we are thinking about taking the kids to disney.would like to know if any one has been and any tips regarding travel etc.
i know it is better to get your passes over here.what kind of spending money did you take? we are possibly going in a family villa at eagle pointe or a hotel all self catering.
any ideas to make it a holiday of a life time? we have said if we can for 3 weeks as we have been told 2 goes to quick.

It's fabulous Marie, you'll have the time of your lives!

When we go, we tend to go off to Clearwater or St. Pete's for a few days on the beach in between.  Try and get to Busch Gardens too, if you can, it's my favourite of all the parks - something for everyone.

Make time for some days at the water parks too, a bit of relaxation amongst all the rushing around.

M.

we would be going with my sister and her family. 4 kids all swimmers so no doubt we will get wet daily at some point.what is the average temp over there? we will be going beg of aug if possible.

Its years since we went as a family, I was 9 my sister was 12, and bro 14.  So a long time ago! We did a week in Orlando and then a week in Sarasota, which is absolutely gorgeous :)
We were knackered by the end of the week in Orlando, had seen all the big attractions and was so relieved to have the week to just chill out at the beach in Sarasota!
I think the average temp must be mid to high 30's, but there are frequent thunder storms, which clear the air a bit.  I don't remember being uncomfotably hot or anything, but compared to here it's tropical :D

We went for our honeymoon six years ago and it was fabulous.  The only tip I can give you is not to go to Disney first thing in the morning.  It's very hot and very busy.  Check when it closes and then go towards the end of the afternoon and spend the evening there.  The rides are less busy at this time and it means you won't have to queue for anywhere near as long.  We stayed in Disney so had special passes, I'm not sure if that meant it was open later to us, but I doubt it.

Have a fabulous time and don't hesitate to ask if I can give you any other info.  :)

ARe you going to Disneyland or Disney World?  The former is in California, the latter in Florida; there is a big difference :D

in florida

I would definately go to Busch Gardens, Seaworld, Islands of Adventure. There are loads of places apart from Disneyworld, I did alot of searching before we went. We bought our tickets cheaper when we got there, not from the ticket touts. If I can find any of the old links I will post them for you, especially where we got our tickets.  Have a fantastic time :)

Oh yes, Seaworld - brilliant!!  I love the Magic Kingdom, but that apart I actually prefer the Busch theme parks.

M.

Hot and humid with possibility of thunderstorms; lost of tiny flying insects hence the car bras.

Kennedy Space Centre is great, so is Wet and Wild, Gatorland, Sea World, Star World is just like Madame Tussauds without the atmosphere.  Epcot Centre is brill.  You need 3 full days to see Disney World alone add on another day at least for Epcot Centre.  Then there is typhoon lagoon and all the other peripheral things.

Can't advise you on hotels as I stayed in Polynesian Village and the Florida Hotel when I was there which was yonks ago before they added on Universal Studios etc which I had seen in California.

We went earlier this year - how old are your children?  Most Virgin flights have seat back entertainment centres with PS games and films which worked well for our boys (aged 7 & 9)  Food is sooooooooooooo much cheaper over there - even eating out is 'cheap' and the buffect breakfast places like Ponderosa (not so good) and Golden Corral and great value for money for stoking the boilers before you hit the parks - the snack in the park, and eat out on the way home.........

PLAN, PLAN and PLAN again will help - get your hands on the guide books that are available and investigate some of the Disney forums http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/default.asp is helpful for villas, and this one for general stuff http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/index.php?s=

Have a great time, once you've been, you'll want to start saving again for the next time - and there will be a next time, believe me :)

the kids range from 8 to 15 thats what i thought plan it all then cover as much as possible.
thanks for the info will take a look.

Me and my bro and sister were the same ages as your kids then when we went, and we despised Epcot centre, we were so annoyed that we had wasted a day there, I have never been so bored!  Even my Mum and Dad didn't really enjoy it!  It may have got loads better and everyone likes different things though. :)
But agree that Kennedy Space Centre was fab, I would definintely make the trip there.  I think my favourite was Universal Studios, if that's the one with the ET ride?! :D

Ive been twice, it really is FANTASTIC, if your thinking of visiting ALL the theme parks i would advise you get the hopper passes, there is a disney one for all 6 parks and there is a orlando one which contains seaworld, universal studios, islands of adventure, wet and wild and Busch Gardens. Most hotels will have shuttel services into the disney parks as well but i would definately rent a car, we did both times and it was definately a bonus, i also advice GO TO DISCOVERY COVE, yes i know it is very expensive but im not joking, youre children will never have an experience like it, me and my sister and two of our friends from down the road all went together to discovery cove (our friends just happened to be there at the same time as us), it really is a once in a lifetime experience, one thing ill warn you about, try and take a good digital camera if you do go to d/cove, whe swimming wit the dolphins there are proffesionals taking pictures up close which cost around $20 each, we only got one of the photos becuase my dad luckily had a good zom on his digital, cost for food is very reasonable, most places such as ponderosa only charge you for a steak and the rest is free.

Be careful with expensive cameras and sand at Discovery cove - I dropped our brand new digital video camera, and nearly ruined it!!!  The disposable waterproof cameras we bought at DC (at stupidly expensive prices - try Walmart) were just as good - and we got some smashing underwater shots of the boys, who were better at swimming underwater than on top of it!!!  You also aren't allowed to take any kind of camera (or jewellery) into the dolphin pool.

PS - ifyou do Discovery Cover, you get 7 days pass to Seaworld as well ;)

I've been swimming with dolphins twice at Discovery Cove! it was amazing!
Rebecca x

Amazing yes - but too orchestrated for me :(  Although the smile on my then 6 year olds face as Capricorn towed him across the lagoon is almost as big as the dolphins grin <G>

thanks for the info,it is mainly for the kids and they would love the dolphins.

Hi Marie,

We have been several times. We are going back next year 29th June as my daughter will be 15 next year and I want to get another Disney holiday out of her for my sake ;-)  There are 10 of us going with 2 Villas.

First 2 times we went package holidays with the usual lot of Agents then we found this company, Travel City.. http://www.travelcitydirect.com/  excellent deals, and their package includes all the insurance etc that all the normals ones such as Thomson and Airtour etc don't.

You pick the flights, and the accomodation and make the package up yourself with these guys.

All flights are Jumbo Jets also which is far better for such a long haul.

Fogot to mention to watch the ticket deals as there are some places far more cheaper than others.   I can forward you links if you like.

Pam