FLORIDA

Midnight

Midnight

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Evening all,

Looking to go here with the kids in a year or so. Anyone any recommendations for ticket sites for the parks?

Any things that you would say are a must do?

Any tips on flight recommendations or anything you think may help. Not been to America for a good 13 years or so .

Cheers

Midnight...
 
Go to Universal, go to Moe's Tavern and to the bar and then utter the immortal line 'Pint of Duff please'. Then sit down with a pint of Duff and have 10 minutes to yourself. I've done this in both the Florida and California universal and it made me very happy.

Personally I'd try and avoid going at Easter as it clashes with US spring break and the last time we went out them was just too busy. Most parks are just fine, enjoyed Discovery Cove as its a bit more exclusive after the hussle and bustle of the rest of them. Enjoyed Universal the best of the rest, your can get a decent deal and go back a few times to get your moneys worth.

Flights, just use Expedia to check the cheapest, we saved quite a bit flying until Miami and staying there for a night then drove up, but depends if you think the money saved is worth the extra driving.
 
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Never been but hoping the Mrs decides she wants to take the kids soon, by that I mean I’m hoping to persuade her to go with the kids so I can visit the new Star Wars attraction myself.
 
Universal, Disneyland, Busch Gardens for starters. Then there's a gazillion other things to do depending on age of kids etc.
Tampa isn't too far away, and Clearwater is great for Dolphin watching etc. You can hire a pontoon boat with pilot for about four or five hours, great value for money and a fantastic day out.
Just be aware that the prices in the last few years have rocketed, food and drink are no longer 'cheap' although there are places that offer good value and good food.
 
We got a disney/universal combo ticket from Orlando attraction tickets, seemed as cheap as anywhere.
Park prices always go up in feb so best to get them booked before then
The dibb is the Florida forum to go to for tips

enjoy, it’s fantastic
 
Davmc has beaten me to it, the Dibb is enormously helpful for all Florida questions. Incidentally, what age will your kids be? That will matter for certain recommendations.
 
Also depending on the age of your kids I'd try not to do park after park every day. Agree with other suggestion that Clearwater is great to go for a couple of day to chill out away from the parks.
 
Ticket prices have zoomed up over the last few years and that has put us off going. The US economy is booming (well doing better than us) and our wages just aren't keeping up with their prices that they can afford to pay. It always makes be laugh when someone on a american TV show says to another "lend / give me 50 dollars" as though it's a fiver.
 
If it's anyone's Birthday while you're over there then you can get into the a number of parks for free. I didn't realise this till my missus and I went to Epcot and I got in for nothing but had to walk around with a badge saying it's my Birthday (at 50!) and every member of the staff when they saw my badge saying "Happy Birthday Steve". The other half was really enjoying my reaction to all this. :cautious::ROFLMAO:
 
Stay at a hotel that does breakfast included in the price, and if you can stay where the Americans go to rather than internationals.We've used Springhill Suites, Lake Beuna Vista. Good rooms, nice pool and good breakfast.
International Drive is like Blackpool and Southend crossed.
Daytona Raceway is good if you like that sort of thing, but Kennedy is awesome...and a place we have been to every time we've been to Florida.
 
Midnight said:
Kids will be 14 and 12
Click to expand...
That makes things easier, they are at a great age to go.

Magic Kingdom is a must. Be there for the firework show, also the light projection show. They are both brilliant. If that means going away and coming back later then do it.

Animal Kingdom was our favourite. Don't bother with Epcot

Use the pre-booking for popular rides, it makes a lot of sense. Also look out for single rider lines. They are often way shorter and does it really matter if you are in the seat behind or in front rather than next to? Beats waiting an extra hour!

The two Universal parks are excellent.

Shopping - Orlando International Premium Outlet is a whopper. Buena Vista Outlet is more manageable, fewer shops but a more relaxing visit. I prefer Buena Vista because of that.

I would highly recommend the Kennedy Space Centre and your kids should be old enough to enjoy it as well now. It is an easy drive and I really loved it.

I would also recommend going to see a sporting event. We saw the Orlando Magic basketball and the whole family loved it. They make it a family occasion, a real event, so don't worry if basketball is not a big love. Equally, look out for one of the other sports if they appeal. Tickets via Stubhub.

I would fully back what some others have said, don't flog yourselves at the parks each day. They are tiring and take a lot out of you. We did alternate days and that kept us fresh.

In terms of tickets, I left that to my wife. I didn't want the holiday to be ruined by knowing how much the tickets cost. You are going to the parks, suck it up and pay the money :D. We got 3 day passes from memory that allowed you to go in an out of any of the Disney parks on those 3 days, they don't have to be consecutive. We got a two day pass for the Universal ones. She said they made sense but to keep up to date please look at The Dibb as I have mentioned before. That was our go to source of info, the people on there are obsessive and that makes it great to dip into. It is all a lot to take in but this is a holiday where preparation matters, it makes the actual holiday sail through.
 
Lord Tyrion said:
That makes things easier, they are at a great age to go.

Magic Kingdom is a must. Be there for the firework show, also the light projection show. They are both brilliant. If that means going away and coming back later then do it.

Animal Kingdom was our favourite. Don't bother with Epcot

Use the pre-booking for popular rides, it makes a lot of sense. Also look out for single rider lines. They are often way shorter and does it really matter if you are in the seat behind or in front rather than next to? Beats waiting an extra hour!

The two Universal parks are excellent.

Shopping - Orlando International Premium Outlet is a whopper. Buena Vista Outlet is more manageable, fewer shops but a more relaxing visit. I prefer Buena Vista because of that.

I would highly recommend the Kennedy Space Centre and your kids should be old enough to enjoy it as well now. It is an easy drive and I really loved it.

I would also recommend going to see a sporting event. We saw the Orlando Magic basketball and the whole family loved it. They make it a family occasion, a real event, so don't worry if basketball is not a big love. Equally, look out for one of the other sports if they appeal. Tickets via Stubhub.

I would fully back what some others have said, don't flog yourselves at the parks each day. They are tiring and take a lot out of you. We did alternate days and that kept us fresh.

In terms of tickets, I left that to my wife. I didn't want the holiday to be ruined by knowing how much the tickets cost. You are going to the parks, suck it up and pay the money :D. We got 3 day passes from memory that allowed you to go in an out of any of the Disney parks on those 3 days, they don't have to be consecutive. We got a two day pass for the Universal ones. She said they made sense but to keep up to date please look at The Dibb as I have mentioned before. That was our go to source of info, the people on there are obsessive and that makes it great to dip into. It is all a lot to take in but this is a holiday where preparation matters, it makes the actual holiday sail through.
Click to expand...

Epcot is ace, you can drink your way round the world as you go round the lake. :)

And as others have said, Kennedy Space Centre is well worth a trip, do a behind the scenes tour where you go into the NASA building, we were lucky to visit when a launch occurred which was awesome.
 
Hacker Khan said:
Epcot is ace, you can drink your way round the world as you go round the lake. :)

And as others have said, Kennedy Space Centre is well worth a trip, do a behind the scenes tour where you go into the NASA building, we were lucky to visit when a launch occurred which was awesome.
Click to expand...
Epcot was probably ace in the 80's, the last time someone used the word ace I suspect :LOL:. It looked horribly dated when we went.
 
Midnight said:
Thanks everyone for your advice so far.
Click to expand...
We always stay at a place called Bella Piazza out on US27 about 20min drive to Disney up 192.
It’s condos but has two big pools and a clubhouse gym, pool etc.
It’s quiet and out off the main roads but you can walk to bars and shops 10mins away.

Bit more expensive is Windsor Hills on 192.
Quality place and everything you would need, very close to Disney.
I would go for a condo or villa as with kids you need washing machine ,kitchen etc.
Look in Golden Florida this is where we book accommodation.

Parks are very expensive now but every other day is enough it’s tiring.

If you need any golf info let me know, but sounds like you won’t be.
 
Hacker Khan said:
Epcot is ace, you can drink your way round the world as you go round the lake. :)

And as others have said, Kennedy Space Centre is well worth a trip, do a behind the scenes tour where you go into the NASA building, we were lucky to visit when a launch occurred which was awesome.
Click to expand...


We were there 4 years ago, and again 18 months ago. Epcot has gotten horribly expensive. 4 years ago we could eat and drink our way around the world (only made it halfway before we ran out of steam lol) 18 months ago we just couldn't afford it.
Agree on magic Kingdom and Kennedy space center. Always worth checking the launch schedule before you go. We got to watch a space X Falcon go up and the booster come back down... well worth the price of the holiday on it's own!

Oh, and we always do villas. Much cheaper and far more relaxing.. plus you have your own pool and privacy as well.
 
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