Orlando Advice

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Hi Folks

The family & myself are off to see the big mouse in Orlando. Me, Wife, 2 girls 11 & 6. Staying at WDW 5 days & then condo for 7.

Any advice, tips or tricks?

What's the one thing we shouldn't miss at WDW or Orlando & what should we avoid at WDW or Orlando.

We're also thinking about a day trip to Daytona to spend a day at the beach.

Thanks for the help
 
Hope you have a great time we did on a recent trip there .loved every minute of it, my only tip avoid universal studios do islands of adventure instead Jaws looks pretty tired and looks like it hasnt been updated for 20+ yrs the only good thing in my opinion about universal are the terminator ,shrek and mummy rides as ive said hope you have a great time im hoping to return next year

Steve
 
Get ready for lines, heat & lines.
I take my family there frequently. Summertime is when America and half of Europe goes to WDW. The "heat index "(what it feels like) in central Florida is usually over 100 in August & September. There's a lot to see, so plan out exactly what you think the kids will like. Buy the multiday "park hopper" passes to save some money or go to your local Disney store or Auto Club (CAA) to see if there's discount or "seasonal" tickets available. Some Auto Clubs discount tickets to Universal & Sea World too.
Here's what my kids like broken down by the parks: Get the "Fast Pass" appointment tickets when you can. It will save you from waiting in very long , hot lines. Bring a backpack w/bottled water.
Magic Kingdom:
Pirates of the Caribbean
Jungle Cruise
Tiki Birds
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain
Country Bears
Haunted Mansion
Small World
Peter Pan
Philharmagic (great 3d Moviefor kids)
Pooh's ride
Dumbo ride.
Goofy's Barnstormer (small roller coaster)
Race Track (long lines)
Space Mountain (roller coaster in dark)
Buzz Lightyear's ride.
Fireworks at closing time
Decent restaurants:
Cinderella's Castle $$$
Liberty Tree

MGM Studios:
The Great Movie Ride
Disney Animation Studio
Muppet Show
Backstage Tour- a little hokie, especially for those who know how movies are really made.
Drew Carey's Sound stage.
Indiana Jones Stunt Show
Millionaire Show
Good Mickey Laser show at night.
Great fun restaurant: 50's Prime Time Cafe
Some thrill rides the kids may not be ready for if they're not big on "motion" rides
Arrowsmith Rock n' roller coaster
Hollywood Hotel -elevator drop
Star Wars

EPCOT can be done in 5 hrs or less.
Honey I Shrunk the Kids 3d movie
Figment's ride
Mission Space. tough on kids
Test Track
The Land
Living Seas
Energy
Mexico Pavilion Ride just to cool off
Norway Maelstrom ride
Good Restaurant: Alfredo's of Roma
You'll want to visit the Canadian pavillion (just OK)

Animal Kingdom Dont bother. Unless you get there when it opens, the animals are all asleep.

To cool off, Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach water parks.

Sea World and Universal are great too.

Unless you want to visit the Daytona Speedway or the NASCAR attraction, I'd go to Cocoa Beach instead. Quieter beaches & closer to Orlando too. No cars driving on your beach towel like Daytona. Decent Cocoa Beachhotels: Royal Mansions , Inn at Cocoa Beach (small B&B) Hampton Inn. Take the kids to Ron Jons Surf Shop . Ron Jons Surf Shop, Kennedy Space Center ,Surfing lessons at Corky Carrols .

have fun...

[ August 19, 2005, 09:12 PM: Message edited by: at the plate ]
 
Damn, you should work for the Chamber of Commerce. This is great. I wasn't going to go, but since you did the homework for me, I just make my way down there too. Thanks.
 
I agree with the previous posts...It will be hot and the lines will be long(even though I am going Labor Day weekend). But I do have to say that Mission Space is tough on adults as well as kids.
 
I agree with the previous posts...It will be hot and the lines will be long(even though I am going Labor Day weekend). But I do have to say that Mission Space is tough on adults as well as kids.
 
Now would be a great time to head over to the Kennedy Space Center. They're bringing Discovery back Saturday, so you might actually see something extra.
 
I have heard that you can get in free or greatly reduced by contacting their media relations and tell them you are from the CBC and send them a card and they will hook you up. No prob. I know many a person who has done that.

Give it a shot.
 
Most of the streets along the beach have public parking and wide open access to the beach. Near the pier or behind Ron Jons is nice. When I go to cover shuttle launches I stay at the Inn at Cocoa Beach. Sometimes they'll give you a "media" discount. Its really a small family friendly little beach town vs. the honky tonk of Daytona.

[ August 18, 2005, 09:46 PM: Message edited by: at the plate ]
 
Originally posted by American lost in Canada:
I have heard that you can get in free or greatly reduced by contacting their media relations and tell them you are from the CBC and send them a card and they will hook you up. No prob. I know many a person who has done that.

Give it a shot.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip. However my wife has done a great job in getting a great deal for us.

Flights for 4 people from Pittsburgh to Orlando $450 USD for the group.

5 nights, 5 day park hopper, 3 days (water parks & other disney attractions)& 5 days of meals at Disney all for $1500 USD.

We also have 7 days at a condo she found for $39 USD per night

Ford Explorer rental for 7 days $144 USD taxes in.

Also as for using the CBC's name can be a fireable offence for a lowly tech, however if you are a reporter that's OK
 
Originally posted by at the plate:
Most of the streets along the beach have public parking and open access to the beach. Near the pier or behind Ron Jons is nice. When I go to cover shuttle launches I stay at the Inn at Cocoa Beach. Its really a small family friendly little beach town vs. the honky tonk of Daytona.
Click to expand...
Do you htink if we arrived at around 10:00 on a Saturday (Aug 27) that would be too late?
 
Too late for what?

Its going to be busy because its a week or so before school starts, but its not going to be as crowded as Labor Day Wknd. Many southern US schools are already in session so that takes a little weight off the crowds. Its not nearly crowded as going to the Jersey Shore or NE US beaches at the end of summer. Its a big long beach with plenty of room.

[ August 18, 2005, 09:56 PM: Message edited by: at the plate ]
 
At The Plate did a great job of summing up the attractions. My kids prefer SeaWorld to Disney. They weren't impressed at all by Animal Kingdom or Magic Kingdom.

Check out Discovery Cove, a co-attraction with SeaWorld. Everyone I know who has gone, says it was the highlight of their trip. If you have $$$, you may want to schedule a swim with the dolphins. There are also day camps for kids (a great way to have a day for just the adults) and sleepovers. For land animals, go over to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Some parks, especially Disney, offer meal tickets. For a reasonable add-on price, you can get a meal, a snack and a drink for much less than you would pay buying them individually. If you have a backpack, they will probably check it, and may not allow you to bring in a water bottle.

If you like racing, check out RaceRock. It's like a Planet Hollywood, except with all kinds of racing memorabilia. I've heard that the upside down house is a fun smaller attraction for those easy-going days. And, the kids may enjoy one of the dinner shows like Medieval Times or Arabian Nights.

As for the beaches, Cocoa is more laid back than Daytona. But, I prefer the Gulf beaches. They're about 2 hours away, but the waves are softer and the water shallower. Clearwater has a nice beach, but lots of tourists. Many of the locals prefer places like Honeymoon Island near Palm Harbor or Fort DeSoto in St. Pete. No commercialization, just you, the sun, and the water.

We try to get down and do the tourist thing at least every other year. But, I'm not sure we're gonna make it this time. I'm trying to save enough money to move back. I'll be in Tampa later this fall on personal business, and will be sticking around a few extra days for job hunting.
 
my vote: Kennedy Space Center

its well worth the visit
much better than WDW
you get to see REAL spacships and history
a great educational trip for the kids.

if you want roller coasters or animals
Busch gardens is the only answer in florida
and its only an hour drive from the WDW area
the gulf beaches another 45 minutes west.

and i'm biased, but the sarasota beaches are some of the best in the country
siesta key !
white sand like baking soda

punky
 
All very good suggestions.
Although now I live only 45 minutes from the mouse, before moving to FL one of the best vacations we took when my kids were the same age as yours was one week in WDW, and that one was in August too. The heat can be exhausting and really diminish the fun. What we did was get to the parks early when it was still relatively cool. If you are staying in one the WDW resorts I believe that you can get into the parks one hour before the general public admission. Make yourself an itinerary of what you want to see first. When you first get there go to the rides further from the entrance gate and work your way backward, it take awhile for the general public to make their way inside. It will be very exhausting, especially for the kids to stay there into the evening, most parks close at 9pm. By lunchtime we headed back to our hotel and spent the afternoon at the pool or on the lake. You can rent those small powerboats, the kids (and us) had a blast. We also managed to take a short nap. By 5pm, refreshed and cooled down, we headed back to the parks, that’s also the time that many of the heat exhausted guests start leaving. In the evening the line are shorter, there are parades and fireworks displays. If you decide to stay there for lunch, try to avoid the crowded lunchtime (12 to 2), there are always long lines and scarcity of seating. A good suggestion is to backpack some water and fresh fruit, the prices for such staples inside the parks is criminal.
Outside WDW The Kennedy Space Center is one of my favorite, it’s real history there. I believe that it’s no longer free; you now have to pay admission. The space center is near Daytona so you can combine both in one day. In Daytona Beach you can drive and park your car right on the beach.
Also consider the reborn Cypress Garden, about 30 minute from WDW. There’s a new owner and while maintaining the old charm of the oldest park in FL, they have added some very modern thrill rides.

A word of caution, you’ll be surprised of how many vacations get screwed-up by sunburns. Here you can get burned in less than ten minutes. Use 30 sunblock and keep putting it on. Stay out of the sun as much as you can. If you must soak in the sun so you can go back home with a tan, do it at the end of the vacation.
Don’t swim in the ocean at dawn or dusk, although attacks are rare, that’s feeding time for sharks.


Have fun

[ August 19, 2005, 08:02 AM: Message edited by: Nino ]
 
I suggest going to any other beach but Daytona. It's a PIT. There's New Smyrna Beach just south of Daytona that doesn't have very many tourists and is a lot cleaner.

However, if you're a NASCAR fan and don't want to make two trips, all of the NASCAR attractions are in Daytona.

Still -- I cringe everytime I'm sent there.
;)

Also, stay away from 192 east of I-4 (192 is one of the main roads to Disney). It's all tourist-trap kind of stuff beyond a mile or two of I-4.

[ August 19, 2005, 10:14 AM: Message edited by: Chicago Dog ]
 
places to eat in cocoa beach:

breakfasts: the SUNRISE for that small, diner experience.
365 W Cocoa Beach Cswy, Cocoa Beach, 32931 - (321) 783-5647

dinners: the SUNSET for great seafood - outdoors with good sunset views.
500 W Cocoa Beach Cswy, Cocoa Beach, 32931 - (321) 783-8485 (right across the street from the sunrise...)

also - Bernards Surf
(321) 783-2401, 2 S Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

now - none of these are culinary gems, just good, solid, non-chain food.
bernards is an OLD-SCHOOL casual bar/restaurant downtown frequented by astronauts and NASA-types. the last time i was in there, i saw 3-4 guys in flight suits there for lunch.

(cocoa beach causeway is the road that runs straight west out of cocoa beach at the light by ron jons...can't miss it. the sunset is on the south side of the road - look for the big red/white radio tower)
 
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