Orlando

[trionam]

Thinking of going next year trying to get an idea of spending money is it reasonable for eating out and drinks if I book it I am going to get the flexi park tickets so I wouldnt have that expense when we get there.Would be booking somewhere on International drive do the hotels do transfers to the theme parks?thanks.

[LDC134]

I stayed on International Drive a couple of years ago, there are plenty of cheap places to eat (mainly burger places and all you can eat buffets for around $15-20 per head) and drinks are around the same as here but they don't have the bar / pub culture so there aren't many places to stay out and drink as you would in the UK. I don't know about transfers to the park because we had a car - rental is good value and it's very handy having a car if you are a fairly confident driver abroad.

[Graham-W]

We stayed in Kissimmee and there was a regular (hourly) shuttle bus from the hotel to the parks.
There is also a free shuttle bus to Busch Gardens from International Drive but I don't know the frequency.
Taxis are quite reasonable too.

[Davethedog]

I stayed in 2004 We stayed at a best weston hotel (Don't) they did a transfer to Universal which, if you stay at the top end of the drive, is literal 5 minutes away. There is a bus service to Disney but if you can I really recommend a car.

There is breakfast chain called ponderosa which was all you can eat for, then, $5 a head. You can eat at a different reasaurant every night at fairly resonable prices. There are also themed places where you can watch a show and eat at about $40 per head.

There are also all the chains, Mcdonalds etc on the drive. Depending if your with kids or not theres Downtown Disney, which has the best Planet Hollywood ever.

You will get loads of free litirature with coupons, look at them carefully, my daughter found one they got us instant seatting at Planet hollywood (past about 50 people) and one meal free. I laughed as I handed it over but it worked.

We also did murder theatre with dinner again at about $40 per head.

[Davethedog]

Graham that was up by the Rock Museum place wasn't it?

[Graham-W]

Dave. Don't remember the Rock Museum but we did eat out at a bar called "Woodstock".
It was cr@p.

[trionam]

thanks everyone I dont think we would hire a car I just dont think Id have the confidence but its good to know taxis are reasonable did you all do package holidays or book flights and accomodation yourselves?

[fourteen85]

I find driving easier in the states than it is over here

[Davethedog]

The flight and hotel was a package. However you can get a villa. I agree with fourteen the roads over there are built for cars. The car will give you so much freedom and your own time.

Also I would leave planty of space in your suitcase and I mean PLENTY once you get to an outlet mall, you will go crackers.

[trionam]

I will have a think about the driving if we did go with a villa Id just have to do it.thanks again for your answers.

[LDC134]

I have done both ways, 'package' and 'flight only and find the accomodation when I get there.' Another consideration for a hire car is the lack of pavements / pedestrians - International Drive is not so bad but Kissimmee hardly has any pavements because no-one walks anywhere so you would really stand out, and may not feel so safe if you have small children ! Depending on when you go, the temperature can be scorching - all hire cars have air con which is a real blessing - when we walked to a restaurant in International Drive I was all sweaty by the time we got there, not nice for an evening dinner ! In addition, all hire cars are automatic so at least you don't have gears to worry about.

And finally, if you do stay on International Drive and you want a more expensive, non burger type meal, treat yourself to a place called Wave - you can sit inside or out and they often have a singer / guitar player - the food and service was fantastic.

[spudqueen]

We've been twice and really prefer having a villa. You have your own pool literally outside your back door which you can use anytime you want, and having a villa means you've got loads of space. One of the ones we hired even had the garage converted to a games room with table football, table tennis etc. We did do a bit of simple cooking, but ate out a lot as it was so cheap and such good value. You'll be able to do a lot more with a car than by travelling on public transport. There is fantastic shopping, both malls and then huge shops like Walmart and (my favourite) Target. The driving is fine, as other people have said, it's designed for cars out there, and I'm sure you'd have a much better experience being able to travel around where and when you want.

[VHG]

I am not sure if you are aware, but the Disney site is larger than Manchester. It has its own road network and so on.

It is not a simple case of walking out your hotel to the theme park, and each park is a long way from the others as well.

So having a car is useful as you can pop back to the hotel if it gets too hot or you get tired.

However you do need to pay for parking at the parks (which does mount up day after day) so there are advantages and disadvantages in having a car.

Note the Orlando gets VERY hot in the summer so it is not always the best time to go. We went in Februrary a couple of years ago and it was lovely, in the high 70s, and we were walking round in shorts and t shirts. The parks were quieter as well.

[theshedman]

I know you say about staying on International Drive, but before you book have a look how far it will be from the parks you want to go to. International Drive is very long and so can be miles from where you want to go to. Just a thought in case you think it will not be far from Disney etc.

[trionam]

Larger than Manchester good lord! I clearly have a lot to think about here, will be travelling with two kids so it will be worth checking all these things out.cheers

[whiskeryron]

We stayed on International Drive & did not hire a car there are plenty of local buses to all of the theme parks & quite reasonable fare charges we were at Quality Inn Plaza & the bus stopped right outside the hotel foyer. Ron.

[Tom Braider]

Not to be off-hand, but I really would urge you to buy a guidebook - the "Unofficial Guide" is a good one. Walt Disney World really is the size of Manchester - 42 square miles - and then there's Seaworld, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Legoland, etc, etc, etc. Restaurants outside WDW offer huge variety both in quality and price and it's not hard to find a place for a few beers that will be comparable to pub prices at home. But what they call mixed drinks - anything from a gin and tonic to a cocktail in a pineapple- can get very expensive, even before you tip 10 or 15% Many hotels offer free shuttles, but the ones nearest Disney often won't take you to Universal, and vice versa; check on Tripadvisor before you book. The "free" hire car included with, for instance, Travel City Direct are emphatically NOT free; but the freedom and convenience is worth it, IMO