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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Orlando - what should we do with our precious 7 days away? parks? attractions? recommendations please

29 replies

mrspink27 · 14/02/2007 20:50

Going to Orlando (not Disney!) next week with the dds (2 and 4) and I wondered if anyone had any recommendations or advice as we have never attempted a holiday like this before.

Neither DH nor I have been to the states before and any advice would be gratefully received. We will have a car, but are only there for 6 days.

Should we do Seaworld? Busch gardens or Animal Kingdom? The choice is overwhelming and as it is quite pricey I'd love to hear from experienced travellers.

Thanks x.

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slouch · 16/02/2007 22:26

The Premium outlet near the Dolly Parton Dixie Stampede dinner place just off the I4 - don't remember the junction but you'll find it easily enough.

paulaplumpbottom · 16/02/2007 23:00

She is right it the premium outlet you want. The millennium Mall would also be a good bet. Mnt Dora is also really gorgeous, full of antiques and gift shops. Your DH will hate it, you'll love it. If you were going to go to Tampa, you could stop by Plant City which has a quaint antiques district which is good for vintage linens. There is also a wonderful place called the Stable in Lake Alfred, again I would only bother if you were on your way to Tampa anyway. Its a Antiques/gift shop but it is huge and I never miss going. But my family lives in Polk County so its always a bit closer for me.

sunchowder · 16/02/2007 23:26

Mrs. Pink!

Winter Park is lovely and is a short drive from Orlando. Lovely quaint shops and they do have a boat tour : \link{http://www.scenicboattours.com/winterparkscenic boattour}

I love it there, outdoor cafes, very sweet town. The Premium outlets are great, that is the LakeBuenaVista Exit off of I4. As far as a mall goes, the Millenia is new and beautiful, and I am sure you would enjoy --that is the Conway Road exit.

You can always call me, I live here in Longwood, 407-339-3306 and we can meet you for Fish and Chips or something!!!

mrspink27 · 03/03/2007 21:54

Well we are back and I just wanted to say thanks for all your hints and tips.

Bahama Bay resort was great accomodation apart from the lack of decent food onsite.

DDs loved Seaworld and Busch Gardens especially the baby hippo and the dolphins. Found the dolphin show much more "wow" than shamu actually which was full of patriotic tributes to US service personnel.
Went to Gatorland which we found a bit crass, especially the 'play fighting' using chickens as boxing gloves in one of the shows... eeeuuw! and the Very very sad looking bear in a teeny enclosure. the gators were interesting tho and we fed them from close up which was fab.
Also went to Cirque du Soleil at downtown disney which was amazing.

LOTS of shopping at various outlets and Malls, 'twas so good we bought an extra case!

I have to say tho the food was a real problem, especially anything which didnt involve deep frying, or HUGE portions. Our best meak was at Tony Romas, and the worst by far was at Ponderosa. Breakfasts were best at Sizzler or Cracker Barrel, although atleast we could get fruit at Sizzler which was better for us. Golden Corral was ok if you picked the best bits and left the deepfried cheese sandwiches and southern fried everything.... do I sound like a food snob? I dont mean to! Oh and we had one obscen meal at Maggianos on I drive which we ordered half portions. A half starter portion of garlic bread was 12 pieces which were enormous and my half portion of pasta could probably have fed a small family for3 days I kid you not.. we barely made an impression in our meals, which was embarrasing and depressing at the thought of wasting so much and how obscene it was.

On the whole a good holiday apart from the food! but what did we expect !!!!!

We had 3 hours of turbulence on the way home which was awful, but atleast my dds slept unlike the poor mother whose 2 children screamed for the whole 7 hours... if you are a MNer I really felt for you.

Sunchowder, sorry we didnt catch up with you, I took your number but we ran out of days!

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