WSussex
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2009
Hi All,
It's been a while so a quick intro - we are a family of 4, me, hubby and Holly(16) & Bailey(13) we have been to Disney Florida 4 times as a family but hubby and I went pre kids so 7 trips in total (1992-2013). We have never stayed on site - started with hotels on I drive then broadened our horizons with villas and staying at Universal (HRH).
We are planning a trip late July early August 2017 for 3 weeks (longest prev stay 17 nights) - this is a rough plan and please share your thoughts pros/cons etc.........
(Planning 2017 so we can save that bit extra to make it epic as eldest will be 18 - youngest 15 so possibly last big holiday all together plus hoping Avatar Land will be open)
Direct Flight likely Virgin PE return plus full size SUV (PE is a treat)
First night at Hyatt at MCO - discovered this on our last trip and really worked well for us - always feel so dry eyed and slightly nauseous after flight and time difference etc and just rolling off the plane and walking straight in to the Hyatt - having a swim in the roof top pool followed by a meal in the airport followed by bed works and when we get up at stupid o'clock there is no queue at the car rental desk
2 nights at Hard Rock Hotel in a Deluxe room - we always get here around 06.30 so we check in and get our room keys (front of the line passes) leave the luggage have a bite to eat and head straight to the early opening at Universal and hit the rides early leaving around lunchtime to unpack and then spend mid afternoon onwards by the pool
Next day again at Universal
Day 4 - leave universal and for the very first time for us stay onsite!!! AKL for 5 nights really appeals to us, I know it's a bit further out with transport etc but if you have been used to staying offsite the travel time is nothing to worry about - hoping to get the free disney dining as well (again brand new at this bit)
Staying onsite will allow us the magic band experience and we are hoping Avatar Land will be open so EMH will benefit us and pre booking fast passes etc in the height of the season is also a big draw!
We will cover all over Disney Theme parks over the next 5 days
Day 9 - Villa
12 days to relax and spread out and do disney waterparks, Busch gardens and return to universal and Disney to re do our favourite bits!
Day 21 - return Virgin PE
Any tips re free Disney dining etc would be great - of course keeping fingers crossed it will be offered - does this have to be booked direct with disney? Do you have to purchase your Disney passes from Disney to qualify??
Sally x
It's been a while so a quick intro - we are a family of 4, me, hubby and Holly(16) & Bailey(13) we have been to Disney Florida 4 times as a family but hubby and I went pre kids so 7 trips in total (1992-2013). We have never stayed on site - started with hotels on I drive then broadened our horizons with villas and staying at Universal (HRH).
We are planning a trip late July early August 2017 for 3 weeks (longest prev stay 17 nights) - this is a rough plan and please share your thoughts pros/cons etc.........
(Planning 2017 so we can save that bit extra to make it epic as eldest will be 18 - youngest 15 so possibly last big holiday all together plus hoping Avatar Land will be open)
Direct Flight likely Virgin PE return plus full size SUV (PE is a treat)
First night at Hyatt at MCO - discovered this on our last trip and really worked well for us - always feel so dry eyed and slightly nauseous after flight and time difference etc and just rolling off the plane and walking straight in to the Hyatt - having a swim in the roof top pool followed by a meal in the airport followed by bed works and when we get up at stupid o'clock there is no queue at the car rental desk
2 nights at Hard Rock Hotel in a Deluxe room - we always get here around 06.30 so we check in and get our room keys (front of the line passes) leave the luggage have a bite to eat and head straight to the early opening at Universal and hit the rides early leaving around lunchtime to unpack and then spend mid afternoon onwards by the pool
Next day again at Universal
Day 4 - leave universal and for the very first time for us stay onsite!!! AKL for 5 nights really appeals to us, I know it's a bit further out with transport etc but if you have been used to staying offsite the travel time is nothing to worry about - hoping to get the free disney dining as well (again brand new at this bit)
Staying onsite will allow us the magic band experience and we are hoping Avatar Land will be open so EMH will benefit us and pre booking fast passes etc in the height of the season is also a big draw!
We will cover all over Disney Theme parks over the next 5 days
Day 9 - Villa
12 days to relax and spread out and do disney waterparks, Busch gardens and return to universal and Disney to re do our favourite bits!
Day 21 - return Virgin PE
Any tips re free Disney dining etc would be great - of course keeping fingers crossed it will be offered - does this have to be booked direct with disney? Do you have to purchase your Disney passes from Disney to qualify??
Sally x