Travel city direct

[louise jones]

Has anyone flew with travel city direct to orlando? what are the planes like? I have been reading reviews on them and people have said that there isn't seatback dvd/tv is this true??

Thanks

[gazzawazza]

We went with travelcity direct in June and enjoyed the flight.  No they didn't have seatback dvd/tvs, but I (and the other three in our family could see well enough.  The air-stewards were very good and all refreshments including alcoholic drinks (obviously within reason) were complimentary.

One thing I found very helpful was the videos played as you get closer to landing.  One showed exactly how to fill in your immigration/entry forms (which would save you lots of time and stress in the airport) and the other gave very helpful advice on driving in the US. 

One other thing I found very helpful, if you booked your car through them (Dollar) meant that there are reps in the car lot to tell you exactly how to drive the cars!   I had never driven an automatic car before then and was sat in the car just trying to get to grips when up popped a helpful lady to get me going. 

Have a great time.

[gazzawazza]

Also, if the car rep offers you an upgrade don't take it. 

I was told this by a workmate, whose brother lives in the US.  They tell you it's just a few dollars more, when in reality it's a few dollars per day.  The guy who served me told me I was his last customer and I'd be foolish not to take up his offer of a superior car.  I stuck to my guns and ended up with the upgrade anyway for no extra money.  I'm not saying this will definitely happen but it seems likely it will.  Good luck!

[gazzawazza]

10ClarionSt, it took us two-and-a-half hours to get through the airport and on the road!  I suppose if louise expects a long wait then anything shorter will be a bonus!

[gazzawazza]

That's good advice re the directions.  As 10ClarionSt says, remember to travel for about 5 or 6 miles before turning onto the I-4.  We turned right at the T junction and almost immediately came to a crossroads which had signs for the I-4.  This was a toll road and put us out of our way a bit which was a bit scarey seeing as how it was our first time in the US and getting dark quickly!

Don't worry though, the Travelcity reps in the airport will give you a map and mark your route right to your accommodation (ask for a route avoiding the toll roads and they'll point you directly to I-4).

[louise jones]

Thanks for all your answers - we are not hiring a car though, neither of us fancied driving abroad!  We got all the park passes, some with transport included.  We are all getting really excited now!!!

[gazzawazza]

Louise, as 10ClarionSt says, leave plenty of time for your check-in. 

On our flight details it said we had to check in six hours before our flight time.  It also said to phone to check this.  In the end we phoned and they said we didn't need to be there that early but we still got there four hours before and so it seemed did everyone else.

Have a brill time (we can't wait to go back) and whatever you do don't miss the spiderman ride in Universal's Islands of Adventure.  We loved all the rides but all of us (and everyone else I've spoken to) said this was their fave.

Just one more tip, they say that when you use the fastpass system you can only do one at a time, well this is wrong, especially in Disney parks.  When you get them, they have a time printed when you can obtain another fastpass.  Check the times and exploit this and you'll find you can sometimes have two (or even three) fastpasses running which means you hardly have to queue for anything, just walk from one ride to your next allotted time.  Also, one person can go for the whole party's passes, so I used to go when we had any waiting time.  Good luck! 

[louise jones]

Thanks to your advice 10ClarionSt we DID wait for our holiday money and we got $1.75 from M & S - well impressed so thank you!