Orlando at Christmas and villa recommendations

[NewTownVelocity]

I'm a bit overwhelmed by The Dibb so hope I can find help here! Anyone been to Disney at Christmas? We're thinking of doing two weeks there this coming Christmas so looking for tips on who to fly with, where to stay etc. Any info is welcome but I'd particularly like recommendations for villas. Also, I've read that temperatures are early to mid 20s, so I'm guessing we'd need somewhere with a heated pool.

We're hoping not to hire a car as I'm a bit daunted by driving in the US and DH doesn't drive. Are taxis an option as a mode of transport or will I really struggle without a car? Are the freeways less daunting than I expect? Is parking a nightmare at the Disney parks?

So far I'm thinking of flying indirectly (to save money) from Manchester. DC are 10 and 7 so should be able for the hassle of it - or am I kidding myself and just pay the extra £400 for direct flights?

We're thinking of staying in a budget Disney hotel for first few nights to immerse ourselves in the whole experience plus get the 14 day ticket thingy. Then we'll move out to a villa to relax a bit more but still visit parks, Kennedy Space, outlets etc.

Budget is about £5k without spending money.

Sorry for asking another Florida/Disney question!

TIA

I have a feeling that you will need more than 5K, Christmas is one of Orlando's peak times in terms of visitor numbers.

I think you're going to find it difficult re the villa if you are not confident about driving there or even wanting to hire a car; many of them are situated in the greater Orlando area which is itself vast and a lot of it is connected by roads akin to our motorways in terms of lanes.

I would look at accommodation on I Drive south of Sandlake Road (do not stay anywhere north of Sandlake Road) and base yourselves there for the duration. Uber is an available app in Orlando and is worth using to get around.

Budget Disney hotels are on a par with motels with an external corridor; they are not all that for what they charge. Parking is also around $17 currently per day for each Disney park. Your 10 year old will also be subject to paying an adult fare for the flights as well as at the theme parks. I used Uber to get to and from KFC and it worked out well.

Do pay the extra £400 if possible and go direct both ways. Flying indirect can be a false economy as it can add hours to an already long day. US airports can take a long time to process arriving passengers and you would have to clear both immigration and customs; they will not care that time is ticking for you. In the winter too weather conditions can also cause delays if arriving into an airport on the Eastern Seaboard and in the meantime you'll be wondering whether you are going to make the next flight. If you do not catch that you may well have to wait until the next day. You will also have to do the same routing coming back to the UK and again you are reliant on having enough time to catch the flight back to the UK.

Your children will both pay child fares for the flights (child fares usually apply until the age of 12) but your 10 year old will have to pay the adult charge for the theme parks.

I think your budget is too low - sorry. Christmas is THE peak time because the weather is usually so lovely and no thunderstorms. I would look at getting a villa and self catering. we stayed in sunset lakes area and it was lovely easy to get into and out of Disney and cheaper to make your own food. we did also buy snacks and discretely take them in but on some days they are pretty zealous about making sure you don't.

hire a car. driving in the usa is a piece of cake and this whole area is set up for cars. it will be a lot easier than you think.

the older one might well get more out of universal so think about tickets for both with maybe a week in one and a week in the other or at least split it.

if you are used to flying long haul and travelling then split the flight. if not go direct. look at momondo and skyscanner for prices.

I have just been on momondo and looked at direct flights from Manchester to Orlando from the 19th dec to 2nd jan and they are coming in at just over £1000 each so your budget of £5K is way off. a villa is going to be easily 700 a week. remember car, insurances, estas. double your budget and it should be OK.

Definitely hire a car, it will make your life easier and be more economical than getting cabs. Driving in the US is very easy.

This is also well worth reading re driving in FL.

kissimmee-us192.com/british/driving.htm

£5k for two weeks at Christmas will be a challenge

Our flights were £4.5k 3 years ago. We also bunked off school for a couple of days. The park tickets can set you back another £1.5k... I think Disney is a 10k holiday