Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

meer53

marco_79 wrote: »

The 5th, 9th and 13th are rest days and if we need more we will take them. We will probably aim to be at the parks early then go back to the pool in the afternoon before returning some nights if the kids are up for it.

When we went when my daughter was younger, she slept in the buggy so it wasn't a problem during the day, the older one was a bit more problematic though (she's 2 years older) it was difficult to synchronise them ! They're 16 and 14 now so it's not an issue anymore. We just took it day by day.

The heat really knocks you out though. We found that going out later in the day and staying out later when it's cooler worked better for us as the midday heat is unbearable. Last year the heat spoiled some days for us as we spent most of our time in and out of shops trying to cool down !

We've been going in July and August for the last 10 years and last year even the locals said it was unbearable. If i had a choice, i wouldn't go during those months, i'd go when it's cooler but i can't take holidays then.

marco_79

meer53 wrote: »

When we went when my daughter was younger, she slept in the buggy so it wasn't a problem during the day, the older one was a bit more problematic though (she's 2 years older) it was difficult to synchronise them ! They're 16 and 14 now so it's not an issue anymore. We just took it day by day.

The heat really knocks you out though. We found that going out later in the day and staying out later when it's cooler worked better for us as the midday heat is unbearable. Last year the heat spoiled some days for us as we spent most of our time in and out of shops trying to cool down !

We've been going in July and August for the last 10 years and last year even the locals said it was unbearable. If i had a choice, i wouldn't go during those months, i'd go when it's cooler but i can't take holidays then.

Our holidays are also fixed for July this year so thats the only time we could go. All booked up now so no going back!! Just have to take it as it comes, you never know if last year was bad this year might be better

meer53

marco_79 wrote: »

Our holidays are also fixed for July this year so thats the only time we could go. All booked up now so no going back!! Just have to take it as it comes, you never know if last year was bad this year might be better

You'll love it, i can guarantee it. Weather or no weather ! It's never put us off going ! The rain in the afternoons is sometimes a blessing, cools things off, briefly !

jeanna_2

Hi, I posted this onthe main site but thought I might get a better chance of a reply here from all you Orlando experts.
We are going on a cruise from port Canaveral in June and thinking of staying in Orlando for 5days.
We don't intend going to the parks as we have done that and will wait till it's time to take the grandchildren again.Not sure what else there is to do during the day if you don't go to the parks.
Thinking we will just relax and do a day shopping so we are looking for a hotel with a good pool to spend the days maybe with a nice bar and able to walk to restaurants at night.
Any recommendations would be appreciated It's been 5years since we were there so probably a lot has changed.
We want to spend around £80-85 a night.Thinking of International drive.
Wondered if there were any hotels at downtown Disney that you can walk out to restaurants at night
Thanks for any help you can give.

vivatifosi

Hi Jeanna,
I'm not good on I Drive hotels. Before Christmas, I stayed at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista (used to be the Grosvenor) on Hotel Plaza Blvd. Very convenient - can walk to the restaurants at Crossroads and Downtown Disney. It is an older hotel (and shows it a bit) but stayed in a very comfortable tower room and the staff were great. Managed to get it in your budget. The Lynx bus also stops outside, so handy for getting around.

In terms of things to do in the day, away from the world, there's the boat trips in Winter Park
http://www.scenicboattours.com/
the Disney Wilderness Preserve (near Kissimmee):
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/florida/placesweprotect/the-disney-wilderness-preserve.xml

Plus lots of golf, horse riding, baloon trips, helicopter rides... as well as plenty of sunbathing opportunities.

For shopping, you've got the two big outlet malls:
Premium Apopka Vineland (bottom end of I Drive):
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=17
Premium I Drive (top end of I Drive, formerly Belz/Prime outlet mall)
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=96

Tip: if you are planning a visit to these get an Orlando card beforehand to get additional discounts. Furthermore, if you are over 50, there are additional discounts to be had on a Tuesday (see websites for details)

Additionally you have the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores. These are smaller and not as classy, but we've found some total bargains there. May be worth it if you have time.
http://www.lbvfs.com/

Then you have the big Florida Mall, which has a bit of everything:
http://www.simon.com/mall/the-florida-mall

And for upscale shopping (and the Cheesecake Factory... yummmmmm as well as other eating opportunities),
Mall at Millenia:
http://www.mallatmillenia.com/

If you want a more conventional shopping location (ie not a mall), then away from the tourist areas you have Park Avenue in Winter Park, which is lovely, a great place for a coffee and people watching:
http://experienceparkavenue.com/

I also like wandering round Celebration. I wouldn't make a shopping trip there, it's only got about 10 stores, but it's quite a nice place for a walk around/bite to eat. You can also go for a carriage ride:
http://mistyblueacres.com/
or segway tour:
http://www.zetours.com/Home_Page.html

Hope that gives you some ideas to be getting on with.

jeanna_2

Thanks for your reply vivatifosi.I will certainly look at your suggestions.
We have been to the outlets and mall before but the millenia is new to me.
We went to celebration when it was very new in 1997 and weren't sure if it was a real place,it looked like part of a theme park.Might have a look at it to see how it has developed.

vivatifosi

Mall at Millenia is far more upscale than the others. It has a lot of designer shops, like Tiffany. The restaurants there are good too. Though if you do have a hankering for a little bit of Tiffany, its worth checking out whether you can get something on your cruise and avoid the sales tax.

mrsvicx

Woo - just booked our Disney holiday!!!
After weeks of reading this thread (and still getting no nearer to the end) I got impatient and booked it
Me, DH, DS and my parents have two weeks at the Polynesian Isles in Kissimmee - I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Has anyone stayed here - any tips would be greatly appreciated?

vivatifosi

Haven't stayed there mrsvicx, hopefully someone will be along who has, but hope you have a lovely time.

mrsvicx

Thanks Vivatifosi, I've been a few times when I was younger (over 20 years ago now :eek:) but I've never managed to convince dh before now.
I think I finally wore him down, but I know once he gets out there he will be the biggest kid (and I'm kind of hoping he'll get the bug and we can go every year!!!):rotfl::beer::j