Things to do in Orlando - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

troutman · 01-20-2012, 02:16 PM

Going with 10 and 8 year old sons for one week at end of March. What would you recommend for children?

Definitely one day at NASA.

How do you rate all the different theme parks?

How about a nature/everglades excursion?

What does a cab ride from the airport to Disney area cost?

Canada 02 · 01-20-2012, 02:31 PM

La Nouba, Cirque Du Soleil was pretty fun, I imagine kids would like it even more than adults.
http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/sho...a/default.aspx

Big Fin Seafood was a great restaurant. It seemed kid friendly as well. It was in an area called Restaurant Row, so if seafood isn't your thing, there were a lot of other choices.
http://www.bigfinseafood.com/

Canada 02 · 01-20-2012, 02:46 PM

Quote:

What does a cab ride from the airport to Disney area cost?

about $45 to our hotel, which was just across the interstate from Downtown Disney. For some reason it was $55 back to the airport

Inferno · 01-20-2012, 02:49 PM

Gatorland is pretty cool if you're interested in seeing Alligators and Crocodiles up close. We went there the last time we were in Orlando in '89 and it'll be one of our stops when we go at Christmas.

burn_this_city · 01-20-2012, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Going with 10 and 8 year old sons for one week at end of March. What would you recommend for children?

Definitely one day at NASA.

How do you rate all the different theme parks?

How about a nature/everglades excursion?

What does a cab ride from the airport to Disney area cost?

1- Epcot, if you want to see the entire park including all the countries of the world it takes 2-3 days. Easily my favorite park as a kid.
2- Magic Kingdom
3- Universal Studios
4- MGM Studios

Really depends on the kids though, if they aren't very sciency then you could drop Epcot down the list.

Kennedy Space Centre is amazing, I was fortunate enough to see a shuttle launch from Cocoa beach when I was younger. You could see if they have any satellite launches scheduled for when you're there. Although if there is a launch you can see it from almost anywhere in the lower half of the state.

Flames4LifeFLA · 01-20-2012, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Going with 10 and 8 year old sons for one week at end of March. What would you recommend for children?

Definitely one day at NASA.

How do you rate all the different theme parks?

How about a nature/everglades excursion?

What does a cab ride from the airport to Disney area cost?

Orlando has TONS of stuff for young children, it really is a city for families. NASA/Kennedy Space Center is cool, see it while you can because the United States is ditching the space program and who knows what will happen with that.

Kids will love Magic Kingdom, Universal Studios, MGM/Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom (if they like animals), Sea World, Epcot, Busch Gardens is only an hour away in Tampa.

Waterparks galore also...Blizzard Beach, Aquatica, Wet and Wild, Typhoon Lagoon if that's their thing. Plenty of LARGE malls- Florida Mall, Mall at Millenia, Bellz Factory Outlet Mall.

Everglades is definitely worth it to see it.

Magic game at new arena in Orlando (Amway Center), just an hour away for Lightning game in Tampa...great beaches in Tampa/Clearwater/St. Pete area (Gulf of Mexico side)...Atlantic side has Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, a few more waves than west coast side.

Nage Waza · 01-20-2012, 06:41 PM

I forget what the area is called, and it is kind of a part of the Disney 'zone', but it is a strip of bars and clubs that make up a major part of the area's night life. When I was last there each bar was packed.

Hilbilly · 01-20-2012, 08:17 PM

Was there in July...my favorites were Coco Beach and Discovery Cove. Discovery Cove is pricey if you do the dolphin swim, but is worth it for a day of relaxation. Limited to 1000 visitors/day breakfast lunch all day snacks & booze included. Beautiful venue. Awesome snorkeling the coral reef.

Downtown Disney was also awesome nightlife!

Mccree · 01-20-2012, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nage Waza

I forget what the area is called, and it is kind of a part of the Disney 'zone', but it is a strip of bars and clubs that make up a major part of the area's night life. When I was last there each bar was packed.

I think it's called downtown Disney and it is fun.

Nammer403 · 01-20-2012, 09:37 PM

Yes downtown Disney is a must.
Harry potter world in universal is pretty awesome too if your kids like Harry potter

DownhillGoat · 01-20-2012, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nammer403

Harry potter world in universal is pretty awesome too if your kids like Harry potter

Until it breaks down and you're hanging upside down for 20 minutes. I have never seen so many rides break down in one park before. We got stuck on that and the Hulk, one after the other.

@Troutman - if you end up taking the kids to Epcot, I recommend going to Soarin' first thing in the morning and get a fastpass. It was a great ride for any age, but backs up quick.

Mccree · 01-21-2012, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Until it breaks down and you're hanging upside down for 20 minutes. I have never seen so many rides break down in one park before. We got stuck on that and the Hulk, one after the other.

@Troutman - if you end up taking the kids to Epcot, I recommend going to Soarin' first thing in the morning and get a fastpass. It was a great ride for any age, but backs up quick.

Soarin made me sick. The screens etc... Made me nauseous. I wanted to try the GM ride at Epcot but we ran out of time.

DownhillGoat · 01-22-2012, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mccree

Soarin made me sick. The screens etc... Made me nauseous. I wanted to try the GM ride at Epcot but we ran out of time.

GM was so much fun. Went on it about a half dozen times.

Surprised you got sick on soarin. I didn't do well on a lot of the big screen/moving rides (Harry potter and the Simpsons just about killed me), but didn't have a problem with soarin.

darklord700 · 01-23-2012, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rd_aaron

I'm also considering getting tickets to an Orlando Arena Football game, and maybe trying to get tickets to a Magic game. They'll be in the playoffs though so it might be tough to get tickets.

I went to the Magic playoff games about two years ago, tickets were hard to come by. You can get them at face value from ticketmaster.

Flames4LifeFLA · 01-23-2012, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darklord700

I went to the Magic playoff games about two years ago, tickets were hard to come by. You can get them at face value from ticketmaster.

If you're going in March before the playoffs start, Magic tickets aren't hard to come by. Not as available as say, Lightning tickets, but still easy to obtain. Would certainly recomment going, the new building (Amway Center) is very cutting edge and highly regarded.

Their ticket office doesn't offer deals like the Lightning. Ticketmaster or StubHub is your best option, although if you're comfortable with craigslist, lots of Magic sellers list their tickets on there (and you'll probably save from paying the TM and Stubhub fees).

troutman · 01-23-2012, 09:50 AM

Are weekdays less busy at the theme parks than weekends?

rd_aaron · 01-23-2012, 09:55 AM

When is the best time of the year to go to Orlando? We went around Easter break last year and everything was very busy and packed but the weather was gorgeous. I'd like to go again but during a time that's a little less crazy (i.e. when we don't have to wait 40 mins or more to get on a ride and rental cars don't cost $100/day cause they're almost out) but it's still really hot.

getbak · 01-23-2012, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Are weekdays less busy at the theme parks than weekends?

Yes, especially during the off-season because that's when a lot of locals (or people who live within driving distance) go to the parks.

Weekdays during the off-season are nice and quiet. I would avoid the Magic Kingdom park on Saturday or Sunday (unfortunately, those are usually the only days they have fireworks during the off-season), and go to one of the other parks.

troutman · 01-23-2012, 09:57 AM

I hope last week of March is off-season, but it might be Spring Break for FLA kids too.

Flames4LifeFLA · 01-23-2012, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Are weekdays less busy at the theme parks than weekends?

The difference is not going to be night and day, but they're still going to be less crowded during the week than on the weekends. Since we're in-season now with lots of tourists/families, everything and everywhere is pretty crowded.

If you can get there during the week, try and do that though. Get to the parks as early as you can and head straight to the back of them, work your way forward!