Where on earth do I start?

[steph_goodrum]

If your lads are into skate boarding , they might like a trip to VansSkate park at the top of Universal and they are old enoughto be dropped off there whilst you have a bit of retail therapy at the Prime Outlets nearby.

When you book Discovery Cove you get the option of Sea World/ and or Busch Gardens 7 day tickets so that makes them good value. You can pick them up before the day on which you are due to visit DC. So if you are going there on say the 2nd to last day of your 2 weeks in orlando and pick them up 3 days before then you could in theory have 3 days to visit Sea World do DC and go to the coast and be close enough to Busch Gardens to go there for the last 3 days if you wished, if you chose the option to cover both parks. Again the lads are old enough to be left if you wanted to go and relax at the villa or beach and as the payg phones are very cheap injn teh supermarkets you could easily buy a couple and be in contace.

After what you have been through, you are right to make the most of the trip, it sounds as though it has been very traumatic and it does tend to focus the mind to enjoy life to the full.

I would say though it's worth visiting Disney for the experience, we've been to Paris, California and Florida and therre really isn't much comparison. There is just so much to see and do and the atmosphere. I'd say get at least a 3 or 4 days hopper and visit each park once. Each has things that teenagers would probably still like to do, and never mind them what about you? Make sure you get to do the things you want as well.

I would suggest though that if you are looking at August this year that it would be worth sorting out your flights and accommodation as soon as you can as your choice will be more restricted the later you leave it. If you have any problems with insurance, there are a few members who have been in the same situation and managed to find cover who would be only too glad to help I'm sure.

I'm sure there will be plenty of other choices for you to make about where to go and visit but it will be worth it when you get there.

[worthago]

Hi, well I have spent the last few weeks looking for suitable villas with availability for August and so far have been dissapointed with what is on offer. Are all villas in Florida on what looks like housing estates? We are used to villas in Greece or Spain which are on their own piece of land with no neighbours and would really like something which is not crammed in - any chance or am I on a wild goose chase?

[solanasunshine]

Definirely try Kennedy Space Center - it's a great experience and even after going several times we still love it.

If this is your "Once in a lifetime" holiday then Discovery Cove is a fabulous day out and in our opinion worth every penny.

[blott]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by worthago
Hi, well I have spent the last few weeks looking for suitable villas with availability for August and so far have been dissapointed with what is on offer. Are all villas in Florida on what looks like housing estates? We are used to villas in Greece or Spain which are on their own piece of land with no neighbours and would really like something which is not crammed in - any chance or am I on a wild goose chase?[/quote]You're not on a wild goose chase but most Florida villas are on communities although they're certainly not all crammed in!

Some communities also provide you with some great facilities that would never be provided by a one-alone home and that you almost certainly won't find in Greece or Spain.

So choose carefully if you like space around you - extra space is available but you have to look out for it.

If you've already put in an enquiry to the three OV sites (links at the top of each forum page) and not found anything that suits, try putting in another enquiry and in the comments box put your requirements, including the space issue. I'm sure you'll find something suitable.

[worthago]

Another question - sorry!
Has anyone done a 2 stop flight UK to Florida (same airline for whole trip)and if so, do you have to collect your bags and check in again at each stop or is it done for you? - only asking because on one stop there is only 1.5 hours from landing to take off and I wondered if that was too much of a rush!!

[blott]

You might find it easier if you ask different subject questions on different forum sections so that anyone else searching for similar info can find it easily and the section of the forum might already hold the answers. [msnwink]

Yes, loads of us have travelled indirect with various airlines. If it's the same airline for both legs of the trip, then you go through Immigration and collect your bags and go through Customs at the first US airport where you land. You're normally checked in at the UK desk for the whole flight so you just locate the transit desk after Customs and hand your luggage back in again. Note that you also have to go through the security checkpoint before you can board your second flight. When you arrive at Orlando, all you have to do is retrieve your luggage and you're on your way.

Which airport are you landing at first in the US? That makes a difference to the timescale sometimes, depending on how far between gates, how busy it is, etc.

[worthago]

Hi, its B'ham to Paris to Atlanta to Florida. The 1.5 hours is from landing at Paris to departing for Atlanta which seems too quick to me! The stop at Atlanta has a 4 hour break before leaving for Orlando so no worries there.

[ShirleyD]

That should be more than enough if you are travelling on a through ticket as your bags will be checked all the way to Atlanta from B'ham. You will need to collect them there and clear customs before you drop them again at a transfer belt for the domestic US flight

[worthago]

Flights booked £318 pp for 11th Aug to 01st Sept just need to find accomodation now!!

[steph_goodrum]

At least you have firm dates to work with which will make your search somewhat easier for accommodation. It starts to feel more real once you've made one commitment and you can start to get excited as the reality draws near.

Thinking about activites , if your lads are adventurous they might like the indoor skydive at International drive as well.

I'd recommend staying at the coast for the 3rd week rather than travelling daily. Depending on your flight time home you should still have plenty of time on the last day to drive back to the airport at Orlando and possibly some last minute shopping.