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Original poster

Anyone else got a Disney Florida trip planned? Want to get excited together and share plans?

998 replies

PaintingTheFlowersRed · 30/09/2012 19:03

We are off to DisneyWorld next year and I am already really excited about it. Anyone else? I'd love to compare notes on what you are doing to prepare. I'm starting to think about how to do a big surprise for the DC when we tell them we are going.

OP posts:
Groovee · 15/08/2013 14:33

No more than about 10 minutes. What transport are you getting? If it's a taxi, I'd just get them to take you to the contemporary

AnneEyhtMeyer · 15/08/2013 14:50

Probably quicker to walk to the Contemporary from MK. It takes 10 minutes at a very leisurely stroll.

PickledMoomin · 15/08/2013 16:11

That's fab. Thanks both.
It's a hotel shuttle. Only go to the parks and downtown Disney so will go to MK and stroll to contemporary

PickledMoomin · 17/08/2013 00:28

Seaworld today. Loved it. We did the dolphin feed too.
Have you arrived Mos?
Animal kingdom tomorrow and discovery cove on Sunday.
I read the smaller children can ride the rapids in AK in some boats. Is there still a height restriction?

TheHumancatapult · 17/08/2013 08:08

Oo glad you said sea world and Dolphin feed was good . Did you book in advance or on the day for the food

PickledMoomin · 17/08/2013 12:54

We did it on the day. A queue builds very quickly so we got there half an hour early. $7 each

TheHumancatapult · 18/08/2013 08:10

Thank you pickled will leave to the day hopefully September be that bit quieter

MOSagain · 19/08/2013 00:24

Pickled, how was Discovery Cove. Did it several times years ago when DC1 and 2 were younger but now waiting a few years until DC3 and 4 old enough. Arrived in Tampa Friday evening, overnighted in hotel in Tampa and then went to Legoland on way up to Orlando yesterday. Kids loved Legoland, much more suited to their ages (4 and 6) than some of the Disney parks. Think our tickets were really good value. 2 adults and 2 kids 14 days to both Legoland and their waterpark for £182. We've just costed 1 day at a Disney park (done to death the past few years and were just going to do one day) and its $400 for for of us. To be honest, don't think we will bother, simply not worth it, particularly with the crap weather when there is a chance they might cancel shows/parades.

A bit pissed off when we arrived at our villa. The guests that were due to arrive at 10am hadn't left until lunchtime so it wasn't ready. We arrived to find the cleaner and half her family sitting on our sofas. One of them had the cheek to say 'who are you?' My response was 'I'm the lady who owns the sofa you are sitting on and the tv you are watching'! Angry

Looking forward to meeting some old friends tomorrow. We all used to live on the same compound in the Middle East a few years ago and they are staying in a Disney hotel so are going over to meet up for drinks which will be nice.

Hope everyone currently out here is having a good time x

PickledMoomin · 19/08/2013 00:39

Legoland sounds like really good value. Maybe next time.

Was so impressed with Discovery Cove. Arrived at 730 and the dolphin swim was at 815. DS (3) couldn't do the swim but they let him into the water afterwards for a feel and a photo.

When we arrived they gave me three fantastic allergy packs for DS. The all inclusive food and drink was fresh and tasty and the Reef was incredible. The kids loved snorkelling and touching the rays/looking at the fish. And feeding the birds in the aviary was great.

I was worried DS would be too young but he got so much out of it and he swam unaided for the first time.

My only complaint was that the day went so quickly. (And that we spent $150 on 4 pics and a DVD of the dolphin swim but that was optional).

Groovee · 19/08/2013 06:43

Sounds like you are all having a great time.

MOS Shock at the cleaners!!! Pickled sounds like DC was fab for your ds. What was in the allergy packs?

PickledMoomin · 19/08/2013 12:30

Lots of snacks (cookies, pretzels, brownies, some sweeties). The packs hasn't been made by DC. They were made by two mums who had coeliac. I wish I'd noted the name of them.

TheHumancatapult · 19/08/2013 17:03

Mos
Ihope cleaner backtracked fasand very apolgetic

Looked at Dc but really can not justify the cost will save that for another trip

Pickled that sounds fab

Anyone know how good sea world are eith allergies

PickledMoomin · 19/08/2013 17:27

Human- seaworld great with allergies. I've found the allergy awareness here to be much better than at home. I've always been able to speak to a chef and in Disney they've put DS' food onto a green tray which shows it's been prepared separately

PickledMoomin · 20/08/2013 02:27

Had dinner at Maggiano's on IDrive. Really tasty and can fully recommend. So nice to have a decent meal.

TheHumancatapult · 20/08/2013 07:21

Thanks pickled glad yo hear that as one of our party has serious gluten and dairy allergy.

PickledMoomin · 20/08/2013 12:36

The only difficulty we had was flying out. Can't remember if I told you.
We arrived at Gatwick to check in. I tell the man at the desk that I've triple checked DS' allergy meal. He says that he can see a special request has been made but he doesn't know what... We had to go and queue at the virgin info desk.
We queued there (took half an hour up to this point and we'd booked a lounge so were keen to move quickly).
The lady at the virgin info desk checks the meal request. It's a veggie meal which contains dairy!! I'd called three times. She was SO unhelpful. Told me there was nothing she could do and that I should pay extra to go to the virgin lounge and feed DS (3) up to sustain him for the 9 hour flight! I was fuming.
Luckily one of the air hostess was fab and found him a vegan first class meal or offered him her jacket potato.

TheHumancatapult · 20/08/2013 21:36

Yeah were taking food with us as far easier then were know as otherwise poor little boy and anyone sat near loos be suffering the fall our effect

TheHumancatapult · 20/08/2013 21:37

Plus I use to work on the in flight catering provisionsShock

PickledMoomin · 21/08/2013 00:34

I had snacks but we'd stayed in Gatwick the night before so I didn't have any meals.
Universal and Islands of Adventure today. The express passes were a huge help (free with one night at a universal hotel). We're at the Royal Pacific. Rooms are comfortable.
They were more relaxed with the ride heights than in Disney. DS isn't quite 40 inches but he was measured and allowed on Spider-Man, Transformers and Despicable Me. DD was thrilled with Harry Potter.

TheHumancatapult · 21/08/2013 07:52

Pickled yup we are doing the same dd probably won't eat thr offerings for meals do snack and eat when get there. If can keep eyes open long enough

Tip book a special meal even if don't need as they are tgen prepared separate to mass produced stuff

TheHumancatapult · 21/08/2013 12:49

[Grin] Grin Grin my tickets arrived

Just waiting for photopass

MOSagain · 21/08/2013 13:05

Off to IOA today.
Ate at rainforest cafe at downtown Disney last night. Although the wait for our table was rather long the food and service was excellent

PickledMoomin · 21/08/2013 20:05

We're going to the TRex restaurant tomorrow. Is there anything we should see in Downtown Disney?

PickledMoomin · 21/08/2013 20:05

MOS- we left IOA around 1. We had 4 express passes until today which you could have had. They never check the photos!

Groovee · 21/08/2013 20:08

There is a little stall between pleasure island and the market place which do the most beautiful metal like pinwheels. We bought some to bring home! They spin in the wind and are worth the $$$'s.