to think that Orlando is the new Benidorm?

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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?

Erm I've been to Orlando twice and am certainly not "chavtastic"!!

No children either, so call the holiday police, quick! Both times DH and I went with friends. And the last I was aware, fun isn't limited to a certain age bracket.

I rather think that if you're with children you probably don't go to the sort of places you'll see it, but we drank a fair bit and saw plenty of drunk people. We stayed at Universal both times, and maybe drinking is just more typical there as there are a couple of clubs etc as opposed to Disney.

For me, Disney is my idea of hell on earth, but I love rides so Universal suits me fine. We could be having cocktails and chilling out and decide to go on a ride and have a stroll over within 10mins, no queuing. I have to say we did avoid International Drive as much as possible as it was a bit tacky, and you can see the decline as you walk along it. And we had great fun playing Spot The Brit as we walked along it too as you can tend to spot them a mile off.

Have to say, we go on all different types of holiday, have done road trips, snowboarding, safaris, beach holidays etc, and there is no law that says it has to be brimming with culture. Whilst I don't eat or drink at British places on holiday, each to their own!!

I've been to Orlando multiple times. But La Guardia would never have me pinned as "chavtastic"

YY

I've been thrice. The travellers are often interesting.
All you can eat buffet...yum yum

I've been to Orlando 2x in 4 years. I've also been to the Yemen. It's a good holiday in its context, it doesn't make you a narrow or a chav.

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.

oh i forgot when i first went it seemed to be a gay pride day there was something on elsewhere it was bloody fabulous it was very very camp lots of camp men clapping at disney princesses

I dont think we are chavtastic what does that mean anyway i loved it hate disney though kids loved disney the other times we went we did universal

My husband hated itt hough was too busy for him so said he wont go back

I LOVE Orlando and am off there in 3 weeks! I doubt you'd label me as 'chavvy' (please see my postings on baby names' threads to confirm my MC snobbery). However, I do appreciate that Orlando has next to no culture whatsoever, but my goodness, it's so much fun! DD and I love rollercoasters, love the absolute vacuousness of the place (it's like being in Dynasty or Dallas when we get a villa there!), love the weather and love just having a few weeks devoted solely to pure, unadulterated fun.

My other break this year, hopefully, will be a long weekend in Sarajevo with DD.

Hmmm... Never thought of,going as I don't deal well with crowds and noise and the children cope even less well. But perhaps,I ought to think again.

Ps... Will some kind person tell me the truth.. Rollercoasters and pelvic floors.. Is it like trampolines ?

I really wouldn't say I was 'chavastic' tbh. Neither is dh or dh. Although it also isn't a word I would choose to use to describe a person anyway

I'm pretty normal and we enjoy a range of holidays as a family. Orlando theme parks is just one such holiday type we go on.

But hey - I am sure if one poster believes that it must be true yes?! But the that poster is also the type of person who chooses to use the term chavtastic, so tbh if probably not take that much notice myself!

BTW I've lived in the US 7 years and I still bring in British teabags and chocolate in my suitcase.

I got married in the Renaissance hotel next to Sea World 20 years ago, then flew to St Lucia for the honeymoon.
It was wonderful, every American person I met could not have been happier for us or more helpful if they tried.
I lost my passport at one point and a nice lady somehow tracked me down to return it.
We had no trouble finding naice restaurants. The wedding dinner had seven courses and was exquisite.
I sadly have been to Benidorm. I would rather rub shit in my hair then post a selfie than return.
I loved Orlando and would return in a heartbeat (in fact, we did 5 times). Nothing even comes close for theme parks in clement weather with a lovely big house and pool to enjoy. The common language helps too (when you are sobbing in a pharmacy at 2am with a sick child).

I've never been to Benidorm but did spend a couple of nights in Orlando about 20 years ago. It was everything that's horrible about mass tourism! Just a hideously awful place. Will never go anywhere near the place again.
But it's great that so many people do go there and do seem to like it, as it means there are fewer people in all the nice places!

Anyone been to Las Vegas? I'm really tempted to give it a whirl .....

Las Vegas is overbuilt, commercial, has amazing hotels/restaurants, is a bit cheesy and over-the-top, amazing shopping, the gambling is outrageously fun.

I totally recommend it.

a thread about Florida and no mention of Carl Hiassen? if you're going check them out, very funny about how tourists have ruined the place! The film striptease was based on his novel of the same name. the film wasn't so good but the book certainly is.

Why do some people feel the need to put others down for the choices they make for themselves and their families? What benefit does it give you to label someone a 'chav' for enjoying Orlando and Disney world? Trekking around jungles of Borneo or an extended stay in Ulan Bator soaking up all aspects Mongolian culture is my idea of hell but this is what counts as a lovely holiday to my closest and dearest friend and I love her for it. When I go on holiday, I like plenty of sunshine, beaches and cheap shopping and sometimes a spot or two of fantasy escapism. I enjoy holidaying in Orlando; love Disney, sea world, universal, Busch Gardens and Kennedy space centre and picking up loads of bargains in the outlets! Shoot me now. I'm also relatively well educated with good degrees from a red brick and I'm in a fairly professional job. I would hardly describe myself and my family as 'chavs' but then I wouldn't be so crude as to describe anyone using that term.

I'm immensely jealous of all of you that can afford to do Orlando the during school holidays. Last time I priced up 2 weeks in a villa in Kissimmee plus car hire, flights and park tickets, it was around £8k for the four of us! We'd love to take the kids again, it's been 4 long Orlando deprived years!!

Petal - I went to Vegas for a week a few years back. We went for a wedding. DD was 8y at the time and bridesmaid. We had no idea what to expect, especially with a child in tow. But we had fun. It is bright and loud, and in some ways like an adult theme park. We really enjoyed it and glad we went, and DD really enjoyed it too It isn't somewhere we would have ever thought to go to, especially as a family, but it surprised us. We wouldnt go back time and time again, but we will return.

Vegas is fun for 3-4 days then it is suddenly all too much...

I agree, the absolute limit on Las Vegas should be 4 days on the outside.

I sadly have been to Benidorm. I would rather rub shit in my hair then post a selfie than return.

gwan Katie do it

I saw a programme about the homelessness and drug taking in Las vagas put me right off

I really enjoyed benidorm although it was a hen weekend,
We booked to go on holiday last year but holiday got cancelled I was gutted but DH was relieved!

My parents have been to benidorm Loads of times have been going since the early 80s they like I wish some folk wouldnt be snobby abou t holidays ,

Mrsjay some people shouldn't knock it till they try it! You haven't lived till you have seen sticky Vicky