Sorry one more thing.

Would i need to hire a car. If so is it best to do that there or book early. What about insurance, what do i need to cover??

Thankyou

Firstly regards Animal Kingdom try reading our reviews for this accommodation by http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/united-states/florida/walt-disney-world/disneys-animal-kingdom-lodge/ but also check out the other Florida reviews also. You can do this by clicking on the link at the top of the mentioned link that says 'go back to America holiday listing'. Work your way down the Florida list.

I've only been to Florida once so can only give you a little of my knowledge of the area. Some of our members have been many times so will be able to give you more detailed information.

How old the rest of your party as this will assist members?

Go in October for less queues and lovely weather, if you want to swim with the Dolphins book Discovery Cove it is amazing! This also gives you 14 days at Sea World or Busch Gardens free unlimited access. We stayed at Kissimee the first time we went and did enjoy it but the next 3x stayed at International Drive which is by far the better location.
The Disney hotels are good but you are out at the theme parks all day so why pay a lot more cash when that money could go towards your theme park tickets. Have a look at Mapleleaf web page for tickets they are really good.
Would definatly hire a car, think of the shopping etc and if you are tired after a long day at the parks you would be waiting in a queue for transport for a while when the park lets out if you stay to the end to see the fire works etc.
Florida is amazing but be warned it is very addictive! Your 5 year old will love it and it is a long journey but the airline give activity packs to youngsters and there are films suitable for all ages on tv throughout the flight. My youngest was 7 when we first went and if your daughter likes all the Disney Princesses pre-book Cinderella Castle character breakfast before you go (at least 90days I think it is) and she will feel like a princess herself! We have booked with Airtours, First Choice and Thompson and have to say Thompsons was the best for us but having said that the others where fine also.
The car insurance is around £350 for 2 weeks depending on the vehicle you hire and you should get this insurance just incase.
The tickets for all the parks at Disney and Universal Studios/Islands Of Adventure, Sea world and Busch Gardens will cost around £1200 + depending on tickets. Shop around though as you will be surprised at the differance in prices, remember you dont have to book them all at the same site, we booked all the Disney with Mapleleaf but the rest with Keith Prowse this time.
Goodluck and any questions I will be happy to help.
Liz.

Hi
Take a look at TheDibb.co.uk website to find all the answers to your questions, and more, on their specialised forums and information pages.

We did a flydrive with TCD last year - no problems ,and loads cheaper than anyone else - but they do not have the best reputation for customer care if things go wrong !

If you are treating your daughter, then a pre booked (you won't get in otherwise) breakfast at Cinderellas Royal Table (CRT), as has already been suggested, is a MUST DO - you can book 180 days out now. There is still an old post of mine further down this page giving you further information on this (see Disney Character Breakfasts).

Happy plannng !

I would go in May. The prices drop a bit after Easter, the crowds are lighter and the weather is warm and dry. You might get rain between June and November.
Definately get a car even if you are staing in Disney. At the end of a long day you don't want to be standing in a queue with a tired 5 year old.
Disney hotels are expensive but great fun. If you were going to do the Universal parks as well you would be best staying offsite but maybe for your first trip you will be concentrating on Disney. Look at the budget All Star Disney hotel.
If staying elsewhere consider a suite hotel. You would have more space but cheaper than a villa.

Thanks guys for all your answers.
Its made me all the more detemined to get there, although may could be a little early for this year.

Can anyone recommend a good hotel to stay at!!

Cheers

You'll find hotel reviews http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/united-states/florida/walt-disney-world/

Pippy

Well, of course I'm biased but I'd always recommend that you try a villa. The Disney hotels may be fun but they simply cannot compare to grilling a few steaks on the grill next to the swimming pool that your family are enjoying! No noisy guests just a wall away.

Do think about a car. You may not use it quite that much on your first Florida trip but it does give you a great deal of freedom. Navigating Central Florida roads is easier than you may think.

we stayed at bahama bay resort just outside kissimee they are brillant apartments bigger than my 3 bed house at home and accommadated 5 of us the last time we went(3 yrs ago) we are going back again end May this year cos we loved it so much!! they have a swimming pools and lovely beauty parlour for treatments just what you need after a hard day at the park!!! when we went last time it was very hot (End August) and hurricane season as well so wouldn't recommend then you'll have a fantastic time

We love to go February half term, weather suits us fine as it is more like British Summer weather (but the evenings are dark), lowish crowds and low season prices for accommodation (just avoid Presidents Week- third week in Feb).

Our favourite resort so far has been a town house (booked direct with a UK owner) on Regal Palms (Davenport area) where the communal pool facilities are better than Disneys IMO, and you have a Publix supermarket right next door for supplies. Its about 20min drive to Disney - though there is a resort bus to the parks, if you need one.

Hi Fantastic choice of holiday. We have been to florida on nuerous occasions and all different times of the year. We have been in February half term when it was extremely quiet although some of the rides were closed for maintenance. Last year we went at the end of july which was a good time to go, it didnt seem extremely busy but was very humid. In October it was warm but not too busy. apparently easter is very busy as the americans have their hols then. We have stayed in both hotels and villas and I would say that the villa is the best option for a family especially the first few days when the jet lag kicks in and the kids are up at five in the morning . At least in a villa you dont have to worry about the noise they are making at that time in the morning. Definitely hire a car, my husband assures me its dead easy to drive and you can see so much more. However like everything in Florida the americans have got it organised and their transportation seem brill. We travelled with Travel city direct last year , flight only which was really good. We did upgrade our seats which I was pleased about as our friends sat in economy and said it was really cramped and noisy.
Swimming with dolphins is fab, make sure you get your tickets in the uk. The park is lovely and all the staff are really friendly.Its a definite must. When you swim with the dolphins the instructors do take you out the very deep water so you have to be confident in the water.
A really good book to buy is the brits guide to Orlando. it is so useful from different parks to visit to what day to vist them, to avoid the queues.

Have a great time

Hi,

The best way to avoid the queues is to go anti-clockwise around the theme parks. From what I can remember (we went in the 90's) as soon as a park opened in the morning, everyone seemed to traipse off to the left - so it's better to head to your right.

What queues we did hit later in the day seemed to go quickly, as they had lots of entertainers to keep everyone occupied.

Have a great time!

Strawberry

Hi,

We have been 7 times with TCD and are going again in february with them,we have never had a problem with them.

We always book a villa through them and have never been dissapointed,we,ve always saved loads of money doing it this way.

We usually go Jan-Feb as the weathers just right then,shorts and t shirt weather but not uncomfertably hot.

Have a great time.

Kind Regards Nickki