USA/Florida now becoming unviable?

[karenk]

Just on the issue of cost of a holiday to Florida, my brother is taking his family, four people including himself, wife and two girls to Salou, Spain this year as they like Port Aventura theme park. It's costing nearly 3,000 pounds for two weeks half board. I know its more expensive than that to come to Florida, but how much more and do you get more bang for your buck? I would say yes you do, no comparison as he's now worried about the euro v pound rate as its going to cost him much more than the booking price to keep eveyone happy, fed and to ensure they have an enjoyable holiday. Last year in Salou they were spending a lot of their evenings looking for reasonably priced places to eat....cod and chips 12 pounds each, I wouldn't pay it. No comparison with Florida for value for money.

Florida, in comparison to the eurozone for families is still competitive in my opinion.[msnsmile]

[BIGEYE]

Last year cost around £3300 total for the wife & I for our Orlando holiday. That covered everything except spending/food/fuel/parking monies. This got me flights, villa, 7 seater 4x4, Universal, Disney, Busch, Discovery Cove, Kennedy Space Centre, Halloween Horror Nights tickets and also an airboat ride. Yes it is a lot for the money, wonder how much the same will cost this year, or next.
Certainly we will need to cut back on our shopping...if that is possible.

[Katys Grandad]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by karenk
Last year in Salou they were spending a lot of their evenings looking for reasonably priced places to eat....cod and chips 12 pounds each, I wouldn't pay it. No comparison with Florida for value for money.

Florida, in comparison to the eurozone for families is still competitive in my opinion.[msnsmile][/quote]We're beginning to cover old ground here but I'd expect to pay more than that in Florida.

If you take today's exchange rate of $1.38, consider the additional tax and a 20% tip, you have to find a base menu rate of around $12 to better it. I was in Florida last week and would have been delighted to see a piece of fish with fries on a menu for that price. I was consistently paying around $17 plus tax and tip for something similar in pretty ordinary restaurants.

While you can always find exceptions that prove or disprove the rule and it isn't a perfect science, with the present exchange rate, eating out and paying tax and 20% tip is getting very close to £1/$1 when looking at menu prices. Food is at least as expensive in the US as at home these days and, in a lot of instances, a fair bit more.

[kitch50]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by mary and colin
I am finding people are still booking to go to Florida but are just planning early so have time to save. Or going last minute when a good flight price pops up.
Two of my past guests have come back to me to book for 2011 to make sure they have our home and one has booked with two days less so they can still go.
I think everyone will find the best way to suit their needs and still go, as others have said it is still good value for what you actually get once you balance out all the extras added on in some other destinations.

Hope everyone who wants to go still manages to at some time. [msnsmile]

Mary[/quote]We have booked our next holiday at King Louie's Pad for October 2012, we know we have a lot of saving to do but it gives us hopefully plenty of time to do just that, we won't have any holidays between now and then and that is the way we have always managed to go to FL and that won't change. Hopefully the dollar will have improved by the time we come to book flights and park tickets etc !!

[sunseeker]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by kitch50
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by mary and colin
I am finding people are still booking to go to Florida but are just planning early so have time to save. Or going last minute when a good flight price pops up.
Two of my past guests have come back to me to book for 2011 to make sure they have our home and one has booked with two days less so they can still go.
I think everyone will find the best way to suit their needs and still go, as others have said it is still good value for what you actually get once you balance out all the extras added on in some other destinations.

Hope everyone who wants to go still manages to at some time. [msnsmile]

Mary[/quote]We have booked our next holiday at King Louie's Pad for October 2012, we know we have a lot of saving to do but it gives us hopefully plenty of time to do just that, we won't have any holidays between now and then and that is the way we have always managed to go to FL and that won't change. Hopefully the dollar will have improved by the time we come to book flights and park tickets etc !![/quote]Do you really mean no holidays at all? I dont think i could forfeit a holiday for 2 years so as i could go to Florida, Life's too short.

Dave

[kitch50]

Yes I really mean NO holidays at all, we go out for day trips etc and try to do lots of things that are inexpensive or don't cost anything at all, BUT what it does mean is that we really do appreciate the BIG holiday when it comes around. We have discussed this very issue with our children in the past and they are all in agreement that this is what they prefer to do to have the holiday that they really want. If we had the money to do the holidays in between then we would but we don't so we really really look forward to Fl when it comes around.

[sunseeker]

I admire your indomitable spirit Wendy, have a great time when you get there.

Dave

[kitch50]

Thank you Dave only 2 years 4 months and 28 days to go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Margaret]

I have to say I agree with Wendy. I would rather go without a holiday and save up than go somewhere else. This may be our last trip in December this year as hubby is being made redundant and is not confident of finding anything paying a decent wage.[msncry]
Margaret

[Katys Grandad]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Margaret
I have to say I agree with Wendy. I would rather go without a holiday and save up than go somewhere else. This may be our last trip in December this year as hubby is being made redundant and is not confident of finding anything paying a decent wage.[msncry]
Margaret[/quote]Sorry to hear that. Never say "never" eh?[msnsmile]