Thanks for joining us!
We are first time bloggers with a great deal of enthusiasm and experience of Florida holidays – hoping some of our experiences might help you plan your perfect trip in the minefield of amazing options and choices.
This is us – Tracey and Rob.
Starting point – how to book your holiday – a package deal or book everything separately? This really does depend on your budget, how many of you are going, and how you like to holiday.
Firstly, generally one of the cheapest options, especially if you have never been before, is to book a package deal which includes your car, flight and accommodation. Most of the Orlando area is fine to stay in, but of course some areas are nicer than others depending on what you are looking for. The budget hotels I have stayed in are generally well kept, clean and functional. Customer service in Florida is really great and you should be well looked after. Restaurants, shops, supermarkets and road networks to get in and out of parks are pretty good around the Disney, Buena Vista, Davenport and International Drive areas so you should be ok wherever you stay. There are a lot of Disney affiliated hotels that offer park transfers and are nearer to the Disney parks so they are a good option if you are worried about driving. Some areas are more built up and noisier and busier and some are more out of the way and quieter and more picturesque set around lakes etc.
Flights can obviously be more expensive around school holidays so you sometimes you can save money booking a package deal and get kids places free so it can be a good option. That said there are a lot of good flight companies to use so it’s always worth checking their prices and midweek flights are cheaper generally so that is always something to remember. We like Virgin Atlantic and British Airways are a very good option as well if you are flying out of Gatwick.
If budget is less of a concern and/or you want the full Disney or Universal experience (which will be absolutely amazing) then you can stay on site. We have never stayed at any of the Universal Resort hotels but it is something we will look at in the future as they look fabulous. We have stayed on site at Disney Hotel properties but only at the more budget end of the list. We have however been in a lot of the mid to higher end ones to look around, have a spa day or have a meal. Disney customer service is second to none – you will be well looked after and the perks of staying in a Disney property are well worth it. Disney transportation is brilliant between parks, so again if you don’t want to drive or hire a car then this will suit you very well. Costs vary – the sky is the limit for some of the more top end hotels such as the Grand Floridian but you get what you pay for. The rooms at the more value or moderate hotels are well themed and always clean and functional. With Disney Dining packages you can eat in lots of different places so you are not tied to the hotel you are staying in. They all have pool areas, usually a shop that sells basic things and play areas etc. Note that Disney resort hotels now charge a parking fee per car per night if you are staying in them – with three levels of charging depending on whether you are in a value, moderate, or deluxe resort so that is something to bear in mind. There are deals to find for on site Disney and Universal properties so they are worth looking at.
Our main reason for avoiding resort hotels is the sheer number of people around you. A day spent in a theme park is a day surrounded by people – it is great fun, and lively, and wonderful and a very happy place to be and we love it, but at the end of a long day we prefer the peace and quiet of our own home from home rather than a hotel. So a villa is our first choice. Villas range in price depending on the number of bedrooms they have and the area, and are a great option if there are a few of you travelling together as you can split the cost of the villa if you book it direct rather than as a package. If you are travelling as a small family or a couple then there are townhouses, condos and apartments which all offer excellent accommodation And can be a cheaper price than a villa. We generally use Home and Away to book a property if we have booked the flight separately. Villas usually have their own pool – the townhouses and condos etc generally have a shared pool area. We tend to stay in the Davenport area as it has a lot of facilities nearby but is also close to Disneyworld and Universal Parks and also links very quickly to the main roads in and out of Orlando to travel to beach resorts on the Gulf or Atlantic coasts, the Tampa Bay Area or down to Miami and the Keys etc. A car is essential if you stay in this area. Incidentally driving in Florida is easy, relaxed and fairly slow paced apart from on the big Interstate highways so you shouldn’t worry about it.
So – lots of options. Everyone is different and wants a different holiday. Think about your budget, whether you want a fully immersive Disney or Universal experience, how confident you are to drive, what time of year you are travelling and how many of you are travelling. There are so many ways to book and so many deals and offers to be had whether you book flights direct with an airline, with a flight booking company or a full package with a tour operator. Shop around, ask questions, watch video blogs which show lots of hotels, theme parks, restaurants and activities to do whilst you’re away. The Tim Tracker is fantastic for looking in hotel rooms as well as park information and restaurant and food reviews.
Next time we’ll look at what to do when you have booked your fantastic holiday to the Orlando area. Orlando is so much more than theme parks – which are more varied than you can ever imagine – there literally is something for everyone!
Any questions you have we’d be happy to try and answer.
theohorlando.blog 