First time trip to Florida

I_am_mad

KarenG wrote: »

16 days is a lot better than 10 or 11 :cool:

There are parades at all the Disney theme parks (except Epcot). There are fantastic fireworks at Epcot and Magic Kingdom every day. All included in the ticket price.


You can't walk five paces in a theme park without falling over a cupcake / fudge / sweet shop!

are there any fireworks at universal etc as we are not going to disney parks as cant afford both

SillyLily

It's so funny reading about folks wanting to vacation in Florida!! I grew up in Florida (Cocoa Beach /Cape Canaveral area). If you've never been there before, let me just state the obvious.... IT'S HOT!!! :-) Make sure you drink plenty of fluids because it's easy to become dehydrated! And you MUST stop by a 7-11 and buy a slurpee!!! :-) It's a frozen drink. :-) Make sure you wear sunscreen and wear comfy shoes! Deoderant is a MUST! And if you're going to be out at night you'll probably want to get some bug spray because the mosquitos are horrible!!
Also, don't go barefoot in the grass unless you want your feet full of "stickers"!! they're like little thorn balls and they HURT!!!
And don't worry if it rains. It can pour down one minute and be just beautiful the next!!!!
I hope you enjoy your time there!! :-) The nightlife is especially wonderful!!!!! :-)

Jem8472

Universal does sometimes do fireworks, it depends on your dates and if they have anything on.

Same with Seaworld sometimes they do fireworks. Best place to check is on their websites.

We watched the Magic kingdom fireworks from the beach after a meal at Ohanas.

If you want a good place to go and eat and you love meat then I suggest Texas de Brazil! It is amazing. Just don't get sucked in by the salad bar before you try the meat.

When I went a couple of years ago if you signed up on their website they would send you a free meal voucher for your birthday. Just needed to be printed and brought with you.
http://www.texasdebrazil.com/
Warning that website will make you drool! Also its good to book that place as it does get busy.

Some other great restaurants we went to were:
Olive garden! Love it!!!!!
Tony Romas,
Emerlis at city walk. Very good but expensive!
Panda express, the orange chicken is great.
Hard rock,
Bubba gump
Hooters Its always worth a visit. The wings are great.

KarenG

I_am_mad wrote: »

are there any fireworks at universal etc as we are not going to disney parks as cant afford both

Ok, two ways you can see Disney fireworks without tickets. One is great, one is a bit rubbish. Both are free though.

Great - head towards the Magic Kingdom area. Follow signs for the Polynesian resort. Tell the security guard you are visiting the hotel to look around (you will probably need to show photo ID). Park in the self parking zone. They will give you a 3 hour parking pass.

Head through the hotel, down to the beach. There you will get an excellent view of "Wishes", the firework show. You could also go to the Contemporary resort and view from the 4th floor viewing point - not such a good view and parking can be problematic there too.


The rubbish version - head to the Epcot area and follow signs for Epcot resorts. Head to the Boardwalk hotel - follow same process to park. Head onto Boardwalk area and follow signs to Epcot - before you get there you will walk up a slope, over a bridge, heading left. Stop there. Best view of Illuminations (epcot fireworks) from outside the park. It's not great but better than nothing (and definitely better than the view from your villa will be).

I_am_mad

Thanks so much for all your replies! After talking to our friends who own the villa they are saying that we must do Disney rather than umiversal as its much better whats everyones thoughts disney or universal?

sunshinetours

If you haven't been before you needs to do both!

Doing "Disney" means different things to different people. If you don't have kids then Magic Kingdom probably not for you unless you are
massively into the whole theming kind of thing.

Epcot is great and lots there to do , Animal Kingdom is great for a visit, really well themed and lots of animals to see and Hollywood Studios is great for anyone. Two water parks to see there as well so hence why I would get the 14 day Ultimates so you can do all that plus Downtown Disney, maybe some mini golf

Universal Parks are great as well and both have their own features. Obviously IOA has the Harry Potter world which any fan will want to see plus some decent rides

The you have Seaworld, Aquatica, Busch gardens.......

Maybe set your budget first and see what you can afford to do

jackieblack

I_am_mad wrote: »

Thanks so much for all your replies! After talking to our friends who own the villa they are saying that we must do Disney rather than umiversal as its much better whats everyones thoughts disney or universal?

Disney, everytime

I_am_mad

Thanks, is 10 million medical cover enough to have on insurance?

jackieblack

I_am_mad wrote: »

Thanks, is 10 million medical cover enough to have on insurance?

Should be fine, fingers crossed it won't be needed at all!:D

I_am_mad

Yup fingers crossed if I get a disney ticket for all the disney parks is parking included or do we need extra money for that?