Right, mega reply time! :)
Chesty, you need to book RPR ASAP if you have particular dates in mind for October. I've already had to change my dates because there wasn't a room available. I'm going to book ours today. I guess HNN is affecting it?
Is it cheaper to buy the theme park tickets through Virgin or buy them online or when you get there?
I'd say book online but I don't know what Virgin's prices are. Definitely don't buy on the gate. See below for ticket info!
Anyone have any knowledge of the Halloween parties? We're there 21st to 5th October. So based on last years dates do you think MNSSHP will be on thurs 24th and HHN on thurs 1st? So maybe best to book night at universal on Monday 28th?
I've no idea about MNSSHP but HHN are usually on Thursday-Sunday (ie. not Mon & Tues). I'm booking my hotel based on this but it could change when the dates are announced later on. Sorry, I can't remember whether you are wanting to go to HNN or avoid it. If you want to avoid it then I'd go on either Monday 28th or Tuesday 29th. Remember that even when HHN is on at Universal, Islands should still be open.
I haven't booked park tickets yet as the choice of packages is a bit confusing and overwhelming! However, these are the parks I think we want to do - Universal (both), Busch Gardens, Sea World, Discovery Cove, Magic Kingdom, Aquatica plus a day at the Space Centre. That's 8 in total - is that too much? We would like a couple of spare days to chill at our resort or maybe visit a beach. Any thougts/suggestions?
Personally I wouldn't waste time going to be a beach in FL but that's just me. It's not like they are world-class Bahamas-style beaches. 8 parks in 12 days is easily doable. Personally I'd reckon on doing a park for every day of your holiday with one rest day per week.
Also any recommendations about where to get best ticket deals?
Yep :) I'd go to Attraction Tickets Direct to decide what you want but don't worry about the price at this stage. I don't usually buy the combination packages as they don't suit us best but you'll want to price them up to see if they work for what you want. It's a bit misleading when they say combination tickets - you don't get one ticket that includes entry to certain parks, you get the individual park's tickets that you can buy separately and they just sell you all the tickets at a slightly reduced price. It's what's included in the combination tickets that is relevant - eg. no use buying a combo if it includes a 7 day Disney but you want more than 7 days there. So you can look at the individual tickets and decide what you want, then see which, if any, combo packages offer them. One reason to avoid combinations is if you're going to Discovery Cove. DC tickets are never included in the combinations so you have to buy them separately. But when you buy a DC ticket you get free entry to other parks (see below!) so there's no point in paying for a combo ticket that includes these parks when you're getting them free with your DC ticket anyway. As I'm typing all this I'm realising I'm probably confusing you even more! :) So, we buy individually, as follows:
- Discovery Cove: if you are going there, then you need to decide whether you want to go to Busch Gardens. Discovery Cove tickets include entrance to SeaWorld and Acquatica (check this when you book!) but their Ultimate ticket also includes Busch Gardens for not much more money (definitely cheaper than buying separate entrance to Busch).
- Universal: You need a ticket with park-to-park access (sometimes called a Hopper). I think the 2 park Bonus Ticket would suit you best. This gives you unimited access to both parks for 14 days. Even though you won't be going there for 14 days it's cheaper than buying 2 days on the gate.
- Disney: We usually get the Ultimate tickets. These give you unlimited access to all Disney parks (inc. water parks) for a set number of days. At the moment you can get a 14 day Ultimate for the same price as a 7 day.
- Kennedy tickets are a simple one-day entry - no choice with them!
So, once you've decide what tickets you want, you can then go to several websites to compare prices. Also look at the free gifts each site offers - free airboat rides, a Kids Eat Free card etc. I would use one of these sites mentioned on the Dibb. At the top of this page is a yellow banner saying 'purchase tickets' and you can link to the sites from there. Attraction Tickets Direct is reputed to be the best site. And don't forget to go through a cashback site - we're getting almost £90 back!
I wondered about Animal Kingdom but is it similar to Busch Gardens or have I got that wrong? I've heard that Epcot might not be as interesting as other parks for kids my age. Will have a look at Hollywood as haven't really considered there.
We love Epcot and I don't think it's boring for kids at all - mine are almost exactly the same age as yours and they love it. It's just World Showcase (the bit with all the countries in) that can be a bit dull for them, so you coudl always skip that bit. But Soarin' is the best ride in Florida :) We also adore Hollywood Studios and couldn't miss it (Star Tours!!) but lots of people say it's their least favourite park.
Hope that's not overkill with the info - do ask if I haven't made sense :)