Chick Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 You'll need this holiday after the stress of house move Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted November 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 Damned right! Work is stress city, house move is Mga-City Stress One and the daughter has exams 4 weeks after we move in. I have booked off Half Term to just sleep! I think I will need to store some of that sleep up as I intend to get my money's worth out of the Mouse in the Florida sun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted November 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2012 forgot to mention: bit of a tip if anyone doesn't know: I had about 100k Avios points build up with BMI diamond club, moved across to BA Exec club. Managed to buy £400 worth of Universal Studio Tickets for £41 and 80k points by phoning up AVIOS and buying through them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted March 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 (edited) T-Minus 2 weeks And thanks once again to S_K who was immense in giving me advice sorting this Going back to my earlier comment about costs (for anyone else never been: well I have splurged that £5k already - and we have't departed yet....) Edited March 19, 2013 by Waylander Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Oooh lucky you Waylander. I'm looking forward to going back, it's been a few years now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 No worries for the help When you replied to y email the other day - I just got a blank reply, not sure if you wrote anything!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted March 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 D'oh. That was my old phone in its death throes. Darn right I am getting excited Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted March 21, 2013 Report Share Posted March 21, 2013 Sorry I missed this thread mate.. we have a place in Florida and been there so many times it's like a second home. If you have any last minute questions then just drop me a line. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted March 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2013 Many thanks Dave - long time no see Any tips you have will be gratefully received. Have a Villa in Indian Creek and car; 14 day Disney and Universal tix as well as Seaworld and Kennedy Space Centre :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted March 21, 2013 Report Share Posted March 21, 2013 Sorry I missed this thread mate.. we have a place in Florida and been there so many times it's like a second home.If you have any last minute questions then just drop me a line. Cheers Gosh it's a hard life being a drug dealer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 I could write an a book and what to do and where to go. Don't forget to use your fastpasses if it is busy A lot of it depends on the ages of your children and what you enjoy. Disney is great for the younger children.. none of the rides are what I would call extreme.. Fun.. yes, but nothing that is going to have them crapping in their pants.. you also have all the characters of course, which the younger kids love. The shows are really good. You have the four Disney parks... Epcot is great and you can get good food there if you go 'around the world'. Animal kingdom has my fav disney ride which is Expedition Everest.. a really good inverted roller-coaster. You will need mozzie repellent at Animal kingdom as they have stopped spraying there. Then you have Disney Hollywood studios which is a good if not great park.. it has tower of terror of course which is not to me missed.. some of the shows here can be very good, certainly if your kids like stuff like Highschool Musical. And of course, last but certainly not least is Magic kingdom.. I feel that this is really for the younger kids, but does have some great stuff like the water coaster and space mountain. This is the place to take the younger kids who like characters and princesses. If you want to know anything specific then just let me know... the multiday passes are great because they let you come and go and go to different parcs. Our favourites are the water parcs.. Blizzards Beach & typhoon lagoon are just magic on a sunny day when you have had enough of walking around the parcs.. i love them, wizzing around on water slides.. there is also a new water parc called Aquatica.. well worth a visit.. but don't bother with wet & wild.. it was looking tired and run down last time we went. Our favourite parc of all is Sea world.. it's a stunning place to spend a day at,, it has great shows, fantastic exhibits of water animals and so really fun rides that will raise a bead of sweet.. this is a must do. Univeral and Islands of Adventure at the same spot.. you walk right for Universal and left for Islands of Adventure.. the latter is for the older kids, but saying that I am sure any kids would love to spend time at Harry potter world.. stunning doesn't do it justice. The rides at Islands of adventure are a bit more mature and scary,..my teenage girls love them.. Univeral is also great with some must do stuff.. the New simpsons ride is a real hoot. You can buy line jumping tickets at IOA and univeral.. expensive, but worth it if you have limited time.again, drop me a line if you want any specifics. You'll enjoy the space centre.. bit of a drive but worth it just for the scale of things... Have to get back to work, but i could write for an hour, so ask away! Cheers.. you'll have a ball Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted March 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 Thanks Dave that is really helpful. Will pack the Mozzie spray then! Here is my itinerary. I have tried to break up the stay with SeaWorld and WaterParks to take the pace of relentless park after park. Looking forward to Aquatica and Typhoon Lagoon too as well as Epcot and Kennedy in particular (son with love the Angry Birds exhibit they are doing right now!) Reassuring that rides are not scary as my kids (8/11) not really into fast rides at all. I am planning also on some days to get early starts (rope drop) then head back to the villa for lunch/swim/snooze and then back out for Fireworks etc etc.H Hope the weather picks back up after the typhoon recently! Am really excited now! Arrive Evening Tues Wed - Magic Kingdom Thurs - Hollywood Studios Fri - Seaworld Sat - Aquatica Sun - Kennedy Space Centre Mon - Island of Adventure (time for a Butter Beer!) Tues - Animal Kingdom Wed - Epcot Thurs - Typhoon Lagoon Fri - Universal Studios Sat/Sun - flexible to revisit any parks Mon - MK Tues - Downtown disney or shopping in morning before 2pm at airport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 Feck me, when do you get to relax then? That kind of itinerary will kill you, i'd be looking at a couple of theme parks on a two week holiday, not all of them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted March 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 What you talking 'bout. Relax on the lazy river, relax in the villa pool, relax on rest days. Plenty relax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuprabob Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 It's also worth a drive up to Daytona. Have look around the circuit and the go to the beach and see all the names of the world land speed record holders on the boardwalk. I love the Kennedy Space Centre and IMO it's worth the extra money to do the upclose tours. I defy anyone to look at a Saturn V rocket and not be impressed by the size and complexity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted March 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 Definitely plan to do the upclose tours - everything I have read just talks about heading over to the Bus Stop with no mention of it being chargable extra. Oh well.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuprabob Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 Definitely plan to do the upclose tours - everything I have read just talks about heading over to the Bus Stop with no mention of it being chargable extra.Oh well.... When you buy you ticket on entrance you get a number of options. The first time I went I went on the standard tour and 2nd time on one of the up close tours. The main difference was with the latter you closer to one of the launch pads, trip to the runway and a quick tour of one of the buildings where they were assembling modules for the ISS. That was in 2004 so it may have changed slightly and the extra expense was worth it. I never got inside the Vehicle Assembly Building but that looks like an option now, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 Arrive Evening Tues Wed - Magic Kingdom Thurs - Hollywood Studios Fri - Seaworld Sat - Aquatica Sun - Kennedy Space Centre Mon - Island of Adventure (time for a Butter Beer!) Tues - Animal Kingdom Wed - Epcot Thurs - Typhoon Lagoon Fri - Universal Studios Sat/Sun - flexible to revisit any parks Mon - MK Tues - Downtown disney or shopping in morning before 2pm at airport Actually I think your itinerary looks about right... you are packing a lot in, but you always do on your first visit. On your first morning get to the Magic Kindgom for opening.. your jet lag will help as you will be up early. Everyone crowds around the entrance and the train arrives with all the characters and then they count down the opening of the park.. the kids will love it and it's quite emotional when you have travelled so far. It's all song and dance but really good. They then open the gates and you get to walk down Main street USA!!.. Brilliant!! You will want to take in all the sights and sounds. Do not try and do everything at once.. stick to what you want to do.. otherwise you will wear each other out and everyone will get tired and grumpy.. make sure you get drinks and food. Tick off what is must do for you and once you have those done then look for other stuff. Hollywood studies is not as big and I would try and have a more relaxing day there as i would want to be fresh for sea world.. this would be the big one in my book. Make sure you see the shamo show. Spend your time looking around and you will see what a great place it is. Aquatica is a rest day really.. yes, you'll be bombing around doing all sorts of slides and swimming with fish but it's also time to rest those tired legs. Space centre is great.. you'll all enjoy that. Islands of adventure is where things get radical.. some super fun rides here like Hulk etc.. some of them are amazing.. i would say don't be tempted to try and do IOA and Universal in one day.. stick to your guns.. otherwise you are trying to rush around and will miss things.. you are better to spend quality time enjoying what you are doing rather than always looking over your shoulder. It you do want to do loads of rides, go to the back of the park and move towards the entrance.. that way you won't que for so lone. Animal Kindgom is awsome.. do make sure you go on the safari and get those camera's out.. you'll see all sorts of wildlife with some fun commentary. The park is divided into area's but you'll have map to get around. Don't forget Expedition Everest.. it's a great ride that is really fun. There is also a really fun family water ride there, but be prepared to get wet!!.. either buy a $1 poncho or put your valuables in a locker! We've got to enjoy Epcot more and more as we've visited it more often.. it is a big park.. most of the attractions are at the front of the park.. soaring is one not to be missed.. amazing is the only word for it... but at the back of the park is the world tour where you can 'visit' different country's and taste their food. If you walk into the 'world' areas you will find amazing performances and people.. i can spend a day here easily. Typhoon Lagoon is our fav and we always spend a lot of time here.. there is a big waves in the main pool which is so much fun .. just be aware that the bottom of the pool can be a little sharp if you scrape on it, so just be aware. The donuts are to die for as they are hot and made fresh.. some of the rides are just brilliant.. and well, the lazy river.. what can you say??.. hours just drifting around.. Universal studios is great too.. more adult than disney but you will have a great time there as well. Like I say do the new simpsons ride, jaws is old but still a classic, certainly if the kids don't know about it. The mummy is a good ride, not terrifying but will have the cheeks twitching. It's a big parc and I would say a day would make sense. I think you can do all the parcs, but don't try and do everything.. you will end up frustrated and not enjoying what you are doing. Make time for rests and food.. and try to enjoy the atmosphere and people.. everyone is very friendly and keen for you to have a good time. I would say try and travel light in the parks.. do not be tempted to take everything and the kitchen sink.. just remember you have to carry it around all day.. you can buy water and fruit if you need it.. wear comfortable foot wear as you will be walking miles. I always wear a cap to as when the sun is out it is hot in parks.. don't forget the usual sun screen etc.. common sense goes a long way. Evenings are normally hardest for the kids due to jet lag.. don't try and do the fireworks etc on your first night there.. build up to it.. I'm getting green here just writing this.. it's a fab place,.. clean and comfortable.. everyone wants you to enjoy it.. the dollar is strong against the pound so your money will go a long way.. just soak it all up and enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 What you talking 'bout.Relax on the lazy river, relax in the villa pool, relax on rest days. Plenty relax Are you serious? You've got some kind of park on every single day, even the water parks involve a lot of walking and standing in queues, and given your only in there for one day, it wont be relaxing at all, it can be, but it won't be if you're cramming each park into a day. Personally I think you are cramming way too much in, and you'll be fecked after a couple of days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuprabob Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 Also, if you can get the boat across to Magic Kingdom, makes it a little bit more special IMO, and is also full of characters. For me there was just too many people in the MK, it was mobbed when I was there. I prefer EPCOT of the Disney parks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted March 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 (edited) Thanks Dave. During the whole week next week is EMH in the morning so we will not be able to see Rope Drop but I will make sure we are there for opening of the off-siters. Cuprabob yep to make up for loss of Opening on the first morning I plan to take the ferry across the first morning. I agree re IoA/US - I have deliberately also timetabled it for the week after when hopefully all the Easter crowds will have melted away As for what to do - again I agree. I gave the kids print-outs and maps of each parks and had them look to see what they want to do at each so make a little so they get into it. I am sure we will be tempted to go mad but I have tried to do exactly as you suggest as much as possible but what the heck. We are all looking forward to different things: Me Epcot and expedition Everest; kids Animal Kingdom, wife Seaworld (all of us Kennedy) Tipex obviously I have no frame of reference but as far as I can see Orlando is not like any "normal" holiday although generally we like doing lots anyway - so we'll see!! It is the outright zest of people like Dave who have been so many times before but speak with such animation that is really really making me excited to go Edited March 27, 2013 by Waylander Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 (edited) It is the outright zest of people like Dave who have been so many times before but speak with such animation that is really really making me excited to go Oh absolutely, It'll be a great holiday, but having been, I don't think you realise quite what you are letting yourself in for. The best laid plans go out the window once you're in the parks, it's easy to say we'll do X, then Y, then straight to Z, but the reality is you'll spot something else, get caught up just looking around and finding your way about, you'll be on your feet all day, and it's very tiring. Even doing Disney in Paris spending a full day in each of two parks isn't enough time to do them both justice, and thats when it's quiet, let alone in almost peak season when the kids are all off school. Sounds like i'm on a downer really, but i'm not, it's fantastic, but I just think you're cramming too much into one holiday imo, personally i'd split all those parks between at least two separate holidays, probably three. Edited March 27, 2013 by Tipex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted March 28, 2013 Report Share Posted March 28, 2013 It is a holiday like no other.. If you are used to sitting on a beach and relaxing , then you are in for a new experience completely. It's full on, but real fun... Our family love to get up and at it.. hence why we love Florida so much... The chances are you will come home tired but with some wonderful family moments.. just to see the kids smile, laugh and scream with joy has given me so many fabulous memories that will live with me forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted March 28, 2013 Report Share Posted March 28, 2013 With regards to the Butter beer - it truely is vile I'd order one before ording a family size portion!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted March 28, 2013 Report Share Posted March 28, 2013 Have a great time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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