Trip to Orlando

[revolution saint]

Well, off to the corporate greed soul destroying Orlando in a couple of weeks. Anyone got any tips? It's a big family thing (seven of us) and despite the commercialism etc I'm really looking forward to it. We're staying in Kissimmee and already got all the theme park tickets sorted (14 day unlimited access for Disney, Universal Parks and Kennedy Space Centre). Kids are 7 (going on 35) and 9.

 

Also, we've got a connecting flight from Atlanta and only got 2 hours - slightly worried that won't be long enough.

[View From The Top]

Well, off to the corporate greed soul destroying Orlando in a couple of weeks. Anyone got any tips? It's a big family thing (seven of us) and despite the commercialism etc I'm really looking forward to it. We're staying in Kissimmee and already got all the theme park tickets sorted (14 day unlimited access for Disney, Universal Parks and Kennedy Space Centre). Kids are 7 (going on 35) and 9.

 

Also, we've got a connecting flight from Atlanta and only got 2 hours - slightly worried that won't be long enough.

 

Contact Corky Morris, he's got a nice 5 bed gaff out in Kissimee there and goes out every Easter & summer and has 3 kids so knows just about all there is to know.

[LGTL]

I was recommended this website - it is literally everything you will ever need to know about Orlando or the west coast.

 

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/index.php

[Weston Super Saint]

My advice, take a day driving around and visit the less commercial areas.

 

We found a delightful gun range which for a few dollars gave us any gun we wanted and let us loose to shoot holes in paper targets

 

Beats the pants off a rollercoaster

[Jimmy_D]

You'll have Old Town Kissimmee just close to where you're staying, which is really good for a 'rest' day. (If you haven't been before, it's surprising how tiring it gets, walking around the theme parks, and rushing to try and get everything in, especially as Florida is a very very warm state. Old Town Kissimmee is much smaller and lets you relax a little)

 

They have the tallest Sky Coaster in the world there, which is awesome, and worth the visit alone to 'get the t-shirt'. (Literally)

 

Sometimes they have classic car rallies there as well, which might be something you're interested in.

 

Boggy Creek is decent, they take you out on a jetboat, which is fun by itself, to try and see crocodiles. We weren't lucky enough to see any, but there was a bald eagle nesting there that we saw.

 

Fast passes are worth considering in the parks. They're expensive, but they mean you're going to get at least 3 or 4 times as many rides in. (At Universal, they won't get you on to the Harry Potter ride. Best way to reduce queueing for that is to get there early when the park opens and head right for it)

 

Other than that, general tips, wear a hat, wear sunscreen, stick to the shade, drink plenty, take advantage of every shop having air conditioning. Losing a day to heat stroke or exaustion is annoying.

 

If you're planning to drive out there, make sure you've read up on the rules of the road. (eg. you can turn right at a red light, unless there's a sign telling you you can't. This means you have to watch out for others deciding you're travelling slow enough to pull out in front of you from the right through a red light)

 

Also, check if there's a satellite launch from Kennedy during your stay there! Either you'll want to go and see it, or you'll want to avoid it because the Centre will be packed that day and you can't really enjoy it.

 

Sorry if any of that seems too obvious!

 

Oh, and last of all, really throw yourself into the holiday, have fun and enjoy it

Edited 26 January, 2014 by Jimmy_D

[Ziggy]

We are going for our third trip in August. We use the book "Brit Guide" Orlando 2014 - excellent tips and advice.

[BigShadow]

You'll have Old Town Kissimmee just close to where you're staying, which is really good for a 'rest' day. (If you haven't been before, it's surprising how tiring it gets, walking around the theme parks, and rushing to try and get everything in, especially as Florida is a very very warm state. Old Town Kissimmee is much smaller and lets you relax a little)

 

Not always so warm in February. I've been a few times at that time of year - be prepared for anything from 8 degrees up to around 27 degrees. Usually starts off around 10-12 degrees in the morning (8am) and warms to around 20 by lunchtime.

 

Crowds should be manageable - but Presidents Day Weekend (Sat 15 - Mon 17) could be busy in the theme parks if you're over there then - in general though - get to the parks early as you can get a lot done in those first couple hours before it gets too busy.

 

2 hours at Atlanta 'should' be OK - you will probably have to clear immigration, collect luggage, clear customs, resubmit luggage and leg it to your flight which will probably be in a different concourse. Easier said than done I know, but try to be one of the first off the plane and get to immigration as quickly as possible so you are not at the back of the line.

 

I second TheDibb website as a useful source of info - or its US counterpart DisBoards. Those guys are really obsessed though and information overload is easily reached.

 

Have a great holiday.

[St Joan]

If anyone is looking for accommodation, near the main attractions, try http://www.woodcotevilla.com

[buctootim]

Take a day out from the theme parks and go and see some of natural Florida. Tbh my kids enjoyed a half day hike in one, seeing a family of racoons and eating fresh watermelon from the back of a farmers trailer more than Disneyland. http://www.floridastateparks.org/ http://www.canoewekiva.com/

 

Also go to one of the waterparks - Aquatica is great.

http://aquaticabyseaworld.com/en/orlando/?source=fromportal

[norwaysaint]

My wife goes there on business a bit and took the kids last time. They did all the parks and stuff, but Apparently the best place by a long long way is Discovery Cove. Swimming with dolphins and stuff like that. They still talk about it all the time, not that I'm jealous or anything.

[Ziggy]

My wife goes there on business a bit and took the kids last time. They did all the parks and stuff, but Apparently the best place by a long long way is Discovery Cove. Swimming with dolphins and stuff like that. They still talk about it all the time, not that I'm jealous or anything.

 

We did Discovery Cove for my lad's birthday. It is absolutely magnificent but cost us about £1,000 for the day for the four of us if my memory is correct!

[revolution saint]

Thanks for all the good tips and links. I went back in '96 and can remember how tiring it was. We've got 14 day passes to the parks so we don't have to feel like we have to cram everything all in one day - we're certainly planning a few "off days" as well. Looking forward to seeing Old Town Kissimmee again as well - loved it when I went before. Good tip to look out for the satellite launch at Kennedy Space Centre as well - hadn't thought of that and think I'd rather go when it'll be a bit quieter.

[Miffy]

I recommend the undercover tourist website, which gives you information on how busy each park is on any particular day. Very useful for avoiding big queues.

[rockhill]

I'm doing the Delta "direct" flight to Orlando via Atlanta, so i would be very interested to here how it goes.

How they can sell it as a direct flight going via Atlanta is a bit strange, but both flights have the same flight number so if you are American i guess that's ok.

 

I have arrived in the US via Atlanta three or four time and have always made two hour connections ok

Its a big airport but the underground between terminals is easy to use and get you there quickly.

 

US customs is a bit better now they have esta's (a least you don't have to fill out forms for every family member and the worry of getting something wrong so they can send you back to fill it out again) but they will need the finger prints and photo so it's still not fast.

 

If you go on the Atlanta web site you can view the terminal maps, it will give you a better ideal where to go when you arrive.

 

http://www.atlanta-airport.com/

http://www.flightstats.com/go/AirportTerminalMaps/airportTerminalMaps.do?airportCode=ATL

 

Hope you have a good time.

[SOTONS EAST SIDE]

Try the Golden Coral up on Lake/ International drive for all u can eat inc Steaks, unlike Sizzler/ Ponderosa....

Also go to the Space centre, that is good too!

[so22saint]

Just been 2 years straight - the new Atlantis exhibit at KSC is superb (she was in the VAB the first year and randomly the tour guide used to be my bosses boss when I worked at IBM in Skatesmouth). As it's a trip to get there (well an hour) it's 25 minutes to Cocoa Beach - we just drove in to the Cocoa Beach Hilton and used the car park to go and see the sea / chill for a bit then had a happy hour beer to stop feeling guilty.

 

Downtown Disney is not a bad spot for food - there's a house of blues to avoid everything being chips / burgers. The Universal restaurants are brilliant, and Universal in general is amazing - the Hulk and Rip-rocket being particular favourites, though my 7 year old boy was too small but LOVES Marvels Islands of Adventure. Men in Black is a good family ride as it's 4 to a pod and not a ride to scare anybody.

 

If you do Seaworld, the artic experience is a pile of ****e

 

The Florida Mall for shopping - the one with a Five Guys Burger (which are *amazing*) - it's massive

[dubai_phil]

My input FWIW.

 

A grown ups night out at Howl at the Moon on International Drive. (Maybe after a stupid big Steak & Californian Red)

 

Superb "Al Fresco" live music.

[buctootim]

Pretend your disabled and get a wheelchair at the parks. Not only do you have a seat you can use all day whenever you like, you also get free priority queue passes at most parks for you and a 'carer'

 

Most of the people in wheelchairs I saw there were just too fat to walk - and then complained if they couldnt get in the rides.

[buctootim]

Lone star Steakhouses are great for feeding a family well without breaking the bank. Good food and service, nice atmosphere. Theres one on Vineland Avenue, just off south Apokpa Drive (which is the main road to Kissimmee)

[iansums]

I wouldn't have thought two weeks was long enough if you want to do all the theme parks plus having a few days off.

We went for two weeks and did mostly Disney parks and then a week a couple of years later to do Universal/Sea world.

 

IMO Aquatica is the best water park, the lazy river type ride with a strong current is great fun.

[revolution saint]

I wouldn't have thought two weeks was long enough if you want to do all the theme parks plus having a few days off.

We went for two weeks and did mostly Disney parks and then a week a couple of years later to do Universal/Sea world.

 

IMO Aquatica is the best water park, the lazy river type ride with a strong current is great fun.

 

Agree it's going to be a push but we've got 7 parks to do in 13 days. Ultimately though as long as we have fun then it's all OK - no doubt there will be things we'd wished we'd done instead but that's life. Of course would love to stay longer though.

[rockhill]

Agree it's going to be a push but we've got 7 parks to do in 13 days. Ultimately though as long as we have fun then it's all OK - no doubt there will be things we'd wished we'd done instead but that's life. Of course would love to stay longer though.

 

As iansums said two weeks is not enough, but who goes on holiday for a month!

and there is always next time.

 

Have to agree with so22saint Five Guys Burgers are the best (and cheep) and buctootim Lone Star Stackhouse is another good place to go.

 

Work out a plan of the things you and the kids want to do, then work out how best fit them in to the days you have in the parks or the beach or shopping.

 

Always remember that day one in Florida will start very early in the morning (average kid gets up at 6 or 7 in the morning uk time, take off the five hours time difference and you have an early start to the first day). Then by early evening they will be ready to go to sleep, it take;s 3 or 4 days to get any thing like normal in my experience. So planning to go to the Disney fire works on the first week might not be a good ideal.

 

We first took our kids 20 years ago and this year we will be doing the family holiday again. Meeting up with family from the US and taking the third generation from the UK for the first time. We don’t go until July but the grand daughter has been doing the Disney interactive tour of the Magic Kingdom and planning who she wants to meet.

Excited that’s probably an understatement (and that's the wife).

[Wadge]

If you want a really good airboat trip, look up "spirit of the swamp", unlike some of the other airboat trips it is a very personal trip, with only up to 8 people on each boat, with excellent local knowledge from Captain Harold. I have been to Florida with my kids 6 times, and this was one of favourite experiences. Also Millers Ale House is well worth a visit for offers on food and lots of different beers to choose from, there will be one quite close to you on the 192.

 

Best tip I have for you in Hollywood studios is to send someone to jog off straight to Toy Story to get the free fast pass tickets while you start walking to Aerosmith, otherwise the queue for both are quite long for the whole day, and the age your kids are toy story will be one of their favorite rides, great shooting game.

 

Also when your going to disney, don't go on the days that magic hours are on, as there will be less people in the parks, as the disney hotel people mainly go on magic hour days days to make the most of them.

 

Buy your sun spray from wallmart as well, about half the price than from everywhere else, also their sun spray is a lot more effective than sun cream from home, and buy the mist spray, saves loads of time.

 

Also they don't sell squash as such, but they do sell packets of powdered drinks such as crystal light, which just need mixing with bottled water. Our kids drunk loads of them, and you can get them in single packs to carry round with you. Otherwise you can get sucked in to drinking fizzy all day.