Parental joy

An extra thing for anyone tempted by Florida. There is a great forum called The Dibb, google it. We found it very useful for tips on everything you could imagine for going to Florida. Some of the people on there are a bit obsessive, there was some joy sucking planning of days at the parks for example, but some of the tips were invaluable.
 
Lord Tyrion said:
Tiger - I have done both. Paris is a great introduction to Disney and better when they are younger as it is a slightly smaller site. I would suggest waiting until your kids are 8-9 before going to Orlando. They can be long days and I saw lots of crying kids, bedraggled parents etc as they tried to cram in too much stuff into each day. The evening fireworks and light shows at Disney in Orlando are spectacular and worth going to but lots of little kids were too wiped to enjoy those when I was there.

Paris is great still, but Orlando is better. Don't forget Universal either which is excellent. Without a doubt Orlando was the best holiday we have ever done, the faces of your kids and your own just smile the whole time.

A further answer to the original question. If your kids liked Harry Potter then take them to the Harry Potter Studios. Great day out, brilliant exhibition. Mine were chased by Death Eaters and their faces were a picture.
Click to expand...

I'd agree with a lot of that. We did both last year and Orlando is streets ahead really. The Paris one is fine, but it seemed a lot smaller to me and you always get the feeling that the French just can not do the Disney thing that well and you wonder how sincere they really are. They are not really a nation of cheesy smiles and 'have a great day'. Where as the Americans for all their faults, are the best in the world at that kind of thing, and the majority of the time you feel they really do want you to have a great day.

Also in Orlando there are so many other parks/places to visit such as Epcot, Sea World or Discovery Cove (plus the odd nice golf course ;) ), we were there a week and did 5. But I would recommend at least one day off where you can just chill out in your resort, as park after park can get a bit 'full on', especially if you are at the start of your holiday with a bit of jet lag. Yes it is not cheap by any means, but you can see where they have spent the money so I never felt I was being ripped off.
 
Last edited:
HK - We never did consecutive days of parks, I agree with your advice. If you do parks every day you will be wiped out and go slightly crazy. There is lots to do out there so we did alternate days. The park we enjoyed most was Animal Kingdom.

I smiled at your cheesy quote. I expected to rile at the "have a nice day" culture but I came away thinking they genuinely think that. I have always found the Spanish to be the most welcoming on holidays but the Americans passed them by some distance, don't worry Spaniards I still think you are marvellous. If an American heard your accent, even if they were a tourist as well they would ask if you were enjoying yourself. They were keen that you liked their country. If you can't enjoy yourself in Florida, if you don't come away impressed by the warmth of the people then there is no hope. Stay at home, give up on holidays.
 
Tiger, we took 2 when they were 5 and 2ish (Paris BTW), was quite hard work with the smaller one, ideal age IMHO is from 5-9 ish.. Met my new bessie mate Jamie Redknapp when i went.

We went all out and stayed in the big main hotel, cost a bomb but was worth it, 5yr old girl having breakfast with Cinderella, early park entry etc.
 
Good thread tiger!

My wife took our son to see her family for a few days, leaving me at home with my 4yr old daugther. 4 days doing daddy stuff, making a mess and not tidying up, staying up late. Great time together and she got to decide what we did each day which usually started with a trip to a soft play centre. My back is still aching from climbing through it everyday.

Have all of next week off and will take them into London for the day
 
we go on Eurostar booked the tickets early dec on cheapest price £200 return for 3 of us. As spend most of the time in the park and stay the "budget" (£200 a night with park tks) Disney hotel Sante Fe its walking distance to the 2 parks.
 
As for free or cheap things, get googling and find out where and when the next steam train is local, I found out one was being refilled with water at the little train station at newbury racecourse, took the kids to see it, the engineer let them in the cab, the firemen filling it let them in the engine, was awesome and didnt cost a penny.
 
Took my daughter to the 18th green of The Old Course when she was 10 days old, it was our first stroll outdoors. In about 12 years she might be able to play with me and I hope we'll both birdie it one day.

Unless she hates golf.

I hope she doesn't hate golf.

:D
 
Mine is a sporting joy as both my sons were (and are to this day) cricket mad.

Seeing the look on each of their faces when they first represented Leicestershire at Youth level. They tried so hard to be "cool" as they emerged from the dressing rooms wearing the county cap, sweater and shirt but at age 11 or 12 they could not conceal their excitement.:D:D
 
MetalMickie said:
Mine is a sporting joy as both my sons were (and are to this day) cricket mad.

Seeing the look on each of their faces when they first represented Leicestershire at Youth level. They tried so hard to be "cool" as they emerged from the dressing rooms wearing the county cap, sweater and shirt but at age 11 or 12 they could not conceal their excitement.:D:D
Click to expand...

My little nephew is playing for Leicestershire now and is so proud of his cricket kit. He also loves a day at the Tigers, best one was when the kids were allowed to take on jobs for the day and he had to announce all of the players as they came on the pitch.
 
I played at Grace Road once for my county, Cheshire at U'15 level. Unlike when I had played at Old Trafford, Leics put us on the square, on a beautiful batting wicket. We were also allowed in the proper changing rooms. One of our players was beaming because David Gower had nearly run him over in his Audi, leaving after a net session. I went in first wicket down, out of the dressing room, down the steps and out onto the pitch. The walk was long, I was buzzing. First ball, I went back, the ball was flying through and it swung away gently after pitching. I knicked it to the keeper. I stood frozen to the spot, looked up and hoped that by sheer willpower of my stare the umpire would keep his finger down. Slowly it rose and I walked off with a first baller. Still traumatised by that ball to this day but Leics looked after us all wonderfully well and it was still a great day.

I hope your relatives enjoy their time, great period in your life. (are Yorkshire still annihilating everyone in sight?)
 
Took our little man to see the Blackpool lights when he was about 9/10 months old. Parked near the stadium and walked down pushing him in the buggy and turned the corner to see the road of lights, the reaction from him to the lights was an unbelievable sight, pure joy and giddyness - cue me and the wife in tears at the side of the road. Never ever forget that moment.

Hate the place but that was a pretty magical moment.
 
Lord Tyrion said:
I hope your relatives enjoy their time, great period in your life. (are Yorkshire still annihilating everyone in sight?)
Click to expand...

I'm afraid my two have had their day as they are now 30 & 32 but will always remember their days "with the County" all the way from U11 to U17.

They each decided that as they were not going to be pro's and they had studies, part-time jobs, club cricket and girlfriends they would not go on to U19 but still memorable days.

Elder one scored rapid 50 against Kent at Canterbury and 40 in 11 balls versus Staffs in the U14 festival at Wolverhampton resulting in one very proud Dad.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Lord Tyrion
Gleneagles - The Kings Course
2
Replies
34
Views
11K
CliveW
CliveW
T
Machrihanish Review 2011
2
Replies
25
Views
3K
thecraw
T
Top