Travel agents to pull together a bespoke Florida package

[Uberaddict]

Hello all,
I booked flight us earlier in the year for Miami and the plan was to do universal (we had the most magical time at Disney when kids were small) and then some of the keys but I am looking for someone to help me pull together accommodation and car hire
I have googled but I am overwhelmed by choice . Anyone used someone who they would recommend

We do a bespoke Florida package every two years. We use travel counsellors. Mines been with TC for years and is brilliant at her job and getting us what we want. Also, because it’s all booked through her it’s covered in the same way a ‘package’ would be.

Trailfinders.

@ainsleysanobbrilliant - could you share her details

Have pm’d you!

Thank you

We liked the lady we spoke to from Travel Counsellors. It was a bit more than other quotes but I liked the advice she shared during our first call. When we called her back the next day to book though the flights she’d quoted for has gone up considerably unfortunately.

We ended up going with British Airways for the package holiday. I’m glad now though as I think it will be easier to manage if there are any travel restrictions (e.g. fuel shortages etc).

@ainsleysanob please could you pm me the details of your TC rep so we can contact her about disney please :)

Any chance you could send me their details also?

I tried travel counsellors and it was sooooooo expensive for Florida. We were going as a large group and she wouldn't break it down for me at all. I ended up feeling like I was getting fleeced. Booking direct costs a lot lot less. Spend the saving on other fun things.

I booked flights via skyscanner, hotel for 4 nights at the universal Loewes grand Pacific (it's either here or the portofino or hard rock if you want express tickets), used attraction tickets direct for a 2 week Disney universal pass, car hire through holiday autos (I always use Hertz Sixt etc good solid names), villa in kissimee from emerald Isle villas but that's because I'd been before and I know what I want. VIP tour at universal and private cabana at volcano bay also direct with universal.

I'd say done but that's before you start your park and restaurant bookings which travel agents don't do!

Thanks- would you recommend a 4/5 day universal stay and a 10/9 Disney stay rather than just going for Disney?

Just landed back from our Disney/Universal holiday. We did 10 nights (9 park days) at Animal Kingdom Lodge and 4 nights (4.5 park days) at Loews Portofino Bay.

Next time we’ll stay at Disney longer and just do 2 Universal days (1 day at Epic and then 1 day at US/IoA). I’d stay at Loews or Hard Rock for a night to get the express pass for US/IoA and definitely buy the EP again for Epic.

P.s. We liked Loews resort/room/pool/boat more than AKL, but it doesn’t have the Disney magic! Next time we’ll probably choose Polynesian to be closer to the parks.

@8books how did you find Portofino? We are heading over in Oct. Usually stay at Hard rock which is lovely and close but it’s become a bit tired of late. So have booked Portofino for a change (was also almost 1k less).

@croisette we liked the Portofino. I’d happily stay there again. The rooms are spacious. It’s a fairly old resort, but seemed the rooms were newly decorated, new carpets etc. We were in the West Wing next to the boat dock which was super handy. I really liked the water transfer to City Walk.

Sal’s Dinner and the ice cream shop in the piazza were both good. Also, there’s a Universal Studios store in between those two places and it had some great stock that was sold out in the parks, so worth a look!!

The beach pool was nice too.

Overall, I preferred our stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge, which feels higher quality and more special. Also, the Disney staff are significantly better trained at customer service, but I’d happily stay at Portofino again.

Hope you have a fabulous holiday!!

Thanks @8books good to know; definitely have read west wing is the way to go. Interesting you say that about AK; we used to stay at BLT at contemporary and then Swan Reserve once kids got older. Love Swan Reserve but it is not very Disney. Kids are a bit older so focus is on Epic and Universal this time! Thanks so much for your tips!

@croisette have you thought about Helios Grand for one night? The location at the edge of Epic Universe looks fantastic. That’s our plan next time. The park at night is glorious. There’s no free hotel express pass for Epic, so we bought a one day express pass ($1k). Ludicrous price, but I wouldn’t go without it unless I was roped dropping a few days there.

@8books Yes doing exactly that! We are hoping to do some rope drop days. 🤞 then hopefully some nice time to chill in the gorgeous hotel! The price was much better than Portofino — presumably bc no express included as you say

Bon Voyage based in Southampton are a fantastic USA specialist agent.