Trip to London from Belfast. Any tips please where to stay, go, transport etc. needed

[mykiddies]

We are planning a trip to London from Belfast. Planning on flying to London Stansted. What we need to know is:

Hotel to stay in that is central. We looked at Park Plaza Waterloo. What areas are we looking to stay in that are central and not too far from London Victoria bus station?

What is the easiest and cheapest way to get from Stansted to London City. If by bus which bus station would we be looking to get to? Victoria?

We are thinking 5 nights instead of 4 as hubby says 1 day theme park, 1 day Legoland and that 1 day sightseeing isn't enough. This bumps up the hotel stay as we cant see anything for cheaper than £120 a night for family room. Is this reasonable.

Would you say that £700 is a lot of money for accommodation/flights?

Oystercard. What is this and where do we get them?

There are several premier inns in central London including one at County Hall which is very central. Should be less than £100 per night for a family room.

Cheapest way in is by megabus to Victoria, quickest is train to Liverpool Street.

Oystercard is the tap in/tap out smart card for the underground and buses. Get them at any underground station. Considerable discounts for single journies but have to pay a deposit for each card. Accompanied kids travel free on underground. So if hopping on and off tube all day a day travel card could work out cheaper.

You need more than one day to sight see London, do consider spending a day on one of the hop on/ hop off tour buses, these cover all the major sights and you get a day ticket that you can use as many times as you like for your day.

look up the transport for London website and see the 2 for 1 offers on London attractions. print out deals on restaurants from money saving expert, lots of family friend ones like pizza express.

walk lots as there is so much to see on foot that will be missed underground and come to Brighton for the day as it only an hour away.

Have a lovely time.