Orlando For Adults?
Jul 10th, 2008 | 04:43 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3
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Orlando For Adults?
Hi Everyone,
I'd like your oppinions on something. James did what he thought was a good thing (and it probably is) and bought us a vacation package to go to Orlando, Florida. I haven't been on a real vacation in like 5 years, and he says I need a break. He's right, too. I've been feeling overwhelmed with everything lately. We wouldn't be going until around February of next year, but still it's something to look forward too. Anyway, the conflict comes in when I try to decide whether or not to take Isabel. At the time of travel, she'll be two and a half, and I feel like a horrible mother to say I really want to leave her at home. It's only a short four day three night stay, but still I feel guilty about it. If it were some kind of emergency or something, then I'd do what had to be done, but is it wrong of me to leave her by choice. If I take her with me, at means the expense of another plane ticket, plus anything we do will need to be entertaining for her as well. The resort where we're staying does have a kids activities service to give parents a chance to do some more adult oriented things, but to participate, she has to be fully potty trained. She's doing well on that score, but I'm not positive she'll be accident free by then. I know it's really early to even be thinking about this, but I want to get our airline tickets bought way in advance to cut down on the cost. Our other option is to drive down, but it's like a 17 hour drive. I have no idea how she would handle that. Do any of you have experience with this sort of thing? Would you take her or not, and if you would, what activities or attractions would you recommend we do? Thanks in advance for all your responses.
Tricia
I'd like your oppinions on something. James did what he thought was a good thing (and it probably is) and bought us a vacation package to go to Orlando, Florida. I haven't been on a real vacation in like 5 years, and he says I need a break. He's right, too. I've been feeling overwhelmed with everything lately. We wouldn't be going until around February of next year, but still it's something to look forward too. Anyway, the conflict comes in when I try to decide whether or not to take Isabel. At the time of travel, she'll be two and a half, and I feel like a horrible mother to say I really want to leave her at home. It's only a short four day three night stay, but still I feel guilty about it. If it were some kind of emergency or something, then I'd do what had to be done, but is it wrong of me to leave her by choice. If I take her with me, at means the expense of another plane ticket, plus anything we do will need to be entertaining for her as well. The resort where we're staying does have a kids activities service to give parents a chance to do some more adult oriented things, but to participate, she has to be fully potty trained. She's doing well on that score, but I'm not positive she'll be accident free by then. I know it's really early to even be thinking about this, but I want to get our airline tickets bought way in advance to cut down on the cost. Our other option is to drive down, but it's like a 17 hour drive. I have no idea how she would handle that. Do any of you have experience with this sort of thing? Would you take her or not, and if you would, what activities or attractions would you recommend we do? Thanks in advance for all your responses.
Tricia
Jul 10th, 2008 | 05:20 PM
#2
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Haha sorry everyone, that was not the message I meant to send. I copied and pasted my message from a word document, and somehow it ended up being a message I emailed to some people several hours ago. *smile* That's what I get for not reading my messages before I post them. Here is the message I meant to send.
Ok, so I did the whole Walt Disney World thing as a kid, and it was wonderful. However, this will be my first time traveling to Orlando as an adult. My fiance and I will be traveling there for a short 4- day 3-night stay without our two and a half year old. So, while I thoroughly enjoy the kids activities, I'm hoping some of you have some ideas that are geared a little more towards grown-ups. Thanks in advance.
Tricia
Jul 10th, 2008 | 05:37 PM
#3
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,408
Likes: 0
Tricia, get ready for a whole bunch of posts about whether to take your child. Both 
and 
. Be prepared!
Orlando has lots of things for adults; what interests you? Outdoor activities, nightclubs, art museums, shopping? Let us know, and we can give you some ideas.
and . Be prepared!Orlando has lots of things for adults; what interests you? Outdoor activities, nightclubs, art museums, shopping? Let us know, and we can give you some ideas.
Jul 10th, 2008 | 05:54 PM
#4
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
321go is right.
Yes Orlando is mainly for kids, but it can also be a great destination for adults. Let me explain.
There is a vibrant nightlife, and dining scene. The Theme Parks like Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are mainly for adults. There is very little for a child under 7 or 8 to do. Epcot Center, is also geared towards adults and always has. Yes kids are welcome and can have a great time, but adults traveling alone can have a great time also.
As for bringing your child, I am on the fence about that one. A vacation can also mean getting away from diapers, bottles and feeding a little someone. So do not feel bad about leaving the kids behind.
Now the other side of the coin is that you can still have a great time with the kids. Many hotels offer baby sitting services. And the Disney hotels have some amazing offerings. And I do think that there should be something for non potty trained visitors also.
And check with the airlines, some allow lap sitting for some babies with little to no cost.
Hope this helps.
Yes Orlando is mainly for kids, but it can also be a great destination for adults. Let me explain.
There is a vibrant nightlife, and dining scene. The Theme Parks like Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are mainly for adults. There is very little for a child under 7 or 8 to do. Epcot Center, is also geared towards adults and always has. Yes kids are welcome and can have a great time, but adults traveling alone can have a great time also.
As for bringing your child, I am on the fence about that one. A vacation can also mean getting away from diapers, bottles and feeding a little someone. So do not feel bad about leaving the kids behind.
Now the other side of the coin is that you can still have a great time with the kids. Many hotels offer baby sitting services. And the Disney hotels have some amazing offerings. And I do think that there should be something for non potty trained visitors also.
And check with the airlines, some allow lap sitting for some babies with little to no cost.
Hope this helps.
Jul 10th, 2008 | 06:11 PM
#5
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Thanks. We're pretty easy to please as far as what kinds of activities we enjoy. I wouldn't mind some good shopping, while he really wants to eat dinner at some place a little more upscale than Mc.Donalds which tends to be our normal restaurant fare. I have heard good things about Universal before, but I've never been there. Is it better to do just one park or to buy a combined ticket for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure? Thanks for the input so far.
And, I'll take all the advice I can get on whether or not to take the baby as well. I'm leaning towards leaving her at home with my mother, but if anyone has compelling reasons to take her along, I'd love to hear them.
And, I'll take all the advice I can get on whether or not to take the baby as well. I'm leaning towards leaving her at home with my mother, but if anyone has compelling reasons to take her along, I'd love to hear them.
Jul 10th, 2008 | 06:37 PM
#6
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,337
Likes: 2
Don't feel guilty about leaving your child at home. We left our daughter with my mom when she was 18 mos old for 3 weeks when we went to France, Switzerland & Italy. Yeh, I had pangs of panic before I left, but she was actually in better hands with my mom!!
Have a great trip. Plus 2 1/2 is too young for her to even remember this trip.
MY
Have a great trip. Plus 2 1/2 is too young for her to even remember this trip.
MY
Jul 11th, 2008 | 02:10 AM
#7
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 0
tmn -- don't feel guilty about leaving your child at home! The best mom is a happy mom. If taking a much deserved break allows you to relax, reconnect with your husband, maybe even sleep in then you will be an even better mom to your little baby when you do get home. On the other hand, if the stress and guilt of leaving your child prevents you from truly enjoying yourself then none of you will be the better for this trip!
Oh and I believe the lap child rule is for two and under so you would need to buy her a ticket.
Have fun and enjoy this special time with your husband. Oh, and I've never been to Orlando but I always check citysearch.com when I go to a new city. It doesn't always have cutting edge, hidden hotspots but it is still fairly reliable.
Oh and I believe the lap child rule is for two and under so you would need to buy her a ticket.
Have fun and enjoy this special time with your husband. Oh, and I've never been to Orlando but I always check citysearch.com when I go to a new city. It doesn't always have cutting edge, hidden hotspots but it is still fairly reliable.
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Jul 11th, 2008 | 02:57 AM
#8
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Posts: n/a
tmn, this is only a short quick trip so don't feel bad about leaving the baby at home!
Disney is a great place for adults!
Are you doing Disney or Universal?
If you are going after the 10th or so of February, you are in peak season.
If you are going over President's Weekend, stay onsite at either Universal or Disney.
What kind of rides do you like?
Thrill rides?
For me the perfect non kid Orlando trip is staying onsite at Universal (you get to get in a special line) and doing IOP and Universal Studios the first two days then doing SeaWorld the third day.
I'm a roller coaster junkie and my favorite coasters and rides are at IOP, Universal, and SeaWorld.
www.Disboards.com is a great resource.
Disney is a great place for adults!
Are you doing Disney or Universal?
If you are going after the 10th or so of February, you are in peak season.
If you are going over President's Weekend, stay onsite at either Universal or Disney.
What kind of rides do you like?
Thrill rides?
For me the perfect non kid Orlando trip is staying onsite at Universal (you get to get in a special line) and doing IOP and Universal Studios the first two days then doing SeaWorld the third day.
I'm a roller coaster junkie and my favorite coasters and rides are at IOP, Universal, and SeaWorld.
www.Disboards.com is a great resource.
Jul 11th, 2008 | 04:50 AM
#9
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 0
Disney World stuff good for adults:
A drink--on the balcony of the Belle Vue lounge at the Boardwalk Resort, or at the California Grill in the Contemporary.
A nice meal--Victoria and Albert's, Jiko, Bluezoo, Flying Fish Cafe, Bistro de Paris, Wolfgang Puck's upstairs, many others.
http://allears.net/din/dining.htm
Golf, if you play. Or miniature golf, particularly at Fantasia Fairways.
http://allears.net/btp/golfing.htm
http://allears.net/btp/golf.htm
Magic Kingdom fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach at the Polynesian Resort (free).
http://allears.net/tp/mk/mk_wishes.htm
http://allears.net/tp/ewp.htm
An evening boat ride across the Seven Seas Lagoon--particularly the launch that runs the route from Magic Kingdom to Grand Floridian to the Poly (and back to MK)(free).
Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach (probably only one of them will be open in February).
http://www.allearsnet.com/btp/bb.htm
http://www.allearsnet.com/btp/faq_tl.htm
The Cirque du Soleil show La Nouba.
http://www.allearsnet.com/btp/cirq.htm
For extra money, a behind-the scenes tour.
http://allears.net/btp/tours.htm
or a ride on a fast boat (or a pontoon boat) combined with a primo view of the nighttime show Illuminations at Epcot.
http://allears.net/btp/illum.htm
A drink--on the balcony of the Belle Vue lounge at the Boardwalk Resort, or at the California Grill in the Contemporary.
A nice meal--Victoria and Albert's, Jiko, Bluezoo, Flying Fish Cafe, Bistro de Paris, Wolfgang Puck's upstairs, many others.
http://allears.net/din/dining.htm
Golf, if you play. Or miniature golf, particularly at Fantasia Fairways.
http://allears.net/btp/golfing.htm
http://allears.net/btp/golf.htm
Magic Kingdom fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach at the Polynesian Resort (free).
http://allears.net/tp/mk/mk_wishes.htm
http://allears.net/tp/ewp.htm
An evening boat ride across the Seven Seas Lagoon--particularly the launch that runs the route from Magic Kingdom to Grand Floridian to the Poly (and back to MK)(free).
Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach (probably only one of them will be open in February).
http://www.allearsnet.com/btp/bb.htm
http://www.allearsnet.com/btp/faq_tl.htm
The Cirque du Soleil show La Nouba.
http://www.allearsnet.com/btp/cirq.htm
For extra money, a behind-the scenes tour.
http://allears.net/btp/tours.htm
or a ride on a fast boat (or a pontoon boat) combined with a primo view of the nighttime show Illuminations at Epcot.
http://allears.net/btp/illum.htm
Jul 11th, 2008 | 09:37 AM
#10
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,408
Likes: 0
For upscale shopping:
www.mallatmillenia.com/
WDW and Universal have some great restaurants and you've received some excellent recs here. One that doesn't seem to see as many tourists is Seasons 52 www.seasons52.com/. La Coquina, in the Hyatt Grand Cypress has a wonderful (though pricey) brunch.
www.mallatmillenia.com/
WDW and Universal have some great restaurants and you've received some excellent recs here. One that doesn't seem to see as many tourists is Seasons 52 www.seasons52.com/. La Coquina, in the Hyatt Grand Cypress has a wonderful (though pricey) brunch.
