Having never been in a position to fly my family abroad for a holiday I now find I might ba able to next year (2012).
So, I'd like to take them on a trip of a lifetime and anyone I speak to who has been to these tells me it is fantastic!
But which is best?
Which airport do I need to lad at in America?
I'm saving the airmiles and I hope I can do it for them.....
Thanks
I am doing the same this year and taking my family on the big trip.
it;s definately got to be disney land for me. its California it's the original it's got to be best.! There is also far more to see and do in LA area and California than in Florida.
Plus there is some incredible riding nearby. Laguna, Noble Canyon, Big Bear (have not broke it to the wife that I am taking my bike yet!!)
Disneyland paris, closer but staffed by eastern europeans who dont want to be there.
Can get expensive, as you may be captive to the local area.
You will experience the european queuing system at its best!
Been three times, forgot each time how it was like.
Disneyworld Florida, much better staff, no queue jumping, more choice of food, hotels, etc. cheaper if exchange on your side.
More to do apart from the parks. Villa offers better family time, not tied to kids going to bed early!
Fly to orlando international? airport, about half hour-ish drive to i-drive.
Been five times over the last 20 years, enjoyed it every time.
The above is my view, others are available!
Ooh ok, been to the LA one as well, fly into LA X airport.
Approx 1 hr drive to Anaheim.
Stay in Anaheim, close then to the attractions.
Knotts Berry farm part is a good amusement park, despite the name!
we went to florida 2 years ago, my first time there, i was a bit 50/50 about it but booked it anyway, we booked a fly drive then the hotel separate, worked out cheaper. landed at stanford airport, and with in 30 mins was on the road.we stayed just off international drive, most tourist bits where a short drive from there. disney world great fun, and staff freindly.
get it booked and enjoy.
For family I'd say Florida easy, California is good but lots of time in the car to get anywhere. There's more than just Disneyworld in Florida as well there's Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, Cape Canaveral (take a look at launch schedules because you never know)
For accomodation in Florida close to the parks have a look at Villas in Kissimmee, stayed in a area called Hunters Creek a few times and it's 20 mins from the parks.
Alternatively resorts around Lake Buena Vista.
Thanks people. We are going to not have a holiday this year so we can save up for it. It sounds brilliant!
Done Florida a few years back and a great time
I would say Florida is the one to go for and best places to stay
would be in International Drive or Kissimmee
Your family will have a great time.
Florida. Plenty of places to stay to suit all budgets, we're staying at the Omni hotel on Chapionsgate in the summer for a couple of weeks before a week on the gulf coast at Clearwater Hilton. Suggest you try & get a flight to Orlando as it is closer than Sandford. You can also go to Kennedy Space centre, superb for a couple of none disney days out.
Forget Paris, it is just Florida on a smaller scale without the customer service & accomodation is either disney or French/European chain hotels. If you do go & stay disney, either use the Disney hotel itself, or Hotel New York or Seqouia Lodge. The other Disney Hotel on site is like a cattle market - the Newport Bay.
Anaheim is supposed to be the original and have more old fashioned type rides, wooden coasters etc rather than the likes of Florida.
I'd say Florida too, BUT, we did Disneyland a couple of years back and we thought it was better than Disneyworld. Yes, there's more to do in Florida (more parks/water parks etc etc) but Disneyland was much quieter, even in August. We found we were going on a ride, getting off and getting straight back on again as there was hardly anyone there.
Why not combine with a trip down Highway One? A few days in San Francisco, drive down to Monterey (stopping off in Santa Cruz for a stroll along their boardwalk - was in the film Lost Boys). Take in Monterey Aquarium. Drive to San Luis Obispo, stay in the Madoone Inn, try and get the Cave Man Room....!
Then drive to LA, make sure you stop off in Solvang for an ice cream. When in LA, stay at the Anabella Hotel in Anaheim, literally just across the road from Disneyland, spotless it was, a true find!
You're only a couple of hours from San Diego too
IMHO much nicer than Florida but don't get me wrong, Orlando is set up for tourists, it's spotless too.
You go wrong with either (Florida is less time on the plane too)
JUST DON'T GO TO DISNEYLAND PARIS. It's crap.
When are you thinking of going? Last year I had a job in June at the site in Florida and the combination of heat and humidity made it very unpleasant.I've been to the California site for a holiday and that's where I'd want to go again.
Dont stay for 2 weeks in idrive though maybe 5 days then get in a car and do a tour holiday - start off on East coast work down through places like New Smyrna Beach then cocoa beach down to Ft Lauderdale. Across to the Everglades and up via Sanibel Island, Sarasota, Tampa and back to Orlando to fly home.
We used to go twice a year from about 81 - 93 with my family. Only did the parks every now and again. Normally stayed at New Smyrna in August and Sept and on the Februray break stayed down in Duck Key area of the Keys.
Enjoy whatever you choose but there is more to the place then the parks in Orlando.
Thanks everyone, it sounds fantastic! I still can't make up my mind as to which one!
Not entirely sure of when it will be? I usually take my holidays the last week in July and first week of August but I'm fed up paying the most expensive prices for accomodation etc so I'm thinking the end of May?......
I've been to both and have to say that there is no contest: Disneyworld is by far the better of the two.
Disneyland is just dirty and tatty, plus Disneyworld has alot more to do and the surrounding grounds are fantastic.
Moab!
Going to Disneyworld with the new wife next month... She has been to both before and far prefers this one... I can't wait!
Last year I had a job in June at the site in Florida and the combination of heat and humidity made it very unpleasant
the Anaheim one can be bloody hot too in summer - not humid though, that's true.
[s]They have[/s] [i]A few yrs ago, they had[/i] virtually no natural shade in the park there, so long queues can be completely exposed to the sun (I reckon it's a tactic to sell more fans/water sprays etc). I really didn't enjoy it for that reason alone - my kids were roasting & tetchy and we spent ages just trying to keep 'em in my shadow.