Disney World Orlando

[merlehaggard]

Hi, we are considering Orlando in October 2016 (half term). We need an apartment as have 3 children and even if a hotel room was big enough to take 5 people, I'm not keen on all being in one room. We've been once before since our youngest was born and stayed in a villa but wasn't keen on the seclusion, in terms of people and facilities.

Can any recommend an accommodation? We are looking quite budget (3*) and have looked at Liki Tiki Village. We need all flights accommodation and tickets to come in at no more than £8k. Obviously I can't even think about booking yet but just wondering as have seen previous Disney threads with lots of helpful advice before. Also and advice welcome, who best to book with etc.

buy the book WDW with kids and beyond WDW with kids. they have some great and honest suggestions in them. also try the DIBB website again loads more information on there. you might find your budget under pressure as staying in villas though secluded are cheaper. quite a long way to go for a week. would suggest you look at tripadvisor for a few reviews of likitiki village. some of them look pretty awful. good luck.

Thanks, will do. Was finding that I could easily get in all for £8000 (flights, accommodation and passes) at various places and was counting on £2000 spending money. Do you think £2000 isn't enough spending?

We stayed here when we went at Easter last year www.homeaway.co.uk/p76243 600 for 13 nights. Like you we didn't want the seclusion of a villa, nor the cramped surroundings of a hotel.

It's not luxurious but it was perfectly adequate and clean and gave us enough space to relax after hectic park days. Best thing about it were the facilities. There was a $12.50 charge per accomodation on the days we used the pool, lazy river and so forth, but they were good so it felt worth it. Plus they had some entertainment and activities for adults and children alike. There were buses to the parks, but Orlando is quite sprawly so you would be better with your own car for at least some of the time.

It does seem a long way for a week, particularly as the Disney tickets are more or less the same price for 2 weeks as they are for one. Because you are looking to book so early, you could think about Easter flights - if you bag them as soon as they get out they aren't as dear.

In terms of costs it depends very much where you are flying from. Park tickets aren't cheap - Disney is around 270 for 2 weeks and roughly the same for children, Universal is 100. We aren't into seaworld or the like so I don't know how much extra they'd add on.

For spending money, you can eat out quite quickly at places like CiCis pizza buffet - but of course 5 of you will make it a bit dearer and don't forget taxes and 20% tips. It costs to park at Disney $15 per day, apart from the waterparks.

Someone from work is going for a week this half term with his 5 and 15 year old, I'll try to remember to report on how he gets on.

Thanks for your reply. I think me going for a week has been assumed as I said over October half term. However, we get a week and a half for half term and usually a couple of TD days, so will be going for two weeks. Easter is a really good consideration actually and hadn't really thought of it as we have only ever been in October.

Our passes for Disney, universal and sea world/aquatica come out to about £2500! We will prob be able to get them a few hundred cheaper buying them independently rather than through a travel agent. It so expensive because age wise we are 4 adults and 1 child.

We would definitely fly drive because I can't see how you could get around successfully without a car. Even if staying in disney property then I think it would still limit you too much. I've been to orlando 4 times before but this is only my second time of going with 3 children and have stayed in disney hotels in the past with 2 children.

I will look at the link you supplied. It's very hard just looking at reviews because you might see 500 excellent but there's always the horror stories.

We've only been the once so I haven't anything to compare it to.

People said it was really busy at Easter, but US schools get different holidays so it was really only the first week and we got round it by getting to the Disney parks very early and then leaving mid afternoon. Universal was fairly quiet both days we went, apart from the Harry Potter ride which had an hours wait.

We always stay in a condo and I wonder if you have considered this? We like the Hawthorn Suites on Palm Parkway and you get a bedroom (2 doubles), sitting room with sofa bed and kitchen. A free breakfast is included.
The other place we stayed was the Staybridge Suites in Lake Buena Vista. We had one bedroom with a massive King bed, one bedroom with 2 doubles (both bedrooms ensuite) and inbetween was a sitting room/kitchen. Directly behind the hotel is Winn Dixie supermarket on Lake St. Again, a free breakfast is included.
I would also say both properties are very close to The Crossroads with quite a few restaurants including Perkins, Olive Garden and iHop. There is also a Walgreens chemist which has a nurse practitioner service for minor complaints eg my son got an ear infection and needed antibiotics. The Centrica Medical Centre is also close if needed.
Both are very close to Downtown Disney and thus WDW and you can drive up the back road, Turkey Lake Road, to Universal. There is a Walmart up there as well and it is a shorter route to Seaworld then iDrive.
Have a great holiday.