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.

I hope they've shut up now!

Yes, although I don't know if the sheriff actually came out (I declined the offer of an update). Fingers crossed they stay quiet tonight.....!

The kids have been watching videos of the rides and parades on YouTube. They're really looking forward to it.

We've started taking DD to swimming lessons as she hates water and we'd like her to enjoy the water parks. Fingers crossed that this time next year she'll be happier about it.

It's McKayz by the way! Had to re register due to all the hacking stuff.

Hi everyone! (Thanks Penelope). Thinking of going with DH and DC in 2017. Originally thought I'd do the summer but having read about the heat I might do Easter instead. When would I realistically have to think about booking? DC will be 9&5 in 2017 which feels like a better age than 8&4.

We've also booked for mid July 2016. Family of four with girls aged 10&8. We've booked two weeks at Disneys Port orleans Riverside. Can't wait!! First time for all of us and thanks to a week of inset days at the end of term, we got a fair price too!

What I will add is that for those looking for next year, depending on options, the major tour operators have some great offers on. For example our Disney stay included (with Thomas cook)

Disney hotel and flights 14 nights
Mid range car and gold insurance for two weeks
Disney ultimate tickets with free memory maker
Free plane booked seats
New planes - all with TV in seats etc
Quick service dining plan
$150 gift card for Disney
Kids eat free cards for Orlando

The extras alone are worth a fair bit so not necessarily cheaper to book it all separate.

Just got home

Looking to go again in 2017

Absolutely exhausted, it was hot, very hot but I found it ok (and I'm normally a wimp).

Vashta - book as early as you can for Easter, we went Easter last year and had a privately booked villa so could only get flights when released 11 months in advance - we couldn't get one that suited us so had to leave early and stay elsewhere first (friends in Atlanta)

Welcome home, Shifty but sorry you are back :( Yay for booking again! :) I'm glad to hear that you coped with the heat - I am the biggest Heat Wimp around and I'm really scared about our trip next August, so it's reassuring to hear that you coped!

Just booked for July next year. Using airmiles for 2 flights and paying for one so booking a package not an option.

Going for three weeks and meeting sis, BIL and niece there - they fly from Ireland.

We have been twice before so know the basics. Looking forward to tips on here though! The fast pass thing has changed - need to get our heads around that.

Rough plan is one week in a villa in Orlando for Disney stuff, then a few days doing space centre and a bit of driving around to see some stuff outside orlando, then a week at a beach - poss Anna Maria Island followed by two nights at a universal hotel to do universal at the end. I know you get early entrance into the parks but didn't realise you got the express passes too. Is that new? I'm sure we bought them before?

Slight complication already in that we fly on a Wednesday not realising that aer Lingus flights from Ireland are only Tues/Thursday/Sat so we arrive a day before sis and they either leave a day before us or a day after.

Have not posted on here for a while but I just want to whinge that the hulk is closing in September and not reopening until next summer!!!!! Waaaaah! It's my favourite ride and I couldn't go on it last year as I was pg and now I won't be able to go on it this year either

Penelope

I noticed on a previous thread that you were asking about car hire costs if staying at a Disney hotel. It looks like we are both staying at port Orleans!

we have hired a car as parking is free at Disney hotels and throughout all Disney parks if staying as a guest. We got our car included in our package so just paid £270 for the insurance (for two weeks) which is a top notch one so no hidden extra, free fuel etc. not too bad really plus gives us more flexibility in case buses are late (reviews are mixed on the trasort for all hotels on trip advisor so room position is key).

Plus I expect well want to visit the malls, universal and seaward etc so may be worth looking into.

Perhaps you could hire one just for the second week? I have friend s who go to Disney hotels every year and highly recommend a car.

Tory - really??? DD will be disappointed! We go for a week in February. She loves the Hulk ride!

Yes I'm afraid so hulababy. I've just told dh we will have to go again next year after all!

I'm going to read this all later but for now just wondered if 4/6 was too young to really appreciate Orlando parks/Disney and if October half term would be bonkers hot??
Anyone help please?

NickAngel

October will be lovely weather. Definitely not too hot.

4 and 6 are lovely age to go to the parks. DD has been several times, aged 2 to 12, and has loved it in different ways every time. There are lots of things to do for that age at each and every park.

Buttercup thanks for that. I was told it was $18 a day for parking at the hotels. I will have another look.

That charge is right but not for Disney resort guests which is quite a saving really!

I totally agree with Hulababy, perfect ages and perfect weather! We love October.

9 sleeps to go

I'm so excited/nervous I could pop!

How exiciitng Chesty!! 25 sleeps here :) Have you got all your FPs booked? Did you manage to get Mine Train? I'll be up at 5am tomorrow in the hopes of getting one but it seems unlikely, apparently :(

Ooooh I feel sick with excitement!

No lucas didn't manage to get 7DMT its disappeared from the selection on my dates. Hoping the queues are small

We are having to put our holiday back to 2017

Our roof started leaking and it's going to cost about £3000 to fix. The boys are sleeping in my bed while I sleep on the sofa as their room is in the attic.

Bloody gutted.

Oh no, Penelope, that's awful :(

Chesty, a friend of mine said that the queue for Mine Train was 30 mins recently! I think Rope Drop is prob the best idea for it though - I'm not even going to bother trying for an FP again.

3 days to go and I've got tonsillitis

1 month to go for me
Keep trying for the fastpasses right up to the day you want them. Last year I managed to get 7DMT and A&E the day before we went to MK as someone must have cancelled them at the last minute! There still is hope