Anyone got a Disneyworld / Florida holiday planned - Part 4

[ChippyMinton]

Hope no-one minds if I start another thread as the old one is full?

Or are you all in Orlando now?

I got back from 2 weeks in Florida this morning, and went to Cirque Du Soleil. Your 9 year old will love it! My 11 year old was amazing. All very cool with bike tricks, trampolining etc. Highly recommend.

Just over 2 weeks until we go! I've packed, printed documents, done dining reservations and Fast Passes (for as much as I'm willing to commit to). Is there anything else I should be doing at this late stage?? apart from complaining about the pound dropping all the time

Just got back today. Go to Kennedy - it's fab and if you can see a rocket launch, do it.

Rivers of Light at AK was disappointing IMHO. Fantasmic is much better. Tiffin restaurant was great - different, classy (apart from the weird pink popcorn holder!), but very expensive.

We had express passes for universal because we stayed onside for one night - would've been unbearable without them, but easter is very busy. Long queues at both Disney water parks - wondered if it's because wet n wild has closed and new volcano bay hadn't opened yet?

And it seems Disney has relaxed its rules on bringing your own food to the parks. We saw loads of people with coolers with their own food, although glass jars etc will be confiscated at the bag checks. There aren't many picnic spots as such but might save quite a lot if you're on a tight budget. People take massive coolers to the water parks as a matter of course.

Also, don't forget to include parking fees. It's $20 a day at Disney although it's valid all days at all parks.

And if you take a buggy label it well and conspicuously! Staff will frequently rearrange buggies outside rides and attractions and we saw many panicked people when they thought they'd lost the buggy. There are thousands of them as well, especially at Magic Kingdom.

Hi all,
Have been lurking on this board as an planning oct half term 2018 trip to DW. It will be a special birthday for me and will have DH, DD1 (who will turn 8 when we are there) and DD2 who will be 5.5 yo. Couple of questions (have got loads of tips below, thanks!).
What's the best agent to book onsite and travel from U.K? Does Disney do that too or is it even more £££?
How does it work with exchange rate if you book so far in advance?
Was thinking about staying at 'art of animation ' as it has separate rooms in a suite but seems some way from MAgic kingdom has anyone stayed there or has other recommendations?
The dining offer is on at the moment for this period? Is it worth booking now or will this come again?
Thanks in advance

Southeast we have used Thomas Cook in the past, different branches so one bad and one good experience. This time we used Virgin to book and they have been excellent (and cheaper then TC because we were flying Virgin anyway and they get better prices on their own flights). You can do this on the phone or online, but we went into a branch. I think you can book through the Disney website, but I looked on there the other day for our next trip (want to go same time as you) and they didn't have flights available yet, only 11 months in advance. Virgin have their prices up for Oct 18 however.

Magic Kingdom is the furthest park away on the Walt Disney Resort, it is pretty much only close to Grand Floridian, Contemporary and Polynesian Resort, which is why these hotels are particularly expensive. Art of Animation is quite far from it (in relation to the resort) but is close to EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and the water parks (and Disney Springs), so it's quite central in that sense. MK and Animal Kingdom are quite far out from the majority of WDW locations anyway. About 20 mins drive from Animation Resort I'd guess, but that's normal.

The free dining offer currently on will cover Oct 2018, but I think it is only available this year until early July. It should be available again this time next year, but personally I wouldn't leave it as 5/6 months before the hotel might be booked up. Plus prices tend to go up every year, so the earlier the better IMO.

Hope that helps!

Southeast
It normally works out cheaper to book room and tickets directly with Disney then search and book flight separately. Disney hotel bookings include Magical Express transfers if you fly into Orlando International. If you fly into Sanford, Tampa or Fort Lauderdale you could hire a car or pay for transfers.

I always search Skyscanner for the best deal then go direct with the airline to check prices.

Occasionally travel agents are cheaper if they have deals on bit I've always found them to be hundreds of pounds (or thousands in the case of Virgin!) more expensive.

Thanks all, will try and work out cheapest options. What do people think of 'Art'. Any other recommendations

I haven't stayed there but have looked around and the theme is great. I've stayed at the Pop Century a few times, as a party of 2, 3 and 4 including two teenagers, always found plenty of room so would recommend that too. I've found value resorts have better transportation than moderates and deluxes because the higher capacity means they send more buses at park opening and closing. Be prepared to stand in queues for buses at peak though.

You really are never in the room enough to warrant spending any more than a value resort, so it's more personal choice. I've stayed at the Polynesian and the Yacht Club which were both incredible resorts but honestly couldn't really justify the prices. It was only due to special occasions that we did stay there (best honeymoon ever!)

You used to be able to get Saratoga Springs or Old Key West cheap when Disney ran 40% off deals in addition to free dining. This normally made them cheaper than most moderate resorts. Both are great location wise as Disney Springs is easily accessible.

With two children I would definitely be heading back to the room mid afternoon for a rest or some pool time. We do this on adult only trips too to be fair.

www.ourlaughingplace.com/aspx/twiz.aspx#.WP8DGpTTXqA this website gives you transfer times and routes between everywhere on property for you to have a think. You shouldn't wait more than 20 minutes for a bus most of the time.

Just booked for September with Virgin holidays. They have arranged everything from villa to Disney passes car etc.
Excellent service from the girls in the shop.

We are here at the moment with our 4 year old DD having an awesome time meeting the princesses! However I had told her we could see Moana at Hollywood Studios but it seems like as of last week they have moved her 😕 Has anyone managed to see Moana in the last week? She is going to be so disappointed if she doesn't meet her.

Quick question about tickets. We've been before so know what we are doing and will be in Orlando for three days next February. Are there 2 day ticket options where you can visit more than one park on the same day? We'd like to re-visit MK, HS and AK not fussed about Epcot. I keep trying to find park hopper tickets but just keep getting directed to the main ticketing page which only shows two day tickets that allow one park each day. It's very confusing

Where are you looking for tickets? Park hoppers are normally an extra $60ish. Does this direct link below work:
disneyworld.disney.go.com/tickets/
If not try Undercover Tourist, Attractions Ticket Direct or FloridaTix who can often be cheaper. Or call Disney :)

Hi there - quick question for those who've been recently - do the parks still have water fountains where you can fill up your water bottle?

There are water fountains - although I can only remember one off top of my head.
You can ask for iced water at any quick service restaurant for free though!

I go in 9 days!!!!!!

Water in Water bottles gets warm quickly, as pp said everywhere will give you free cold iced water. Get that as you need it we didn't bother carrying water bottles around

We are going in February in the week before half term. Am hoping for empty parks and cooler weather. Realistic?

Itscurtains there are lots and lots of water fountains around the parks.

We bought a cheap cool box, loaded it with frozen bottles of water and then descended upon them when we got back to the car after a long hot day at the parks!

Whilst in the parks we carried a bootle each and kept refilling them.

Water sprayers are a must too!

I've just booked for February. Any info on what the weather is like then please? We will only have five days. I. Getting the dining package for that time. Any can't be missed restaurants please?

Place marking as I'm also looking to book for next February. Weather looks to be in the 20s that time of year I think and apparently humidity is lower.

Hello!
Planning a visit for Easter.
Kids are will be 6 and 8, younger one quite nervous of everything, but getting better! Older one into everything at the moment.

Both sets of grandparents have expressed an interest in coming with us (that's okay, we all get on). DH and I have been with my parents (and brother and nieces) pre-kids, but in-laws haven't been and aren't theme park people.

Can I have an opinion on these plans, please?
A) thinking magic kingdom and Harry Potter are essentials - not sure about SeaWorld (DH has issues with ethics). Anywhere else worth looking at?
B) getting big house with pool etc. Any particular location good?
C) for in-laws, any good non-Disney days? (Probably not with kids!) especially fishing or golf related.
D) where to fly to/from. We're in the midlands.
E) how long for? 10 days or 2 weeks? We're thinking if we just have a house the whole time we can do whole theme park days, half days and 'house' days when exhausted.
F) what have I forgotten?

Thank you!

A) thinking magic kingdom and Harry Potter are essentials - not sure about SeaWorld (DH has issues with ethics). Anywhere else worth looking at?
SeaWorld is good for animal lovers but easily skipped, and lots of the bigger rides now are aimed at 10 and over. All of Disney is a must do in my opinions but if you're looking for order of preference, especially with children, I would say Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot. That said, there is something for everyone at all parks.
C) for in-laws, any good non-Disney days? (Probably not with kids!) especially fishing or golf related.
Disney has championship golf courses, and there are discounts if you looked at staying onsite. My parents are in their 50s and have been staying in Disney without children for ten years now as they have such a great time there, so they wouldn't necessarily need to look offsite. You can also take fishing excursions and cruises on the lakes on site. Disney Springs is nice for a walk. Outside Disney, Old Town is nice.
D) where to fly to/from. We're in the midlands.
Manchester, Birmingham and Gatwick are your main airport choices. I always find Gatwick to be cheapest but there's not much between them all.
E) how long for? 10 days or 2 weeks? We're thinking if we just have a house the whole time we can do whole theme park days, half days and 'house' days when exhausted.
We've done ten days and two weeks and always prefer two weeks as the pace seems more relaxed. When we went for ten days we skipped Universal and just did Disney.
F) what have I forgotten?
Nothing major at this stage but think about your plans for food maybe. Make sure you pick a villa close to a supermarket or restaurants depending on your preferences. Theme park eating is expensive!

Just jumping on the end of the thread as a Disneyland virgin! We haven't been in a financial position to go before but hopefully can in the next couple of years. I was all for Eurodisney but DH wants to do the whole US experience. If you haven't done Disney before, is it best to try Eurodisney first or take the plunge for Disneyland or Disneyworld?

We haven't done Euro Disney, just going straight for Disneyland. We figure what's the point os spending a few k on Euro Disney when we can save that money for Florida instead.

Have booked today! Got very good flight prices with Norwegian. Would have loved a town house or something but as we aren't driving, we need to be somewhere more central.

babybouncer, my choice would have been Windor Hills for accommodation. But you need a car so we discounted it. It looks amazing though and prices were good. Go on The Dibb. Everything you ever wanted to know about planning a trip to Disney is on that Forum. They also have places to rent from the owners on there.

Excitedly awaiting our trip, anyone know if an 8 year old requires a car seat (booster seat with no back)?

What options are there to get from the car park at magic kingdom to the park, i remember a boat but last trip to Disney was years ago, any other options?!

Has anyone hired a cabana at a waterpark, assuming there is some for hire? I can't swim and don't want to sit out in the heat all day whilst dh and children do.

Thanks x