Been offered a free trip to Disney, Florida

[MikeStand]

I've been offered a free trip to Disney Florida in july with my children (9 & 11). I will be on my own with them in the day (DH finished work at night) and one likes scary rides the other one doesn't. Is there enough to interest them? They are not disney fans and have never shown any interest in going there before. It sounds really ungrateful I know but disney is my idea of hell. Will we be won over?

yes, there's shows (air conditioned), epcot is great, more science and natural world than rides, overall it is much much better than any theme park you'll have been to in the UK. And Sea World is great too. But even if you get there free, you will spend a fortune - £50 each entry per day to each park plus drinks, food etc in the parks. But multi-day tickets work out less per day. Also, there's lots on at night - fireworks and shows, for when DH is with you.

And if not, there's air boat rides to see the gators, the Nasa launch site, and lovely beaches. Or just go swimming in the sunshine!

Sorry, should have said - and if you don't want to go to Disney/theme parks, there's all the other stuff - the air boats etc.

Tons of stuff to do without having to do Disney

I went when I was 12. Disney was great, Universal fab and Epcot centre (all the different countries). Kennedy space center NASA thing was really amazing. Er... Alligator parks... and Busch Gardens had the best ride.

Thanks WW. We don't have to pay entry to anything. Only have to pay for food etc and we will expense that. That's why it seems silly to turn it down but I've never had any desire to go there.

What is weather like in july (last two weeks) and how do you get around? DH will have hire car and I have no intention of driving?

Things are a long way apart, so although Disney or Universal will ferry you around their resorts by bus/monorail if you are staying there, you will be limited without a car. You can get yellow cabs. But driving is really easy, roads aren't busy.

In July it will be very hot and occasionally stormy - heavy downpours in the afternoon, for twenty mins or so before the sun comes back out, and there's an outside chance of a hurricane. But friends have been there in a hurricane and it was a day or two of staying in the hotel, so no great problem.

We've just got back, and the weather we had was record-high heat for May, but it was fine. Everywhere is air-conned, even many of the rides and inside shows. So it was OK. But not driving will be inconvenient as everything is so spread out.

YOU WILL HAVE A FABULOUS TIME, my 70 year old Dad loved Disney and he hasn't been out of his shed in ten years!! There is so much to see and do, the transport is great if you're staying at at Disney hotel and even other hotels have transportation. EPCOT is great, don't miss Test Track, Soaring etc. Animal Kingdom is also great, it is all GREAT. Get the Brit's Guide to Orlando for lots of usual tips. Your kids are the PERFECT age they will love it and so will you.