V-Flyer

Press release from Orlando Airport

The British Are Coming! In Bigger Numbers Than Ever to MCO ... http://www.orlandoairports.net/press/2013/20130822.htm

Key Points

• British Airways will increase capacity by 28,000 seats (22.3%)
• Virgin Atlantic will increase capacity by 53,000 seats (11.7%)
• Thomas Cook Airlines will increase capacity by 69,000 seats (100%) (new service to MCO)

On peak travel days Orlando International is expecting to accommodate at least eight wide body aircraft from the United Kingdom including five 747/400’s, two 777’s and one A330/200 accommodating more than 3,100 passengers.

....and still only 2 immigration officers processing them.

rcslt wrote:....and still only 2 immigration officers processing them.

And that's on a good day!

And Aer Lingus is moving from 2 flights per week to 3 as part of the winter timetable but, of course, we're not British ):

RSW via NY suddenly looks much more attractive

I've never understood the attraction of Florida as a holiday destination!

flabound wrote:RSW via NY suddenly looks much more attractive

So does BA to TPA.

flabound wrote:RSW via NY suddenly looks much more attractive

It does. Our current plan is for 5 days of NY busy busy then 10 days of FMB chill.

at240 wrote:I've never understood the attraction of Florida as a holiday destination!

I used to like Key West, but now that's been ruined by the ubiquitous cruise ships. Miami was nice before it got taken over by drunk teenagers. So yes, I agree y) .

at240 wrote:I've never understood the attraction of Florida as a holiday destination!

Ditto
The only reason to go is Disney land
But if its Disney land I would rather go to Tokyo Disney land

I'd agree with people who say Miami is horrible, it's probably my least favourite place in the US. Not been to the Keys so can't comment.

However I've been to FL many times and not been anywhere near a theme park.

We stay on the Gulf Coast between Tampa and Sarasota. Usually visiting between October and April, never in the summer.

Lovely and (generally) quiet beaches, better weather than a British winter, no pretentiousness, nice food etc etc.

clarkeysntfc wrote:I'd agree with people who say Miami is horrible, it's probably my least favourite place in the US. Not been to the Keys so can't comment.

However I've been to FL many times and not been anywhere near a theme park.

We stay on the Gulf Coast between Tampa and Sarasota. Usually visiting between October and April, never in the summer.

Lovely and (generally) quiet beaches, better weather than a British winter, no pretentiousness, nice food etc etc.

Further down on Sanibel for me!!!

Though I have been to the parks many a time too!

well as someone who lives here I can tell you the good bits
the weather, the people, the lifestyle
and the bad bits
the weather, the people, the bugs

seriously the 'winters' are gorgeous, if you are coming for a holiday then October/May/April/November/March/Feb in that order are the best months,the humidity has gone the days are endless blue skies and sun ,no rain, bearable temps.
come in May-Sept and its hotter than hell, high humidity,
thunderstorms.

the people are as friendly as can be....but try dealing with the day to day grind of work and you find them lazy, unreliable and looking for the quick scam

and the bugs, apart from the spiders, snakes, love bugs, various creepy crawlies, the mosquitos and noseeums are a real pain.

however as Clarkey says the beaches are beautiful, quiet (we are often the only ones there on our early morning walks)no torremelinos style lager louts, good value if you are still earning in £s.....Florida is far from just being Disney...in fact we steer as far away from Orlando as possible.

you make of it what you want

clarkeysntfc wrote:

flabound wrote:RSW via NY suddenly looks much more attractive

So does BA to TPA.

very true, although for me, with the timings of the TPA flight vs the RSW one its still quicker for me to get home with the stop over in NY only having hand luggage does make this easier.

plus i can get picked up at RSW which means more drinking on the plane

flabound wrote:you make of it what you want

y)

David

flabound wrote:well as someone who lives here I can tell you the good bits
the weather, the people, the lifestyle
and the bad bits
the weather, the people, the bugs

seriously the 'winters' are gorgeous, if you are coming for a holiday then October/May/April/November/March/Feb in that order are the best months,the humidity has gone the days are endless blue skies and sun ,no rain, bearable temps.
come in May-Sept and its hotter than hell, high humidity,
thunderstorms.

the people are as friendly as can be....but try dealing with the day to day grind of work and you find them lazy, unreliable and looking for the quick scam

and the bugs, apart from the spiders, snakes, love bugs, various creepy crawlies, the mosquitos and noseeums are a real pain.

however as Clarkey says the beaches are beautiful, quiet (we are often the only ones there on our early morning walks)no torremelinos style lager louts, good value if you are still earning in £s.....Florida is far from just being Disney...in fact we steer as far away from Orlando as possible.

you make of it what you want

Couldn't have put it better than myself. My parents discovered Florida in 1985 (with me in a tow as a four year old!) long before the masses arrived in Orange and Osceola counties and have been the true 'snowbirds' for the last eight years. It is a fantastic place that offers so much if you just step a bit off the well trodden tourist trail.

flabound wrote:well as someone who lives here I can tell you the good bits
the weather, the people, the lifestyle
and the bad bits
the weather, the people, the bugs

seriously the 'winters' are gorgeous, if you are coming for a holiday then October/May/April/November/March/Feb in that order are the best months,the humidity has gone the days are endless blue skies and sun ,no rain, bearable temps.
come in May-Sept and its hotter than hell, high humidity,
thunderstorms.

the people are as friendly as can be....but try dealing with the day to day grind of work and you find them lazy, unreliable and looking for the quick scam

and the bugs, apart from the spiders, snakes, love bugs, various creepy crawlies, the mosquitos and noseeums are a real pain.

however as Clarkey says the beaches are beautiful, quiet (we are often the only ones there on our early morning walks)no torremelinos style lager louts, good value if you are still earning in £s.....Florida is far from just being Disney...in fact we steer as far away from Orlando as possible.

you make of it what you want

I'm with Flabound there's so much more to Orlando have been 6 times in the previous seven years, been very lucky. But there is tons to do in Florida.

I am one of these theme park people but have just started exploring further as getting used to the roads, and a trip to Orlando is never one that disappoints but leaves you wanting to come back again and again.

Wouldn't give up my annual New Years trips to Florida for much here. Love the Gulf coast. I usually stay around the Indian Rocks Beach area. It's only an easy 90 min drive from Orlando as well

There's so much more to Florida than just theme parks.

Maybe with more seats, prices will come down for next year.... I can but dream!

Those people who have only been to Orlando have not seen Florida!!!! We got married on Venice Beach last month and every single one of our guests adored the Gulf Coast. I do not believe that any of them will return to Orlando in the future.

Janeclar wrote:Those people who have only been to Orlando have not seen Florida!!!! We got married on Venice Beach last month and every single one of our guests adored the Gulf Coast. I do not believe that any of them will return to Orlando in the future.

But (this isn't meant to sound bad) what is there to see?
Maybe I need to try one day I guess but....
I have been stateside a few times
Did a tour in Illinois which took us to the south side of Chicago - now that was a experience phew!

Gavin wrote:Maybe with more seats, prices will come down for next year.... I can but dream!

Sorry but don't hold your breath!

I was £3500 this year to fly during the Scottish school holidays. The exact same flight next year we're being quoted £4800 (family of 5). Looks like we'll be going BA via LGW next year, can get it for £2700.

As for Orlando, plenty to do! I haven't actually been downtown yet. Or the Gulf Coast beaches. That's in the plans for next year.