24 Nov 2016

A question about : Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

Orlando/Florida Questions & Answers Thread Part 3


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Orlando/Florida Thread Part 1

Orlando Florida Thread Part 2

Click on Search This Thread (above right) to find info from past questions.

Useful Links (most collated from posts in this thread)

Click Here for a collection of sites - thanks to atro1 title=Smile

Click Here for must-read information: Florida Medical & Travel Insurance

All Ears
Orlando info including reviews

DISboards.com
Intenet forum dedicated to Disney

NEW! Disney's Best Kept Secrets

Disney Information Bulletin Board

Discovery Cove
Aquatic adventures in Orlando

Disney Nature Reserve
Did you know this even existed?

NEW! Eye on Orlando
Similar to the 'All Ears' link above but covers all of Orlando.

Gatorland
Indoor habitat also known as Alligator capital of the world

Mousesavers.com
Tickets for entertainment in Orlando

Orlando.info
Orlando's Visitor Center or Tourist Office

Seaworld Orlando

Seaworld Water Park Aquatica

Theme Park Tickets Direct

Universal Studios Orlando

US Currency

US Currency Questions & Answers Thread

Current Ј : $ exchange rate using a Nationwide Debit Card

Locate a VISA ATM

Locate a Mastercard ATM

Historical exchange rate graphs: 30 days, 90 days, 180 days

Articles

Flights: The ultimate air travel and hotel cost cutting [Discussion Area]

Flights: How to get a free upgrade [Discussion Area]

Flights: Claiming Compensation for delays/cancellation [Discussion Area]

Holiday Car Hire: Slash Ј100s in hire and insurance costs [Discussion Area]

Hotel Prices: How to get five star luxury or homely hostels for less [Discussion Area]

Mobile Roaming: Cheapest calls when you're abroad [Discussion Area]

Package Holiday Late Deals: Undercut the cheapest prices by 15% [Discussion Area]

Spending Overseas: The cheapest way to pay [Discussion Area]

Tools

Beat My Quote! Travel Agents Thread [Travel Agent Code Of Conduct]

FlightChecker [Discussion Area]

Travel Money Maximiser [Discussion Area]

Best answers:

  • SmileyS posted just a few seconds before I closed the old thread so here is the post:
    Quote:
  • Hi
    Its hard to tell you whether to take the car of not. When we never used to take a car it was before the kids were born so we only had to worry about ourselves. So I would be minded to suggest a car for a few reasons really.
    If your 3ry was anything like mine last year then they still have a buggy and even if they do not use one at home here they may well want one over there. Its much easier to throw this in the boot than lob it around the trams
    Also you will have freedom, you will leave when you want and arrive when you want and your kids can sleep. You will also be free to go places like Busch Gardens etc nice and comfortably.
    Now if you do not take a car there is a huge cost saving. The IRide trolley is so cheap its unbelievable but to get to other place you may need a cab or shuttle.
    As for your car hire quote thats a lot! We just got my inlaws a mini van for 12 days for 210 quid all in. So I would shop around. The usual sites like Travel Supermarket or carhireflorida. Also there is a great new service you coudl try if you do not want to drive from the airport which is www.caronthedrive.com Peter who runs this company basically will collect you from the airport and take you back home again and your hire car will be waiting. Tell him Craig sent you and you want a good deal!! Cars are about 45 dollars NOT pounds a day.
    HTH
    Craig
    Thank you so much for this info, think I'm swaying towards getting a car, for convenience more than anything but will shop around for quotes rather than just book through the travel agents.
  • Good Lord Crabman thought you had gone to the great website in the sky!!! Been some real interesting times on here!!
  • This is how some people might work out the car thing -
    We are going in December, so costs are higher.
    flights for three - Ј1800
    accommmodation - Ј1200
    Time available to use in the fortnight- around 200 hours taking sleep and downtime for jetlag into the equation (from experience, we need a quiet first day to make the most of the rest of the holiday)
    Every hour we are there it costs us around Ј15
    If we hire a car it will cost us around Ј300 so to pay for itself it should save us 20 hours of time - I think that will be quite easy when we factor in shopping, travelling to and from parks (twice a day - we're going at Christmas so are doing the early morning then late afternoon plan for touring) and a day trip to Kennedy, plus of course the journey to and from MCO.
    Of course it will cost us to park,another thing to factor in is we are very happy to drive there people who are reticent should add in the stress factor of the 'wrong side of the road', we are staying in Clermont in a villa rather than a hotel, we don't really drink much on holiday, but people who do would need a designated driver etc.so all these things need to be taken into account,
    if we were staying in a Disney hotel on a dining plan then it would make sense to use the buses and no food shopping to speak of, so no need for a car (unless we wanted to explore the region, in which case we'd not be staying in Disney anyway.)
    I think there's no proper answer to the car argument - you have to do what's best for your own circumstances.
  • I've never done a trip there without a car so can't give the pros and cons comparing one to the other... but I would never go without a car. The US is so car orientated and it really is a must have, in my opinion. Gives you good flexibility too - if we want to get up and go to Kennedy, a Mall, the beach, Disney or whatever... we can. We don't have to worry about buses, taxis etc and their schedules, costs etc. Remember that petrol is a lot cheaper over there too and the road network is excellent.
  • Some of the car or not car considerations......
    - Do you have kids? - CAR
    - No kids and just having fun as DINKs - NO CAR NEEDED
    - Staying on Disney and only wanting Disney - NO CAR
    - Staying at a Villa - CAR
    - Staying on I DRIVE - EITHER OR REALLY
    - Wanting to see more of Florida than a theme park - CAR
    HTH.
    There are lots of ways to get around without a car lile I RIDE TROLLY or Mears Shuttles etc ALso if you get off the plane and do not wont to drive then car hire companies like www.caronthedrive.com are great or a town car service like www.quicksilver-tours.com and www.tffanytowncars.com are a good option.
    Cheers
    Craig
  • Hi Crabman - the following link in the first post of this thread is taking me to the Euro currency thread - is it me doing something wrong:rolleyes:
    US Currency Questions & Answers Thread
  • Can anyone tell me if magic kingdom is mainly for kids?
    Im going to florida with my fiance. We are late 20's and have no kids. Is it worth while going for the day or shall we stick to the more adult parks like Universal and DC.
    Also-will be looking to buy a laptop and camera can anyone reccomend a good shop or centre for this?
    Thanks
  • FAO Weggy
    In regards to Villa hire what sites did you go on posting an advert stating that you were looking for accomodation?
  • Sat nav will work - obviously you need the Florida map though
  • After all the trials that CJD went through, I am nothing to do with this. I do not get paid for referrals.Nor commissions or anything else. I just think that some will enjoy!
    Very well made.
    Great quality
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqFf-...eature=related
    15 parts in all
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