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.

In the taxi, just going past Guildford. Excited is an understatement

I know the advice is to get to the parks early then go back to hotel in afternoon, do people do that as I think we would miss half th stuff in the parks if we did!

Yes we do - because otherwise you spend all afternoon queueing. I'd rather go early - for opening, do 5-10 rides, go out for 4 hours, go back - parades/fireworks and another 5-10 rides - the alternative is do the rides, stay and queue for 2 or 3 rides or shows between 11.30 and 3.30, be hot, bothered and knackered and leave before the fireworks.... been there...

11 til 4 is PEAK time - and on busy days you can be lining up for 90 min+ during those times, so leaving and returning - or even going to a different park in the evening if you have hopper tickets maximises the fun and gives you a rest in the middle of what can be very hot and humid days.

I go early and usually stay until 5/6ish. I can't be assed with the palava of going back and forth between parks and hotels. If we want to stay until the end of the night and catch the parades/fireworks then we have lunch then head to the park.

we stay in a villa 15 min drive from the Disney parks, so there is no palaver... leave when few are leaving, so tram back to car is empty, roads outward are empty..

For us 4 hours lazing by the pool with a pizza and salad during the peak heat/humidity/busyness in the parks is well worth it. Followed by fireworks and more fun later.

Have tried it both ways and much prefer the relaxed midday feel.

Last year and this year I've had 2dc's in car seats...double buggy...cool bag and basically everything but the kitchen sink in my dc's bag so that's why I prefer to stay in one place. I found it suited us better to find a quiet spot for a rest rather than unload and fold the buggy then try and squeeze it on the tram while keeping track of 4 dc's

ouch... my 2 are teens now... much easier

I will have two eight year olds, done Disney Paris a few times but never Florida. Staying at Disney beach club which is convenient for a couple of the parks

Hope you're having a lovely time Shifty!

Hi All, today me and DH (first time I've typed that!) have booked our family honeymoon for a 4 night Disney cruise around the Bahamas and 7 night stay at Universal Studios for Feb next year - feeling very excited! Wondered if anyone else had done a similar package?

Hi all, out here now! Our very first Florida holiday is exceeding all expectations! Loving every minute.
Thanks to everyone who gave me advice all those weeks ago (Doghairs, Shifty to name a few)
Think we'll be booking our next Floriday real soon

Hope everyone out there is having a fabulous time.

Yesterday was ADR day for us, so that's one milestone ticked off. I was pleasantly surprised how well the website worked - last time we went it was very glitchy and it was far easier to phone up, but this time it worked like a dream. Got everything we wanted bar one (Hollywood and Vine, wasn't top of our list but haven't done it before and thought we should give it a go).

Dd2's birthday requests (Chef Mickey and eating in the Castle) both done - phew! Now just need to get her an Anna & Elsa fast pass and I'm sorted.

Have a fab holiday everyone! it's amazing how quick everyone's holiday has come around.

This much I have learnt since being here:

BRING AN UMBRELLA!!!

It's either bloody scorching (shade) or shitting it down (cover). Hours of rain yesterday. Shoes get soaked (crocs would be useful).

Pound land ponchos.

Virgin Atlantic make it hard to book a kids meal (why??) you need to book one more than two days in advance by ringing them. DD are nothing on the way out here (you can't request a child's meal online, apparently TAs don't have the facility either, nor can you do it at the check in desk). Why Virgin? Why???

BOG restaurant breakfast is great. Probably my favourite meal (QS dining plan). Wolfgang Pucks Express is the best QS restaurant I have come across. Semi-table service and proper cutlery.

Am glad we did QS and not TS as it's given us so much flexibility. Ate at HS 50s diner last night. Paid $$$ and not overly impressed.

There's an 18% additional service charge for parties of 6 or more. We have 4 kids. I don't mind paying it, but it irks that it is imposed just because we are classed as a 'group' and not a family.

Oh and don't wear flip-flops on busy days in the parks. Some bugger will forever be stepping on the back of them.

I found Sketchers go walks the best....ok they don't look the best but they are sooo comfy. I once wore just a normal pair of dolly type shows and I could actual feel my feet burning from the heat coming off the pavements while waiting on the parade at MK.

2 months today we fly to Florida! Woohoo! Not that I'm counting down the days or anything
Getting so excited now

GoodBetterBest, it's not an additional charge. Groups aren't expected to tip more than families - everyone is expected to tip 18%, it's just that they add it on to the bill for a group but they don't for a family.

Hope everyone there is having a fantastic time!

GoodBetter - I booked my vegan meal and DS's kids meal when I was "managing my booking" through the Virgin Atlantic page (putting in passport numbers etc). What I did notice is that kids meals are not an option for an adult priced ticket. So DNiece and nephew had to have adult meals (they are 13 & 14).
But DS was fine as he is 6 and has a child ticket.

We are having an amazing time, officially half way through and it's our wedding anniversary today. Had breakfast at Cape May Cafe so that was a special start.
Currently in Dinosaurland in Animal.... I hope I eventually dry out from the Rapids (wet on 3 hrs ago)!

Our villa is beautiful, so happy with it

DNephew is being a pain though, he has issues and his behaviour is often bad. He's close to ruining it at times.

Happy anniversary, Shifty! Glad you're having a great time.

Incidentally, the good thing about adult meals on flights is that there is a choice - the kids meal is only one thing so if they're fussy in general (as one of mine is!) you may have better luck with the adult choices anyway.

Happy Anniversary Shifty.

This time next year we'll be there!!

Thank you, topped the day off with EpcotIlluminations.

Did an early Magic start yesterday and finally got on the Seven dwarfs mine - all our fast passes have been ruined by lightning storms!

Went to Universal today, much better than it used to be, going backMonday.

Oh dear. We have noisy neighbours, they woke me at midnight last night and are on their patio / pool deck drinking, chatting loudly and kids are running amok.

I rang the gatehouse (we have 24 hour gated security) who said I have to ring the sheriffs non emergency number. So I've done that, really nice chap, they are sending someone out. Asked if I wanted someone to come and speak to me after but I said no (I don't want it to be obvious that it's us who've reported them).

State law is strictly no noise 10pm until 6am.

AF arrived yesterday so I'm getting little sleep from that too - it's 00:28 here now and they are chatting away at the tips of their voices. It's blooming rude, it's not that type of holiday, we are knackered from Universal!!

That'll be tops of their voices