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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think that Orlando is the new Benidorm?

120 replies

newfavouritething · 04/03/2014 15:30

I've been trawling around the internet researching an upcoming trip to Florida and have come to the conclusion that it is. There's an awful lot of families travelling with their parents/grandparents scared to leave the confines of the Disney bubble. There's much talk of what to take with you - teabags, Weetabix, chocolate, peanut butter (yes really, apparently the US version is 'oily') and wanting to keep up with 'the soaps' while they are there. AIBU to think that they really shouldn't bother visiting a new country unless they're going to experience new things?

OP posts:

Alisvolatpropiis · 04/03/2014 23:39

Also, unlike Benidorm there is no tourist drinking culture in Orlando.

American Spring breakers, sure. Every other kind of tourist, not so much.

I struggle to recall ever seeing drunk people there.

HanSolo · 04/03/2014 23:50

I would love to go to the Keys...

Highly unlikely I'd ever go to Disney.
I've never been to Spain either though!

Lighthousekeeping · 05/03/2014 00:08

Bender is fantastic! Don't knock it until you've been.

VonHerrBurton · 05/03/2014 00:28

Alisvo, that's just what I was going to say. The get-pissed-quick Benidorm thing just isn't apparent in Orlando. Locals may know different :) but as a tourist I've never seen a drunk, swearing, sunburned, puking Brit in Orlando. I saw plenty in Benidorm circa 1990. Hated it then, would detest it now.

wobblyweebles · 05/03/2014 00:56

I am British and I did have quite a few drinks when I visited Orlando. To be fair, I was being wined and dined by some lovely Americans who took me to one of the nicest lakeside restaurants I've ever visited, then to a piano bar in Winter Park. So it wasn't really your average visit to Orlando.

mrsjay · 05/03/2014 08:52

we went to Key Largo the first time we went to orlando on a overnight excursion and it was beautiful i overdosed on cuban coffee i was rattling all day it was just an amazing laid back place just what i needed after the theme parks

Crowler · 05/03/2014 09:05

Orlando is not a drunky kind of place. It's so family-oriented I think you'd have to be mad to go there without kids.

mrsjay · 05/03/2014 09:10

When i was there the last time a few adults were there without children one couple on honeymoon i just thought WHY they did go out in the evening drinking so people do drink just you don't see folk falling down drunk I don't think i had a single drink all the time i was on holiday tbh i was so knackered that if i had one i would be on my back

horsetowater · 05/03/2014 09:15

America is an amazing country, Americans are amazing people. It's a brave and pioneering nation that doesn't mess about with niceties and double-speak like we do in the UK. And they know how to smile and make people feel good, their teens know how to string a sentence together, they have a good respectful work ethic and are proud of the work they do regardless of status.

It's not perfect but I hate this prejudice that 'educated' Brits have against the US. And Benidorm. And McDonalds. So tedious and prejudiced.

The only problem the US has is the Church but it's more a social club than a deep spiritual conviction.

Geographically it has absolutely everything to offer and is astoundingly beautiful.

Live and let live I say.

Crowler · 05/03/2014 09:18

The only problem the US has is the Church but it's more a social club than a deep spiritual conviction.

I'm amazed that you can know that the US has only one problem.

Crowler · 05/03/2014 09:19

When i was there the last time a few adults were there without children one couple on honeymoon i just thought WHY

That is just bonkers. Why indeed.

Alisvolatpropiis · 05/03/2014 09:20

The only problem America has is the Church

Fairly sure there a lot of people who would disagree with you there, many Americans included.

CiderwithBuda · 05/03/2014 09:23

We have been a few times. First time without children. We hired a car and drove around a bit and did the parks. That was back in 1992. Went back with DS for Easter five years ago and had a great holiday. Just parks and days but the pool and shopping. Went again for three weeks three years ago - hired a car and went across to Sanibel for a week and then did Orlando.

We will go again I'm sure and drive around some more. I would love to explore. Or of the USA in general. Am already planning on doing the coast to coast drive when DS has flown the nest.

I would love to live in the states for a while. Not forever I don't think but I'd love to try it.

Crowler · 05/03/2014 09:30

We're planning a Great American Roadtrip with the kids in about 3 years. We'll fly into San Francisco, buy a Winnebago, drive all the way through, sell Winnebago, fly out of NYC.

lessthanBeau · 05/03/2014 10:22

crowler that sounds amazing, dh and I are planning the same thing without the child though, not sure about buying was going to rent but will deffo look into that option. How long are you planning to take for the trip, we were thinking probably 6 weeks, and have a good old meander.

Crowler · 05/03/2014 10:28

I think there's a fairly strong market serving people who drive cross-coast! Got the idea from some friends who did it, they wound up driving the car for free as they bought & sold at the same price (nice, eh?).

Six weeks sounds about right, although maybe we'll all hate each other by Montana and abort the mission entirely.

Caitlyn2014 · 05/03/2014 12:36

Why do people go to Orlando/Disney without children? Well in our case it was because we are well travelled people who could, and who will do so again. Its one of the great things about getting older, you're inclined to be able to please yourself and not have to worry to much about convention and other people ideas regarding your mental health and choice of holiday.

Skivvywoman · 05/03/2014 12:39

I can't wait to go to Orlando/Disney without kids and ill do every single park with DH and we will have a ball!

TheZeeTeam · 05/03/2014 12:41

I couldn't stop laughing at the amount of adults who push kids out of the way at Disney. And who stroll around in matching Mickey ears.

Skivvywoman · 05/03/2014 12:45

Thezee that's what I'm going to do

TheZeeTeam · 05/03/2014 12:46

Haha! Please do!!

CiderwithBuda · 05/03/2014 13:35

We went without DCs as didn't have them at the time and were on around the world ticket and heading from Hawaii to LA I think. Not sure why we went to Florida! We did the Space Centre and Epcot and I think Magic Kingdom. Not sure much else was there then.

And I have just remembered I took tea bags last time! Although I import teabags into England too! I'm Irish and love strong tea so I bring teabags back from Ireland. Last time we went to Florida I took some teabags as we were in the midst of a move back to uk from Hungary and we had some Irish teabags left when removal guys were finished so I shoved them in my suitcase. Much nicer than Lipton!

LaGuardia · 05/03/2014 13:47

It is a certain type of person who goes to Orlando. You only have to wait at airport arrivals and watch the Virgin planes unload to know that. Chavtastic.

Abra1d · 05/03/2014 13:49

I agreed with you until you used the dreaded 'upcoming', OP.

The word in British English is 'forthcoming'.

BodaciousTatas · 05/03/2014 13:55

We always stay on Anna Maria Island and will do the odd trip to the otherside if we fancy it. Anna Maria is beautiful.

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