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.

Thanks.

Yes hallowe'en is one of our reasons for going in October.

There are so many decisions to make- villa vs hotel
I drive vs Disney
The ethics of sea world
Are Busch gardens and space centre worth the long drive
Eating out vs cooking if in villa

Also what about using our mobiles??

Hi all, we are off to Florida in May, first time in a Disney hotel but third visit. When do you think it's worth trying to book restaurants?, I know FP's are only available 60 days before (last time we went you just got them form a machine outside the ride so need to get organised!) thanks

Lightbulb, villa means that everyone gets their own room so no having to go to bed when the DCs do. you're not on top of each other all the time, and having your own pool is fabulous. But Disney hotels have the advantage of not having to drive. Busch Gdns - you don't need to drive there! You can book a free shuttle [https://secure.mearstransportation.com/MearsExpress/BuschGardens.asp here]]. They have pick up points all over... Space Centre - I'd say that yes it's worth the drive if you are interested in the subject but otherwise I wouldn't bother. I'm a space nut so I love it but the DCs were bored. Mobiles - use Whatsapp or similar over the free wifi in the parks.

Hangingbasket, certain restaurants get booked up as soon as the booking window opens at 180 days (some are impossible to get, even if you phone within seconds of the booking window opening). So I'd say that if there is somewhere you particularly want to eat then book it at 180 days. You may know this already but staying onsite lets you book further ahead - is it +10 days, maybe? Something like that. So you stand a much better chance of getting a difficult booking that those staying offsite.

Thanks Lucas that's helpful. I quite fancy Be Our Guest and the fireworks dessert buffet, are there any others you would recommend? The DC's will be 4.5 and almost 2, both are good eaters and not particularly fussy.

I think we are going to try for a value Disney hotel.

We're not interested in a pool- might as well go to Spain. And our dcs are up late/sleep late kids.

We think we'll go back again in a few years and do a villa then, maybe extended family more drivers, when it more for the big thrills than Disney.

Ive never done the fireworks dessert party but people on the Dibb don't rate it very highly (it's very pricey and the view isn't that great, apparently). Be Our Guest for lunch is wonderful, I've not been in the evening - it was SO hard to get a reservation for though. We eventually managed to get in with 6 bookings for 1 person! As for other restaurant recommendations - oooh, where to start?! We love Tangierine Cafe in Epcot, Columbia Harbour House in MK, Sleepy Hollow waffles for breakfast, SciFi Dine In at Hollywood Studios is great for novelty value though the food is mediocre, San Angel Inn in Epcot... I'm not the best person to ask really though, as we don't do many table service meals at Disney - we are 'quick service burgers & go' people.

Hi just joining this thread as my parents have just announced they would like to take myself and DS (9) to Florida in August this year - so excited
I am looking into theme park passes and just wanted MN wisdom on where the best value place to get tickets is .
There seems to be a standard price on all ticketing websites and just wondered if there is any where else to look ( £300 for unlimited Disney passes ) ds is probably going to enjoy universal and waterparks more than Disney so wondering what other options there are other than 14 day passes
Thanks

14 day passes are often the best value, even if you don't use all 14 days - for example, a 14 day pass for Universal is cheaper than buying 2 x 1-day tickets. Also have a good look at what's on offer in the Disney parks before saying your DS wouldn't be interested - apologies if this is stuff you already know but a lot of people think that Disney is babyish or only good if you're into Disney films etc. which is nonsense. Some of the best rides there are nothing to do with any Disney film/character! And don't forget that 2 of the big 3 waterparks are Disney.

As for websites, Attraction Tickets Direct are very good and reliable/well-trusted.

Two questions for all you knowledgable people: would you recommend going at Easter or Christmas? It's for a holiday of a lifetime, unlikely to be able to afford to go more than once. DC will be 9&5. I've ruled out summer because I don't like extreme heat but could be persuaded otherwise!
Second question - if I want to go in 2017 how early do I need to book?
Thanks!

Easter and Christmas are about on a par, I think. They will both be very, very crowded. We are in the same boat as you - we don't cope with heat at all but hate crowds even more so we are trying August for the first time (last 2 weeks of August are much less busy than Xmas or Easter). Quite nervous about it but we thought we needd to try it just once to see how we get on, otherwise we'll be making the 'Xmas or Easter' decision too in the future :)

Weather in December will obviously be cooler - it may be too chilly for waterparks on some days if that bothers you? Easter weather will be gorgeous.

Thanks, I'd read somewhere else that Christmas is slightly busier than Easter so we may go with Easter in that case. Do you know how far in advance people normally book?

I don't, sorry. Are you staying on Disney property or doing a package? It's obviously busier than off-season so I guess the villas/hotel rooms get booked up quicker but then the flights may be cheaper if you leave it 'til later? If staying onsite then the free dining deal is well worth waiting for but not sure if they offer it at peak times? The Dibb will know. We are going this August and we haven't booked anything yet, if that helps! You really want to be booked by 180 days before though, so that you can book restaurants.

Re. the busy-ness you can Google historic crowd levels and that should give you an idea for Xmas v. Easter.

Cool, thanks. Will get looking!

Do you mind me throwing myself on the mercy of this thread and asking for help?
We are going to Florida in July 2016. We are staying on Anna Maria Island for two weeks, but - as flights are working out at least £1.5k cheaper midweek (2 adults, and dc15, 14, 12 and 6) - we thought we'd go out and and have a couple of theme park days in Orlando before heading to Anna Maria. We will ne jetlagged and up really early in the morning.

Now, I am am hopelessly lost with this. It is so unlike the kind of holiday I usually organise.

No-one - the youngest excepted - seems that stoked about theme parks. One is terrified of scary rides, one loves them. No-one is Harry Potter mad, no-one hates it. What should I be thinking here? What are the absolute must does?

I know this seems really half-arsed. It just seems daft to go all the way to Florida and NOT do theme parks. Plus I think they'd enjoy it much more than the think (I went to Disney in California with my parents when I was 17. Loved it)
Help? Anyone?

Hi, sighbynight. What I would say is that Disney parks are not like what most people think of when you say theme park. For example, I think of a theme park as being something like Alton Towers and I would chew my own leg off rather than go there - but Disney parks are my favourite places in the world! Likewise, lots of people assume you have to be into Disney to enjoy it, which is nonsense as nearly all the rides can be enjoyed without any prior knowledge of (or enthusiasm for) the Disney brand. There are very few actual scary rides in Disney anyway - you're looking at Universal or Busch Gdns for those. I've known so many people who were certain they wouldn't enjoy it but came back loving it.

Would they like a water park, maybe? (most DCs adore them). I'd say that The Magic Kingdom is a must-do but beyond that, it's a case of looking at the park websites to see what attractions you think your DCs would enjoy.

Being jetlagged and up early in the first few days is perfect for Florida parks - get there as soon as the park opens (preferably a bit before) and you can get so much more done before the crowds arrive at 11am.

(sorry, I've just seen that you went to Disneyland when you were younger so you probably already know most of what I've just said!)

Vashta we have just booked out flights for Easter 2017. We are stuck with school holidays and the schedule airlines charge a monstrous premium for direct flights from the UK to Orlando in the school hols. In the end we've gone with Thomas Cook airlines (Gatwick/Orlando direct) for the two weeks of the school hols. I've been stalking the prices for ages now and it looks like a good time to book.

We are going with my parents who have already booked a villa that they have stayed in on numerous occasions.

We ruled out Easter as it was £3 k more expensive than going in May. We are taking the kids out of school for four days. We have done this every year and never been fined.

Thanks Zed, I might copy you then! (I'm far too scared of authority figures to do that mouldy, I wish I could )

We're going on 2nd April dh is also obsessed with the planning, restaurants booked and days being planned as I type! We finally told the DCs (9 and 5) over Christmas, big one is very excited, little one doesn't want to go

I'm a little unsure but I'm sure it'll be good...

We went over Christmas and after selling a kidney to pay for it we did a Disney VIP tour. Four parks in one day, it was great!

29 days and counting til our next trip now. We are going for a week at February half term.

I already have our Disney ADRs booked.

Tomorrow I can book our first fast passes for our first Disney day!

Just checked too - Presidents Day is the Monday after we leave. Our half term is earlier than a lot of places in the UK. Hopefully the week before won't be as busy.

I will be there for my birthday this time too :)

Vashta, nothing will happen if you take the kids out of school other than a £60 per parent, per child. Fine if you think taking them out is the wrong thing to do but if you're happy with it then certainly don't be scared!

Hula, the week before Presidents Day is fine, iirc. It's the actual weekend and the week after that's crazy. What ADR are you most looking fwd to? (I get very excited about ADRs :) ) I have a month to go before I can book mine, not that there's many we'll need.

Chipped, I've read about that tour, it sounds awesome. We did Keys to the Kingdom and loved that.

Right, which ages do you think are best for a trip of a lifetime Disney holiday - 9&5 or 10&6? Suddenly wondering if it's worth waiting an extra year and taking them in 2018 rather than 2017 so the littlest is a bit older.