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Original poster

Anyone got a Disney/Florida Holiday Planned Part 2

987 replies

Groovee · 03/10/2013 16:36

Old Thread

OP posts:
LucasNorthsTwiglets · 27/05/2015 12:10

There are car parks at the hotels but I can't imagine it would be very cost effective to hire a car but only use it a few days? Factor in the cost of parking as well when comparing against getting cabs... (around $18 per day).

McKayz · 27/05/2015 12:57

It probably isn't but wouldn't a cab to the Space Centre and things that aren't in Orlando be quite expensive?

KinkyDorito · 27/05/2015 15:32

You could probably bus that - I'm sure there would be excursion companies who run trips out there.

KinkyDorito · 27/05/2015 15:35

I've never driven, but might bite the bullet. We'll stay in Disney in 2016, so no point, but planning to villa after that. DPs are going to come and might have to have a crack in the hire car. I'm such a wuss! Grin

I do all the driving at home too, so not like I don't drive often here.

Toffeelatteplease · 27/05/2015 19:59

Lucas and Strawberry - thank you both for answers.

Anyone any thoughts on British airways economy vs virgin economy?

BloodyDogHairs · 27/05/2015 20:14

Just popping on to say hi to all the new posters Grin I've had no internet since Saturday so I've got lots of posts to read since I last posted.

A week and a half to go for it to be my turn Wine

McKayz · 27/05/2015 21:55

I've just got the Brit guide on my kindle so will read that tonight when DD gets me up a million times.

isthereanynameavailable · 28/05/2015 11:49

Very, very late to this thread but I need a bit of help please.

We go at the end of June, so not long now. DS2 (8) has Down's and mobility issues. Last year we hired a big buggy (similar to the McLaren Major Elite) and all was fine, it was a godsend, cheaper and more practical than the carts at the parks.

The company I hired it from last year aren't returning my emails. Can anyone suggest any other firms please? Care Medical was the one last year.

TIA

StrawberrytallCake · 28/05/2015 15:13

Hello isthereanynameavailable we'll be there at the same time!! Leaving 29th.

Have you tried this one - KM I can't help much but had a quick google, looks like they can drop off at disney hotels, where are you staying?

Toffeelatteplease · 29/05/2015 13:28

I asked this on the holiday spending money thread but I figure here might be a better here. How much money do you need to put aside for spending money? (assuming Disney meal plan paid for so that's already that covered)

BloodyDogHairs · 29/05/2015 13:59

Last year we took £1000 and that was to cover food, parking, gas. Big spends at Walmart, the shopping malls etc went on the card. That was for 2 adults 4 children...2 of the children were under 3 so didn't really need anything. We had planned on using the card for our gate tickets at HS studios but we had loads of dollars left on our last full day so paid cash and still had some to exchange when we got home.

This year I'm taking £1500 as the 2 youngest dc's now eat proper meals Grin and will need little gifts here and there.

If we were on the dining plan I probably could get away with only taking £500 and a card for back-up.

McKayz · 29/05/2015 14:48

We are thinking of about £1500-£2000 but are yet to decide on a villa or hotel. Need to yell at my mum to decide if she's joining us.

If you've been before and stayed at Disney have you been able to visit universal studios, wet n wild etc without many problems? Is there good public transport?

addicted2cake · 29/05/2015 19:51

Please can I join in your discussion?
I'm super excited - have booked our Disney trip for Easter 2016. Just reading all the advice from posters who have been before.
my dcs will be 14 and 8. (Both boys) hoping 14yo will love it as much as 8 yo.

HermioneWeasley · 29/05/2015 19:52

I spent £2000 for 2 weeks for a family of 4, no dining plans or anything.

I reckon food plus parking was about £100-120/day plus gas, groceries, souvenirs etc.

HermioneWeasley · 29/05/2015 19:53

addicted we went Easter this year, so let me know if I can help

BloodyDogHairs · 29/05/2015 20:41

I should add that factor in tipping aswell tho I'm not sure if tipping is included in the dining plan.

nikki1978 · 29/05/2015 20:51

We are onboard the disney dream now setting sail for the Bahamas! Had a fab time in orlando although it has been very full on! I would definitely stay onsite next time as doing a few hours in the morning before the heat sets in the going to the pool then returning in the evening is a pain when you are a 20 min drive away so our days were longer and the kids struggled.

BloodyDogHairs · 29/05/2015 22:37

Have a fab cruise Nikki Smile

StrawberrytallCake · 30/05/2015 08:42

Enjoy the rest nikki

I know what you mean about playing around with fastpass now BloodyDog, I've been doing it for a couple of days - tomorrow is my first day booking! I don't think we'll manage Anna & Elsa meet and greet as fastpass.

Any ideas on waiting times for popular rides without fastpass? Presumably we can still wait? I just wondered as fastpass has become massive whether they all go through and normal queue is let in even more slowly than previously. Starting to get the planning anxiety now!

BloodyDogHairs · 30/05/2015 11:03

I'm not sure how insane the lines will be but my limit is 50 min wait time. I'll report back when I'm there.

Does anyone know how quick you get on the rides in the FP section?

I'm really really pleased with my selections for fp for all the parks, it did take up alot of time to tweak them tho Grin

BloodyDogHairs · 30/05/2015 11:05

You won't get a FP for Anna and Elsa, for the full 2 weeks I looked there was never a fp space for them. Thankfully we are more a Toy Story family Smile

LucasNorthsTwiglets · 30/05/2015 11:53

Yes Strawberry, you can definitely wait for every ride (that's called the standby queue). Stamndby queues can be anything from 5 minutes to 2 hours+ depending on what time of year you go what time of day and how popular the ride is.

DogHairs, some FP queues get you on very quickly (5 mins) but others take a little longer. Toy Story was the longest FP queue we had and I think that was around 15 mins?

BloodyDogHairs · 30/05/2015 12:36

15 mins that's good especially since last year I didn't go on it as it was up at 80 min wait time Sad

LucasNorthsTwiglets · 30/05/2015 13:12

That was for the FP queue though, Dog - the standby was never under 90 mins! It was 3 hours at one point Shock

BloodyDogHairs · 30/05/2015 13:17

yeah sorry I meant with a fp......3 hours for a ride is just crazy!