Q&A with Virgin Holidays - Ask your questions & share your tips on going to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida - 3x £100 vouchers to be won

[EllieMumsnet]

We're going to have the Virgin Holidays experts online on Monday 17th June from 1:30pm - 3:00pm to answer your questions on how to get the most out of a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, from the great value Disney Dining Plans to what to take with you into the Disney Parks, best attractions for different ages or how the Disney FastPass+ service works. This Q&A will work a little like our Live Webchats if any of you have taken part in one before - just ask a question below for the experts at Virgin Holidays to answer!

Not only would we love you to ask your questions below for Virgin Holidays to answer but we’d also like you to share any top tips or helpful advice you may have for other MNers thinking of going to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Here’s what Virgin Holidays have to say: “Planning a dream family holiday to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida can seem a little daunting. What was once ‘just’ the amazing Magic Kingdom Park, is now four entertainment-filled theme parks, plus two water parks, covering a total area the size of San Francisco. And that’s before you add in Disney Springs — packed with shopping, restaurants and attractions in its own right.

Don’t leave the holiday of a lifetime to chance. Here at Virgin Holiday’s we’ve got a whole team of Disney experts to help you with the planning now so you can enjoy the Disney magic even more.”

Post your question for Virgin Holidays and they will be online to answer them on Monday 17th June . Everyone who posts a question or shares a tip will be entered into a prize draw where 3 MNers will win a £100 voucher each of their choice (from a list).*

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply
Webchat guidelines - one question each (follow-ups allowed if there’s time)

*The Walt Disney Company Limited has no responsibility whatsoever with the running of this Prize Draw and shall not be liable for any losses, damages, or costs should a reader make any claim against the promoter as a result of the running of this Prize Draw.

@MrsFrTedCrilly

We have one 6y/o that really wants to go and an 11y/o that’s distinctly against, currently planning that we split up and holiday in two halves..how can we convince our older child that the holiday is worth doing?

Hi @MrsFrTedCrilly I can guarantee both your kids will love it! Before you go show them the park maps and online videos so they can get a taste of what it's like. There are attractions suited to both ages - for your 11 y/o Hollywood Studios is great with Tower of Terror, Rock n Roller Coaster, Toy Story Land and the new Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge park opens in August while Magic Kingdom is probably more suited to your younger one. Maybe split your fast passes to cater to both your 6 y/o and 11 y/o so they can experience everything they want to.

@crosser62

We LOVE WDW and are planning on going next year. We heard that you have to pay extra, up to £700 for 2 weeks to heat the pool if you are staying in a villa, is this correct?!!

Hi crosser62, we do offer pool heating at some of our villas, for the cooler months in the year, in the summer months, you really don't need it! If you do want to have your pool heated, the availability does vary from villa to villa, as not all villa's have the facility to have the pool heated. In terms of cost, this does vary from unit to unit, if you would like to get any confirmed prices and availability, it is best to contact one of our awesome Experts either in our Contact Centre, or visit one of our gorgeous Retail stores, I hope this helps!

@AyeBloodyRight

I have two questions:

1. There are a lot of disgruntled holidaymakers posting on various forums about how difficult it is to link My Disney Experience to their Virgin Holidays Disney reservation - can you explain your process for linking reservations on MDE?

1. How does the pass for disabled guests work in the parks?

Hi AyeBloodyRight, in response to your second question, the DAS card allows the user and immediate family to get a time to go back and ride, if the ride queue time is lengthy, take a look here for more details : disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/disney-parks-disability-access-service-card-fact-sheet/

I hope this helps!

@crosser62

We LOVE WDW and are planning on going next year.

How can we find out when the rest of the worlds kids are on school holidays? We got stuck behind HUGE groups of kids in queues all wearing the same t shirt or hoodies assumably from the same schools. I’m talking a hundred kids or more in the same group in front of us. The queues were 2-3 hours at a time. This really put us off. We would like to find out do we can time it better.

Hi crosser62. This is a great question, I have many memories as a kid of seeing the luminous t-shirts and hoodies of various big school groups, and you're right, you never want to get stuck in a queue behind a big one! Unfortunately, you will see big groups all year round, it's the most magical place on Earth, so it does attract lot of people 365 days a year! I've found it to be quieter late September to early October, and then early December. Try and avoid any US holidays, like Thanksgiving and Presidents Day Weekend, these all do draw big crowds. My top tip is to really utilise your 3 free FastPasses per day for your big rides, and once you've used those 3, you can book another one on the day, use that, and then book another etc until you've finished your day

@sharond101

We fly on 22nd June and want to ask why Virgin don't cater for allergies on such a long flight? Also if we book again f0r next year can we find a small villa for 4 rather than pay for one to sleep 8? When is rge best time to book flights to get a good price?

Hi sharond101, I would absolutely get in touch with the Virgin Atlantic Special Assistance Team, if you haven't done so already, 0344 481 4455 (option 1). In terms of the villa's, our villa's are normally designed for big groups, but we do have some villa's that are 3 bedrooms, perfect for a group of 4! In terms of when to book to get the best price, if you are dead set on the dates you want to travel, or want to travel during peak times, like school holidays, my best advice is to book as early as possible, you then get the best availability.

@user1496959500

When is the best time to visit outside of school holidays with young families? (Climate, busyness, price etc).

Hi user1496959500! With regards to the best time of year to travel for people with young families I would highly recommend to travel in March , end of September , or November time . The climate is the perfect time to go as it is still shorts and t-shirt weather but a bearable heat , you will tend to find it’s the quitter time of year to travel at these times of year too giving you and you’re your family maximum park time , and we tend to see lower overall package prices too .

@Elliejojo

I’ve never been, so my question is, what makes the travel and experience better than going to the Paris one? ( as I’d need to justify the extra cost to get there etc)

Hi Elliejojo, this is a great question, and you aren't the first to ask this! Walt Disney World and DisneyLand Paris are both so very different, and there is no way to possibly compare them! Whilst they are both amazing, Walt Disney World is on another level, it's the World for a reason! DisneyLand Paris covers roughly 8 square miles, whereas Walt Disney World covers nearly 40 square miles, that's pretty much the size of San Francisco! With so many more attractions, dining opportunities, character experiences, parades and shows, and of course, the glorious Florida sunshine, WDW will always hold a special place in my heart.

@TheGirlWithGlassFeet

When is the quietest time of the year to go (term time)? Thanks

From my own experience, September after the kids have gone back to school (and before October half term), this is personally my favourite time to travel as it's still really nice weather but not excessively hot. You also have all the Halloween festivities like Mickey's Not So Scary event which is just amazing!

• Chris, Virgin Holidays

@EggysMom

If we were to book an Orlando villa as a Virgin holiday, could we find out the address of our allocated villa before we leave the UK, so as to arrange for delivery of a rental disability stroller?

Hi EggysMom. Unfortunately, airlines don’t allow sedation on-board the aircraft as a general rule, this is because in an emergency everyone would need to evacuate speedily. I would recommend contacting Virgin Atlantic Special Assistance to check with them 0344 481 4455 (option 1). Villas are based on a fly-drive, however, we do have a transfer provider that services our hotels and we’d be happy to help organise a private transfer to the villa if you choose to book with Virgin Holidays.

@Hollowvictory

Hi when do flights for 220 for July and August for Mexico, Singapore and Mauritius become available please? Is it 11 months before? And where could we combine with Singapore for a great family holiday, would Langkawi be a good option?

Hi Hollowvictory, you are spot on, for these destinations we are looking at 11 month prior to the return flight date, this is when the airlines we use for these incredible destinations go on sale. Singapore could be combined with Langkawi, that's a great choice, what about Bali as an option too? The great thing is with Singapore, because we use Singapore Airlines as our airline of choice for our guests to get there, we can use their amazing hub to get you all over Asia, you could even go to Thailand!

@glenthebattleostrich

We love Disney and actually own one of their timeshares!

We are going back next may (booking tomorrow 😁) and can't wait.

We love staying on property as it's so immersive. Transport between resorts and parks is really good, Ubers to other places are cheap and the earlier fast passes are great.

I'd ask what they would recommend outside of theme works for rest days.

Hi glenthebattleostrich, there are so much options for the days when you aren't visiting the main theme parks, so this is a great question. You have world class shopping in Orlando, from your typical American shopping malls, to your designer outlet complexes, there is something for every taste and budget! One thing that I always recommend for people to do is go and play a round of miniature golf, it's great fun for everyone in the family! If you have our Disney Ultimate Ticket, you do receive complimentary access to the Disney miniature golf courses as part of your ticket, but all across Orlando there are amazing themed courses, from pirates to alligators, you'll find it all on a miniature golf course in Orlando! If you would like a day of relaxation, head either East or West and head to the coast. If you want a surfers paradise, head to Cocoa Beach on the Atlantic Coast, and if you want gorgeous warm blue seas and soft, sugary sand, head to the West coast beaches.

@sarat1

When you are travelling with a baby who needs to sleep by about 7pm, how do you not end up sitting in hotel room in the dark watching tv with subtitles on!

Hi sarat1. I have traveled with both my children when they were babies. Visiting the Disney Parks take up full days and I found my children would comfortably nap through the day and still fall asleep come bed time due to being so tired from taking it all in! The buggy served it's purpose throughout the holiday and we didn't feel the need to head back to the hotel each evening for bed time.

@BristolMum96

Is it really worth taking very young children or waiting until they are older? Or do they get too old??

Hi BristolMum96! Absolutely it's worth taking young children. There's so much to discover, each time you visit Walt Disney World you will have a different expereince. Magic Kingdom has plenty of rides for smaller ones, but beyond that there are many shows and parades where characters love interaction with the little ones. In particular I would recommend, The Frozen Singalong or Under The Sea - The Journey of the Little Mermaid in Hollywood Studios or Festival of the Lion King in Disney's Animal Kingdom. If you're all a little tired and need a break from the Parks, all Disney Resort Hotels have themed pools which is a great alternative to keeping little ones entertained whilst you can relax and at the majority resorts, during the evening you can sit round a camp fire and watch a Disney movie under the stars.

@Enigma222

Not been to WDW yet mainly because I have a child with special needs and uses a wheel chair. The thought of organising a trip and ensuring all her needs are taken care of is stressful and often you speak to advisers that have no experience or information on how best to deal with this. Do you have specialists that are experienced enough to help organise these trips and and make the process a lot easier?

Hi Enigma222. Disney is absolutely one of the best places to visit as a wheelchair user. Our Special Assistance team’s (Virgin Holidays and Virgin Atlantic) do the organising and are experienced in all area’s of medical and cognitive disability. Our Sales team will make the holiday based on your requirements and then pass the details to the experts. They’ll then provide as much or as little help as you need to sort out the details. We take our cue from you. Also, don’t forget you can call and speak to the assistance teams before making a reservation. 0344 557 3998 (option 1).

@gemmie797

Which Disney hotel would you recommend to keep two boys (age 11 and 13) entertained and is there anywhere where I could access an example itinerary to make the most of our trip?

There are over 25 Disney Resort Hotels, I'd personally recommend Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort as it has pirate themed rooms where the kids can sleep on a boat and the furniture is nautical themed or the Animal Kingdom Lodge where you can opt for a Savannah View Room and you will wake up in the morning and open your patio door to see Giraffes right outside your window - it's an amazing experience and the kids would love it!
Regarding itineraries, as there's so much to do at Walt Disney World Resort, we wouldn't want to limit you to one itinerary, I'd recommend giving us a call (0333 230 7750) or visit us in store and we have a dedicated Florida team who will be able to help you with an itinerary that is perfect for you and your two boys!

• Chris, Virgin Holidays

@Wolfcubisthefemalenominal

What age is too old for Disney? Is it more girl friendly than boy friendly (lots of adverts seem to be princess and castle focussed)? Is it somewhere a single parent would be comfortable and what’s the best place to stay/best option as a single parent?

Hi Wolfcubisthefemalenomina.
Firstly, Disney is for all ages! You are never too old. Having recently visited with my 16 year old daughter and 13 year old son, we had just as much fun as when we visited back when they were 4 and 2 years old. As for being more girl friendly, I wouldn't say this is the case at all! Along with the Disney Princesses, you have Toy Story Land and the new arrival of Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. There are rides for every age and gender.
Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is definitely suitable for a single parent. I myself am a single parent and I would feel 100% safe and comfortable to visit with just my children. I would recommend you stay onsite at one of the Disney Resort Hotels for ease of transport getting from the airport to the resort with Disney's Magical Express and around the Disney complex itself, so you don't have to worry about getting lost! You also benefit from Extra Magic Hours (which is Disney's early park access) and lots of onsite dining and entertainment options ensuring your holiday is both relaxing and fun!

@purplepandas

How do you manage the balance of relaxing on hol and wdw fun? I would want some respite from the craziness.

"Hi @purplepandas you can definitely relax in amongst the fun - the key is to plan ahead! If you're staying onsite it's easy to pop in and out of the parks and have some relaxation time by the pool. Plan which parks you're going to hit each day and the fast passes you want to book ahead of time. If you have the Walt Disney World app you can check queue times so you can plan how to move around the park - get everything done you want to in the morning and then relax in the afternoon, cocktail in hand

You can even make it a twin centre holiday where you can experience the magic of Disney and then chill out at the beach in Clearwater (voted the number one beach in the US!)

@Theimpossiblegirl

Although it was lovely having a villa, I think if we went again we'd prefer to stay in a hotel nearer the parks, especially if we could get a diving deal. Are there buses that run between hotels and parks or would we still need a car?

Hi Theimpossiblegirl. If you are staying onsite at Disney I wouldn't advise on renting a car. Reason being, Disney will charge for parking from January 2020. Disney have a great transportation system which runs from every hotel all day, every day. The services they offer are buses, monorail, water taxi and from fall 2019 the Disney Skyliner - where each cart will have a different Disney theme! If you want a truly unique experience I'd recommend the Mini Van Service which is a Mini Mouse themed private taxi, bookable through the Lyft app. This will provide private transport around the Disney complex for you and your family at a small fee.

@BringItIn

My question is how much to budget for food per person per day? What are the cheapest and best value options for families?

Hi BringItIn, the great thing is with Orlando, and WDW, is that you can go as expensive, or as cheap as you like. There are SO many options both onsite at Disney, and offsite in the Orlando area. I would recommend a light breakfast, a toasted bagel is always a favourite in the morning with my family, lunch, you can eat in the parks, and the portions can be quite big, so you could get away with sharing, and then dinner there is literally something for every budget. The best way I budget for my family is by booking in advance and taking advantage of the free Disney Dining offer that we have on at the moment for 2020 holidays. With this, most of our meals are included, for free! You then just need to budget a small amount for ad hoc snacks and drinks and your merch that you will probably end up buying, because everyone needs 10 different types of Minnie ears right?!

My question is, is the Disney mini golf included in the ultimate 14 day park ticket? I have never done anything other than the main parks, but this year we are going for the first time without my husband after he died, so are looking for new experiences. If it's not included, where can I find information about booking it? we are staying offsite at Lake Buena Vista.

@hiddenmichelle

My top tip is DO NOT under estimate the size of WDW. A particular tip is not to under estimate how long it can actually take you to get into the Magic Kingdom if staying off site. You park, get a tram and then the monorail/ferryboat just to get the the entrance. It all takes time....but is part of the experience as well (just in case I made it sound awful)

We have not been for a couple of years and so it will have changed yet again if/when we return, but one thing we always consider doing is visiting the resoirts and getting drinks/food at some of them. I have heard it is fine even if you are not staying there - is this correct - and can you use the resort boats/monorail etc if not staying in a Disney Hotel?

Hi hiddenmichelle, absolutely, use of the Disney Transportation System is completely free for all, even if you aren't staying on site! When staying off-site in our villa, we do normally book a special meal at least once during our stay at a Disney Resort hotel, our favourites include the California Grill at the Contemporary Resort, it is right next to the Magic Kingdom, and if you get a dinner reservation, make sure it is a. on a night when the fireworks are on, and b. during the firework time. They stop service just before the fireworks are due to start, and you can either stay at your table and watch the fireworks display, through to massive windows (it's on the top floor) or head out onto the special viewing platform, they even play the music along to the fireworks! It's amazing!

@TheClitterati

Just the amount of planning involved. to go to a theme park the size of San Francisco is completely daunting to me. I would not know where to even begin. Where do you begin?

I almost took the children to Disneyland Paris this year but again with all the meal passes and the fast passes and add on extras it just seems ridiculously complicated. It's not the sort of holiday I would enjoy planning.

Hi @TheClitterati while there is planning involved it is totally worth it in the end! When booking with Virgin Holidays you do get your own Personal Holiday Advisor who is expertly trained in Florida as a destination who can help alleviate some of the stress by providing advice on meal plans, the fast pass system, transportation system, different hotel/villa options etc. There's someone every step of the way, even after booking you can chat to our pre-departure team and there are reps in resort who are on hand to help with any questions you may have.

Part of the fun is in the planning and it really helps get you excited for your trip when deciding which rides/restaurants you want to book!

@xxxxclarexxxx

My son is 13 is he too old? I have always wanted to take him but feel now he may be a bit too old for it all!? Is he classed as an adult from this age also, as some airways say 12+ is basically an adult in everything. Thanks :)

Hi xxxxclarexxxx! Honestly, nobody is EVER too old to go to Walt Disney World! There really is something for every age! For tickets, anyone over the age of 10 is actually classed as an adult, however, the price difference between an adult ticket and a child ticket for access to the parks, isn't a huge amount, I think it's only a saving of roughly £20 for a 14 day ticket!

Does Virgin book Disney property hotels as well? Is there any additional perks to booking through virgin rather than Disney direct?

@Whatdayisit2

I would love to go, but it's so confusing. There's too much choice about where to go and what to do. If like a few days at Disney then a villa on our own but no idea where to start!

Completely agree, Disney can seem overwhelming, but we can definitely make it really simple for you! We have a dedicated Florida team who you can call on 0333 230 7750, the whole team have been (most of them multiple times) so they know Disney inside out and will be able to help you with all of your questions. Alternatively, we have stores nationwide so you can always pop in and chat to one of our experts face to face. To find your nearest store, please follow this retail.virginholidays.co.uk/retail-appointments/

• Chris, Virgin Holidays