Orlando tips please!!
May 30th, 2007, 05:29 AM
#1
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Orlando tips please!!
Orlando for the first time with 2 pre teens.
What are the golden rules, which are the best parks and what should we avoid.
Going to SeaWorld and Discovery Cove already but need to fill in the rest of our week????
What are the golden rules, which are the best parks and what should we avoid.
Going to SeaWorld and Discovery Cove already but need to fill in the rest of our week????
May 30th, 2007, 06:02 AM
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Last year when we went to Discovery Cove we got free passes to Sea World, do they still do that. I notice you have the two listed.
If you are going to Universal I would stay on site as they have a line just for that.
If you are going to Universal I would stay on site as they have a line just for that.
May 30th, 2007, 06:18 AM
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If you plan on going to Disney properties, my mom and I found "The Unofficial Guide to Disney World" to be VERY helpful. It has clear plans and descriptions for all the parks. We followed the plan from the book, and never waited in line for more than 15 minutes, even on the popular rides at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
Have fun!
Have fun!
May 30th, 2007, 06:19 AM
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We love Islands of Adventure and universal studios for the roller coasters and rides. My nine year old loves Gatorland and MGM studios, too.
Our rule is go out early and/or late and be in the pool or at least indoors from about 12 to 4p.
Our rule is go out early and/or late and be in the pool or at least indoors from about 12 to 4p.
May 30th, 2007, 06:30 AM
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This is a very tough question to answer since you don't say what your interests are. All the parks are a little different and what some like others to not. You already have 2 days accounted for. Are you wanting to do Disney or Universal? I would say the only golden rule is do not try to do everything. Good suggestion on getting a guide book and find out what interests you and then ask specific questions. WDW can be very overwhelming as there is so much to do and it is so big. Sorry if this is not much help but would be happy to answer any specific questions you may have.
May 30th, 2007, 07:39 AM
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Disney Parks will be the most crowded the day that park is scheduled for Extra Magic Hours. (Extra time for Disney hotel guests.)
That said, if you are staying at a Disney hotel and your kids are hearty souls, the Magic Kingdom does start to clear out around 11:30 on the nights it's open until 1:00 a.m with Extra Magic Hours.
If going to Epcot, the two biggest lines are for Soarin and Test Track. FastPass will often run out by 11:00 a.m. If you go, get there at the opening at get a FastPass for one and wait on line for the other.
IMHO, Soarin is NOT worth standing in line for the typical 90 to 130 minutes for the stand-by line.
That said, if you are staying at a Disney hotel and your kids are hearty souls, the Magic Kingdom does start to clear out around 11:30 on the nights it's open until 1:00 a.m with Extra Magic Hours.
If going to Epcot, the two biggest lines are for Soarin and Test Track. FastPass will often run out by 11:00 a.m. If you go, get there at the opening at get a FastPass for one and wait on line for the other.
IMHO, Soarin is NOT worth standing in line for the typical 90 to 130 minutes for the stand-by line.
May 30th, 2007, 12:59 PM
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Jun 4th, 2007, 07:30 PM
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My family always takes a change of clothes and puts them in a locker (about $5.00). Get all of the wet rides out of the way (either early or late) and then change to dry clothes. This way you are not wet and freezing in the AC shows or sitting in the car soaked.
Someone suggested Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon. Skip Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach is much better. Discovery Cove which you are already doing is terrific and I do not think you need another beach park. My daughter just turned 14 and she dislikes Epcot (boring), she likes MGM Studios and The Magic Kingdom best for Disney and Islands of Adventure for Universal.
Do not forget sunscreen in the parks. Discovery Cove provides sunscreen. Another hint-if you are swimming with the dolphins and your entire party goes at once the only photos you will have are the ones you buy from the park ($$$). Split your party and you can take your own photos. No cameras allowed in the dolphin pool.
Early and late are the golden rule. Also, when the parade is going on you can get into some of the more packed rides a bit faster. When the park is open late the last hour is the least crowded time.
Someone suggested Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon. Skip Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach is much better. Discovery Cove which you are already doing is terrific and I do not think you need another beach park. My daughter just turned 14 and she dislikes Epcot (boring), she likes MGM Studios and The Magic Kingdom best for Disney and Islands of Adventure for Universal.
Do not forget sunscreen in the parks. Discovery Cove provides sunscreen. Another hint-if you are swimming with the dolphins and your entire party goes at once the only photos you will have are the ones you buy from the park ($$$). Split your party and you can take your own photos. No cameras allowed in the dolphin pool.
Early and late are the golden rule. Also, when the parade is going on you can get into some of the more packed rides a bit faster. When the park is open late the last hour is the least crowded time.
Jun 5th, 2007, 02:00 AM
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How about taking some time out for nonDisney, nonthemepark, nonprofit relaxation?
Bok Sanctuary
http://www.boksanctuary.org/
Bok Sanctuary
http://www.boksanctuary.org/
Aug 8th, 2007, 10:11 AM
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Just came back from Disney, if you plan to do a lot of Disney, stay on site, the conveniences are well worth it. Animal Kingdom was the only disappointment, the safari and expedition everest were cool, but the park has small, crowded walkways and begins to fell very tight very fast. And always always always use fastpass.
Aug 8th, 2007, 10:43 AM
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Spent an evening at Universal Studios recently (not Islands of Adventure) and it felt very tired to me. I am a big fan of theme parks but the attractions based on movies like Twister, Terminator and Men in Black seemed out of date and not worthwhile. I was there with adults not my kids so that probably colored my perspective. I would bet that IOA is better.
I have done WDW several times and always loved the parks there and Sea World is very nice too.
My tip for you would be to take breaks in the afternoon from the heat and return to the parks in the evening when its cooler. Bring water bottles with you to avoid paying $2.50+ for water.
Have a great time.
I have done WDW several times and always loved the parks there and Sea World is very nice too.
My tip for you would be to take breaks in the afternoon from the heat and return to the parks in the evening when its cooler. Bring water bottles with you to avoid paying $2.50+ for water.
Have a great time.
Sep 18th, 2007, 05:06 PM
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I second what 321go said, especially about comfy shoes!
The tips offered here are invaluable.
I would add one: Pace yourself. Having done a marathon/whirlwind of Disney with a 6 year old and a 4 year old in four days I vowed never to go back to Disney ever again!
So pace yourself well. There's always a next time for that one ride that you really wanted to go on but for which the line was too long.
The tips offered here are invaluable.
I would add one: Pace yourself. Having done a marathon/whirlwind of Disney with a 6 year old and a 4 year old in four days I vowed never to go back to Disney ever again!
So pace yourself well. There's always a next time for that one ride that you really wanted to go on but for which the line was too long.
Sep 19th, 2007, 06:47 AM
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I live in Orlando. I see tourists all the time that have been exhausted by touring Disney, Universal. How about a 45 minute drive to Cocoa Beach? Or 50 minutes to New Smyrna Beach? You can drive on the beaches in Volusia County, Daytona, New Smyrna. There is a nice lighthouse at Ponce Inlet on the south end of Daytona.
Avoid the tourist traps. Winter Park has a historic boat tour through the canals that wind around the town, and around Rollins College. That is off of Morse Ave in WP.
About an hour SW from Orlando is Cypress Gardens, that has been revamped in the last few years with new roller coasters. They still have the water ski show and the ice skating if I am correct.
About an 1.5 hour drive west to Weeki Wachi Springs they have the original Mermaids swimming away in a pool. Really campy, but quite fun. And really old Florida.
You can do the springs in Volusia County, see the Manatees. Or drive 1.5 hours north off I95 to St. Augustine.
So much to do in the area besides the theme parks!
Avoid the tourist traps. Winter Park has a historic boat tour through the canals that wind around the town, and around Rollins College. That is off of Morse Ave in WP.
About an hour SW from Orlando is Cypress Gardens, that has been revamped in the last few years with new roller coasters. They still have the water ski show and the ice skating if I am correct.
About an 1.5 hour drive west to Weeki Wachi Springs they have the original Mermaids swimming away in a pool. Really campy, but quite fun. And really old Florida.
You can do the springs in Volusia County, see the Manatees. Or drive 1.5 hours north off I95 to St. Augustine.
So much to do in the area besides the theme parks!
Sep 22nd, 2007, 08:10 PM
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There is a book called "Beyond Disney" by the writers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney world. It includes information about SeaWorld and Discovery Cove. It also has information about the Universal Orlando parks.
Park selection is really going to depend on the interests and temperaments of the pre-teens. My kids enjoy all the parks but Epcot is lower on the list. They love Disney-MGM Studios.
www.visitflorida.com has a ton of great information.
Do you have a good travel agent that specializes in Florida travel? I've used www.buildabettermousetrip.com and was pleased with their service. I've also heard good things about www.smallworldtravel.com but I don't know if they do Orlando in general or just the theme parks.
Park selection is really going to depend on the interests and temperaments of the pre-teens. My kids enjoy all the parks but Epcot is lower on the list. They love Disney-MGM Studios.
www.visitflorida.com has a ton of great information.
Do you have a good travel agent that specializes in Florida travel? I've used www.buildabettermousetrip.com and was pleased with their service. I've also heard good things about www.smallworldtravel.com but I don't know if they do Orlando in general or just the theme parks.
