Want to Start Saving For a Mega Holiday to Florida for 2014.....

[BaconAndAvocado]

....but need a ball park figure.

We plan to go,for 21 days, 2 weeks theme parks, 1 relaxing.

There'll be 3 of us. Me, DH, DCs aged 16, 7 and 6.

Have had a look on Virgin and flights, accommodation and car hire coming up around the £8k mark, which is what I expected.

Would like to know prices of theme park tickets and how much to budget for food etc.

Very excited already

morleylass that holiday planning service sounds fab! How do you access it?

Have just ordered 2 Disney for Brits from Amazon!!

Also had a look at Clearwater, looks beautiful!

Hi Bacon we are going for the first time this October. We have spent years camping and centre parcsing (on cheap term time deals) so going abroad for the first time in ten years and with two kids is a big deal for us, Im such as wuss feel very emotional when I booked it. Anyway here is a breakdown of our costs so far:

Package holiday direct with Walt Disney Travel Company £5500 for 2 adults and 2 children includes:

Virgin Flights from Gatwick
Disney Magical Express - free transfers
13 Nights stay at Moderate Hotel (Pirate Room in Caribbean Beach Resort)
Dinning Plan - 1 Table Service Meal, 1 Counter Service, 1 Snack - the table service meal credits can be used to pay for the character meals.
14 Ultimate Ticket - so all theme and water parks
Preferred fireworks for Epcot and Magical K. (roped off area)
Bonus hours - every day one of the parks is open for 1 hour just for Disney resort guests from 8am
$100 voucher of disney dollars to spend
Discounts in various shops and restaurants

So as we are on resort we do not need to think about car hire/fuel/parking fees as we just get on the bus from hotel to wherever on resort.

Passports £281 - we needed all four doing but we did use checking service.

Estas @ $14 dollars each

Booked all on one website for Gatwick: Airport hotel the night before departure inc meal, 2 weeks of parking and airport lounge, international sim card, airport lounge £330 (but this was for the Hilton)

I still have to book extras we wish to do:

Mickeys Party est £100
Pirate Cruise est £100

Universal £310 14 day two park ticket

Suitcases I hope I can get these for £250 to £300

We were saving £420 per months but really it should have been a bit more over £500. Some months I resented putting it away but know we near Im so pleased we booked it and very excited (stress a bit see other thread)

Feelinggood,

I would say that if your children are not yet teens or are under the age of 7 I would actually give Universal a miss. It has been generally set up for older children and teenagers in particular. These are also vast in terms of overall area.

With regards to the luggage strap you need to find a strap with a TSA lock on it (this is to enable the TSA to open the suitcase for inspection if they decide to on your return from the US). I would have one for each suitcase you take.

Do not buy black suitcases, buy brightly coloured ones and hard sided ones too if possible.

Would also mix the clothes up within the cases so that in the event (unlikely but it does happen) that one of the cases has a little holiday of its own and arrives at your hotel three days later (that has happened to us) the person whose case is missing actually has something to wear. Another top tip is to write down all your travel information like flight number, date of travel and hotel on a piece of paper and placed on top of your clothes in the suitcase. This is helpful again in the event of a lost bag.

Right so my list is mega, thanks again attila.

I know its part of our set up for me todo all this, think my panic comes from if Ive missed something. DH will go through it all, but when he has the time and inclination.

Lots of useful info, thanks for starting the thread bacon! Luckily mine will still class as children for the airfares and theme park tickets. I totally get people's preference for flying directly and Infact everyone I know who has been says just pay more to go direct but DH is an Aussie and the kids have done flights to Asia and Aus with multiple stops and have been fine so I am hopeful that they will do ok. I will definitely not get flights with short layovers as have experienced the nightmare of running through Dubai airport with no buggy and five month old twins!! Will be taking note of the suitcase tip Attila.

Don't forget ya travel insurance

oh yes insurance....

Feeling good. Looked at your hotel online yesterday as friends are there now and we are meeting them tonight at the hotel. It looks absolutely fabulous, my son is obsessed with pirates and would love it.

I've been coming every year for past 18 years and have to say it sounds like you got a really good deal

Oh how exciting thank you - I was having doubts.

You post really made me smile I'm having rather a bad day so thanks x

sorry you are having a bad day hope you feel a bit better now. It really does look fabulous, am quite jealous We never get to do the Disney hotels, can't justify it as have a house here but I'm sure the kids would love it for a change. Will let you know what its like after I've been there tonight

Thanks. mos

feelingood If you haven't already booked the pirate cruise I'd get on and book asap. I tried booking this morning and they've got no availability for the next 2 weeks so don't leave it til you get here. A bit disappointing as DS loves pirates but at least he didn't know about it and we've just booked what looks like a fabulous pirate cruise in Clearwater in a week or so.

whoa thanks. just died to ring and they are closed. I'll try again tomorrow.

MOS I've been online and booked 'MIckeys Not So Scarey Halloween Party' but I need to ring for the pirate cruise.

Had a great time at Caribbean beach last night. Spent a few hours by main pool which kids loved, particularly ds due to the pirate theme. Kids then toasted marshmallows on the beach which was great fun (all free) had pizza by the pool then the kids watched the movie they put on at 8.30pm on a huge outdoor screen next to the bar.
You will love it feelingood

oh mos im feelingoodgoodgood again. its been crappy here reading your update has cheered me.

i know its only moderate hotel and an older one but we used to camping!

the marshmallows n movie sound brill, where else can u do that? cant wait. im going to do my updated list later.

meanwhile have a holiday in northumberland to pack for, going next week.