Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

masscrazy

Just booked a shotgun holiday to Orlando, which seems utterly bizarre considering what I've just read about booking a year in advance. Nonetheless we're flying out in a weeks time booked a villa and flights for just over £300.

My question for the experts is, what is best use of time considering it is only one week. Not so interested in the various parks, but would like to see the KSC and Miami and do some nature based stuff (on land) hiking...

John259

Orlando to Miami is about 230 miles each way - which certainly doesn't rule it out but the distance does need to be considered, especially if you're anchored in one place with a villa:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Orlando,+FL,+United+States&daddr=Miami,+FL,+United+States&hl=en&sll=37.6,-95.665&sspn=49.738899,107.138672&geocode=FeB1swEdXEAm-yl3vM3-2HPniDGev6U8BrLDCg%3BFamCiQEd9C44-ykRwcgOorDZiDFlT63dcfKW_w&oq=miami&mra=ls&t=m&z=8

For hiking, you could try the Florida state parks web site:
http://www.floridastateparks.org
see also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_State_Parks
and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Florida_state_parks

masscrazy

John259 wrote: »

Orlando to Miami is about 230 miles each way - which certainly doesn't rule it out but the distance does need to be considered, especially if you're anchored in one place with a villa:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Orlando,+FL,+United+States&daddr=Miami,+FL,+United+States&hl=en&sll=37.6,-95.665&sspn=49.738899,107.138672&geocode=FeB1swEdXEAm-yl3vM3-2HPniDGev6U8BrLDCg%3BFamCiQEd9C44-ykRwcgOorDZiDFlT63dcfKW_w&oq=miami&mra=ls&t=m&z=8

For hiking, you could try the Florida state parks web site:
http://www.floridastateparks.org
see also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_State_Parks
and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Florida_state_parks

Great, thanks for the info.

One last question for now, what the best time to visit Miami, weekend/weekday?

vivatifosi

That's a great deal. Miami is about a 4 hour drive each way, I probably wouldn't from Orlando.

In terms of non-theme parky things to do, I'd definitely go over to Kennedy. There are nature reserves over there too and you can see eagles if you are lucky, which is amazing.

Over to the other coast and there are some lovely areas there for beach walks and hiking.

You may also want to consider Disney's nature reserve (which is in Kissimmee) and has nature trails that you can go hike:
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/florida/placesweprotect/the-disney-wilderness-preserve.xml

From this resource, you'll be able to see what's closer in Central Florida, then look up the different sites and see what you fancy:
http://floridahikes.com/central-florida

There are some lovely river tours too if you don't mind going a bit further away.

masscrazy

vivatifosi wrote: »

That's a great deal. Miami is about a 4 hour drive each way, I probably wouldn't from Orlando.

In terms of non-theme parky things to do, I'd definitely go over to Kennedy. There are nature reserves over there too and you can see eagles if you are lucky, which is amazing.

Over to the other coast and there are some lovely areas there for beach walks and hiking.

You may also want to consider Disney's nature reserve (which is in Kissimmee) and has nature trails that you can go hike:
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/florida/placesweprotect/the-disney-wilderness-preserve.xml

From this resource, you'll be able to see what's closer in Central Florida, then look up the different sites and see what you fancy:
http://floridahikes.com/central-florida

There are some lovely river tours too if you don't mind going a bit further away.

Cool, thanks for the info. Definitely want to check out Miami though we will have a hire car so should be fine. Is there any time Miami is not good to go?

Another question! Anyone know how it is to be a Muslim in Florida?

converted-lurker

Please could someone give me advice regarding the Disney world website offers and free dining offers.

The current offer sounds quite good for free dining and 14 nights park tickets for price of 7 but must be booked by July 14. We want to go August 15 so scheduled flights won't be available to book before the offer ends.

Is it too risky booking the accommodation and park tickets before the flights? Or when the current Disney offer ends will another equally good offer start?

Its an expensive holiday so don't want to make silly mistakes in booking.

We need to go in school holidays (can't take any time off school) so were thinking last 2 weeks in august would be cheapest option.

Thanks in advance.
Converted

vivatifosi

masscrazy wrote: »

Cool, thanks for the info. Definitely want to check out Miami though we will have a hire car so should be fine. Is there any time Miami is not good to go?

Another question! Anyone know how it is to be a Muslim in Florida?

I don't know when is a good or bad time with Miami, sorry, have only been there once. It was nice weather, then stormy, then nice weather. A bit like Orlando in the summer...

In terms of being a Muslim, I'm not one, but I found this website that you may find helpful.

http://www.crescentrating.com/attractions-in-the-united-states-for-muslim-travelers/item/1708-where-dreams-come-true-walt-disney-world-orlando-florida-usa.html

I have seen Halal restaurants, but not many and I don't know how certification works there. You may find googling halal restaurants in Orlando and Miami a useful start.

When I'm in Disneyworld I quite often find notice Muslims eating veggie options. I am a vegetarian so it may be something I notice more.

masscrazy

vivatifosi wrote: »

I don't know when is a good or bad time with Miami, sorry, have only been there once. It was nice weather, then stormy, then nice weather. A bit like Orlando in the summer...

In terms of being a Muslim, I'm not one, but I found this website that you may find helpful.

http://www.crescentrating.com/attractions-in-the-united-states-for-muslim-travelers/item/1708-where-dreams-come-true-walt-disney-world-orlando-florida-usa.html

I have seen Halal restaurants, but not many and I don't know how certification works there. You may find googling halal restaurants in Orlando and Miami a useful start.

When I'm in Disneyworld I quite often find notice Muslims eating veggie options. I am a vegetarian so it may be something I notice more.

Thanks for the advice and that link is brilliant.

My cousins who recently went to the US were asked bizarre questions by immigration about what their thoughts were on arranged marriage and what their opinion of the US was. I suppose I should prepare to be treated like a suspected threat and answer their bizarre question without causing any friction

vivatifosi

masscrazy wrote: »

Thanks for the advice and that link is brilliant.

My cousins who recently went to the US were asked bizarre questions by immigration about what their thoughts were on arranged marriage and what their opinion of the US was. I suppose I should prepare to be treated like a suspected threat and answer their bizarre question without causing any friction

US immigration is often rude to people and do ask bizarre questions. My husband has the same name and similar date of birth as a wanted criminal and this causes us problems. Just stay cool as they can be annoying.

And don't be surprised that they want a full set of fingerprints, they do that for everyone. If you were behind me in the queue you may see them ask for one print from me but then ask for a full set from you and wonder why, it's purely that they've already got mine, so they take index fingers to confirm.

masscrazy

vivatifosi wrote: »

US immigration is often rude to people and do ask bizarre questions. My husband has the same name and similar date of birth as a wanted criminal and this causes us problems. Just stay cool as they can be annoying.

And don't be surprised that they want a full set of fingerprints, they do that for everyone. If you were behind me in the queue you may see them ask for one print from me but then ask for a full set from you and wonder why, it's purely that they've already got mine, so they take index fingers to confirm.

Thanks for the advice, will certainly do that