I have a 2yo roller coaster addict (Back from Florida!)

[Hulababy]

Put this in Chat but ought to be here really - blame jet lag!

Well we are back and what can I say....it was just so great. We all had a fantastic time and Mollie just adored everything.

I will post later on about what we got up to and did but I have finally posted some (well, loads!!!) of pictures on the net. Family in Sweden were eager to see them. We have at least 3 times more than those here too, and mini videos!!!

They are now online, but in a bit of a funny order I'm afraid; might be better is you start at page 1 but as there are tons it'd take you ges to see them all. I should really select just hlalf a dozen or so to post here - will try to find time!

Anyway, if anyone has time(!!!) or inclination (!!!) there are here :-

Password is hulababy

If necessary they are in Holidays...Florida 2004

Mollie is now obsessed by roller coasters. She just managed to get on the two "mini" coasters at Universal - 36 inch limit. She isn't that tall but with trainers and her hair teid on top of her head, with cap she just made it. She loved them! As for me, I loved the really big ones like the Hulk and Areosmith. The Revenge of the Mummy coaster was scary (but fab) though

Glad you had a fab time! DSs (4.75 and 3.75)adored Diseny World last year. Desperately want to go back and use the remaining days on our passes!

I'm curious though - why would you want to sneak your too short child onto rides which have the height restriction there for safety reasons?? Would you put your child in a too big car seat if they were not the correct size for it? We did Disney last year and DS1 was tall enough to go on some rides so he did. DS2 wasn't so he didn't - he only went on the rides he was tall enough for despite a couple of tantrums when daddy and DS1 went on them and he was left with me. We saw some woman practically stretching her child to make them tall enough to go on - madness! The ride operator was appalled.

When I mean too short - we are only talking maybe a fraction, honest. Certainly nothing safety wise. The rides at Universal just has slightly different height limits than Disney although almost identical rides. She was never in any danger at all, honestly. I wouldn't dream of putting her in danger at all. And the ride assistants/cast members wouldn't have allowed her on if that was the case anyone - they were pretty strict. And we never forced her to stand up tall and striaght. Infact, if laid down flat on floor she would be 36 inches, just stood up is a fraction shorter. Luckily DD is a little taller than the average centile so does JUST pass. And I say luckily as she truely adored them. Anyone, don't want to argue about it - needless to say I'd never put my little girl in danger.

And we had a fantastic time.

Message withdrawn

LOL Yorkiegirl - the thing is it isn't sneaking her own. Let's face it the assistants check heights at the start of the queues, and just before getting on the ride too - so they have final say regardless.

Yorkiegirl - it was fab :) :) :) Everything about Disney, Universal, Sea World - the whole lot!!! Even the water parks - my least favourite (can;t swim much) - were great.

Hi Lulaby
So glad to hear from you and to hear you had a fab time, we were all so worried about you when the hurricane struck, have you not seen the postings? Any tips for me, we go on Oct 11th for 3weeks, 2 in Orlando and 1 on Anna Maria Island, my trio of 6yr olds are getting sooooooooo excited!

Me again,
Just seen the other posting welcoming you back!

It was truely fantastic and a magical holiday triplets :) I am sure you will have a great time. Have you any park tickets yet? Where are you planning on going?

Triplets I have loads of leaflets and maps for the parks, nd also a fab book - sent to by another lovely MNetter called DisneyWorld for kids (also includes Universal and Seaworld). You are welcome to them all if you wish.

Measure your boys and find out how tall they are - then you can work out which rides they can go on.

If they are anything like the young boys we saw I am sure they'll adore the Buzz Lightyear ride in Magic Kingdom :) where they shoot aliens to score points against each other.

Thanks Hulababy,
Have sent you an email but forgotten to put adress, Donggggggggggggg! Will send it later.

Will look out for both!

Hulababy, the photos are great, I am so glad you had a good time, despite Hurricane Charlie! It looks like you made the rounds, between Disney and Seaworld and Universal.

We have ANOTHER hurricane coming in now that is three times the size of Charlie. I am so nervous right now. We are boarding up and getting our outdoor furniture in. I will post after it passes. I believe I will be without electricity and broadband for some time. I don't usually get nervous, but this one scares me. Anyway, I will hope for the best and keep safe.

Glad you had a great time and pleased that the book was of use to you Hulababy. We loved the Buzz ride- did you get the photos at the end?

Lovely photos, gorgeous daughter too, but what a huge scary looking Barney!

sunchowder - fingers crossed this hurricane misses you.

Thanks for the book sammac - you sure you don't want it back? Before I post it out! We didn't buy any of the photos (tight that we are ) - still have nearly 300 of our own!!! LOL. Buzz was great and Mollie adored it - seemed to be "shooting" with a bit too much relish at times I thought though - hmmmm. My Dh and my brother liked the grown up version "Men in Black" at Universal.

We did go to all the parks and didn't have any days of at all - so hectic but fab

Please pass it on, we won't be going next year, so will probably buy an up to date one then (or borrow one from a mn)We bought loads of the photos! Aerosmith, Buzz, big water one- I'm afraid I'm a sucker for all these, the parks must love me!! I'm normally too scared for all these rides, but I was a brave girl and done them all, tho' I still don't like space mountain, and I couldn't have done the hulk at islands of adventiure, walking under it was bad enough. Dh said it was like being on holiday with a different person, not the normal scaredy cat me!

The Hulk was fab sammac. Very fast, but not as fast as Areosmith (wow!!!). It scared Dh to deah as he was exoected to just climb the slope and then drop. He certainly didn't expect the slow ascent to suddenly change into the huge fast shooting off!!! Fab :) Did you go to Sea World? The Kracken there was great too. I love coasters!!!

Did you go on the Mummy? Very scary!!!

Hi Hulababy - we are off next week for 10 days and trying to organise theme park tickets - basically for £300 (each!) we can have unlimited entry to all the theme parks we want. Does this sound like a good deal? DD is 4 years old but there are older people going as well - which parks would you most recommend? Sorry for all the questions

£300 sounds about right. What do you get for that?

We paid £330 per adult (DD under 3 so free) for:

• 10 day World Ticket, including a character breakfast
• 14 days Universal Parks (got 14 days for same price as 3 days on special offer)
• 1 day Sea World
• 1 day Kennedy Space Centre

All of the parks will offer your 4 year old something. How tall is she? That is how they decide who can go on each ride. At Disney the key ones are 35 inches (36 at UniversAL), and then 40 inches is the next one up.

Magic Kingdom is fantastic for children (and adults). It's where the castle is, and the magic. Loads and loads to do and see. It's a small world is currently closed until 2005. Peter Pan ride always has massive queues too, as does Automania. Children aren't excluded from much here. Do stay late on day (check park opening hours - think it is Tuesday and Saturday) for the Wishes firework display over the castle - look for Tinkerbell flying through the sky, and for the Spectromagic parade. Brilliant. And we found it easy to get a good spot to watch - much easier than the 3pm parade. The character lunch at The Crystal Palace is really good, but not cheap. It is hosted by Pooh bear and friends. You can meet loads of characters for photos (queue up and wait style; about 10-15 minutes at the most) in Mickeys toon town area, opposite Goofy's roller coaster.

Animal Kingdom is nice too but mainly animals, not rides. The safar depends on the animals co-operating and staying in view. It was a bit quicker than I had thought too. But the Africa and Asia walking treks are a great way to see more animals. The Lion King live show in Camp Mickey is excellent.

MGM: mainly shows and child friendly stuff. Tower of Terror and Aerosmith here (not for kiddies) and Star Tours has height restriction. Lots of good stuff here. My DD adored the Beauty and The Beast live show. And the Little Mermaid is lovely too BUT - you must get a Fast Pass for this as the system works very oddly (only place we had problems). Without Fastpass you have a long wait. Bear in the Big Blue House is here - in the Disney studios place. A lovely interactive show with lots of singing and dancing; children up on their feet.

Epcot: two parks in one - Future World and then the World (9 countries portrayed). The World parts takes a while to just walk round and each has a show or little boat type ride. Many of shows are 360 degree cineam type shows dipacting images of the countries. Norway has a boat ride with trolls. In future world try the Honey I Shrunk the Audience 3D show - watch your ankles

Univeral is more aimed at adults than children, but again both parks have child friendly stuff andd DD loved them both.

Universal Studios: for children here there is Barney (!!!) - a 20 minute show and chance to meet him, ET ride is fantastic and magical, Jaws is great fun - expect to get wet! Most shows don't have restrictions so depends on your own DD. DD quite enjoyed Twister and Terminator!!! For you, try the Mummy - scary

Island of Adventture - kiddies roller coasters, Cat in the Hat and Dr Seuss land, Toom land too. Lots of water stuff here - take DD's cossie and a towel. She'll no doubt get soaked like our DD did. The Hulk roller coaster is here - fab!

Sea World - the last Shamu show is great. YTry and sit in the soak zone if you want a good view BUT you WILL get wet, very wet. Oh and the Pirate sea lion/otter show is brilliant. DD adored feeding and stroking the dolphins and the fish. Kracken roller coaster is good here.

I could go on for ever. LOL!!! Let me know if you want to know more.

Wow thanks for that Hulababy.

I think we get the same as you except Kennedy Space Centre.

I will print off your post for a more leisurely read. How long were you there? Did you see the fireworks at Epcot?

Where did you buy your tickets?

TIA

We were there for 14 days. Arrived the Thursday before Hurricane Charley on the Friday!

We did see the Epcot fireworks, we sat by the lake in the terrace behind the Bar in "UK". They were lovely, with the globe moving between the countires and then opening up. My parents say it has changed since last time they saw it, but it was lovely. DD adored all the fireworks. Only ones we found disappointing were at Sea World. The hurricane (we think) damaged the seating where it normally is, so it was over the lake. Not many viewing positions so hard to see and the lazars didn't seem as effeective in the much larger space.

My dad got our tickets. He got them through Travel City Direct - the company we booked through.

Well we are going tomorrow - if hurricane Ivan hits Orlando hopefully will be greatly reduced in power.

Thanks for all your tips hulababy

Have a fantastic time Good luck with the huricane. Charley was nice to us and didn't hamper our holiday at all - hope you are the same.