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Original poster

Did anyone else find it too much going to the Orlando parks?

95 replies

Gezzagirl · 29/07/2017 23:20

I do like theme parks but not as much as my kids and dp. I'm finding 12 hours at a park way too much for me, but everyone seems to love it, am I the only one flagging!!?

OP posts:
Original poster
Gezzagirl · 31/07/2017 15:38

Well I could do I suppose, then there's the cost and the hassle, no we're just gonna compromise, I've said can we either go in later or come home earlier so we have some time to chill. I don't think that's unreasonable tbh

OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 31/07/2017 15:39

Why can't you go back to the villa when you've had enough? Or if you've got a car, could you drop them at the park, then go and do something else and pick them up later?

Original poster
Gezzagirl · 31/07/2017 15:40

Thanks jamrock that sounds a better way of doing it. We are trying to do everything and it's too much!

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kel1234 · 31/07/2017 15:42

No, I've been twice and I think the earlier you get there the better. You get on everything and have a much better time.
I loved it

Original poster
Gezzagirl · 31/07/2017 15:43

We stayed in a hotel for a couple of nights to make use of fast track, that was better cos I could join them later have a leisurely breakfast and go back if I wanted to. But sadly we couldn't afford to stay in a hotel for nearly 3 weeks with 6 of us, but this is all a learning curve I guess

OP posts:
Original poster
Gezzagirl · 31/07/2017 15:48

Yeh I do get that kel, it is worth going early to get on everything, and I'd be happy with that if we could then go home to chill for a bit. Compromise I guess.

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IHaveBrilloHair · 31/07/2017 15:50

Can you mooch around the Disney hotels nearest whichever park the rest are in?
Lots have great food in the lounges/bar areas, no need to book, or drink around the world in epcot?

CiderwithBuda · 31/07/2017 16:02

We never do all day in any park. Get there earlyish and usually we are done by lunchtime. Head back to hotel or villa. Have never bothered going back for fireworks.

How far is the villa from the parks? Do you drive while there? I dropped DH and DS at Epcot one day and headed off shopping on my own. If you don't drive see how much a cab would be.

12 hours in a park sounds miserable!

BertrandRussell · 31/07/2017 16:18

I don't understand why you can't go back to the villa early.

llangennith · 31/07/2017 16:21

We've never spent whole days at theme parks in Orlando. Far too hot and tiring. On a two week trip there we don't go to theme parks every day. Have whole days at water parks or elsewhere. Some days went to Disney etc early then to a water park or anywhere with a pool. Typhoon lagoon is our favourite.
Park yourself in one of the many soda bars and let the rest of the family wander off. I found 'It's a Small World' very relaxingSmile

2014newme · 31/07/2017 16:51

She can go back early but doesnt want to pay for a taxi nor does she want to drive back And pick them up later.
I does sound like a family where nobody can do their own thing

BertrandRussell · 31/07/2017 16:54

Ah, so not wanting a solution really at all. Fair enough.

Original poster
Gezzagirl · 31/07/2017 17:06

That's a bit unfair 2014. I don't think u really get it. I can't drive here, I could get a taxi but it's a bit of a pain and cost!!!!! I like the idea of sitting in a bar or compromise which we're doing now I've read some ideas and what everyone else does, so thanks everyone you've really helped Smile

OP posts:
JamRock · 31/07/2017 17:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SleightOfHand · 31/07/2017 17:32

I said to myself if I went again I'd do every other day. Or, if you have a car, split the day up by going back to villa/hotel in the afternoon, then you can go back to park and stay later on in the evening. Fireworks and lights!

SleightOfHand · 31/07/2017 17:34

*sorry just noticed you have no car available.

2014newme · 31/07/2017 17:45

A holiday to Orlando costs thousands. An uber back to the villa is a few dollars. I would prefer to spend those dollars and enjoy my holiday than be feeling it's all too much because I won't get in a taxi and go and cool.off in the villa pool.

oldlaundbooth · 31/07/2017 17:50

You must be sleeping well at least??

GrinWine

Original poster
Gezzagirl · 31/07/2017 17:55

We have got a car but only dp is driving. Thanks though great ideas for a newbie x

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Rockhopper81 · 31/07/2017 18:05

I think the problem is, when you think this is a 'once in a lifetime' trip (or at least once for 10 years or so), you have the tendency to feel you have to do everything so you don't miss out. I totally get that - we were exactly the same the first time we went (almost 23 years ago, and there were fewer parks then!).

We learnt that the full days end up making everyone tired and miserable ultimately - your family might be enjoying it and up for 12 hour days, but they're going to feel the effects of it.

I would try and split the days - morning in a park (to try and beat the queues as much as possible), then afternoon at the villa or looking around the shops or at a water park, then back for fireworks if you're all up for it. You don't need to do fireworks every night either, explain that an evening in the pool at the villa will do everyone some good.

I hope you can come to a compromise - we're huge Florida fans, so have been lots of times now, as it can be such a brilliant holiday!

user1492287253 · 31/07/2017 18:08

taxi back to villa

Original poster
Gezzagirl · 31/07/2017 19:10

Yeh your right rockhopper, dp did the itinerary and I thought oo that sounds a lot but doing it was even worse. If there is another time I think I will take more control 😜

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MyNewCatIsFab · 31/07/2017 19:23

How old are the children? We just returned from Florida on Saturday. We didn't do Disney, only Universal. We went in the evening after 6 as the parks are open to 10 and we didn't wait any longer than 20 mins for any rides other than The Hulk.

weemouse · 31/07/2017 19:30

I noticed you said your next park was Seaworld?
Please try and watch Blackfish documentary online beforehand, or at least read about it, the orca's are treated horrifically.

I really think people need to be aware of the facts before you go.

SwiftAnchor · 31/07/2017 19:33

Seaworld isn't as full on as Disney or Universal so you might find that a bit better. You can spend a lot of time sitting about watching shows (if it is boiling I highly recommend a big whale shaped fan that sprays a mist to cool you down! 😂)

Uber is really, really cheap in Orlando so it probably wouldn't cos you much to get back to the villa if you wanted to. Depending on what park/where your villa is. We stayed in davenport when in a villa