Heading to Orlando

[Superflyer]

So I am heading to Orlando in less then 2 weeks for a week. We are going to be staying in Disney World so we are going there and to seaworld. Anyone else have any ideas on what to do down there? This is my first time heading down to Florida so any tips would help, either on Disney, seaworld or the area.

Thanks

[ken0042]

It's been 30 years since I was there, but the Kennedy Space Center was quite memorable for me.

[AaronSJ]

The biggest advice I have for a first-timer at Disney is to give yourself enough time to enjoy the experience -- especially if you have kids! A little planning can go a long way, and I highly suggest buying a Disney or Orlando guidebook (I like Fodor's -- just make sure it's a recent edition, as things have changed). We have always taken a little time to plan out what we want to do during each day (usually just over breakfast that morning) -- that way you can allow yourself time for the major attractions (i.e. long lines), shows, the Disney parade, lunch, etc...

The FastPass system at Disney is outstanding -- you can bypass the lines at major attractions (which are usually 30 to 60 minutes... sometimes up to 90 minutes!) by obtaining a FastPass in advance and coming back to the attraction during the time stated on your pass (often an hour or two later) -- the caveat is that you can only have one FastPass at any given time, so you need to plan which rides you want to use this for. The Guidebooks are excellent at giving advice and strategies for this...

If you're staying at Disney, I'd recommend getting a Multi-Day parkhopper pass, which will allow you come and go as you please. The afternoon tends to be the 'worst' time at Disney (longest lines + hottest weather), so staying at Disney will allow you to come to the park in the morning, take a break in the afternoon to have a swim or a nap, and return to the park in the evening.

Orlando will be busy in August, so patience will be the key to having a good time. Expect to wait everywhere (parks, restaurants, driving, etc.) and expect to be gouged everywhere (food, souvenirs, parking, etc.)... but rest assured, the memories will be priceless. There is nothing else quite like Disney...

[PowerPlayoffs06]

You could check out the Medieval Times dinner theater thing. Friggin' awesome and so much fun. Wife and I were in Orlando for our honeymoon in May and we did all the Disney Parks, Sea World Universal Studios and the Medieval Times was definately my favorite part of the week.

The young ones, Im sure, would really get a kick out of the Character Dining that Disney offers. It's a buffet-style resteraunt where the characters travel from table to table and meet and greet your party and pose for pictures and autographs and stuff. We did the Winnie the Pooh one, and there's also one with like, the Classic Disney characters Mickey, Minnie, Goofie and Donald. The Princess one you need to book like 180 days in advance we were told, but the others had spots open and we only booked when we arrived at the resort.

If you do Universal Studios, put out for the FastPass type dealy they have there. The line ups there are sooooo long for anything worth going on. Skip the Pterodactyl sky ride in the Jurassic Park area if you go there. Hour long line up for a ride that's literally about 30 seconds.

[Bertuzzied]

I worked in Epcot for a year back in 97. I would stay away from the Canadian Pavillion for food. hehe.

Pleasure Island is always fun.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Kobatuzzied

I would stay away from the Canadian Pavillion for food. hehe.

OK, besides poutine; what the heck would the Canadian Pavilion have for food?

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by ken0042

OK, besides poutine; what the heck would the Canadian Pavilion have for food?

Kraft dinner and hot dogs.

Bannock.

Beer.

[Resolute 14]

Prepare to die when you step out of that airport.

When I landed there in 04, I went from a Calgary spring to a Florida summer, and almost melted when I finally stepped out of the airconditioned airport.

Thats about all I have, as my sum experience with Orlando was landing there, then taking a limo to Tampa.

[JD]

Alberta beef, actually!

Go to Universal, and do get the Express Pass. You'll probably be hit with sticker shock when they give you the price, but it's well worth it.

If you're only going for a week, you'll have to miss some things. Make sure you're ready to face that fact before you go. There's way too much to do and see in a week.

Disney has something for everyone, so the advice to buy a guide beforehand is good advice. You need to know what areas of the park are must-sees for you and your family so that you don't waste time seeing/doing things you don't care for. The place is so big and when it's busy, difficult to traverse.

I was there the week just before Easter, even the staff told us they were overwhelmed with the number of people there!

[badnarik]

If you get sick of the crowds in Orlando, take a ride to Busch Gardens. Awesome rollercoasters, animals, and free beer, and if you go during the week the crowds will be small. It's about an hour drive to Tampa.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by ken0042

OK, besides poutine; what the heck would the Canadian Pavilion have for food?

hahaha umm crap! it is by far the worst restaraunt in Disney, unless they changed it since then.

We had cdn bacon??!! hahahaha. prime rib, turkey, and that was it. So expensive. The only thing decent was this strawberry trifle for desert.

They also have the worst attaction too. Oh Canada a 360degree movie dome had footage of the calgary stampede included in it, from like 1961!! hahaha. I don't know anyone who would want to visit canada after watching that.

Like the above poster said, Busch gardens in Tampa is pretty awesome.

[Flames4LifeFLA]

Originally Posted by Superflyer

So I am heading to Orlando in less then 2 weeks for a week. We are going to be staying in Disney World so we are going there and to seaworld. Anyone else have any ideas on what to do down there? This is my first time heading down to Florida so any tips would help, either on Disney, seaworld or the area.

Thanks

Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, City Walk, Mall at Millenia, International Drive are all some Orlando-area things besides Sea World and Disney. When you say Disney, I assume you will be visiting all of those parks (Epcot, MGM, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom)?

As one other mentioned, Kennedy Space Center is neat, but on the Atlantic coast in Cape Canaveral and definitely a drive. Especially on I-4. Especially in the summer. Especially lots of Florida traffic.

[Rockin' Flames]

Originally Posted by AaronSJ

The biggest advice I have for a first-timer at Disney is to give yourself enough time to enjoy the experience -- especially if you have kids! A little planning can go a long way, and I highly suggest buying a Disney or Orlando guidebook (I like Fodor's -- just make sure it's a recent edition, as things have changed). We have always taken a little time to plan out what we want to do during each day (usually just over breakfast that morning) -- that way you can allow yourself time for the major attractions (i.e. long lines), shows, the Disney parade, lunch, etc...

I'm also planning on heading down to Orlando in September and checked out the above mentioned information. Doesn't look like you necessarily need to buy the book as this website has a lot of information.

[ZDogg]

Originally Posted by badnarik

If you get sick of the crowds in Orlando, take a ride to Busch Gardens. Awesome rollercoasters, animals, and free beer, and if you go during the week the crowds will be small. It's about an hour drive to Tampa.

Free Beer?? I have never been to Busch Gardens but it seems weird that they give out free beer at an amusement park... am I missing something here??

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by ZDogg

am I missing something here??

I'm sure if Canada had a Labatt's Gardens, there would be free beer there as well.

[ZDogg]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I'm sure if Canada had a Labatt's Gardens, there would be free beer there as well.

I do realize it's Busch the beer company but do rides and excessive drinking really mix? I mean if I've downed a bunch of free beers the last thing I want to do is get on some rollercoaster and spin and flip around excessively.

[ken0042]

I thought Busch Gardens was more about the exotic animals than the rides. Mind you when I was there I was 7, and after a week at Disneyworld I'm sure elephants and tigers were more appealing than more rides; so I could be wrong.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by ken0042

It's been 30 years since I was there, but the Kennedy Space Center was quite memorable for me.

I second that (nm).

Also, if you kids are a bit older, go to Tampa, they have an amusment park there, cant remember the name, great rides.

EDIT -> Thanks Ken0042 - yah Busch Gardens.

Also, be careful of the insurance scam. Florida has no fault insurance, meaning that if someone rear ends you, you pay for your own damage. A little un-nearving for a family when the rental place tells you that.

Also, stay away from Alamo car rental, the worst of the worst. Also remember, if you see someone with cart and a cabbies hat, they arent actual airport employees, they work based on tips.

MYK

[badnarik]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I thought Busch Gardens was more about the exotic animals than the rides. Mind you when I was there I was 7, and after a week at Disneyworld I'm sure elephants and tigers were more appealing than more rides; so I could be wrong.

They have built some sweet coasters in the past 10-15 years. Montu, Kumba, Gwazi, and now Sheikra are all fantastic. The free beer is supposed to be limited to 2 per person, but you can get away with an extra one or two as the only thing keeping track of you is the old guy at the tap.

[Drunk Skunk]

Originally Posted by PowerPlayoffs06

You could check out the Medieval Times dinner theater thing. Friggin' awesome and so much fun.

I liked Medeival Times, but I would suggest Arabian Nights before Medieval Times. The dinner(they used to serve prime rib when I worked there, evidently they stopped serving it) is great, and the show is amazing. It you appreciate horses, then you'll love the show.