Orlando, Florida - Accomodation, renting a car etc

[UberOne]

Hi all!

This looks like a superb forum with lots of good tips and advice! You all semm to know your stuff!

Myself and two or three other lads will be going to Orlando in late August or September. We have not booked yet. We would like to go to all the theme parks like Disney and Universal Studios etc and some water parks if available. Basically see all the things in Orlando.

I have a few questions:

1) Is a car neccessary?

2) How far apart are all the places like the theme parks and attractions etc?

3) Whats a great hotel central to all the locations and beaches?

4) Whats the best area to stay in? We do not have money to burn but we would like to stay in a good place.

5) Is September a bad time to go since they have a lot of rain then?

6) Is it still hot in September and are all the places still open?

7) Are there any other places besides www.lmcarrental.net that rent out to U21's? I will have my full international car driving license roughly two months before I go.

8) How far away are beaches?

9) I have heard that International Drive would be the best place to stay for us? Do you agree?

10) Sorry for all the questions!

thanks a lot!

Andy [msnwink][msnsmile2]

[DMC]

Hi Andy

Welcome to the forum, as you will have gathered there are plenty of useful tips on holidaying in Orlando.

In answer to your questions :

1. No a car isn't always required, the area is well serviced by good transport links, we have been out more than a dozen time and never had the need to hire a car.

If you stay on I'Drive then there are Trolley Buses and also Lynx buses that service I'Drive the cost is around $1.25 per trip but if you buy a pass then it works out at a $1.00 per day no matter how often you travel.

The Trolley Buses run from the Premium Factory Outlet via Seaworld to the Belz Factory Outlet every 15 mins or so.

Lynx run the #42 from the Premium Outlets to the Airport via the Belz and Florida Mall.

The #8 runs most of I'Drive from the Convention Centre to the Belz, the #27 or 21 runs from the Belz to the Mall of the Mallenia.

The #53 runs from Seaworld to Disney.

If you need more infor then www.golynx.com should give you all the routes and the timetables.

For us it works out cheaper than hiring a car, but you do have to wait around for a bus, although if you know the est. times that they arrive this does help to cut the waiting time.

Most Hotels o I'Drive offer a shutlle bus to the parks, some are free.

2. From I'Drive Disney is around 20 mins and Universal is about 10 mins - depending on were along I'Drive you stay.

Yopu can walk between Universal and Islands of Adventure as they are on one site.

Disney have bus / monorail services between each park which take around 10 - 15 mins from the Magic Kingdom.

3. For us I'Drive is a good Central Location if you require a hotel and it's about 45 - 50 mins drive from the Beach, going towards the east, the west coast is more like 90 mins.

4. I' Drive has a good range of hotels to suit all pockets, but you may find that for 3 / 4 of you a villa may prove to be cheaper, although you will have to balance the cost with hiring a car, as most of the villas are around 10 - 20 mins drive from all the parks etc.

5. September is great, we go the middle 2 weeks and although it can be unsettled due to to overspill from hurricanes in the south and the Carribean, when the sun shine's it is well into the mid 80's.

6. Yes it is still hot although you may get the odd afternoon storm and everything is still very much open Orlando is never closed.

7. Not sure on the age restrictions, but there is an associated Car Hire Site with this Forum, the details will be at the top of the page.

You mention that you are under 21, just remember that under 21's will not be allowed alcohol in the USA so it will be a "dry" holiday, but that may not bother you.

Any one over 21 but looking under about 30 will need to produce I.D. to prove their age, so take out your Driving Licenses and Passports when you go out in the evening.

8. As mentioned above 45 mins to the east and around 90 mins to the west

9. We always stay on I'Drive there are a good range of places to eat / stay and have fun, if you can stay in any Hotel that is south of Wet & Wild is better as the middle / top end of I'Drive can be a little "tacky".

If you need anything else then feel free to ask.

[UberOne]

Thanks a million for all the info. That is really helpful and very much appreciated.

My friend is saying that staying in Universal Studios in Orlando would be the best option. I am not so sure. 1) Its a lot more expensive and 2) May get bored of the theme.

What do you think? Is intl drive the better place to stay?

Also, Should we go for a villa? Questions, questions, questions!!!

Thanks for all the info!!!

[msnsmile2][msncool]

[george]

Andy
Why don't you and your party book a villa off of this site. It would cost you less than if you all went to hotels.

[Farida]

A villa would be cheaper than a hotel - unless you all stopped in one room- but it would mean that you would probably need a car.
If you stopped on International drive, some of the hotels have shuttle buses to the parks and its much easier for you to get to all the major attractions plus there are restaurants, etc within walking distance - much more 'user friendly' for your first trip!

[Ray&Sarah]

Definately go for a villa! Much more enjoyable in our opinion, but then we are biased. There are lots of commutities to choose from, and having a provate pool is a real bonus, no fighting over the sun loungers![msnsmile2]

[Andy & Arlene]

September is a great time for you to go. By then all UK and US schools will be back and the parks will not be so busy.

If you book a villa from this site you will definately need a car. However, if you stay in one of the hotels on I-Drive, there are trolley buses which go up and down the drive and many hotels have free transport to the parks.

Whether you choose to stay in a villa or a hotel, you will have a great time [msnsmile2]

[Seminole]

Andy, here goes:

1. Yes. You really need a car to enjoy Orlando. Very easy to drive around the area.

2. They are close together. But not "walking distance".

3. Avoid hotels. Rent a villa. No comparison to being able to sip a beer by your own pool.

4. Kissimmee. Look for a villa in a community along the 192 such as Rolling Hills, Indian Creek, Oak Island Harbor, Windsor, Lindfields. These estates all close to Disney entrances.

5 & 6. September is still warm with afternoon showers. Also it is height of hurricane season but risk of one hitting Central Florida is low.

7. Not sure.

8. Try the Gulf beaches. Nicer than Atlantic coast. Longboat Key is very nice.

9. Not unless you want the annoyed remarks of family members of "dear God why did you bring us to this place" echoing in your ears for months. You can do better than a hotel on I Drive.

10. Not a problem unless you ignore the advice.

[UberOne]

Hey all,

Thanks for all the info! You really are all fantastic for advice! Well my opinion is this: Villas are looking extremely tempting and affordable. They also look fantastic inside and out. How far in advance would one have to book one of these for September? We plan on booking our holiday by June.

We are just friends and not family members so I will not be paying much attention to any moaning they may or may not be doing! [msntongue]

Also, for those in the UK and Ireland? Do you book everything seperately such as plane tickets/car rental/villa or is there a link on this site that can accomodate it all?

Thank you everyone! Your advice and suggestions are really impressing me!

[msnsmile2]

Andy

[bellaepovera]

Hi Andy,

Yes there are links on orlandovillas to purchase your plane tickets, rent a car and dicount attractions tickets. Planning your vacation in June I believe is sufficient time for a September holiday and you shouldnt have problems with availability.