Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

sandsy

liz-paul wrote: »

What age range is universal studios for? We're hoping to go to Florida in 2 years and boys will be aged 10 & 7 years then. I have previously dismissed Universal as being a bit old for them and there not being time for everything in 2 weeks but I was reading a magazine article about it recently and it looked really good. But is it a bit mad to try and do Disney, Universal, kennedy space center & poss discovery cove in 2 weeks? Along with the free tickets for various waterparks and seaworld etc that you can get with the 2 week tickets?

I had been thinking of 2 week disney tickets that come with water park tickets, plus a day each at space center and discovery cove, a couple of rest days and that being plenty. But would we regret not doing universal? I would like to think that we would manage another trip before they leave home but that is by no means guaranteed so this could really be a once in a life time experience....

If you're mad for thinking it, we must definitely be mad for booking it!
We're planning to do everything in your first paragraph in 2 weeks in October, with 2 kids aged 11 and 9 on our first trip to Orlando. I keep thinking I'll need a holiday when we get back!

cazmcf

I second what andy said.

This year we went for 3 weeks and tried to do everything. If I could change it I would only go for 2 weeks and concentrate on only disney and universal, or universal, seaworld, busch gardens etc (but it would be a shame to miss out on Disney) then maybe persuade hubby that we HAVE to back because we have other parks to try. Another nice morning out is on an airboat ride to see alligators. It's just nice to get away from people from an hour and enjoy the countryside.

Have no fear of driving over there, this year was my first year driving and I found it very easy, plus you have so much freedom to go where you want and eat where you want. A villa (my preferred choice) also gives you lots of freedom and privacy (and escape from the kids:rotfl:)

Moogles44

Does anyone know if they still do the sort of fast pass thing that they did 3 years ago if you have a child with autism that just is not able to queue?

Andy_89

cazmcf wrote: »

I second what andy said.

This year we went for 3 weeks and tried to do everything. If I could change it I would only go for 2 weeks and concentrate on only disney and universal, or universal, seaworld, busch gardens etc (but it would be a shame to miss out on Disney) then maybe persuade hubby that we HAVE to back because we have other parks to try. Another nice morning out is on an airboat ride to see alligators. It's just nice to get away from people from an hour and enjoy the countryside.

Have no fear of driving over there, this year was my first year driving and I found it very easy, plus you have so much freedom to go where you want and eat where you want. A villa (my preferred choice) also gives you lots of freedom and privacy (and escape from the kids:rotfl:)

I have been 7 times (a total of 19 weeks of my life) I still never have enough time ot do everything. I want to go the the wonderworks etc but have never had chance, there is always something new to do.

Next year will be my first time driving in America, I am a tad nervous.

I personally wanted a villa but her indoors wants to stay in Disney, seeing as its our honeymoon I couldn't see why not.

As for Kennedy's its about an hours drive and I personally don't think there is much to do, unless there is a launch.

cazmcf

This was my 5th time and my first without parents, so I did it my way. By the end of 3 weeks I felt I had done it and wouldn't need to go back ... but 4 weeks after getting back I'm getting the bug again. Will I ever get enough of Florida?

I've never stayed in Disney, it's on my to-do list, but I'm not sure I could live with my kids and hubby in a hotel room lol

As for driving it's much more straight forward than in the uk, just take your time and watch out for people merging lanes, some can cut a little close for my liking.

Wonderworks is a must do everytime, and ripleys, it's a tradition now

A new thing we tried this year was the Blue Man Group, absoulutley fantastic and worth every penny.

Memory Maker from Disney is worth every penny, purchase it 3 days before you leave, collect your memory maker card from guest relations (or it will be linked to your magic band) and linked through my disney experience. Walk up to every photographer you see, they'll snap lots of pics and a few suprises. You can also get all the ride photos and photos with characters. When you get home download them all. An example, we got 178 pics, very professional, high quality and lovely to have pictures with all the family. The ride photos are a laugh, in tot I have my eyes squeezed shut while my girls are looking terrified. On test tack a little boy sitting beside my hubby had passed out! Hubby did ask was he allright but he ran off, I think he was embarrassed poor thing. We didn't realised he had actually passed out until we got home and seen the picture

meer53

cazmcf wrote: »

This was my 5th time and my first without parents, so I did it my way. By the end of 3 weeks I felt I had done it and wouldn't need to go back ... but 4 weeks after getting back I'm getting the bug again. Will I ever get enough of Florida?

I've never stayed in Disney, it's on my to-do list, but I'm not sure I could live with my kids and hubby in a hotel room lol

As for driving it's much more straight forward than in the uk, just take your time and watch out for people merging lanes, some can cut a little close for my liking.

Wonderworks is a must do everytime, and ripleys, it's a tradition now

A new thing we tried this year was the Blue Man Group, absoulutley fantastic and worth every penny.

Memory Maker from Disney is worth every penny, purchase it 3 days before you leave, collect your memory maker card from guest relations (or it will be linked to your magic band) and linked through my disney experience. Walk up to every photographer you see, they'll snap lots of pics and a few suprises. You can also get all the ride photos and photos with characters. When you get home download them all. An example, we got 178 pics, very professional, high quality and lovely to have pictures with all the family. The ride photos are a laugh, in tot I have my eyes squeezed shut while my girls are looking terrified. On test tack a little boy sitting beside my hubby had passed out! Hubby did ask was he allright but he ran off, I think he was embarrassed poor thing. We didn't realised he had actually passed out until we got home and seen the picture

I second the Blue Man Group too, absolutely brilliant night out.

Villa and car for us too, can't imagine staying in a hotel room, it would be too restrictive for us, we've been 5 times now and every villa we've had has been fabulous. To be able to relax when you get back from a tiring day at the parks, with a G & T in your own jacuzzi, whilst the kids play in your own pool, and you await your chinese takeaway meal delivery is brilliant !

Fridge03

Andy_89 wrote: »

Next year will be my first time driving in America, I am a tad nervous.

As for Kennedy's its about an hours drive and I personally don't think there is much to do, unless there is a launch.

My first ever time driving abroad was in Florida in April. It was easy and laid back.
Just remember that they don't have overtaking lanes as such. You are expected to move over to the inside lane if not overtaking, but many don't so they will just undertake you. However, there isn't much lane changing like in this country so its not a big issue.
Remember you can turn right at a red light unless it says not to!

As for Kennedy. We went. We also went to every Disney park, 2 water parks and all of Universal.
Kennedy was the best day of the whole holiday. We did go when there was a launch (easy to find out online) and it was the most incredible thing I have ever seen and feel honored to have seen such a sight. If you are going for a launch, go over to the other part of the site (where the apollo bit is) as you get an incredible view from the grass outside.

However even if there isn't a launch, the whole place is incredible. My other half, who isn't remotely fused about space (and I'm not exactly a fanatic) agreed it was a great day.

Two other recommendations for anyone going, who would like to see a bit more of the "real" Florida.

Do an airboat ride. Loads around Kissimmee area (you don't need to travel hours down to everglades). Make sure you get a smaller personal boat that seats only 6 of you. We went out and saw amazing wildlife from gators and snakes to herons and boar.

We also did a kayak trip, which was a 6 hour excursion. They cater for beginners (which one of us was) but it's not for the easily scared as literally we were 5 feet away from big gators. They even swim under your kayak! Depending on the time of year, you may even seen bears or manatees!

jackieblack

Just read that SeaWorld's Clyde & Seamore Take Pirate Island is finishing on 10th August Sure it was corny, but that's what made it funny, and we never got tired of the pre-show mime artist.

A new show will start in 2015, but Clyde & Seamore's Countdown To Christmas will be back in November for the holidays

vivatifosi

Moogles44 wrote: »

Does anyone know if they still do the sort of fast pass thing that they did 3 years ago if you have a child with autism that just is not able to queue?

Hi Moogles, sorry to take a while to answer. They have changed the way they do it. Here's some info:

https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/media/wdpro-assets/dlr/help/guest-services/guests-with-disabilities/Disney-Parks-Disability-Access-Service-Card-2014-04-10.pdf

AnnaLMLH

the new way for dealing with disabled guests is getting alot of complaint we used it with our autistic son at xmas and it was hard work, walking u to a ride to get a time to walk away was extremely hard for him
we go again at halloween and its one of the reasons we are only doing four days at disney