Orlando & Florida - Questions & Answers (Part 1) *CLOSED*

GIRLPOWER_2

Thank you so much for your prompt reply...

I would like to do all the parks, defo want to do the magic kingdom,animal kingdom, universal, bush gardens, everglades crock thing day, Epcot, MGM studios, downtown disney, the best water park??? some shows, don't like shopping so 1/2 a day max in a good discount shop will do. Do not want to do by the pool days as could have paid 1/4 of the price and done that.

We can split as the 14 and 15 year old will have a mobile to contact us on but we would like to be close by incase they need us.

GIRLPOWER_2

sukey13 wrote:

Lots of parks have fast passes and faster queues for single riders. It is worth taking advantage of these to speed up waiting times. Especially if you want to go on a ride and someone else doesn't. I took my little one off to watch Barney and some other show while daddy did some of the bigger rides.

i will get that book sound just what I need.... and re the above think thats what we will be doing some of the time... no point in hanging around when we all have different needs.. to get as much as we can done in the time will be the plan.

phague

Girlpower, I take it you know that USA are on a different band for mobiles? You need a tri-band phone. Might sound daft, but I didnt want you depending on one and then not be able to us it !!!

mandymoo

We have just got back from staying at The Hard Rock hotel in Universal (2 weeks ) this gave us front of line,and we did not Q for more than 15 mins, our stay included "length of stay ticket " with virgin. Every time we go I always buy The Brits Guide To Orlando and call it the bible.We have booked with virgin again for next august but are staying at the Hyatt Regency this time as there seems to be lots to do there. As we did universal so much this time we will do some of disney next year as it was a few years since we did disney.

barginbuster

Hi all

This is my first posting on MSE, so hi everyone, I hope I have done this right -apologies if not! Me and partner are going to Florida in January for 10 days, 5 in Orlando and 5 at Indian Rocks nr Clearwater. We have booked tickets for Discovery Cove and are going to sort out the other tickets before we go.

Would anyone be able to tell us how much spending money you think we will need? Parking at the hotels is included and we get a breakfast on five mornings.

Also - does anyone have any experience of the weather in Florida in January?

Thanks in advance,
Clare

GIRLPOWER_2

phague wrote:

Girlpower, I take it you know that USA are on a different band for mobiles? You need a tri-band phone. Might sound daft, but I didnt want you depending on one and then not be able to us it !!!

Did not know... thanks for that.. any suggestions... I have a samsung that slides up and down to open and plays girls alond version of Jump! when it rings.. thats about all I know about my phone.

phague

Girlpower, I dont know much about mobiles, I am afraid, but when we last went we saw a lot of Americans using walkie-talkies, or whatever they are called !!

I am hoping to buy some before we go in about a years time, but not sure the ones over here are on the same frequency as in America. Never have enough time to find out !!!

Think the benefit is once you have bought them, there is no more cost (call charges), but there is a limit on distance from each other.

Regarding mobiles - if you have a suitable phone (tri band) some buy USA sim cards, but think they start at about £20, cos each call on a UK sim card costs about £1.20 I have been told !!!

Maybe someone will post further info?

Cardew

clare05 wrote:

Hi all

This is my first posting on MSE, so hi everyone, I hope I have done this right -apologies if not! Me and partner are going to Florida in January for 10 days, 5 in Orlando and 5 at Indian Rocks nr Clearwater. We have booked tickets for Discovery Cove and are going to sort out the other tickets before we go.

Would anyone be able to tell us how much spending money you think we will need? Parking at the hotels is included and we get a breakfast on five mornings.

Also - does anyone have any experience of the weather in Florida in January?

Thanks in advance,
Clare

Florida weather in January can be quite variable. You should get maximum temperatures during the day of low 70'sF(22-24C) and in the strong sun this will feel really warm - shorts not trousers. Evenings can be quite cool and a sweater will be needed.

That said it can get pretty cold and a frost is not unknown at night. The Gulf coast will be warmer in the evenings.

Spending money? How long is a peice of string? You can spend from $8 per meal upwards for meals. A reasonable meal in an nice restaurant will cost $30 or so with a tip.

jordylass

GIRLPOWER wrote:

the best water park??? some shows, don't like shopping so 1/2 a day max in a good discount shop will do.
We can split as the 14 and 15 year old will have a mobile to contact us on but we would like to be close by incase they need us.

IMHO the best water park is Typhoon Lagoon, I haven't seen Dolly Parton's show, but we had a great time at Arabian nights and Medieval nights.
Premier Discount Mall at Lake Bryan is one of my favourite places to shop, as well as the Florida Mall.

The 14 and 15 year old will love Disney Quest (around $15 entry if you shop around)at Downtown Disney, out of all the parks it was the place my kids (age 8-19) liked best!

barginbuster

Thanks Cardew for the info about the weather - I'm sort of looking like the weather a bit like our summers then but with less rain!!

I've been to USA a couple of times and found it really cheap, I just wondered if Florida was much dearer than anywhere else - thanks for the tip - much appreciated!
Clare05