Orlando

cson

Ok so the sceal is thus; I'm currently looking for a weeks holiday in Orlando Florida for the family. We were there when we were young (About 10 years ago) and figure this is probably gonna be our last proper family holiday so we're planning on returning to scene of our favourite one. Theres 4 of us, my parents, myself (19) and my brother (17). Basically we can only really afford the time to go for a week - 7 nights, maybe might stretch it to 9 nights if theres no serious committments.

Thus far I've checked Aer Lingus for flights and its come to either €2900 or €2600 depending on when we go. I'm currently looking for a hotel and I'm leaning towards one on International Drive but I don't really know where to start. My questions are;

1. Can anyone reccommend a hotel for the week?
2. Will we need a hire car if we stay on I-Drive or for anything else, i.e. Will shuttle buses suffice or would it be better to have the car?
3. Are the flights good value?
4. Would I better off using americanholidays.com or someother travel agent to book this rather than doing it myself?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks,

cson

rossie1977

1. Quality Inn International Drive http://www.orlandoqualityinn.com/ and http://www.rodewayinnorlando.com/ are very decent affordable hotels on I-Drive

2.both hotels i mentioned above offer FREE transportation to universal and seaworld as well as transportation to Disney for a price. I-Trolley stops outside both hotels and goes up and down I-drive from the malls in the north past seaworld in the south. There is also a free bus from universals parking lot each morning at 8am to Busch Gardens in Tampa (well worth a visit imo). Car hire while worthwhile in Orlando is not essential as there are plenty of transport options if you base yourself on I-Drive

3. the flight prices you state are decent, the fuel surcharge that european carriers implemented in 2006 has raised the price of transatlantic flights immensely. We are flying out to orlando in March and those flights have cost us €500 each and that was booking before the new EXTRA fuel surcharge came into place in October.

4. It will probably work out cheaper if you book yourself, if you want to save time use americaholidays or one of those

Rashers72

I would recommend booking a villa with a pool. Huge number of them available now. Much better value. Plenty of space, especially for four near adults.

DubLegs

Hey!

i'd recommend American holidays to be honest - they have net rates with aer lingus i think - 2 of us got 2wks flights and accom on idrive for 1162 each thats in early June. We checked the aer lingus flights for the same date and they were 989each!!! :eek:

Shop around - even if u want to package it up urself! check all airlines like delta continental etc. You can get transfers to and from the airport with companys like Mears, and as the other op said you can get shuttles to the parks and up and down idrive if ya don't fancy driving.

Good luck searching!!

cson

To be honest, I'd have used americanholidays but for the fact that they were flying Delta via JFK or Atlanta to Orlando. Delta ain't been getting rave reviews from what I've read here and the fact that Aer Lingus operate direct to Orlando (albeit every second day) just seems way easier than getting two flights. I'll see if americanholidays can book flights with Aer Lingus instead.

As for accommodation, I've looked at the Best Western Plaza Hotel and a few others. Knowing America, their Hotels are probably a notch above what we'd consider them to be. I'd say we'll probably hire a car too just for the convenience of it.

Thanks for the replies lads, appreciate it!