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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Going to Disney on Thursday; last tips and advice please!

59 replies

Hulababy · 08/08/2004 16:29

Finally our holiday is arriving!!!

We (me, DH, 2yo DD, my mum & dad, my brother and my sister) are off to Florida this Thursday. We are staying pretty close to Disney in a big pool villa at Windsor Palms Resort. We have two cars booked. We have loads of pre-booked tickets (lots as each time we ordered some they gcve us free days!):

  • 10 days of Disney (unlimited entrance into parks on those days)
  • 14 days of Universal
  • 1 day Sea World
  • 1 day Space Kennedy
  • 1 character breakfast at Disney (alreay booked)

DH would also like to get a round of golf in, but will have to hire clubs as we are not taking any with us. No one else but DH plays.

We know it is rainy season and are expecting hot, humid weather with storms each afternoon.

DD is now 90cm so just big enough for the first stage roller coasters, etc. Which she loves!!!

So, has anyone been? Can you give me all your hints, tips and advice? With regards to the flight and the holiday itself?

TIA!

OP posts:
Original poster
Hulababy · 08/08/2004 21:47

The leaflets would be lovely as my parents ones are way out of date now. I'd bring them back for you - and get them posted back asap on return.

CAT can be a bit slow at night but I will send one, or e-mail me at : claireandrich(at)beeb(dot)net

OP posts:
juniper68 · 08/08/2004 21:50

Oh good I'm glad you want them I just emailed you

Original poster
Hulababy · 08/08/2004 21:53

I have replied and sent you CAT!!!

OP posts:
dottee · 08/08/2004 22:14

I thought this thread could only be yours!

Have a brilliant time!!!!!

Will you be back before we go (30 Aug)???

Original poster
Hulababy · 08/08/2004 22:17

Just. We get back on Friday 27th (fly day/night before on my dad's birthday). Have a wedding party that night - mad or what!!!

Have a lovely time if I don't speak to you before

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miggy · 08/08/2004 22:20

We had 2 weeks there a fortnight ago but only "did" orlando for one week, having done it before. PLAN PLAN PLAN for the parks, get there for opening times and go straight onto the big rides you want to do or go late, say 6pm and stay till close as gets quieter then. By an hour or so after opening there are queues of up to 2 hrs on some rides.
Use the fast pass/universal express, again plan, put fast passes on one ride then do another popular ride, split fast passes if your parents dont want to do scarey rides (we went with mine and they didnt so the boys got several goes on some rides by using their fast passes)
Buy a good "insiders" type guide to disney once there (all bookshops have them) and read about rides/parks/plans the night before you go.
God-I sound like a control freak (probably am) but if you dont do this you end up wandering round with moaning children that cant get on any rides-well I do anyway!
Take lots of water-freeze it overnight, expensive inside parks and you need lots.
The "expensive" restaurant at universal, that juts onto water near Jaws ride (sorry cant think of name) is lovely. Best meal we had all holiday, padded chairs full service , haven of peace and coolness.
Try and do show type attractions in middle of day-often air cond or at least shade and not too busy.
dd would like "a day in the park with Barney" at universal
Seaworld is lovely-my favorite esp for small children. The night time show "shamu rocks america" is really moving. Beware though, if they say "splash zone" they mean drench zone.
Take swimsuits to parks for DD, most have "wet play" areas, lovely in the heat. One of the most popular with mine was going to universal about 6pm and playing for hours in the "curious George" water playground and giant ball factory-not at all crowded at that time and sl. cooler
Try and do a dinner show- arabian knights is my favorite, this year we did medieval knights which my parents loved and children too. The Dolly Parton one is to be avoided though!
Have I rambled enough

miggy · 08/08/2004 22:22

oh-forgot-"small world" is shut-we were really sad about that. But new "mickeys philharmagic" is fab-3d with special effects

juniper68 · 08/08/2004 23:06

Oh yes philharmagic is sooo lovely. I was a tad pleased about it's a small world as it drives me potty and now you've mentioned it that song is in my head!!!! lol

The playhouse disney show is fantastic - I got to see The bear in the big blue house kids liked seeing him too though

just packaged the leaflets and DH said will he be trusted to post them in the morning? I wouldn't but no doubt I'll be reluctant to get up. He'll have strict instructions to go to PO first thing and I'll text him on the way to be sure. Sorry about the second hand envelope, twas only one I could find. Poor DH is at work in the morning, I just hope he dippy secretary has made his day light as she normally doesn't think to do that.
It is a good idea to plan like everyone's said. We used the fodor guidebook first time round and got one every time since. No pics but fantastic advice.

juniper68 · 08/08/2004 23:08

Oh and at the animal kingdom your little one will find It's a bugs life (?) scary, even my almost 7 y old did. You and DH should go though as it's brill.

juniper68 · 08/08/2004 23:21

Hulababy, is your DH into American football? My DH is and Tampa Bay buccaneers are training at the Disney's World Wide sports park. It's free, you just turn up and get a ticket. I have the times if he is. I wouldn't go unless you're into it though as it was very hot and even though I like the sport too I found it boring

neetsmassi · 08/08/2004 23:29

Hi Hulababy

So glad I found this thread - we are going in September so will be very interested to hear your experiences - my DD is 4 and we are going with 5 other adults. We too are going for 10 days and will be staying at Clear Creek.

No advice to give but hope that you have an absolutely brilliant time.

triplets · 08/08/2004 23:48

I second that!We are going in Oct for 3 weeks with my trio who will then be 6yrs and 9 months old! It is our first time, so we too will be very interested to know how you got on, have a wonderful, magical time!

KateandtheGirls · 09/08/2004 00:55

Hula, who are you flying with? I just flew back from Gatwick to Tampa (near Orlando) with BA, and was amazed at how well the flight went. I was travelling by myself with my 2 and 4 year old daughters, and we were on the plane for 10 hours, by the time we boarded the plane, them faffing around before takeoff, the long flight and then getting to the gate at the other end. I couldn't believe they both were so well behaved. BA has tv screens in the back of all the chairs and they had a few different channels to choose from (Shrek2, Lion King, Cartoon Network and Playhouse Disney) so that kept them entertained for many hours. And my 4 year old went to the loo about 20 times, just because she was bored! I was dreading the flight like you wouldn't believe, so I was pleasantly surprised.

Too bad about it's a small world. (The kids love it anyway.) But Mickey's Philarmagic is great! Definitely do that.

Have a great time.

Original poster
Hulababy · 09/08/2004 08:23

Cheers all; I will report back once we are back to let you know what we did, etc.

Kate - we are flying with a cheaper flight company called Fly City Direct. BA and Virgin quoted us ridiculous prices this summer holidays!!! We fly into Sanford airport from Manchester, UK. My parents have flown with them before and they are fine, but I don't think they have te seat back TVs - we are trying to persuade my brother to take his personal DVD player for DD instead DD is now potty trained so I can imagine several trips to toilet too. Just glad there are 6 adults to keep her entertained!

OP posts:
dottee · 09/08/2004 09:19

Hula - I remembered something late last night.

As you know the last (and only) I went to Orlando was that short hol in 1990. Then, someone I worked with, who was an Orlando regular, told us that the best spot to watch the fireworks at Epcot was from the terrace at the Rose and Crown, which is the British pub at Epcot.

She recommended that we book a table for an evening meal as soon as we got in the park for around the time of the fireworks.

We didn't do it as we were too pushed for time. The meal may work out above average price but its a once in a lifetime event.

Original poster
Hulababy · 09/08/2004 09:21

Cheers dottee; will look into that!

OP posts:
Batters · 09/08/2004 09:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Hulababy · 09/08/2004 09:32

You too! Are you excited yet? How old are your children?

OP posts:
Batters · 09/08/2004 09:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Hulababy · 09/08/2004 09:42

Havbe a great time My DD is only 2y 4m but is so excited already!

Any tips would be great, hence this thread!!!

OP posts:
sammac · 09/08/2004 11:36

Hula, the book is winging it's way to you now!1

Happy planning!

Original poster
Hulababy · 09/08/2004 11:42

Thank you!

Currently trying to start packing and doing last washes for DH to iron tonight. Have to be all packed by tomorrow night and ready to go as my dad is picking me and DD up Wednesday morning to go to airport hotel (using pool, etc.) Dh is following on after work on Wdnesday with all the cases.

OP posts:
Gingerbear · 09/08/2004 12:24

Yippeee!!!

I feel excited for you Hula!

No tips, but will expect a full report on your return!!

Original poster
Hulababy · 09/08/2004 12:26

Whilst you are here Gingerbear - does your DD want a toy highchair - suitable for smallish dolls? DD has a new one for Baby Annabel as this one wasn't large enough. I will post a picture in a second. If so I can save it for oyu and get it to you once we get back.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hulababy · 09/08/2004 12:29

It is shown here: password is hulababy . It is made by Fisher Price.

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