Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

Paddywack41

They were certainly selling these for a few dollars in Wallmart a week or so ago...only spotted them two days before we returned home unfortunately.

flutterbybutterfly

Another question: - anyone recommend somewhere to pick up a cheap "Gola" bag - you know the retro style ones. Don't really want to spend a lot of time shopping but my youngest son really wants one and they are expensive here in the UK.

Tarzan

sidney1 wrote: »

I was wondering if anyone could tell me if I am right in thinking that when you book the dinner package for the candlelight procession you eat first and then sit and watch the show. I was planning on booking this later today when tickets go on sale but I was hoping that you eat and watch at the same time.
Thanks in advance

Yes, you eat your meal at one of the participating restaurants then you have guaranteed seats for the candlelight processional, which is held at USA pavillion in Epcot.

johnnyroper

just been thinking about parking costs and buses etc for when i go next month and was wondering if anyone has parked at typhoon lagoon and then got a shuttle bus to another park (think they are free?) as there was no car parking charge last time i went there in 2010??

alyth

I hadn't realised there was a thread specifically for Florida, so I wonder if I can add my query and hopefully someone can help me. Essentially, I'm going to Florida for 6 days in January, specifically to take a manatee tour that leaves from Orlando up to Crystal River. Due to other plans I have, I arrive in Orlando on the Thursday evening, my manatee trip is the following Tuesday (the only day of the week it runs during winter) and I'm flying back on the Wed.

Here's the deal -I hate commercialism, shopping and theme parks! I've to Florida once before, I spent a month researching manatees and had thought it was a good idea to see what it was like!

I'm going to go to Seaworld for the day, my travels revolve around animals and from memory it was good - hopefully I can do the animal keeper for a day thing. However, does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do whilst I am out - I'm planning on a day or so by the pool, as I've a hectic few days in London before I fly to Orlando, and I'm also not driving whilst in the states, I'll just cab or walk it - my hotel which was recommended to me on this site is within walking distance of a mall and restaurants. Are there any nature reserves, or can anyone recommend something to me that is out of the ordinary in Florida?

pinkzebra

alyth wrote: »

I hadn't realised there was a thread specifically for Florida, so I wonder if I can add my query and hopefully someone can help me. Essentially, I'm going to Florida for 6 days in January, specifically to take a manatee tour that leaves from Orlando up to Crystal River. Due to other plans I have, I arrive in Orlando on the Thursday evening, my manatee trip is the following Tuesday (the only day of the week it runs during winter) and I'm flying back on the Wed.

Here's the deal -I hate commercialism, shopping and theme parks! I've to Florida once before, I spent a month researching manatees and had thought it was a good idea to see what it was like!

I'm going to go to Seaworld for the day, my travels revolve around animals and from memory it was good - hopefully I can do the animal keeper for a day thing. However, does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do whilst I am out - I'm planning on a day or so by the pool, as I've a hectic few days in London before I fly to Orlando, and I'm also not driving whilst in the states, I'll just cab or walk it - my hotel which was recommended to me on this site is within walking distance of a mall and restaurants. Are there any nature reserves, or can anyone recommend something to me that is out of the ordinary in Florida?

Here are a few suggestions - I'm not sure how easy they will be for you to get to without a car, but they are not all that far from the Seaworld area.

The Disney Wilderness preserve (Mon-Fri - not open weekends). A nature reserve that I believe was on land donated by Walt Disney - there is nothing Disney about it, apart from the name. I think there are just walking trails with plenty of wildlife/birds to look at

http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/florida/placesweprotect/the-disney-wilderness-preserve.xml#thingsToDo

you could visit a state park (they may be out of your reach without a car, but worth a look) - I think Blue Springs state park also have Manatees in the winter (although I don't think you can swim with them there) - see reviews on tripadvisor website.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/default.cfm

Disney do quite a few different tours - probably the animal kingdom or Epcot ones might interest you (or the Fort Wilderness segway - page2)

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours-and-experiences/

Or you could wander around the Fort Wilderness area - I believe they have walking trails there, or you could catch a horse and cart ride.

Have fun!

kerrymay

Hi everyone,

We are looking to go to Florida in Nov 2012 for two weeks - we are a family of 5 with 2 adults, 3 kids (age 5, 10, 14). I have had a quote for flights, 3 bed villa with pool, car hire and 14 day unlimited Universal/Disney tickets for just over £6k.

Is this roughly what I should expect to pay - or could I get it cheaper? I was hoping for about £1000 less but wonder whether I am being unrealistic?

Thanks for any help x

johnnyroper

kerrymay wrote: »

Hi everyone,

We are looking to go to Florida in Nov 2012 for two weeks - we are a family of 5 with 2 adults, 3 kids (age 5, 10, 14). I have had a quote for flights, 3 bed villa with pool, car hire and 14 day unlimited Universal/Disney tickets for just over £6k.

Is this roughly what I should expect to pay - or could I get it cheaper? I was hoping for about £1000 less but wonder whether I am being unrealistic?

Thanks for any help x

difficult to say in my opinion due to how far away it is. What i would say is post all the holiday quote details on the travel agents beat my quote sticky and see what those guys come up with.

shelleylou

johnnyroper wrote: »

just been thinking about parking costs and buses etc for when i go next month and was wondering if anyone has parked at typhoon lagoon and then got a shuttle bus to another park (think they are free?) as there was no car parking charge last time i went there in 2010??

The buses from the hotels only go to Downtown Disney or the Resort Hotels. To get to a park you would need to get a bus to a hotel and then another bus/boat/monorail to a park. The journey will take a minimum of an hour probably longer depending on how long you have to wait for a bus and which park you are going to.

There are no direct buses from Downtown Disney or the waterparks to any other park to try and stop people from doing what you have suggested.

The parking is currently $15 a day. Annual passholders and resort guests don't pay parking.

johnnyroper

shelleylou wrote: »

The buses from the hotels only go to Downtown Disney or the Resort Hotels. To get to a park you would need to get a bus to a hotel and then another bus/boat/monorail to a park. The journey will take a minimum of an hour probably longer depending on how long you have to wait for a bus and which park you are going to.

There are no direct buses from Downtown Disney or the waterparks to any other park to try and stop people from doing what you have suggested.

The parking is currently $15 a day. Annual passholders and resort guests don't pay parking.

ok thanks for that,not worth the hassle.

another quick question if i get transport from i-drive it takes me to the transportation centre at MK,can i get complimentary bus transfers between parks or are they only for guests of the disney hotels/annual pass holders?