entry fee, or do you have access to other stuff/parks?

mumoverseas · 26/01/2011 10:31

No, its all part of Islands of Adventure park, at the far side of it so one admission fee (Next door to Universal which has a separate charge to get in).

There was talk about it eventually becoming a stand alone park, apparently they are building additional rides at the back of it but at the moment, its all in Islands of Adventure.

It was truly fabulous. The entrance was just like in the films. The Hogwarts Express, Hogsmeade with all the little shops. Honeydukes (sweet shop) was brilliant, kids bought lots of chocolate frogs)and we bought butterbeer and pumpkin juice.

The thing that made me laugh was that the rides had queues from 10 mins (scary dragon roller coaster that I let DC1 and 2 do on their own), around 20 mins for a family roller coaster and 45 mins for the fabulous HP ride (can't remembe the name) BUT, the biggest queue was to get into Olivanders wand shop! Bloody madness. People were queuing for over an hour to get into the shop to get 'fitted' for their own wand. DD1 was lazy and wasted/spent $20 on a twig/wand from a little stand in the street.
If you love HP films, you will LOVE this. It looked beautiful with snow on the roof at Hogsmeade. Will try to find photos and download them.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread