Spec me Florida!

I have just come back from Orlando ( my 6th time ). I have been all times of the year and July was a nightmare. Humidity beyond belief ( Sweat dripping off of you as soon as you step outside and queues that are an hour long. Sometimes you dont even get a chance to go on some rides as the fastpasses are all taken up straight away.
Saying this though, it was an experience at that time of the year and you get to love AirCon.

For tickets, go to parktickets.com. They sell the USA version of disney tickets (base tickets with hopper option.) Every other UK online agency sell the UK version ( 10 day, 14 day Ultimate etc etc with stuff bolted on that you probably wont use but will pay for anyway. a lot more expense as well.

If you want more info on how to cut costs etc and little tricks I have found, just contact me.
 
We have a family villa there, I highly recommend you get a villa, you'll definitely need a car too. Cirque Du Soliel is great, swimming with dolphins is a good day, Blizzard Beach/Typhoon Lagoon are fun, Animal Kingdom is good. Loads of food, big portions and cheap, eat loads.

If you need any advice just ask, I've been quite a few times
 
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Just been there for Christmas, currently stuck in the international airport for a few hours due to all the plane delays :(

This is our third time out here and there is definitely a lot to do. Disney has a ton of parks to offer and SeaWorld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens are also well worth visiting. Universal as well. Most good things have already been suggested in this thread, but I can also recommend going on an airboat ride across one of the many lakes, it is great fun and you can see some alligators and various wildlife up close!

In relation to your OP a bit more:

- Stay away from hotels. Unless you can afford to dine out every evening or a luxury suite, it isn't worth it. Get a nice villa/house, do a bit of shopping and prepare food in advance. Food is cheap, but it will add up quickly if you eat out all the time.
- Go for the Disney tickets. Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are also worth adding.
- If visiting for 2 weeks or less, Disney will tide you over fine. If 3 weeks, opt for either a ticket for SeaWorld/Busch Gardens/Aquatica or Universal if you like.
- Hire a car. Definitely. Don't make them rip you off with a big, unneccessary car. A small one will do you fine (IIRC it cost us a few hundred dollars for 3 weeks, we picked up and dropped it off at the airport).
- We rented a villa and stayed there. Can recommend it, although its a 30 min drive from Disney, 45 from airport. www.regalpalmsorlando.com

Have fun :)
 
POB said:
Also consider California, everything about it is better then Florida.
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:D

I think it's crazy that people fly for 10-12 hours halfway across the world to spend half their time queuing in a bigger version of Alton Towers.

Do something a bit different, go to Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Centre, is so much more interesting than anything Disney has to offer, or SeaWorld, or go to Tampa and eat at the restaurant at the end of the pier. Or go to California and see Malibu, learn to surf :p

(this post is non-negotiable)
 
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Rich_L said:
:D

I think it's crazy that people fly for 10-12 hours halfway across the world to spend half their time queuing in a bigger version of Alton Towers.

(this post is non-negotiable)
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I think writing the above shows the rest of the people in this thread about Florida that your comments aren't worth much I'm afraid!

I don't see much wrong with a hotel, like has been mentioned it will cost a bit more in eating out, but there are some with a great location on Internation Drive which will see you close to all theme parks and activities! Enjoy!
 
stokefan said:
I think writing the above shows the rest of the people in this thread about Florida that your comments aren't worth much I'm afraid!

I don't see much wrong with a hotel, like has been mentioned it will cost a bit more in eating out, but there are some with a great location on Internation Drive which will see you close to all theme parks and activities! Enjoy!
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The OP was about Florida - there's so much more to Florida than Disney, in fact, avoiding Disney completely would give a far better holiday, that goes for California too. If you want Disney that desperately, just go to Eurodisney for a couple hundred quid- if you're spending a bunch of money, travelling for 10+ hours on a flight, at least take the time to see the unique attractions like Cape Canaveral and the many places with their own little quirks, rather than going to Yet Another Theme Park. :p

(I'm not being 'alternative' for the sake of argument, I just genuinely think there is a lot more that Florida has to offer, than a bigger version of a theme park which is 150 miles away from England :p )
 
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Rich_L said:
The OP was about Florida - there's so much more to Florida than Disney, in fact, avoiding Disney completely would give a far better holiday, that goes for California too. If you want Disney that desperately, just go to Eurodisney for a couple hundred quid- if you're spending a bunch of money, travelling for 10+ hours on a flight, at least take the time to see the unique attractions like Cape Canaveral and the many places with their own little quirks, rather than going to Yet Another Theme Park. :p

(I'm not being 'alternative' for the sake of argument, I just genuinely think there is a lot more that Florida has to offer, than a bigger version of a theme park which is 150 miles away from England :p )
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We're on the same level about particularlly Disney. I went to Florida for the first time this year soley for theme parks but didn't go to Disney :) there was just so much more to do than Disney. Universal / IOA, Busch Gardens, Wet n Wild, Seaworld etc. I would go again tomorrow without a seconds hesitation, fantastic place even tho certain english/irish bits on i-drive depressed me.
 
Yes, other parks are better than Disney, but they are still a must-see. Epcot and the Magic Kingdom in particular are great for kids/females.
 
Rich_L said:
:D

I think it's crazy that people fly for 10-12 hours halfway across the world to spend half their time queuing in a bigger version of Alton Towers.
(this post is non-negotiable)
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I can hardly believe someone in a sane state of mind can make even the slightest of comparisons between the two.
 
I have to agree, I'd avoid Disney unless you have young kids. I visited with my parents in the early 90s when I was about 10 and loved it, but not sure I'd go back now I'm in my 20s.

If your holiday centres around Orlando, then be sure to put aside at least a day or two for visiting the coast (either Cocoa/Daytona beach, or the gulf coast if you want something a little quieter and more relaxing).

If you don't fancy 2 whole weeks of theme parks and the like, do what we usually do and spend one week in orlando, and then a week on the gulf coast (somewhere like Ft. Myers / Sanibel / Captiva / Cape Coral) for a bit of recuperation.
 
Overwhelmed by the replies, thanks guys.

We'll certainly be doing the theme parks but can happily do a day at Disney, not too bothered. We'd rather travel a bit, Ft Lauderdale, Miami, etc.

Any kind peeps on here with Florida villas want to hook me up!!!? :p
 
also dont forget if you plan on going to miami that the everglades are close by and are worth a look at the wild life is....different LOL

and also Cape Canaveral, Kennady Space Centre!!

Unfortunately my yard is an 8 sleeper and probably quite dear but I could enquire on prices anyway (dont hold any candles though!), where abouts in UK are you based Lucero?
 
I went in 2002 was 12 at the time and loved it there is so much to do. Disney land was good we had a 5 day pass which also alloud use to use 2 water parks. Like every one said book a villa and car rental.

Also have a look at http://www.bcairboats.com/ went on one of these and saw some alligators in the wild was quite cool definitely worth consideration anyway.
 
Head to Siesta Key beach.... they are really lovely beaches!!

Sarasota is very nice too!!

And both within 1hr-1hr 30min drive away from Orlando!! And Tampa's Hard Rock casino is always worth a visit if you like a little gamble!!
 
currently lying next to the pool in a villa in punta gorda. as has already been said definitely get a villa. it's my 3rd time in the area and would highly recommend it.
 
Lots of good advice here. We like Orlando, and go often, as we bought a timeshare there about 10 years ago. One thing I would say though, is to avoid the timeshare sales pitch. They will keep you there for hours in a high pressure sale situation.

Do you like fishing? If so, Florida is amazing. Largemouth Bass, Tarpon, Redfish, Bass Pro Shops. Can hardly wait till May! :D :D :D
 
firstborn said:
currently lying next to the pool in a villa in punta gorda. as has already been said definitely get a villa. it's my 3rd time in the area and would highly recommend it.
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Good times, even closer to my house :D

whats the weather like, my old man needs to come out soon to do some maintainence on the house!
 
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