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.

We've done 9&5 and it was fine, but if it's going to be your only trip there for a few years, you might want to wait for 10 & 6 as the flight will be that bit easier, and they'll be able to cope with all the walking marginally better. Also worth checking height restrictions for things you think you'll want to do as that might be a deciding factor

Thanks Hermione, I really want to go next year but if I'm honest that's more for my benefit than the DC! The more I think about it, the more I think it's worth waiting another year so they've got a bit more stamina and the little one will remember more about it.

Can I join? Literally (just this evening) booked for two weeks in August. Yes I know we will fry but its the only time we can go.

Half super excited, half totally exhausted just thinking about it!

Pigleychez - we've been in August 3 or 4 times now. Yes, it is hot but there is plenty of air con about and outside queues have fans and water mist sprays too.

We are going again later this year!! But flying in and out of Miami as its so much cheaper. Any tips?

We go in 13 days time

A little concerned about how chilly its been this week, but longer term forecast has the temperatures creeping back up to 20s by the time we go, fingers crossed!

All our FastPass and ADRs are sorted, I've renewed the ESTA forms and entered the details for the flight - just waiting to be able to check in and go now really!

13y DD is still so excited - and she's been loads of times, she seems to get more excited about it all the older she gets, lol!

671 sleeps to go!

Has anyone stayed at Radisson blue and parked at Manchester airport?

chesty when we fly from Manchester we usually stay and park there. What do you want to know?

Can I join in? I booked for DD (15) and me last week. Flights, hotel, car hire and entrance tickets. We don't go until July, so I will leave getting the ESTA stuff for now. How do I organise fast passes?

Also, DD and I don't like white knuckle rides so do we need passes for the tamer rides? And how much do they cost?

Bunbaker - when you have your tickets you can use the app to book fast passes a certain number of days before you go (30 days?). It doesn't cost anything.

Yes, lots of really popular rides have FP, it's not all thrill rides.

The Brit Guide to Orlando is brilliant

Doh! I just started another thread asking about the must see/do's as I forgot about joining this thread!

Anyone have any recommendations? Thinking we will be spending most of our time in the disney parks. The DD's are heavily into the princesses so meeting them is a must.

Are the character meals worth it? I hear they are expensive?

Great hermoine. Is it worth the cost? Looks quite expensive?
Is it actually in the airport?
Where do you park up?
Far to walk to check in?

pigley I'm sure your DCs would love the character meals.
We did crystal palace breakfast. Got 8am booking so you can get in magic kingdom before it opens and get great photos I a nearly empty park.
It was a buffet breakfast, lots of choice, OK food and got to meet Winnie the poo, piglet, tigger and eeyore.
I agree it was quite expensive but worth it.

I think it's worth the cost, but it's all relative isn't it? Last time we went we had 2 adjoining rooms and 15 nights parking for about £250

It is in the airport, you follow signs for terminal 2. Drop all the bags off outside the hotel and then park in the on site car park. When you check out the next morning you give them your keys, they take it off site and bring it back for when you return. There are luggage carts just outside the hotel if you need them. Service is excellent.

Thanks hermoine sounds great.
We usually drive to the airport but got stuck in traffic last year and only just made it. Never again

I've just come back, well last week, if you want to know anything, Orlando related, I'd be happy to chat.
Stayed at Disney for a week with DDP
Stayed a in villa for a week.
Went to universal and KSC.

We talked to the children about going to Spain for a month in the summer and all he wants to do is go back to Florida. He wasn't that keen to go either

Twirls into thread wearing excited face as we are now at 180 days and starting to book dining reservations this week! Woo!

Staying 2 weeks at BC in Disney with DP.

Piggley the Princess banquet in Epcot has lots: we met Belle, Ariel, Cinderella, Snow White and Aurora. Food was fine.

disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/akershus-royal-banquet-hall/

We are going to wait until the free dining offers get put out in spring before booking our Autumn 2016 trip.

I'm not sure if we should bother with adr. Dcs aren't into 'characters' so is it worth it?

We will have a toddler as well as older dcs-any tips on managing this?

I'm a teacher, go in August and have to ADR or chance not getting. I have no idea how busy it would be in Autumn Light. That's the only reason I do it. I'm not wildly fussed where we eat, tbh, but can't be doing with waiting for ages.

Id still do the ADR for anywhere you really want to go. They're not just for character meals. Then you've got a time and no waiting around for a table. I just prefer it all organised beforehand.

HRH - how was the weather? We went a couple of years ago in February and it was lovely and warm with just one cooler day where we needed hoodies. Forecast for this year seems up and down - literally 28 one day and 12 the next.

6 days and counting now ...

189 days for me so I'll be on the ADRs soon too! Lightbulb, you only need ADRs if there is a specific restaurant that you want to visit. You will always be able to find something to eat somewhere (there are loads of quick-service places that don't take reservations) but some restaurants do get booked up very quickly - we're talking within seconds of the booking window opening.

Re. toddler & older kids, I think your best bet is to split up for part of the day, so each parent can do age-appropriate rides. There is also Rider Switch/Child Swap that may help.

Anyone here been to Le Cellier?

Did my ADRs. Hard work, but done. The system went down lots. Hoping that fast passing will be easier.

Lightbulb won't the free dining be for 2017 not 2016?