V-Flyer

Hi there, we are James and Kirsty and we have just booked our first ever flight and holiday to Florida all with Virgin. We just wanted to say hi to you all and if anyone has any tips for us we would be grateful.

James, Kirsty, welcome to V-Flyer!

Plenty of people hereabouts use Virgin Holidays and have flown to Florida... I'm sure they'll be along in just a moment!

BC

Hello James and Kirsty

Welcome - you will not regret booking to Florida with Virgin.

Regards

I will add my welcome also:D
what class & route are you travelling?

Welcome to the board.

The best thing to do, is to read through the FAQ, and then the posts that you think are relevant. You can find topic of interest by using the search facility, which is here:

http://www.v-flyer.com/forum/search.asp

or at the top of each page in small red writing between 'private messages' and 'faq'.

I think you will find that if you ask specific questions about points that interest or puzzle you, you will get a much better response, than if you ask for general information.

We are here to help.

Nick

Hi Guys

We have been to Florida on many occasions - and always with Virgin - if you need tips on Disney and stuiff try these web sites:

http://allearsnet.com/index.html

http://www.wdwmagic.com

They are both run by people who love Disney have loads of tips and info about the parks and where to stay etc etc etc.

In addition check out the official disney, universal and sea world sites for info!!

We always reckon on putting together a rough itinerary of what we are going to do before we arrive as there is so much to do!!

Tell me - how long are you going for? when are you going? where are you staying? Are you taking kids?

I can then give you a few more pointers!!!

Welcome
may I also suggest taking a days break between theme parks as in the summer they're often open as late as 1am!

so taking a break prevents you from needing another holiday!

My top tip is to stay at a WDW resort hotel. Next, if you do that, then when visiting EPCOT, drive and park in the car park of the WDW Beach Club and walk through the lobby, taking the waterside walk to the 'International Gateway' entrance. It's so much nicer than the front entrance.
Ian

of course a good way to spend a sunday if your on Disney soil is watching the games at the ESPN bar the atmosphere is great usually!

the bar is located on disneys boardwalk

Hi thanks for the replies, we are going out for 2 weeks may 12-25th 2005 and no kids just a young couple on honeymoon, have got tickets to WDW, SPACE CENTRE AND DICOVERY COVE, any more suggestions greatly appreciated.

Hiya

You'll love it. I think its the only holiday where I could have quite happily turned round and had another couple of weeks waiting at the airport to come home. Normally by then I'm ready for the UK.

Disney is fab, as is Islands of Adventure (for me more so that Universal). I always recommending doing the Magic Kingdom on the first day as its so Iconic, especially if you havn't been there. In Epcot, try out the Rose and Crown pub in England - its really quite accurate (apart from the prices) and hopefully the "vivacious" Pam Broady will be there Entertaining - great way to spend a drunken afternoon.

Discovery Cove - never been but going there next time, looks fab.

Where are you staying. Think i'm more pro staying off Disney as its cheaper and with a car everything is accessible anyway. We stayed at the Wyndham Orlando resort on I Drive. Loved it and you can swim in the pool at midnight which is SO nice.

Oh you'll love it and I'm now Jealous [:p].
Need any more info, just ask!

Dean

For night life you've got loads of choices
Pleasure Island
City Walk
Point Orlando
+more!

Chillers in downtown is fun on a tues as $5 gets you in and drinks are $1 all night!

My personal fav is the dueling piano bar at city walks Irish bar Pat OÕBrienÕs but theres enough choice around if piano music isnt your thing!

quote: just a young couple on honeymoon

er..........then the most fun will be had in your room!

For a romantic evening, have a meal at Victoria & Alberts restaraunt,at Grand Floridian pricy but superb.

See here
http://allearsnet.com/menu/menu_va.htm

............. or try the California Grill at the WDW Contemporary Resort and make sure you are there when the fireworks go off in the Magic Kingdom.

thanks as for classes on the outbound it is premium economy and inbound upper class, never been with virgin b4 so really looking forward to it. Staying at the comfort suites maingate east, not tried it b4 but friends of ours said it was good. didnt want 2 stay in wdw as no kids and prefer to travel around a bit. Can anyone give any info on the ferry to key west please

quote:Originally posted by dougie
Can anyone give any info on the ferry to key west please

I don't know of a ferry to Key West from Orlando;) Orlando is right in the middle of Florida, a long way from the coast.

Key West is quite a drive, especially if you have pre-booked and paid for your hotel. I am a big fan of the Keys, but would be reluctant to drive all the way. According to Rand McNally it is 391 miles from Orlando to Key West.

I would save the Keys for your next trip and fly into MIA.

Nick

Agree with Nick - long way to the Keys - maybe fly VS to Miami next time and "do" Southern Florida - beaches, South Beach Miami, Keys and key West, Everglades.

IN May the weather should be OK and not too hot - as already said - we always visit the Magic Kingdom first - use the odd day off here and there to do things other than theme parks - we think nice restaurants with a range of prices are:

Ruby Tuesdays
Tony Romas
Olive Garden
California Grill - in the Contemporary
Boma and Jiko in the Animal Kingdom Lodge
Le Cellier in Canada
Askerhus in Norway
Any of the French restauarants
Citricos in Grande Floridian
Flying Fish on the boardwalk

As for the parks and attractions
You need 2 days for Univerals and IOA
You need a day for Sea World
You will have a day at Discovery Cove
Then you will need at least 5 days to do all of the Disney parks
And then there are the 2 water parks - say a day
Andy you have Kennedy Space centre

Thats 12 days already!!!

Top rides:

Spiderman
Mission Space
Tower of Terror
Hulk
Fire and Ice
Rockandrollercoaster
Kraken
Journey to Atlantis
Splash Mountain
Men in Black
Termonator 3D

heard Mummy is great too - but not been on it yet!!!

Theres so much to do I am wishing I was there now!!!

have fun - and the VS flights should just top it off

Dont forget that you can check into the Downtown Disney desk for the fligth home and this gives you another day. We prefer to stay in the parks as your room key is yoru pass to the parks - so this gives you entrance on that last day!!

Anyway, enough rambling - I am sure you will have fun!!!!

p.s. say hello to Mickey for us!!!

Dougie

You're so wise doing anything but Economy to MCO. On the flight back particulary it was full of kids, the one behind me was three, kept kicking my chair and mummy said I shouldn't put my seat back as it was giving her no space. Don't think her feet even reached the edge of the seat!

For me I think Spiderman has to be the best ride I had there, again and again and again. Really like Dueling Dragons and space mountain for sheer old skool fun.

Mummy looks good, think we're saving ourselves for a few years until expedition everest is open aswell.

Dean

Spiderman is fun
and dont try this at home kids I lost my passport on Dueling Dragons!
that vs help number is really handy!
Hulks fun too!

Mummy wasnt around last year I take it's @universal IOA?

Mummy wasnt around last year I take it's @universal IOA?

I think Mummy is at Universal Studios - it replaced the King Kong attraction.

You must try Mission:Space at Epcot which is the most intense ride I have ever been on. While there Test track is also a great ride.

Discovery Cove is sensational and one of the best days I have ever spent in Orlando. You're actual interaction with the dolphins only lasts for about 1/2 hour but it is such an experience.

One tip we found a couple of years ago. On the big rides (like test track) if you agree to split up, you'll get onto the ride m,uch quicker as they use you to fill up! Half the time we got to ride in 2s and 3s, and the longest we waited was 10 mins.