Anyone got a Disney World/Florida holiday planned? Part 3

[McKayz]

I thought I'd start a new thread as number 2 is nearly full.

Links to old threads:

thread 1

thread 2

We haven't got ours booked yet. But we are planning on going August 2016. DH and I both turn 30 in the next 11 months so it's like a big birthday holiday.

Argh! None of the cheaper hotels have rooms big enough for 5 of us.

Port Orleans have rooms with 2 double beds and a pull down bed. But I'm not sure if it's a bit much getting 2 of the DC to share for a fortnight.

Disney's all star music resort have suites but they don't have the free dining.

This is my 8th visit since 2001 and I would stay in a villa over a disney hotel anyday, there are loads of lovely restaurants to choose from off site and with the portion sizes a adult meal would easily feed 2 dc's.

I imagine the Disney hotels are very lush but being in the disney bubble 24/7 doesn't appeal to me.

2 double beds and a travel cot worked for us for years. Our youngest girls, 8 and 10, will be sharing a bed again this year. They're usually so tired at the end of the day that it's not an issue.
You can get connecting rooms at All-Star resorts rather than a suite. You'd have 4 double beds and 2 bathrooms and free dining.
Personally I would choose one room at Port Orleans Riverside with 3 children aged 9, 7 and 4.

I haven't stayed in a villa, but the bits we like about staying in a Disney hotel are -the free dining (wouldn't be cost effective without it!), getting a bus home in the afternoon with no worries about driving or parking, afternoons at the pool with all the activities, marshmallows and bonfire, movies on big screen by the pool while we have a couple of beers, then hop on a bus back to a park for fireworks or boat to downtown and Disney quest if we feel like it. No hassle and magical express back to airport at the end! I do love Disney

Thanks. I think we'll probably do that then. It looks lovely there.

Marking place for later

I've done both Villa and on site and both are fab. We are absolutely in the Disney bubble at the moment and love being on site, but plan to go into a villa again in the next few years so that we can experience more of the area.

We are going next summer, last went 20 years ago so I'm guessing it's changed a bit.
Staying in a villa as we want to do Kennedy Space Centre, Universal and other non-Disney stuff while we're over there.

Just waiting for flights to be released now.

We normally do a villa, even for the 3 of us; the weekly rental costs are really good generally as there as so many of them. You would get far more room and your own pool as well.

We've decided on staying at Disney as my mum says it'll be too hot for them in August.

How does the character dining work with the dining plans? Is it included or do we pay extra?

Disney tickets bought today ??

Been pricing up universal tickets too.

The DIBB website is great. I have registered and started using the planner.

Planning a character lunch at Tuskers - has anyone done this?

Also wondering about breakfast at Ohana.

For character dining, you can upgrade the free quick service dining plan to the regular dining plan, then all you'd need to pay is the tip.

Lunch at Tusker House is nice and makes a change from the usual buffet food. Daisy Duck is usually there which is also a bit different. Nice to get the photos and autographs during lunch rather than lining up for them elsewhere.
We've had breakfast at 'Ohana twice but haven't been blown away. It's nice that the food is brought to you, but characters seemed really rushed both times.

LeBoob & Toffee, I can't answer either question fully but can offer part answers. Firstly, Virgin, BA Eric fly to Orlando International. Check, but I think Thos Cook fly to Sanford. If staying on Disney property on the dining plan I know some people skip the car hire & take the magical express (free) then Disney buses/boats etc. The ME is only Orlando International. Secondly, the baggage service is ok but isn't perfect. If flying internationally you will still have to collect your bags from the carousel, clear customs with them. The through service is only for domestic (US) customers.

Bloody: the parking is for on site guests but you said "need". If you have a dining reservation that's fine. State that at the barrier to the car park & they'll usually just wave you in. They might ask to see the reservation for a monorail resort or if there's another problem with parking.

Hi, we are booking up for October 2016 in the next few days. I just need to decide on a hotel. We want to stay on disney property as last time we went, two years ago, we stayed on I Drive and drove and fought like cat and dog as H isn't the best of drivers abroad.
We want to remove that stress by using disney transport.
I'm torn between Port Orleans riverside and getting the quick service meals free or upgrading to Animal Kingdom Lodge for the table service dining.
I'd be quite happy with quick service as our kids will be 8 and 18 months so not exactly time to linger over a meal on an evening and the extra money could be used for meals out off property if we chose to go out as and when.
What would anyone advise?

Can I ask how people are booking so far ahead??
I can't get any flights for next may yet (other than with Thomson)

Hoping to go Whitsun holiday and the following week

Also what is the best you've paid for Disney & Universal 14 day tickets?
Paid £1500 last year for 4, wondered if I could get cheaper

I think tour operators have flights you can book, but generally flights aren't released more than 12 months in advance.

It's 11 months curtains, that's why I was wondering how people are booking for oct 2016

We've read that the last 2 weeks of August tend to be a bit quieter. Anyone know how true that is?

I am so excited. It's all I keep thinking about. We aren't going for over a year! Dread to think what I'll be like next year.

Mozzchops, you can book the hotel, tickets etc now and then add the flights on when they're released.

We're going last 2 weeks in August and I can't wait. We went last year at Easter and I was a real misery about it as I thought I would hate it. But I didn't, I LOVED it so much we're going again.

I loved the:

• attention to detail
• weather
• cheap Uggs
• buffets with candyfloss, cake and chinese all at the same time
• rollercoasters *cheery people
• mini golf *baseball
• dole whip
• fastpasses
• weird couple t shirts (I'm with him >>>> etc)
• chemists that sold wine

We stayed in an apartment last time and are going in a villa this year as we're taking our extended family.

Roll on August

McKayz- last 2 weeks are quieter because the American schools go back then. We were there weeks 2&3 in August last year and it got quieter on our 2nd week. Loved it so much that we are going last 2 weeks in August next year.
Can't remember who asked about booking flights- if you book a package you can get flights before they are released for general sale. We have booked flights hotel and car through virgin. So excited and we don't go for another 14 months!!