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Original poster

Orlando - Always wanted to go and now its happening - words of wisdom needed

47 replies

MrsSnape · 20/04/2008 20:38

Booked a fortnight in Orlando for 2 weeks next year. Staying 2 adults, 2 kids on international drive - self catering.
Bought Orlando flexi tickets but not Disney as I thought the price of them was ridiculous.

So any tips, words of wisdom, advice etc?

I'm thinking we should buy cereals in so at least the breakfasts are a cheap affair? What should we do about other meals? What are the shuttle bus things like? (no car)

Anything we MUST or MUST NOT do?

We're unlikely to get back to Florida again for a good 5 years or more so we want to make the most of it whilst keeping the cost as low as possible.

OP posts:
bellavita · 22/04/2008 21:07

Hard Rock is our favourite, we usually go on our way out of either Islands of Adventure or Universal.

I would say on an evening meal out - expect to pay around $80 dollars. On an average day you could probably expect to go through $150/200 easy (this is with us making sandwiches for lunch sometimes).

Our park tickets are always paid for before we go - this year we are swimming with the dolphins at Discovery Cove.

bellavita · 22/04/2008 21:08

Hi Lisa - we are doing that in July!

FloridaKbear · 22/04/2008 21:17

22 sleeps....

I may implode before then...!

FloridaKbear · 22/04/2008 21:18

and it's only taken me 17 years and two crap holidays in the rain in a tent to talk DH into it. Didn't she do well!!!

bellavita · 22/04/2008 21:28

I just knew you would pop up sometime FKB

FloridaKbear · 22/04/2008 22:09

rude not to!

I am having a week off thinking about it now, I am emotionally drained. I am going back to my plain old KBear name and not mentioning the F-word again.

FloridaKbear · 22/04/2008 22:09

yeah right

wooooooooooooo whooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

bossybritches · 22/04/2008 22:17

Bela- yes thanks had a great time & want to go baaaaaack!!!!! sob

You'll LOVE the dolphins!!!!

bossybritches · 22/04/2008 22:30

Bella I've uploaded our group photo on my profile if you want a glimpse of Discovery Cove!!

smartiejake · 22/04/2008 22:45

Just got back last week from our second trip to Florida.

Depends on the age and interests of your kids but we really enjoyed the Kennedy space centre.

Loved Both the Universal parks. The mummy ride was great.And the hulk exhilerating.

Enjoyed parts of Disney but it is rather nausiating after a while. The Magic kingdom is definitely the best with lots of different rides for different ages.

Busch gardens is great but quite a long way from Orlando (we were staying not far from Tampa in our second week this year so not so far to go). Some of the bigger roller coasters are truly breathtaking if you like that sort of thing.

Sea world is ok but it was very busy the day we went so didn't enjoy it much.

Aquatica is all hype and no more special than any other water park I have been to. They make out there are lots of fish and dolphin pools to slide through when in truth there is one tank of fish and four small black and white dolphins that you might be lucky to get a glimpse of in the split second you slide through!

Didn't do Discovery cove as we couldn't get booked but have heard it's amazing but very expensive (£600 for a family of 4 for one day!) If you want to do this book it now.

bellavita · 23/04/2008 07:18

wow - bossy that looks great. Were you allocated your "swim" time on arrival at the Coe?

bellavita · 23/04/2008 07:18

cove

bossybritches · 23/04/2008 12:39

Yes Bella we got there & were ushered in -bliss only having up to 1000 people a day no crowds & LOADS of staff!! You get logged in & given an ID pass each so you don't have to worry about money & you get your swim time then .Ours was 1.30. Then given a tour of the facilities in a small group of 8. The food was great & all inclusive breakfast/snacks/drinks & meals. So yes expensive but we got ours for less than £600 by booking early & including other things in our pass (Sea world tickets each which on their own were £54 each) We'd saved like no-ones business for it & it was well worth it to see the look on the DC's faces, even my cynical old DH, with the dolphins!! You get to laze around on the sandy "beaches" & sim as much as you want in the different lagoons. A very chill out day. Take a book & a fleece in case you get a chilly day. Towels/lockers/snorkels & masks are provided.

You get to swim/snorkel round a lazy river & another pol with beautiful tropical fishe & HUGE rays that are a like tablecloths & silky to touch! My DD's were chuffed to spot a "Dory" fish (Findig Nemo?)

We enjoyed Aquatica- but as SJ said the hype is about the one (small) slide through a pool of commissar dolphins & if like me you screw your eyes up you miss the lot anyway!!! But treat it as another water park & the kids will love it.

bellavita · 23/04/2008 15:45

Thanks for that Bossy. Oh - what about the suncream at Discovery - was it expensive to buy and what shoes did you wear - do we need those slipper thingies that you can get wet IYKWIM?

AttilaTheMeerkat · 23/04/2008 17:45

I did not wear any water shoes at DC when I went there.

I would also add that photo id is required for entry into Discovery Cove. Not everyone is aware of this piece of information. It can take some considerable time to be booked in.

The sunscreen was okay but awkward to apply - its quite thick.

The species of dolphin at Aquatica are called Commerson's dolphins. They have been specially trained to swim near the tube.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 23/04/2008 17:49

From their official website:-

"Once you have made a reservation, you simply check in on the date of your visit. All you need is your name, confirmation number, and a photo ID for those guests over the age of 18".

AttilaTheMeerkat · 23/04/2008 17:51

Again from their website (the FAQ section):-

Discovery Cove provides a mask and snorkel, towels and beach chairs. Guests may use their own masks and snorkels if they prefer, but may not bring any other diving or swimming equipment into the park. Discovery Cove will also provide guests with a sample of specially formulated sunscreen that is safe for use in the animal habitats. This is the only kind of sunscreen that may be used and additional quantities may be purchased in the gift shop. Since a meal is provided with admission to Discovery Cove, no other food, beverages or coolers are permitted. Guests may wish to bring books and magazines, a CD or tape player with headset or similar items to help them relax on the beach, and a camera to catch all of their special moments.

No jewellery (including earrings) is permitted for the safety of the animals.

FloridaKbear · 23/04/2008 19:40

I am just about to book our day at Discovery Cove!! Just got to decide which day... oh I am soo excited. I can't believe we're going.

three weeks to go

bossybritches · 23/04/2008 21:59

That's it Attilla http://www.whale-web.com/dolphins/images/commersons.jpg Commersons dolphins like mini whales very pretty

The suncream they provide although quite thick & gloopy is dolphin friendly & very good.

I didn't get any swim shoes & I did scrape my toes a bit on the coral & as I was at several water parks before & after I think thet would have been useful (they sell them all over the place quite cheaply)

bossybritches · 23/04/2008 22:14

booger bad link!!

Commersons dolphins like mini whales very pretty

bogie · 24/04/2008 14:17

With the orlando flexi you might get the new sea world aqutica park it looks amazing just opened

www.aquaticabyseaworld.com/Site/flash/homepage/Default.aspx

bossybritches · 24/04/2008 20:00

That's a good site(didn't have that before I went) you can see it how it is- the dolphin bit is just one part.

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