Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

Mr_Lahey

jeanniebeanie wrote: »

I wouldn't want to hijack this thread and turn it into an animal rights debate. However, we all have the right to make an informed choice according to our conscience. I believe Seaworld not to be evil. For instance they have a comprehensive rescue and rehabilitation programme and we witnessed the care and attention they have given to injured manatees and sea turtles who would undoubtably have died without Seaworld's intervention. They have also rescued whales from other parks where they had been kept in far worse conditions.

Quote from Seaword:

'The SeaWorld Animal Rehabilitation Program is an important part of SeaWorld's commitment to conservation, research, and education. Through this program, the SeaWorld animal departments rescue, treat, shelter, and release stranded animals. The main objective of the Rescue and Rehabilitation Program is to return rehabilitated animals to the wild.'

The shows bring huge visitor numbers and without that revenue they may not survive to carry out the rescue/rehabilitation side of their work- it is a double edged sword.

However, as I said before, there were things I saw I was not comfortable with and have decided I won't visit again.

I am completely the opposite. Whilst i believe Seaworld to be a great rehabilitation centre i just cannot agree with animals performing in captivity.
It has saddened me to hear that within a few days of killing someone and after being involved with two previous fatalities this whale is again back to doing shows. I think that hows that ultimately money talks.

I urge anyone who goes to Florida and wants to see Dolphins then head to Clearwater and go out on a boat and see these amazing animals in their natural habitat.

sweetpeas_2

Mr L, I think you're completely right on that.. if the creatures were in fact happy in their surroundings would this sort of tragedy have ever happened? Obviously it's not natural for them to be in such surroundings.

We had already decided based on the comments I've read on this thread that we wouldn't visit Seaworld when we go... which I'm glad we had decided prior to the terrible event.

jeanniebeanie_2

I take the points you both made entirely.

Mr Lahey- we took the Eco Boat Tour from the Mote Marine Laboratory Sarasota which is lead by a Marine Biologist. We saw dolphins, eagles, ospreys and much more marine life-all in their natural surroundings it was an altogether more fulfilling experience. It is a research centre though and has an aquarium which some may not be happy with, but no whales or perfomances.

I loved it (the tour part), so I guess that brings us back on topic too!

Must add- I hadn't heard that the whale was back performing, Mr Lahey - that is pretty obscene.

princessmoneysaver

I know this the million dollar question but where is the best place to get $'s at the moment? We go in a few weeks but still haven't got money sorted yet due to other commitments so need to get it sorted asap really. I still have around $1000 in travellers cheques from last time so have them but that's not enough for 3 weeks lol

wilf55

we applied for a fairfx pre load credit card can withdraw $ from atm, and use in shops etc( may need id and exchanges money when you pre load it from £ to $ very favourable rate too


apply on line card and pin with us within 7 days

mestew

Hi all, i have just booked my flights to orlando for late sept this year. I booekd my flights via virgin, never flew with them before so dont know what to expect.
Where the best place to get a hire car for some one under the age of 25 ?
Where is the ebst place to book my park tickets before i go?
And has any one stayed in the lake eve resort ?

jeanniebeanie_2

Here you go for starters- I'm sure others will give you more to compare, tickets especially, change frequently.

http://www.usrentacar.co.uk/ these give a good price for under 25s if you chose their gold insurance package- which usually makes the overall price quite good.

Haven't checked ticket prices recently, but these are usually quite competitive
http://www.undercovertourist.com/

http://www.travelrepublic.co.uk/Attractions/ProductView.aspx

http://www.attraction-tickets-direct.co.uk/

Don't know Lake Eve personaly, but gets pretty good reviews on TA here

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g34515-d1204392-Reviews-Lake_Eve_Resort-Orlando_Florida.html

Good Luck!

Oh yes- Virgin- used to be a cut above- pretty similar to any other airline now IMHO, should be fine though.

mestew

Thank you for your reply, For the price i paid for my flights i had the choice between Virgin and KLM/Martinair so thought virgin should be better.

If hiring a car and taking out the gold insurance package, will i stillbe subject to the $25 dollar per day surcharge ?

Mr_Lahey

mestew wrote: »

Thank you for your reply, For the price i paid for my flights i had the choice between Virgin and KLM/Martinair so thought virgin should be better.

If hiring a car and taking out the gold insurance package, will i stillbe subject to the $25 dollar per day surcharge ?

KLM over Virgin any day of the week, but i would fly direct for the same price so Virgin.

I would just get the standard insurance, unless you are under 25 or want an additional driver then the upgraded insurance is pretty much a con.

mestew

I thought that virgin would of been the better choice out of the two. I will be 23 when i head over so i would rather take the gold insurance than the $250 i will have to pay if i dont