Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

KarenG

LisaLou1982 wrote: »

they are mid week Karen . but only by about £20 and ideally we want to go Fri/Sat unless it's a lot cheaper x

Ummm .... Do you have any Virgin miles to get a miles plus money fare? Won't knock a lot off but might give a bit more....?

Kido

I'm going to Florida in a couple of weeks to stay with a friend. As part of the trip we're doing Disney for 5 nights. I've got a couple of non-Disney related questions. I'll be staying in Tampa for a few days either side of the Disney trip and we're planning on doing Busch Gardens one day. I read somewhere that we can't book in at Disney until mid-Afternoon so I was wondering about putting in a trip to Sea World if we set of from Tampa early morning. Is this doable? My friend will be driving. Also I love shopping - but my friend's not bothered. Where's the best place. I was thinking big shopping mall where when she gets bored she could sit down and get a coffee while I can continue shopping. I like sports gear (mainly running and swimming) but wouldn't mind some designer stuff if it was a lot cheaper than over here.

We're also planning on a trip to Kennedy Space Centre. Is it better to get the tickets before I go, or should I wait until I'm there?

KarenG

Kido wrote: »

I'm going to Florida in a couple of weeks to stay with a friend. As part of the trip we're doing Disney for 5 nights. I've got a couple of non-Disney related questions. I'll be staying in Tampa for a few days either side of the Disney trip and we're planning on doing Busch Gardens one day. I read somewhere that we can't book in at Disney until mid-Afternoon so I was wondering about putting in a trip to Sea World if we set of from Tampa early morning. Is this doable? My friend will be driving. Also I love shopping - but my friend's not bothered. Where's the best place. I was thinking big shopping mall where when she gets bored she could sit down and get a coffee while I can continue shopping. I like sports gear (mainly running and swimming) but wouldn't mind some designer stuff if it was a lot cheaper than over here.

We're also planning on a trip to Kennedy Space Centre. Is it better to get the tickets before I go, or should I wait until I'm there?

The SeaWorld trip is definitely possible. I'd recommend setting off really early - I think we left Tampa area at 7.00 and arrived in the Orlando area at 8.30am. The traffic was worst leaving Tampa, so bear that in mind.

Pretty much any shopping area in Florida includes coffee / snacking / full scale meals so that won't be an issue. Would you prefer to do your shopping excursion when you're at Tampa or Orlando?

Your Disney room won't be guaranteed available until 3pm but you can drop off your luggage as early as you like and they will store it - if that helps. That said I've been given rooms a lot early than 3pm once or twice. Which resort are you staying at?

Can't help on KSC, sorry.

Kido

No problem setting off early. Both my friend and I are early birds.

I'm suspecting a shopping excursion might be better when we're in Tampa rather than Disney as we've only got a limited amount of time there and I think we will want to make as much use of it as possible as we're taking a day out to visit Kennedy.

How long will it take to do Sea World?

Also does anyone know about USA sim cards? I want to get one so we can keep in contact easily as although we're travelling together, we'll be going our separate ways and meeting for meals etc and also she'll need a lot more resting time than I will. Should I get one here, or can I pick up a SIM easily as soon as I get there?

KarenG

Kido wrote: »

No problem setting off early. Both my friend and I are early birds.

I'm suspecting a shopping excursion might be better when we're in Tampa rather than Disney as we've only got a limited amount of time there and I think we will want to make as much use of it as possible as we're taking a day out to visit Kennedy.

How long will it take to do Sea World?

Also does anyone know about USA sim cards? I want to get one so we can keep in contact easily as although we're travelling together, we'll be going our separate ways and meeting for meals etc and also she'll need a lot more resting time than I will. Should I get one here, or can I pick up a SIM easily as soon as I get there?

Shopping options from Tampa could include outlet stores - discounted stuff, if you want branded sports goods these are a good bet. I get all my Nike sports goods in the FL outlets. I think these might be best from Tampa (easy drive): http://m.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/Ellenton

Or, for a more traditional US mall experience, there is one by the airport, I'm trying to remember the name - International Mall at Tampa maybe (???)

Seaworld is about a day to do it all.

Don't know on the SIM

KarenG

I didn't have the Tampa mall name quite right - here's the website:

http://www.shopinternationalplaza.com/

maemaesmummy

Sim wise we both have unlocked I phones and have a US T mobile sim, costs us $2 per day each unlimited data, calls to us mobiles and landlines and texts. (only charged if used)

bestpud

I'm planning a Disney trip with my 11 year old either in May of this year or January 2014 as we love DLrP.

I'm wondering about driving as that will affect other choices.

It will just be me and my daughter and I've never driven an automatic or in another country. Would I be mad to consider car hire?

I'm a fairly confident driver in the UK but I obviously don't know how I'd cope with a left hand drive and, also, I can't rely on my daughter being able to navigate as she finds directions confusing at the best of times.

My instinct is we are better off sticking with Disney and free transfers etc this time...

If we stay in a Disney hotel, how tiresome is it to get around by shuttle? Is there any advantage to having a car in that situation? I'd be looking at one of the budget hotels and I imagine we'd stick with the Disney parks.

Nan63

bestpud wrote: »

I'm planning a Disney trip with my 11 year old either in May of this year or January 2014 as we love DLrP.

I'm wondering about driving as that will affect other choices.

It will just be me and my daughter and I've never driven an automatic or in another country. Would I be mad to consider car hire?

I'm a fairly confident driver in the UK but I obviously don't know how I'd cope with a left hand drive and, also, I can't rely on my daughter being able to navigate as she finds directions confusing at the best of times.

My instinct is we are better off sticking with Disney and free transfers etc this time...

If we stay in a Disney hotel, how tiresome is it to get around by shuttle? Is there any advantage to having a car in that situation? I'd be looking at one of the budget hotels and I imagine we'd stick with the Disney parks.

We go every year and stay at Old Key West Resort and have no issues with the Disney transportation system, don't find it tiresome at all. Although we do hire a car to get us to the Malls and other parks we never use it in the Disney Resort, it's parked up and used just for the Off Resort trips. One year it was just me and my husband (normally go with large family) and we didn't hire a car at all and managed just fine with buses to the Mall etc.

Go with your instinct, you and your daughter will have a great time!

jeanniebeanie_2

KarenG wrote: »

Shopping options from Tampa could include outlet stores - discounted stuff, if you want branded sports goods these are a good bet. I get all my Nike sports goods in the FL outlets. I think these might be best from Tampa (easy drive): http://m.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/Ellenton

We like Ellenton Premium Outlets too. About 40 min from Tampa, but cheaper than the Orlando outlets on some things in my experience.

If you wanted to make a good day full day out, you could drive to Ellenton using the shortest route (US 45 or I 75) then carry on to the beach at Holmes Beach/ Anna Maria ( about 20 miles from Ellenton) on the 64, then back to Tampa over the Sunshine skyway bridge.

It would take you about 1hr 20 to get back, but if you time your journey over the bridge at sunset (maybe after a wonderful seafood dinner at The Beach House http://beachhouse.groupersandwich.com/), you would get the most spectacular views!

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/sunset-over-the-skyway-bridge-barbara-bowen.html