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Powerplay Quarterback
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Cowtown
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Alright, hopefully I can also help you out with Florida/Disney information. I've been to Disneyland twice, and Disney World 3 times (Florida 5 times in total), and the most recent Disney World trip I only got back from a week ago. Oh, and I'm 16 years old, so I think I'll help relate to your kids' ages.
Before I get into that though, like BuzzardsWife, I've also done Hawai'i and Seattle. In Hawai'i, we stayed on the northern side of whichever island it was, and it was VERY windy, and the beaches weren't very good at all. We stopped in Honolulu too, which was more fun because I'm not a beach person and prefer the city, but I live in Calgary, so big whoop. As for Seattle, I loved it there and would jump at an opportunity to go there again.
So, Florida!
On our most recent trip, we did the 3-day Disney Cruise, and it was absolutely fantastic!! It wasn't cheap, but that's to be expected of Disney. So we travelled with my dad's cousin's family, and in total there were 9 of us: 4 adults, and kids aged from 18 to 13. With three pools on the ship, 10 levels, many restaurants, movie theatres, gift stores, and places designated for young kids, tweens, and teenagers, and adults to all 'hang out', there wasn't a moment of boredom.
On it, we made two stops in the Caribbean, which you also asked about, so I'll try and be brief.
First we stopped at Nassau, the island where a pretty well known, expensive hotel is, Atlantis. There's a casino, pools, an amazing beach, and a whole tour where you get to see things as if at Seaworld; fish, sharks, manta rays 2 metres across, etc. Since we were with the cruise, we signed up for an 'excursion' which allowed us to go over there and get the tour, and what not.
Also on Nassau, there are LOTS of places to shop, go prepared. Lastly for Nassau, some cool trivia: They used to be ruled by the Brits, and so they drive on the left side of the road.
The second stop, the following day, was at Castaway Cay, Disney's private island. There, there's an opportunity to meet 'Captain Jack Sparrow', and is also where they've docked the ship, the Flying Dutchman, from when they filmed the 2nd and 3rd Pirates movies.
On Castaway, there are beaches, more shopping, food, and more 'excursions'. Some people in my family and I did parasailing, and even my dad who was terrified, ended up just adoring it. Try it out if you ever get the chance, seriously. Oh, and even at the end of December, you could, and sometimes had to go out in shorts, and just to be safe you could bring a sweater.
Back on the ship, the food was more amazing than can be described, and since it was all inclusive, there's no limit. There were even midnight buffets, and free ice cream and pop machines around. I know that even in 3 days, several people put on some pounds. Also, for each night, you're in a different restaurant on the ship, but have the same waiters, and you get to be good friends with them because, of course, they're all extremely nice/friendly.
If I could, I'd definitely have done a 4 day cruise, but I think something like a 7 day one might be a bit too much, personally.
Now, off of the ship.
Since we'd been to Disney World before, we were able to comfortably cover Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom in one day, and Epcot in another. Nothing really to add here after getbak's description, except that since we got to Magic Kingdom a bit later, it was a lot cooler and more comfortable outside, and there were less people. If you want to just walk onto rides there, go during their big parade in the evening.
On New Years, we headed to Downtown Disney and the Disney Boardwalk (same idea at both, just a free Disney -crowded- bus ride away from each other). At the boardwalk there's an ESPN zone where we were able to get them to put on the Flames game, and then a bit before midnight headed out to see the outstanding fireworks. I just don't know where else in Florida you would find a Flames game.
Something else slightly Disney related we did in Florida this past trip, was we took a short drive to the town of Celebration. Stupid name, I know, but it makes more sense in knowing Walt Disney created it. It has a small, controlled population, and is supposed to be the 'perfect' town. And, for the time we were there... it was. (Which was unbelievably eerie, but cool none the less.) The people were ALL nice, nothing was run-down, the food was, again, great. There were book stores, candy stores, a movie theatre (which only appeared to play Disney movies), and even Segways perked on the side of the one sidewalk. Neat place to check out if you have a few free hours.
Oh, and I forgot to add, we didn't stay at any of the Disney resorts, but instead at this place called Caribe Cove, which is only a 10 minute drive (I think) from the Disney hub of things. It was, I heard and believe, a LOT cheaper, and yet the room was more like a large apartment. The ONLY trouble we had there was that many people had trouble getting there using MapQuest directions. Solved by calling the resort. Otherwise, again, it was awesome.
In past trips to Florida, my family has also hit Disney's Blizzard Beach, Universal Islands of Adventure (LOVE the roller coasters!!!) and Studios, Seaworld, NASA, the Everglades, driven down to Tampa, Miami, Key West... and for the moment that's all I can think of.
Tampa's fun if you catch a hockey game (tickets are so much cheaper), or in Miami we went to South Beach, which was very, very nice.
So, yes, thus far, my most recent trip to Florida was the best one I've ever had, and I'd be open to answer any questions I didn't cover in this (very long, my apologies) post.
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