Florida - time for an updated thread for 2017

[Weststander]

Hi, perfectly timed thread for me as i have just booked up orlando for two weeks in early Novemeber.

Do you mind me asking you where you hired the car from??

We used the brokers carhirelab, who gave us a voucher for Advantage at Orlando Airport. For 11 days, it was cheaper than I said, at just £155 all in. From memory we booked a large car, then Advantage gave us a huge people carrier at no extra cost (their suggestion) because it wasn't peak season.

Separately, we took out our own US suitable car excess insurance, covering all the attributes of car hire company versions, with www.carhireexcess.co.uk at just £55. That saves a small fortune.

 

[dazzer6666]

Thinking about doing Disney in the next few years for the grandkids, is it worth renting a villa compared to hotels?

Done this several times in Florida, usually through Ownersdirect.co.uk. Thousands to choose from, you deal direct with owners in most cases (can email to ask any questions beforehand) and great value. Never had any issues with any place we've stayed - can choose exactly what you want (for example the last one we used in Kissimmee had a 4 large bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, enormous kitchen and lounges, a games room (converted double garage), large pool with jacuzzi and backed on to a lake where bass had been stocked so usually did a bit of fishing). Even in peak season you'd probably get something similar for £1000/week or less. Usually within gated communities so also very safe and quiet. Nice to be able to relax in your own space after a day queuing. The whole area is exceptionally well served by restaurant/takeaway delivery services if you can't be arsed to cook.

There are some great places in Florida for anyone not wanting the theme parks too......we've had brilliant holidays in Naples, Key Largo, Sarasota and (my favourite) Clearwater in the last few years. Use the same site to book villas/apartments for these too.

If booking flights separately, worth looking at Tampa as well as Orlando - it's only a 90 min (easy) drive or so as can be cheaper. The airport is a dream to get through compared to many in the US too.

 

[Bozza]

If booking flights separately, worth looking at Tampa as well as Orlando - it's only a 90 min (easy) drive or so as can be cheaper. The airport is a dream to get through compared to many in the US too.

BA is the only option direct to Tampa though. I've never found much in the prices in 20+ trips to Florida. They have recently started a route to Fort Lauderdale though. It is a fair bit longer to drive but if you want to fly direct but don't mind a bit of a drive then it's worth considering.

If you don't mind going indirect to save a few quid, also check out other relatively nearby airports such as Daytona Beach and Jacksonville as sometimes you can find decent fares to less obvious airports. You'll clear immigration wherever you touch down in the States meaning that when you do reach Florida you'll be straight out of the airport.

 

[PoG]

At what age would you take the kids? We've got three girls, roughly three years between our oldest and the twins. I've started saving for a florida/disney trip but unsure what age to take them.

 

[Giraffe]

At what age would you take the kids? We've got three girls, roughly three years between our oldest and the twins. I've started saving for a florida/disney trip but unsure what age to take them.

I'd say peak Disney Magic Kingdom age for girls is kind of 7-12. That's when they really get the buzz, the characters etc. beyond that they are more into the rides than the characters and the magic. Younger than that and I suspect you will find it is a bit mind blowing and very hot and tiring.

 

[Bozza]

At what age would you take the kids? We've got three girls, roughly three years between our oldest and the twins. I've started saving for a florida/disney trip but unsure what age to take them.

Both my kids have been from under a year. Limited value there, but there's differing things that will appeal to them from the age of about 2 and 3.

If you're going for a big "one off" holiday then I'd certainly want to make sure they were tall enough to ride everything, assuming they are brave enough to do so. There's little worse than seeing a kid who is a centimetre or two short of being able to go on something they had their heart set on. At Disney World, 48" is the magic height that means they can go on everything, including some of the bigger slides in the water parks. I'm pretty sure that 48" will get you on everything at Universal too.

Beyond height requirements, if you have a girl into the princesses she might like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (mine always did) that has a maximum age of 12.

 

[Giraffe]

if you have a girl into the princesses she might like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (mine always did) that has a maximum age of 12.

I remember my daughter did that the first year. I'm guessing she was about 7 or 8 and she went for a full on tinkerbell look. It was very cute. And relatively good value I think. I suspect now at 15 she may resist but as we are also taking her boyfriend this time I may give it a try

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

We used the brokers carhirelab, who gave us a voucher for Advantage at Orlando Airport. For 11 days, it was cheaper than I said, at just £155 all in. From memory we booked a large car, then Advantage gave us a huge people carrier at no extra cost (their suggestion) because it wasn't peak season.

Separately, we took out our own US suitable car excess insurance, covering all the attributes of car hire company versions, with www.carhireexcess.co.uk at just £55. That saves a small fortune.

I would be careful with those, some of the car hire firms don't reconise them - If you do damage to the car they will charge you still

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

BA is the only option direct to Tampa though. I've never found much in the prices in 20+ trips to Florida. They have recently started a route to Fort Lauderdale though. It is a fair bit longer to drive but if you want to fly direct but don't mind a bit of a drive then it's worth considering.

If you don't mind going indirect to save a few quid, also check out other relatively nearby airports such as Daytona Beach and Jacksonville as sometimes you can find decent fares to less obvious airports. You'll clear immigration wherever you touch down in the States meaning that when you do reach Florida you'll be straight out of the airport.

United Via Germany saves a fortune if you time it right

 

[Bozza]

I remember my daughter did that the first year. I'm guessing she was about 7 or 8 and she went for a full on tinkerbell look. It was very cute. And relatively good value I think. I suspect now at 15 she may resist but as we are also taking her boyfriend this time I may give it a try

I was sort of forced into it the first time, as we were with a group of friends, but The Pirates League is good fun for a family group. We did it last year again, including my 70-y-o mum and the similarly aged Mum of our friends. DO IT!

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

If you don't mind going indirect to save a few quid, also check out other relatively nearby airports such as Daytona Beach and Jacksonville as sometimes you can find decent fares to less obvious airports. You'll clear immigration wherever you touch down in the States meaning that when you do reach Florida you'll be straight out of the airport.

We tend to go via Atlanta with Delta - cheaper, really easy to get through, & saves a bundle of time once in Orlando. Gets you to the car rentals way ahead of the direct flights too. We're going back in December for Xmas, but unfortunately flying straight into Orlando as the Mother In Law will only fly direct...

The missus used to work for Disney, so we've had free passes for the parks every year, but sadly shes no longer with the company. Looking forward to a different kind of Florida holiday this time though without too much Disney, especially as the kids are getting older & want to do other things. Last time we explored further, heading up to places like Deleon Springs to do some diving & canoeing. Will also go back down to Clearwater for a couple of days of beach lounging & visiting friends in Tampa, before heading off to the Bahamas on the Disney Cruise.

 

[Bozza]

We tend to go via Atlanta with Delta - cheaper, really easy to get through, & saves a bundle of time once in Orlando. Gets you to the car rentals way ahead of the direct flights too. We're going back in December for Xmas, but unfortunately flying straight into Orlando as the Mother In Law will only fly direct...

The missus used to work for Disney, so we've had free passes for the parks every year, but sadly shes no longer with the company. Looking forward to a different kind of Florida holiday this time though without too much Disney, especially as the kids are getting older & want to do other things. Last time we explored further, heading up to places like Deleon Springs to do some diving & canoeing. Will also go back down to Clearwater for a couple of days of beach lounging & visiting friends in Tampa, before heading off to the Bahamas on the Disney Cruise.

We've done a couple of Disney cruises, bolted onto the end of parks holidays and they are incredible. I've not cruised with anyone else (the idea never appealed) and I'm not sure I ever want to after the Disney experience!

This is a good opportunity to mention the Tim Tracker vlog. They cover the main parks but also a lot of other Florida things that are less well known. It's about the only thing that everyone in my house watches together! Well worth a regular watch if you're planning a visit: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheTimTracker

They went to Deleon Springs recently

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q03RKDta-ak

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

This will be our 4th time on the cruise - absolutely love it. Wasn't ever interested in cruise holidays tbh, but we did the inaugural Disney voyage for our honeymoon in '99, & keep going back for more! So nice to be able to let the kids go off & do what they want for a few days too...it gives us a chance to relax before getting back to the mainland!

 

[casbom]

The Fort Lauderdale Flight from Gatwick is seasonal and doesn't fly everyday, so check that out first. You could try indirect but wouldn't suggest that with youngish kids.

Whichever carhire company you go with, see if you can fill in all the info online so that you don't have to go to the carhire desk. For example with Avis they have Avis preferred where it's free to join and you enter your details before you go. We went straight to the garage without having to queue up.

Something else as well, not sure if it's changed recently or not. But if you can carry your luggage onto the shuttle then do it. If you pick up your luggage, get through customs and then place your luggage on the conveyor belt (as your asked to do) you will be waiting a good hour if not more before you can retrieve your luggage in the main building. It's a ridiculous process which should be changed/looked at!

 

[SB005]

We used the brokers carhirelab, who gave us a voucher for Advantage at Orlando Airport. For 11 days, it was cheaper than I said, at just £155 all in. From memory we booked a large car, then Advantage gave us a huge people carrier at no extra cost (their suggestion) because it wasn't peak season.

Separately, we took out our own US suitable car excess insurance, covering all the attributes of car hire company versions, with www.carhireexcess.co.uk at just £55. That saves a small fortune.

Ah superb! Thanks for that, will be wanting to do a bit of exploring so will want a car! Appreciate the tips!

 

[Bozza]

The Fort Lauderdale Flight from Gatwick is seasonal and doesn't fly everyday, so check that out first. You could try indirect but wouldn't suggest that with youngish kids.

Whichever carhire company you go with, see if you can fill in all the info online so that you don't have to go to the carhire desk. For example with Avis they have Avis preferred where it's free to join and you enter your details before you go. We went straight to the garage without having to queue up.

Something else as well, not sure if it's changed recently or not. But if you can carry your luggage onto the shuttle then do it. If you pick up your luggage, get through customs and then place your luggage on the conveyor belt (as your asked to do) you will be waiting a good hour if not more before you can retrieve your luggage in the main building. It's a ridiculous process which should be changed/looked at!

Alamo have a straight to the garage thing at MCO and it works very well, although if you're staying onsite at Disney I'd suggest catching the Magical Express, as:

1. You can have a drink on the flight.
2. No need to drive which, if you're a first-timer, may be slightly stressful when you're tired.

We then tend to pick up a car from one of the places at WDW midway through the holiday and drop it off back at the airport on the way home.

I'm not sure I've ever done the double luggage drop at MCO - I certainly didn't when I was there last month. As you say, I just carried it with me on the little monorail thing.

 

[Miami Seagull]

My specialist subject!

On my recent solo trip, I didn't go to Pandora (it wasn't open, but they were doing limited capacity trials of it) as I wanted to save it for when we go back as a family. However, as an avid Disney podcast and vlog consumer, it does seem to be very well regarded with exceptional theming and two decent ride additions.

Also new: Animal Kingdom being open at night, including night time safaris and the new "Rivers of Light" show. (I've not done either - same reason as above). You might not have done the new Soarin' yet either, nor the Frozen revision to the old Maelstrom ride in Norway. Disney's Hollywood Studios is a bit of a building site, but the relatively new night time Star Wars firework show is absolutely AMAZING and a must see. Wishes (night time fireworks show) has now gone from the Magic Kingdom and been replaced.

Depending on where you are staying, I'd do Universal over two days and stay at one of the on-site hotels (we like the Hard Rock) to get Front of the Line access, meaning you can jump the queue on most rides, so you can ride favourites repeatedly with minimal/no wait. It also means no one has to drive anywhere at the end of the day and you can enjoy City Walk's many bars and the like, as well as the great pools (they'll let you drink in the poo tool, unlike DIsney). Volcano Bay, Universal's new water park opened recently too.

Last year we went to Kennedy Space Centre for the first time in years and it was amazing, far exceeding my memories and expectations. The Atlantis exhibit in particular is exceptional. I won't give any spoilers, but I was choking back a few tears at one point.

Maybe combine the above with a day out on the coast too. Last month I went out to Cocoa Beach for the first time, sat on the pier and watched a rocket launch. The beach itself is gorgeous.

Busch Gardens is also well worth a visit if you've not been before or not recently.

Disney restaurants that are amongst our favourites are: Boma, Sanaa, Teppan Edo, Coral Reef and California Grill. The latter could be a great choice for your special occasion as you can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from there - a great alternative spot.

What dates are you going?

Agree with all this. Especially the Space Center. That exhibit had the same effect on me too. Great thing also is that it is so quiet there compared to the other parks. Was shocked at how much I had to pay last time to take my wife and son into Disney for a day. About 120 each..you really have to research cheaper alternatives.

 

[Weststander]

Ah superb! Thanks for that, will be wanting to do a bit of exploring so will want a car! Appreciate the tips!

I did briefly look online today and I couldn't see the low car hire rates I got. We went at the very similar not high season time as you and the poor exchange rate hasn't worsened since. Which makes me wonder if it pays to search/book car hire just a week or two before you travel during quieter seasons (which we did), as the car brokers and hire companies are keen to use stock?

 

[Weststander]

Agree with all this. Especially the Space Center. That exhibit had the same effect on me too. Great thing also is that it is so quiet there compared to the other parks. Was shocked at how much I had to pay last time to take my wife and son into Disney for a day. About 120 each..you really have to research cheaper alternatives.

The Space Centre is amazing, including the Apollo centre. The shows including the real Mission Control set up of banks of desks with the original 1960's computers, the great narration, is all goose bumps stuff. Only in America. Time it with a launch. Thousands join you, again a great commentator keeps you informed with the famous countdown and the roar and brightness of the rockets is something you'll never forget. The warm patriotism and pride of the viewing yanks was an eye opener.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Also new: Animal Kingdom being open at night, including night time safaris and the new "Rivers of Light" show. (I've not done either - same reason as above).

Captive animals for man's enjoyment, how lovely. Seaworld for dessert anyone?