Advance warning

Hi all
I've just booked mrsbear99 ,s lovely villa in Orlando for next summer.Totally new territory for me so I shall be asking lots of questions in the next 11 months regarding flights,Disney,car hire etc so thought I would give you all advanced warning !
Blacky

Looks like you need TheDibb and or Disboards too for info.

Thanks egg ,both of those look most useful

Feel free to contact me, becoming a bit of an old hand at it!

I found that booking car the separately via VH is the cheapest and miles to boot!

Hi Blacky

We have been to Florida twice over the last 4 years, rented a villa and did all the parks. Happy to help if I can.
I did all the bookings, all separately.
VS flights, USRentacar for hire car, Disney for park tickets... just shout if you need help

Thanks L2H and Fuzzy14 ,like I say it's new ground for me as a parent actually organising things ,i imagine it actually takes a great deal of planning so its good to know I've got back up !

Hi Blacky,

We've been going for the last 15+ years to the sunshine state with the next trip being the 42nd time so don't be shy, ask away.

David

Thanks David ,don't worry I'm def not shy ! In fact you all will prob be sick and tired of all my questions in a few months
Blacky

Been out to Florida (mostly Orlando) many, many times as my best friend lives out there (and her husband works for Disney so many a time spent in the parks too!) and all I can say is Blacky, you will absolutely love it!

More than happy to give suggestions and favourite things to do. Do you have any rough plans as yet? What dates are you going?

As EGG suggested, try TheDibb and have a read through some of the trip reports on there ... manner of hidden gems!

Hi waatp,
No plans made as yet , the villa is booked for the 1st of Aug for 2 weeks ,have set up with accounts the dibb and dis board ,all looks a bit daunting ! I'm way out of my comfort zone which is normally a trip to New York !
I'm going to start to draw up a list of questions and post them with a bit of space between so you all don't get bored of me
Blacky

early August is a busy time to go, so it definitely helps to plan. Allow some rest days as it will be scorching hot at that time of year with the humidity too!

Perhaps try booking a night at a Universal on-site hotel to benefit from 2 days express pass in the park - depending how many there are of you staying in the room, it could well be cheaper to book the hotel than buy express passes alone.

As others have said, plenty of great experience here on VF

In august, you might want to consider early starts, leaving afternoons/evenings to do other things and exploring.

Not only will it be hot, but it's fairly typical to get thunder storms in the afternoons at that time of year.

If you think you might eat in any of the on-site restaurants or do any of the dinner shows, you will be able to book these 180 days in advance online (this has changed a couple of times, but believe it is still at 180 days).

I strongly advise you to get in early on this, as the popular ones get booked up almost on the day of release - crazy I know, but very true.

You can browse the Disney dining options online and book them.

Have eaten at most so happy to advise on this.

As a starter for 10, if you like a bit of a fun evening with loads of ribs/fried chicken and beer/wine/coke etc, I highly recommend the Hoop Dee Doo review - it's a really fun evening.

Kind of slap-stick wild west show with music, a lot of fun and interaction. I've done it at least 10 times now, and never tire of it.

Other fun restaurants a plenty, but perhaps we can narrow that down by: Will children be there with you? What age? Do they want to meet Disney characters and get autographs?

Anyway, there's loads of us on here who have visited Orlando many, many times so fire away!

As someone else suggested, Universal is also great for a couple of days, and the on-site hotels have bigt advantages. I have stayed at the Loews Royal Pacific quite a lot and can highly recommend it, but I know others have stayed t the other on-site hotels, and they are equally as good.

Don't be too daunted, it's loads of fun, and really you will enjoy it even without hours and hours of planning.

So, ask away!

Hi, I have been a few times the last with VH and the next one on the 13th of Dec this year.

I can offer one tip regarding car hire, if you have this booked with VH check the size first. Last trip out there was for 8 of us (4 parents & 4 kids of varying ages). On vehical collection at MCO we were given the keys and I had the urge to ask if the car was big enough for 8, I was cheerfully told that it was.
All seemed great untill something made me ask "Is it big enough for 8 and all the luggage". The agent gave me one of those knowing looks as if to say are you crazy, of course not.

It was then decided that we would upgrade so that we could all travel to our accomadation with our luggage rather than make 2 trips. This cost us $400 !

When booking this years trip with VH I asked upfront if the car would be big enough for 8 with luggage, the response was "It might not be". We then asked how much to upgrade on the original booking and was amazed to be told £40 !!

I guess what I am saying is, if you have any doubts about the size of car, upgrade with VH and not at the car rental desk at MCO, the saving should allow you to have one or two extra mouse eared icecreams 8D

we are here 365 days a year, don't do Disney but if you want some ideas for alternative days , beaches etc ask away

and yes it will be HOT and humid, and rain a lot (in a short time)so pack light (cos you will buy tons of cheapy stuff here)

I know you have a villa, but as it is busy season, you could book into one of the onsite hotels for a night. Something like the Loews would give you free past pass and early entry to the park for two days, the day you check in and the day you check out. Coupled with the fact they have a very nice Executive Lounge, a mini clubhouse in the making, with free soft drinks all day long, happy hour with free wine/beer and snacks (delicious ones!). Plus you have the benefit of being a hop skip and jump from the parks (5-10 min walk) and you can come back at lunchtime for a rest/swim.

Blacky,

I am looking forward to welcoming you and your family to our villa. If I can assist with any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

Here's to the planning process ^) ^)

MrsB

I've been for the last 2 summers - late July/early August.

Weather was consistently warm (around 30-33 degrees) but never found it overpowering. Rain was never really an issue - quite often had a downpour around 4 or 5 in the afternoon but usually clears up quickly.

I've always booked everything individually. Big thumbs up to booking car via VH too.

1st time we stayed in a villa and this year we stayed onsite Disney. Personally, I preferred staying at Disney as there's good benefits - especially the 'free' dining plan (Just too much food though). Nice to come home without a food bill - not that eating in the states is particularly expensive. The kids loved the 'snack plan'... Big advantage for Magic Kingdom as you can avoid the boat or monorail ride to get to the front gate (the buses go virtually to the entrance)

I also recommend the cheese cake factory (Mall at Millenia) - wicked food and great price...

I'm now considering late August next year - hopefully to reduce some of the crowding. Eyeing up the flights when they are released in the next couple of weeks.