Florida

**teckno** · 18/04/2007, 11:00 PM

Any info here would be very much appreciated. Looking to go to Florida in late August to start of December. Flights at the moment are quoting around �700 return. Does that sound like a fair price? or would it be better to wait.
Also, on passes for Disney World, Universal etc, where is the best place to purchase these. Should they be bought before travelling or when over there?

**strangeirish** · 19/04/2007, 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by teckno

Any info here would be very much appreciated. Looking to go to Florida in late August to start of December. Flights at the moment are quoting around �700 return. Does that sound like a fair price? or would it be better to wait.
Also, on passes for Disney World, Universal etc, where is the best place to purchase these. Should they be bought before travelling or when over there?

Can't speak for the flight price, but as far as the passes go, I'm thinking you would be better off buying them at Disney itself. Also, if you can find someone that is a Florida resident to buy them at the window for you, there is a 5 to 10% discount. I know that sounds a bit far fetched, but it is easier than you think. The hotel that you may be staying at may have some discounts also at that time of year. If they are, call Disney the day before you go and see what kind of deal the hotel is really giving. Whatever you do when you get to Orlando, don't fall for the 'get free Disney,Universal tickets here' crap. You can get free tickets alright(not the 1,2 or 3 day multi-park passes) but you and your significant other have to sit through a 3.5 hour high pressure sales pitch for time-share apartments!

Hope this helps.

**passinginterest** · 19/04/2007, 1:29 PM

Friends of mine going in October booked the whole lot with a travel agent, can't remember which one but for around 1,500 each for two weeks including 10 day passes to Disney, Universal et al, car rental, flights the whole lot. Actually now I think of it I'm pretty sure the first 3 or 4 days is New York too.

**OneRedArmy** · 19/04/2007, 1:39 PM

Try and combine it with 4 days to a week in Clearwater or somewhere on the coast (I prefer the Gulf coast myself but Space coast is an alternative, just not Daytona).

Your head is so fried (in a good way) after a week of theme parking than a few days by the beach is an excellent way to round off the holiday.

Other thing is don't bite off more than you can chew. I can categorically state that unless you are there for a month, you won't see every ride in every theme park. People get caught up in a box-ticking approach to try and cram everything in, rushing from ride to ride and end up with blisters and not enjoying it.

Take your time and enjoy it.

**PaulB** · 20/04/2007, 8:53 AM

700 return sounds expensive to me. I know Aer Lingus are staring direct flights in the Autumn, is that where you got the prices from. Last time i went we went with delta, via Atlanta, cost 490 Return.

We got a great deal on park tickets last time, I'll try dig up the info and send it to you. And last of all if you are goign with nippers rent a vailla, don't stay in a hotel. A villa give su so much more freedom with a pool etc..

**PaulB** · 20/04/2007, 8:54 AM

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

Other thing is don't bite off more than you can chew. I can categorically state that unless you are there for a month, you won't see every ride in every theme park. People get caught up in a box-ticking approach to try and cram everything in, rushing from ride to ride and end up with blisters and not enjoying it.

Take your time and enjoy it.

best advice you have been offered, if u try do everything you won't enjoy it..

**shedite** · 20/04/2007, 3:55 PM

Flights should be under �500 if you're flexible with dates. Start from here on sky scanner. It's a great little site.

As for Florida, not sure who you're goin with, but I went with a group of 20-22 year olds, and Kennedy Space Center was the best by a mile.

**ilovejam** · 17/09/2007, 10:09 PM

hi guys & gals,

Just to refresh on Orlando, im goin from the 28th Nov. until 8th Dec. and then onto NYC. I have all the flights booked but not the accommodation.

Anybody know if i would be best of renting apartment, going hotel, hostel etc.. just myself and girlfriend and with NYC the latter stage of the trip i would like to spend the least in Orlando, so basic enough room.

Any idea's??

Thanks in advance

**NY Hoop** · 18/09/2007, 11:56 AM

Dont take this bad but Orlando is a dump. Alll there is Universal, MGM etc. But accommodation at that time of the year should be plentiful and cheaper than NYC.

Anyway for NY accommodation try www.nyhabitat.com

KOH

**Metrostars** · 18/09/2007, 2:30 PM

No need to stay at a hostel in orlando, there are hundreds of hotels and are cheap. Agreed with NY Hoop, not much to Orlando except the Disney/Universal. But as other others have said, go to Kennedy Space Center, about 45 minute drive I think. My favourite part of FL though is Key West.

**NY Hoop** · 18/09/2007, 2:46 PM

Originally Posted by Metrostars

No need to stay at a hostel in orlando, there are hundreds of hotels and are cheap. Agreed with NY Hoop, not much to Orlando except the Disney/Universal. But as other others have said, go to Kennedy Space Center, about 45 minute drive I think. My favourite part of FL though is Key West.

Agree about the Space Centre. A must see without a doubt. Was lucky enough to see a shuttle launch when I was there many moons ago (excuse the pun).

Unforgettable experience.

Also check out Daytona Beach.

KOH

**ilovejam** · 18/09/2007, 5:51 PM

Cheers much appreciated.

Do ye reckon that 10 days is far far to much in Orlando if all im going to Orlando for is the hole Disney experience. ? Thanks again.

**onceahoop** · 20/09/2007, 5:33 PM

Originally Posted by ilovejam

Cheers much appreciated.

Do ye reckon that 10 days is far far to much in Orlando if all im going to Orlando for is the hole Disney experience. ? Thanks again.

Forget Disney, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Escape way better for older kids

. Sea World worth a look if your into that. Get in very early for the Shamu show and get down the front at the platform.

Try Universal City Walk at night and do a pub crawl. The Bob Marley tribute bar, Pat O'Briens piano bar and the Latin Quarter well worth a look. Used to be a Motown bar but I think it's gone now.

**ilovejam** · 21/09/2007, 9:00 AM

I thought that once you were going to 'disney' that all the parks came under that title when buying the pass to disney.

!!! how wrong was i !!! luckily everything is booked except for the theme parks so im going to have to decide what ones seem best, what ones need more than 1 day passes and which ones i should just give a miss to??!

Busch gardens will be a cert. as will the two universals.

**onceahoop** · 21/09/2007, 8:56 PM

Originally Posted by ilovejam

I thought that once you were going to 'disney' that all the parks came under that title when buying the pass to disney.

!!! how wrong was i !!! luckily everything is booked except for the theme parks so im going to have to decide what ones seem best, what ones need more than 1 day passes and which ones i should just give a miss to??!

Busch gardens will be a cert. as will the two universals.

You can buy Hopper passes (3-5 day)for Disney which allow you to move betwen the parks. The Orlando Flexi ticket allows you either 5 or 11 concecutive days in Universal, Busch Gardens(which is in Tampa, but you can get a shuttle there), Wet n Wild (water park) and Sea World. I think you'll get reduction on the day passes if you go before 8a.m. Best advice is to check out the websites for Orlando, Disney Florida and Universal Florida. The multi passes might sound expensive but think what your getting. Word of advice. First time I went, spent 11 days out of 14 in theme parks. Didn't see them all. You will return. Great place for big kids

**Metrostars** · 01/10/2007, 4:41 PM

Also take advantage of the "Fast Pass" at Disneyworld. Saves a ton of time and make the expereience much more enjoyable avoiding the longer lines.

Same goes for Universal and their "Express Pass" ticket, it cost us a bit more but instead of waiting 45 minutes in a queue, you'll wait 5 minutes. Plus it's fun to pass exasperated parents who have been waiting for almost a hour in 90 degree heat with their cranky and hungry young kids, as we whizz by.

**Conor H** · 09/10/2007, 7:57 AM

Express pass is a must.Orlando is a fine place and the locals are dead sound.....but NYC is in a League of it's own.Looking forward to going back in the summer.