First Timer's Itinerary - Does it sound ok?

[robertm]

Our first time as a family. I did visit in 1991 with my mates. Been to Disney Paris twice so know some general blurb.

Me - 41
Wife - 37
Daughter - 13
Daughter - 8

Please bear in mind that our youngest uses a wheelchair and therefore not too many late nights.

14/08/08
Depart Gatwick and arrive Orlando about 17.00
Travel to Villa at Westridge, Chill by pool with take away.

15/08/08
ADR at Crystal Palace 8.05
Spend day at MK
Wal Mart for some Groceries late afternoon
Chill and eat by pool at Villa.

16/08/08
EP All day.
Probably eat there or leave to eat then return for fireworks.

17/08/08
Blizzard Beach all day
Chill and eat at Villa.

18/08/08
HS all day
Leave early evening and eat and chill in villa.

19/08/08
Sea World all day
Probably eat there or leave to eat then return for fireworks.

20/08/08
AK all day
Eat and chill at villa.

21/08/08
Day Shopping Malls/Outlets
Eat out
HS in evening for fireworks.

22/08/08
Universal All day
May eat out for dinner. see how we feel. May chill at villa.

23/08/08
Typhoon Lagoon all day
Dinner out. Dont know where yet.

24/08/08
Park Day TBA
Will decide based on what we haven't seen Not MK though.
Eat at villa Chill etc.

25/08/08
IOA all day
Dinner out. Dont know where yet.

26/08/08
Park Day TBA
Will decide based on what we haven't seen Not MK though.
Eat at villa Chill etc.

27/08/08
MK all day
ADR in Chef Mickey's for Lunch
Stay in park for fireworks.

28/08/08
Downtown Disney in morning
Chill and pack in afternoon
Leave for Airport aout 4.00pm
flying at about 8.00.

PLEASE all experienced Dibbers, if you see something that you wouldn't advise speak out. I have tried to do my research but you can't beat the views of experienced travellers.

Thanks

[sophiepop]

We have been to Florida 4 times and I always, without fail buy the latest edition of 'Brits Guide to Orlando' there is a small section at the back which lists which parks are busiest/medium or quiet on each day, we have always planned our trip with it and touch wood it always seems to work (don't know how, but it does).
We are going back in August next year so it would be great if you'd let me know how the weather is.
Have a great time, you will never want to go anywhere else again!!!
:P1x1e_Dust::P1x1e_Dust::P1x1e_Dust:

[carys]

I would pack the night before and do DTD checkin if you are with Virgin , on the last morning. Have you extended your checkout time at the villa ? Hope you have a great time !

[robertm]

I have the brits guide 2008 but there is no busy day guide for August in it. I'm keeping my eye on this: http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=14 as it looks quite a good indicator. I have just used the Early openings and avoided those days.

We have the villa for as long as we like on the last day. I was thinking of the DTD check in but wasn't sure if it was recommended. We are oly flying with Virgin so I think that we would have to pay for the facility. And if we go back and have a last swim we have all our wet stuff to carry in our hand luggage. Unless we go in Buck and drip dry!

[welshwiz]

Hi Robbie,

Not sure if you know that some of your park days clash with EMH at your selected parks and from our experience the parks on EMH days can be busier than on regular days (HS/AK), I know you say you've avoided early mornings as the parks are heaving early on those days but i can't quite guage how long you intend to be in the parks when you say 'all day' and whether that will be affected by extra evening hours? :confused2 Also some guide books say that waterparks are busier on the weekends but I've no experience to compare with weekday visits personally.

You seem to have done your research though so I'm just double checking and other dibbers will soon be along to reconfirm for you.

I see you've made a few good choice ADR's will making any more be a bonus or just too much for you as there are lots more special places to eat. Also if you'd like any ideas locally or take out options near Westridge just give us a shout.

Sorry going off the point but if you need any info on the area, routes and shop/restaurant locations then I'd be happy to help.


Have you booked a hotel at Gatwick or maybe valet parking....again I can recommend if it's not too late.

[robertm]

Hi Robbie,

Not sure if you know that some of your park days clash with EMH at your selected parks and from our experience the parks on EMH days can be busier than on regular days (HS/AK), I know you say you've avoided early mornings as the parks are heaving early on those days but i can't quite guage how long you intend to be in the parks when you say 'all day' and whether that will be affected by extra evening hours? :confused2 Also some guide books say that waterparks are busier on the weekends but I've no experience to compare with weekday visits personally.

You seem to have done your research though so I'm just double checking and other dibbers will soon be along to reconfirm for you.

I see you've made a few good choice ADR's will making any more be a bonus or just too much for you as there are lots more special places to eat. Also if you'd like any ideas locally or take out options near Westridge just give us a shout.

Sorry going off the point but if you need any info on the area, routes and shop/restaurant locations then I'd be happy to help.


Have you booked a hotel at Gatwick or maybe valet parking....again I can recommend if it's not too late.

Yes I know. I HAVE to go to MK on the first day as it is the place where the magic begins. We will be leaving at about 4 so I hope that will avoid most of the crowds.
The same applies to HS. We will leave about 4/5 and return there on a different evening. As for AK, well we will just get there early and try to make the most of it. If it gets too busy, we will just return on one of our free days.
I have booked into the Hilton for the night before we leave and have the parking sorted out. We will do twilight check in so we are not in the airport too long on 14th.
Yes please. I would like to know anything that ypu can tell me about the surrounding area of where I am staying. It's Manors North in Westridge (27) . I know that Berry Centre is about a mile North from us and Walmrt about another 5. but I would love to know details of Diners, take aways, shops etc that are not too far away from our villa preferably on our route to the parks. We would like breakfast out on some of the days so advice would be appreciated.
Also on our days up at Universal/IOA/Seaworld, where should we eat then. Should we exit the parks to eat then return, or should we eat IN the parks on those days.
Also, I plan to take my Nationwide debit card for cash plus some cash. Do you have experience of using a visa debit card in Orlando at ATM's and have you ever had problems. I know some people prefer cash/Travellers cheques.
PM me if it is too much to write in the thread (Sorry to ramble on. I could keep going all day).
Many thanks for your help.

[UncleLatch]

I would really try to avoid the waterparks at weekends if you can, they get very,very busy compared to weekdays. You will be queuing ages to use flumes/rides and the pools will be packed. Monday to Wednesday best.
If you are on the 27 the best range of shops and restaurants are 10 minutes away on the 192; on your route to the parks.

[dotb]

On your days at Universal and IOA you could eat at citywalk which is between the 2 parks loads of good restaurants eg Har ROck Cafe, Bubba Gumps Nascar and loads more. At Seaworld for something a little different why not book something like Dine with Shamu or the Maikiki Luau.
Around Westridge at Berry Town Centre there a few takeaways plus Applebees restaurant very nice and reasonable prices. Heading down towards the I4 are Macdonalds, Burger King a few other fast food places plus diner such as Dennys, Bob Evans and Perkins.
Hope this helps

[rusty30]

Just one thing stands out (and its only little!) - you have Chef Mickeys for lunch but as far as I understood, it only serves breakfast and dinner?? An alternative would be The Crystal Palace for lunch as you then wouldnt need to leave the park??

[borntoshop]

We stayed in a villa in the Manors, Westridge last time we went, nice area, only a short drive from Publix -we prefer their food and some take aways and a little further on is a walmart-for everything else. My DH drove and liked the area that the villa was in, they are not just rental villas, a lot are owner occupied which was nice. Only negative were the nosey raccoons that emptied the dustbin that the cleaners had left out.:d:

We mainly ate breadfast and dinner in diners on the 192 like Cracker Barrel/sizzlers/ponderosa but also did H&V and O'Hana at polynesian but there are loads to choose from, depends on if you want buffets or would prefer to choose meals from menus.

We always have a snack in the parks, burger or something and then eat on the way home to the villa or at the villa.

Can't help about the debit card as we are trying ours for the first time at Christmas but we also have £1000 of dollars/TC and also a credit card just in case.

[robertm]

Can't help about the debit card as we are trying ours for the first time at Christmas but we also have £1000 of dollars/TC and also a credit card just in case.

Snap that's exactly what we plan to do

[robertm]

Just one thing stands out (and its only little!) - you have Chef Mickeys for lunch but as far as I understood, it only serves breakfast and dinner?? An alternative would be The Crystal Palace for lunch as you then wouldnt need to leave the park??

I did phone for dinner but fully booked. They said that they have just started taking lunch bookings so that's what I did.

[COOLPAUL]

I would pack the night before and do DTD checkin if you are with Virgin , on the last morning. Have you extended your checkout time at the villa ? Hope you have a great time !
yes we pack the day before we go with ctd and we have free time check in as well