This is a thread created to connect and link up with other people planning a vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
It's to share ideas on visa application, hotel bookings, theme park tickets, theme park attractions and other tourism spots in Orlando, Florida such as Universal Studio.
Local flights and shuttle services ideas are welcomed.

Kids less than age 3 -> Free tickets
Kids between 3 - 10years -> Discounted tickets
Adults over 10years old -> Standard tickets

NOTE: Ticket prices depends on the period (peak, off-peak or standard), age range, number of days booked, number of theme parks booked and other promos. However, you can budget on an average of $120 per person, per day, per park.

I'm going for the first time with my family this December. Anyone embarking on the trip can please hook up here with me.
December/Christmas period is a peak season and promises to be very exciting at Disney's Magic Kingdom.

Cooooooooooooooool
*jaw drops*

comradespade:
Cooooooooooooooool
*jaw drops*

Sure. I can't wait

How do I apply for this?

ngozionefeli:
How do I apply for this?

You don't have to apply. All you need do is to obtain a USA tourist visa (if you live outside the US), make hotel & flight reservations, pay for the theme parks tickets (depending on your preferred package) online and find your way to Orlando Florida. To have a great vacation, you can also book the tickets for Universal Studio Orlando online. It's another exciting spot in Orlando - it houses the studio used during the cast of one of Harry Potters movie and many others.

Another exciting spot in Orlando, Florida.

spokesboy:

You don't have to apply. All you need do is to obtain a USA tourist visa (if you live outside the US), make hotel & flight reservations, pay for the theme parks tickets (depending on your preferred package) online and find your way to Orlando Florida. To have a great vacation, you can also book the tickets for Universal Studio Orlando online. It's another exciting spot in Orlando - it houses the studio used during the cast of one of Harry Potters movie and many others.

I still have to apply for tourist visa and the vacation is soon, I'd probably do this next year

spokesboy:
Another exciting spot in Orlando, Florida.

While in Orlando, also visit Discovery Cove. A fun day out.....

Lexusgs430:


While in Orlando, also visit Discovery Cove. A fun day out.....

Nice one. I'll have to check it out. Thanks

spokesboy:
This is a thread created to connect and link up with other people planning a vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
It's to share ideas on visa application, hotel bookings, theme park tickets, theme park attractions and other tourism spots in Orlando, Florida such as Universal Studio.
Local flights and shuttle services ideas are welcomed.

Wow! what a coincidence. My family is going there too in two weeks for the first time. However, we are going through JFK (NY). would be nice we hook up or chat better through WhatsApp

spokesboy:
This is a thread created to connect and link up with other people planning a vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
It's to share ideas on visa application, hotel bookings, theme park tickets, theme park attractions and other tourism spots in Orlando, Florida such as Universal Studio.
Local flights and shuttle services ideas are welcomed.

Wow! what a coincidence. My family is going there too in less than two weeks for the first time. However, we are going through JFK (NY). would be nice we hook up or chat better through WhatsApp

RDCSL:



Wow! what a coincidence. My family is going there too in less than two weeks for the first time. However, we are going through JFK (NY). would be nice we hook up or chat better through WhatsApp

Great! Were going to be in New Jersey in about 2 weeks and planned to be at Orlando around the xmas.
I wanted my kids to get over the jet lag and time zone difference before leaving NJ for Orlando, otherwise our initial plan was to arrive there on the 19th.

Visited the Universal Studios Florida today. Had a lot of exciting moments and attractions with my kids. Started with Transformers: The Ride-3D. This is probably one of the most exciting rides at the theme park.

The queue was so long at the Transformers. Waiting time is between 60 - 75mins

Despicable Me & Minions Mayhem

The Penguins of Madagascar

Harry Porter's Hogwarts Bus

Hello spokesboy, I’m very much interested in a vacation to Disney world with my family in July 2018. I’ll be glad if you can give me updates on accommodation,transportation(for someone staying outside Disney world), gate pass(tickets) and other tips that will be beneficial. Especially for someone who wants to save cost. We are a family of 6. Thank you.

Hi, kindly give me a couple of days to respond. I'm about transiting from the US to Nigeria and busy packing. I'll give you necessary tips and links.

Gigi240:
Hello spokesboy, I’m very much interested in a vacation to Disney world with my family in July 2018. I’ll be glad if you can give me updates on accommodation,transportation(for someone staying outside Disney world), gate pass(tickets) and other tips that will be beneficial. Especially for someone who wants to save cost. We are a family of 6. Thank you.

Thank you very much. I'll await your response. Happy new year

Gigi240:
Thank you very much. I'll await your response. Happy new year

Happy new year to you. Sorry, I came back to you late.
See my tips below and please feel free to ask more questions as necessary. I may have to modify my posts from time to time as may be required for proper clarification.

Firstly, I believe the experience I had in Orlando with my kids is something all kids (and possibly Adults) should experience in a lifetime. I can't shout. It's not something totally explainable by word of mouth - it's just an experience that sets your kid apart from others (globally) based on the exposure and the experience. It brings to reality all the cartoons, animations and movie characters and their production locations.

1.) VISA & FLIGHT - Obtain your US visa and book your flight tickets. I spent a total of 15 days during my trip and about 5 days in Orlando. The booking of your tickets will be a function of your itinerary. The most important thing is to find your way to the Orlando International Airport. It's the closest airport to the theme parks. Local flights in the US are relatively cheaper than what's obtainable in Nigeria.

2.) THEME PARK TICKET BOOKING - Book your theme park tickets at least 60 days ahead for Disney World. I will also suggest that you consider other parks such as Universal Studios, Seaworld, etc. I did both Disney World and Universal Studios during my visit. I would have felt bad if the only place I visit is Disney World in the midst of the dozens of attraction Orlando Florida.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/
https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/
https://seaworldparks.com/

NOTE: You may have some challenges with Universal Studios if you book your tickets using a Nigerian MasterCard. This will easily be resolved at the Guest Services kiosk at the main gate of the park. You will be required to show the MasterCard you used for the booking and your International Passport (or any other government ID). It just about the trust issues they have with Card usage emanating from our part of the world.
Peak periods are more expensive than off-peak periods. Also, once booked, you tickets usually have a one year expiry period.
You can also book your park tickets with the agents at your hotel when you arrive in Orlando

3.) HOTEL ACCOMMODATION - I have always used and trusted Booking.com for my vacation hotel bookings and they have never disappointed. I'll recommend them to you because of the bargain and value for money services. Moreso, you'll get a 10% refund discount (on top of the cheap rate) using the link below to book your hotel accommodation (for any vacation). I stayed at the Monumental Movieland Hotel (now known as Orlando Movieland Hotel). The hotel is not 5 star rated but very good for my requirement. Also, bear in mind that you'll be out at the Parks for a larger part of the day and you don't want hotel costs to cut deep into your budget. You can use the link below to search for more hotel options based on your requirement.

https://www.booking.com/s/27_8/xolayi88

4.) TRANSPORTATION - Unless you want to, you don't have to incur huge cost on transportation. My preliminary research on Orlando transport paid off well as I didn't incur more than $50 on transport. Use the following tips:
- Travel on Lynx public bus for your long distance trips within Orlando/Kissimmee, especially from the Orlando International Airport to your Hotel. $2/Adult, $1/Child above 6 years and $0/Child below 6 years. Make sure you hold your exact fare as drivers don't carry change.
- Travel on the I-Ride Trolley for your short distance trips within Orlando - especially for shopping and dinner trips. $2/Adult and $1/Child. You can also enquire about the daily travel pass which allows you on multiple trips at a fixed daily charge.
- Alternatively, you can take a Taxi Cab to and fro the Theme Parks. I only did this once from Universal Studios and it cost us only $10 per trip.
- Book accommodation with hotels that offer shuttle services to all the major theme parks as part of their package. This really worked for us. Our hotel offer shuttle services to and fro the major parks including Disney World and Universal Studios. Though, Universal Studios is a 20 mins walking distance from our Hotel.

5.) ATTRACTIONS AT THE THEME PARK - Ensure that you book your "FastPass" online with Disney World on a maximum of 3 attractions per person for your family. This will save you from long queues at every attraction entrance. You can do this at least 60 days to your arrival before its maxed out. Universal Studios will give you "Express Pass" tickets at the entrance. Ensure you use this to avoid stories that touch. The waiting time on some rides is as long as 2 hours. Use the Express/Fast Passes on the choice attractions that attract many people only. You can just walk into and enjoy other attractions.
In a single day, we did about 5 Activities at the Universal Studios and 10 Activities at Disney World per day.

6.) DON'TS - *To avoid huge spendings, try not to book for accomodation at any of the Disney's resort as part of your overall package. It digs more hole in your pocket.
*Try not to buy bottle water at the parks. It cost $4.50 per 60cl bottle at Disney Magic Kingdom. However, a crate of 24 bottles cost $6.00 outside in Orlando and about $3.50 in New Jersey. Use your back packs to hold snacks and as much 2 bottles of water per person for the day.
*Don't pay for any special express passes on any of the parks if you don't understand the rate of traffic for each of the attractions. You may end up paying so much only to discover that the attraction is a simple walk-in with little or no queue.
*Don't visit three parks in a stretch. It may be too tiring, especially for the kids. Take a day off in between any two days visit. You can use that rest day to rest only and/or visit the Orlando Shopping Malls.

I hope these helps you in planning a hitch-free budget vacation for your family.
(NOTE: The note above is subject to subsequent modifications by me for clarity purpose)

The Mummy museum @ Universal Studios. It includes a roller coaster ride through the 3D movie animation demo

@op, this is absolutely amazing. You nailed this! I have been to Orlando twice 2009 and 2015 with my hubby and four kids, and it remains one of the most amazing and most enjoyable vacations ever. Sincerely it’s a trip every family should have on their “to do’’ bucket list for travel. We stayed at Vacation Village Kissimmee, Summer Bay Resort. Awesome!!!!� and yes they had Shuttle buses which saved us a ton of cash.
Anyone planning this memorable vacation should please make sure they see the fireworks at Magic Kingdom which starts every night at 10pm simply magnificent!!!!

Disney World fantasy parade

Disney Magic Kingdom frontal approach

Your explanation is very detailed. Thank you very much for taking out your time to do this. I’ll be asking you questions every now and then if I encounter any difficulties as we make our arrangements. Hope you don’t mind. God bless you.

But wait ohh.this is winter season in the US nahh.i ain't seeing any sign of it at this Disney world ,Orlando Florida

Anyways nice pixs

omidan21:
But wait ohh.this is winter season in the US nahh.i ain't seeing any sign of it at this Disney world ,Orlando Florida

Anyways nice pixs

Orlando Florida is one of the sunniest part of the US. It witnesses more sunshine than others even during the winter season due to the fact that it's very close to the Tropic of Cancer.

Disney