Orlando June 05

[Bomber]

In June myself and SWMBO are taking two teenagers that have been in care for the last 8 years on only their second trip abroad, I took them to Majorca about 4 years ago ,I know the trip to Florida is going to 'blow their minds' however I need some advice.

I have told the kids we will have the first week in Orlando and we will then spend a week either at Clearwater or maybe near Daytona, so far I've booked a fly drive but need advice on best /cheapest way to book any accomodation /theme park tickets.
The reason for only 1 week of theme parks before some Wag says I am tight is that I'M 50 July and don't think I can manage two weeks of theme parks [ besides I want some money left to bring some DYNA COILS back ] .

Any help much appreciated its been about 15 years since I was last in Florida , help make these kids holidays after all they didn't do anything to deserve the deal they were dealt.

Bomber

 

[Droopy Dick]

Strikes me that you've just about got it right in terms of timing.

Theme parks are both expensive AND tiring. Just remember to buy a multi-park, multi-day ticket. This MIGHT be cheaper to buy in England before you go. Check with a travel agent. You migth want to check out online direct booking for accomodation. Some places come with cheap theme park entrance. It's already abit late to get the best bargains on prices, regrettably. I have anumber of houses in the Orlando/Kissimmee area and they were booked by January. Travel agents or even expedia.co.uk are well worth a look, though.

And don't forget that it's already getting pretty steamy and humid by June, so it might be wise to take anti-histamines just in case the kids (or you) get prickly heat. It's much more humid than Majorca in the summer.

And a week on a sun-kissed beach would be heaven as long as the kids accept it not being as 'actvity' filled as Orlando. That being said, you might be able to introduce them to water-skiing, sailing or jet-skiing, or even scuba. Or they may even be the 'nice' sort of kids who just love slobbing out on a beach lounger or towel getting deepy tanned (lots of suncream needed, esp if they're new to hot sun). Of course, the health nazis now say to use SPF50 whenever outdoors ....

 

[wessie]

With teenagers you will probably find that they enjoy the Universal Parks more than Disney. Get a 3 day pass and spend a whole day in each of Universal Studios and Island of Adventures. Then, use the 3rd day to visit those rides that you enjoyed or missed in each Park.

Seaworld is also a good place to visit. It has rollercoasters and dolphins. Likewise Busch Gardens near Tampa. Note that you can usually get a 2nd day in SeaWorld free if you visit the Information booth (do it as you enter the park as you will forget hen you leave). These 2 parks are owned by the Budweiser brewery (Annheuser Busch) so there is a good value multipark ticket too.

If you are going to the Atlantic Coast then consider Cocoa Beach, especially if the teenagers are into surfing. If they are mature enough you may want to leave them on the beach for a day whilst you enjoy a day out at nearby Cape Canaveral. It's the sort of place that someone who lived through the Apollo missions era appreciates more than youngsters.

If you want to save a few dollars when eating out or shopping then they are voucher mad. Pick up the coupon booklets in hotels and gas stations.

 

[Jon]

Bomber,

If you haven't paid for the hire car insurance element of the holiday yet - make a note of how much it is, then have a look here;

Auto-Europe

If you have, don't read on, you may get upset.

They do world-wide car hire and you'll probably end up with the same car firm you'd be using with the holiday company.

I was put onto this company 3yrs ago when I went to Florida and called up to arrange the insurance.

The operator - I can still picture her looking left and right at her console before telling me - said "To be honest, try these people, you'll find they're a lot cheaper, we all use them here".

Auto-Europes costs, including car hire and insurance were £100 cheaper than just the insurance costs (not the cost of the hire car) the holiday company wanted to charge.

Basically a lot of the holiday companies throw the car in as part of the deal and make the money on the insurance.

You just say you won't be using the car, will pay for the insurance out there, or just don't pick it up if need be.

We just said we could get it cheaper and when we told them the prices, they couldn't match them.

Last Sept I had a choice of a Chrysler Sebring Covertable/Ford Mustang convertable for £20 a day - fully "gold" insured

Bastards were out of Mustangs when I got there, so I had to make do with the Sebring

HTH



Jon