Disney Florida - I'm baffled and don't know where to start

[WelshMoth]

I've been reading the various threads up here - loads of great advice and tips so thank you! I'll keep reading those.

I've never even been to EuroDisney, so I have no idea of the magnitude of Disney Florida. I suppose I'm trying to get my head around the concept - is it one massive park? Loads of Massive parks? How do I even start to plan my days?

I just don' tknow where to start basically.
We have 2 weeks there in mid - end August.

This is the package we have....(DH booked - I was in work, so I have no real clue what's what):

Package

• Accommodation: Disneys Caribbean Beach Resort 10 days then Universals Loews Portofino Bay Hotel (4 days) - EXCURSION: 3 Park Universal Explorer Ticket - EXCURSION: Disneys 14 For 7 Ultimate Ticket With Memory Maker - OFFER: PDM - Special Offer - TRANSFER: Magical Express.

Also, am I being really thick, but what is the Magical Express?!

HollowVictory, it is being unable to get away from all the people. We enjoy sitting about our villa lanai in just our pjs or swimming costumes and often in total silence as we relax and read or whatever, jumping into the pool and just floating. We also love being very silly at times and we don't want to have to watch out for stray kids in the pools. To each their own.

Valid points little candle

This trip is a total one off event for us so we wanted to maximise the time
We had at the parks, hence the Disney Hotel.

Thanks loads everyone for the tips! Keep them coming!

There's a Facebook page - Disney and Orlando for The Brits - which is also a good source of advice. I've found it friendlier than The Dibb.

The Dibb.co.uk has a forum where you can post questions and read previousy asked questions. Also it has a really useful "vacation planner" where you can plan the days activities :)

We went to Disneyland Florida 3 years ago in mid Aug to end Aug. It rained everyday at 1.30 for an hour. You could set your watch by it! The humidity built during the morning, before the rainstorm at 1.30 when we would have lunch. It was all gone and much fresher by 3pm.

There were a few days when lightening was present too which is a pain as they get everyone out of the water for safety reasons. Could be a problem if your at a waterpark or pool day.

The upside is though that its is way less crowded than other times as US schools have returned. Max queue time was 30 mins.

Hi, i have just seen your post. I hope this helps. We felt exactly the same before we went this year, confused and overwhelmed by it all. But we came accross a company called All Ears Travel Concierge. They specialise in itinerary planning for Disney World holidays. They were absolutely amazing!! They planned us a brilliant daily itinerary, booked our FastPasses for all the rides, booked dining reservations, even arranged a birthday cake for our daughter!! They completely took away all of our stress and handed us back everything perfectly planned and ready. When we were there, we had the most amazing time amd saw so much, thanks to all the organisation beforehand. I cannot recommend them enough, would definitely use them again to work their magic. If you need it their website is at www.allearsplanning.co.uk

Thanks everyone.
I've started to watch some
YouTube movies to get used to the place. One tip suggested buying maps of each site before hand. I've looked on amazon but can't see anything. Any idea where I can get a hold of these things?

I wouldn't know where to buy them but the Dibb has all the maps on the site, you could just print them off? :)

I'm a bit worried about sickness on the rides. I've went with school to Oakwood park and was green after a ride called bounce.

Never used to be like that. Is there anything I can do to help avoid this?

You can get all the maps online and print? I just used the apps as they're all in there. There are loads of paper maps at entrances of each park too.

The rides are really smooth so I think you'll be ok. There are some white knuckle rides which you may want to avoid though!

Hi OP
Lots of incredible advice on here for you. Watch the online videos for sure to familiarise yourself. You'll be amazed though at just how user friendly the parks are, all extremely well organised. Your second hotel especially is truly stunning.

Have you considered Discovery Cove? It was a very welcome interlude for our group when we visited Orlando a few years back.

I wouldn't bother buying the maps.
Get the My Disney experience map and they have them all online.

I love coasters, the bigger the better. However as I've got older I get more motion sickness, esp with the simulator and 3D style ones - I take travel sickness meds beforehand joe which helps.

Is this really a holiday?

There is a ton of info out there and it can feel a bit overwhelming. I would start by looking with the kids at anything they really want to do to help prioritise fast passes and plan what parks on what days. Give yourself sometime by the pool or at waterparks as well as parks depending when you are going some parks will be busier than others (there is a new star wars bit opening in sept). We used Disney buses and taxis and were fine without a car.

Universal needs less planning!!

user it's an adventure.

Thanks loads to everyone for your helpful advice - I'm
Now hooked on all the different YouTube vids.

We don't have a food package. DH booked it and decided to
Not have food but I would have preferred a bed and breakfast option. I need to return to the travel agent for this though to discuss with them. What do you all advise?

Have just read that travels are worried about Thomas Cook going into Liquidation .

Guess who we are booked with?

Bump.
Anyone with similar concerns?