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Need some advice for Orlando trip
Topic Started: Jan 8 2009, 08:58 AM (522 Views)
Barn Girl
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So, hubby and I have been talking about taking a little getaway to someplace warm, and yesterday I got an email about plane tickets to Orlando for $59, one way direct flight (from VA). I bought 'em and we're going in early March. :P We're only going for 3 nights (I worry too much about all our critters at the farm otherwise :unsure: ).

I need some input from people who have been there in recent history!

Neither of us has been there in YEARS and the one and only time I've been was as a kid. I have a friend who has a timeshare there and am trying to get in touch with her about possibly renting that, but if that doesn't work, I'll need hotel suggestions. Not looking to spend major bucks but want somewhere decent.

My other question is, as adults w/o kids, what should we plan on doing down there? I've heard Universal is cool and I would like to go to Sea World. Neither of us is hell bent on going to Disney World, as that seems a lot more geared to the kiddies. I'm trying to get a feel for what we want to do so I can narrow down a hotel location (if the timeshare thing doesn't work out.)

Also, would we need to rent a car? Is public transportation readily available?

Thanks for any advice you can give me... I'm also searching online but there are SO many Orlando/DW sites it's a little overwhelming!
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Buryinghill1
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I would rent a compact car. Cheap with unlimited mileage.

Look into a shuttle launch - short trip to the ocean ;)
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headlesshorseman
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YES, rent a car....you'll LOVE the ease and mobility you'll have..

I am a Disney Freak....BUT I DO LOVE the Universal Parks...

Islands of Adventure is a BLAST..it's a Six Flags type Theme Park with the wild rides...

Universal Studios is really fun too...you RIDE the MOVIES...

BOTH parks can be seen in one day...BUT that's open to close...You are going at the BEGINNING of the SPRING BREAK SEASON...so you'll have to get in the PARKS as soon as they OPEN.. :psycho:

I have not been to Sea World IN FOREVER..so I really shouldn't comment on that one..

Don't throw out Disney because you don't have kids...IT'S a wonderful place of all ages....

DO try Downtown Disney's Market Place...it's a great place for shopping and eating...it's like the Universal City Walk..Which is cool too...

There are lots of NON-Amusement park things to do as well...Dinner shows are all over the place...

PM Zbar or JIT..they were JUST THERE...

HAVE A GREAT TIME

HH :)
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Black Tack
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I agree to the little compact car. But then I would head to the horse show in Ocala :clap:

Oh yeah, that's exactly what I AM doing :innocent:
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OTF
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Regarding the little compact car, try to remember WHERE you park it (those ID signs in the parking lots are there for a reason)...unlike myself who forgot and then had to try and determine which little compact car I actually had rented. Funny now, but embarrassing at the time! :rofl:
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jillincolorado
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Barn Girl we were just there in November. We did Disney (Magic Kingdom) because we had our DD with us and a shuttle launch. I hear from reliable (the fabulous, season ticket holding, Zbar) and Epcot is where it's at! They even have BEER there. :yes:

I know Z has a TOn of info as she and her DD go regularly to all the Disneys and to Sea World.

Shuttle launches are NOT to be missed if one is scheduled. There are only around 13 missions left in the shuttles' history and it really is spectacular. Okay, helps that I am married to number one space geek in the world who also happens to WORK for NASA, but I do truly think you would enjoy it. You do not have to go TO KSC to see it apparently. Check the beaches on Cape Caneveral and if you happen to be down near Melbourne (30 minutes from the Cape) look into the Rolli sandwich shop along West Haven Avenue (620 West Haven to be exact). The BEST porkloin sandwiches EVER!!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/81181002@N00/2525022647/in/pool-happy_ham

Shuttle launch schedules can be found here:
http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches/scheduleStatus.asp

ENJOY!!!!!

Edited by jillincolorado, Jan 8 2009, 11:11 AM.
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Barn Girl
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Thanks for the suggestions so far. I wasn't sure about the car rental thing because it looks like most hotels offer free shuttle services to the parks, and I didn't know if the parking cost would make it not worthwhile. I'm still waiting on my friend with the timeshare to call me back but in the meantime, found another couple places that look decent for a decent price.

How far is it to Ocala from Orlando? Are there still shows down there in early March?
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Black Tack
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Most definitely - until mid March as far as I know. I can't remember how long it took us but I think it was an hour and a half to two hours??? Sorry, I did it for the first time last year and don't remember the timing. Someone else may be able to help out with that. It was fun though!!!!
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jn4jenny
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Definitely get the car. Try Priceline--you can rebid every 24 hours, so you can afford to really throw out some lowball offers. I've gotten compact cars on Priceline for as little as $6 or $8 a day!

When my family last went to Orlando, we got a vacation home in Kissimmee. Not only was it cheaper, but it was more peaceful and we were able to cook a lot of our own meals (huge cost savings there over staying in a hotel). Try www.vrbo.com. Since the Orlando vacation, we've since used VRBO to find vacation homes in several other places and it's a great site.

Regardless of whether you plan to do Disney (and I agree w/ the others that Downtown Disney and Epcot are fantastic--ask me about "eating my way around the world" at the World Showcase with my sister!), check out www.mousesavers.com. Great advice there about doing Orlando effectively and on the cheap.

You should also check out Disney's special tours. My sister and I did the Landscaping and Gardening Tour, but there's a tour for every taste. They're fascinating for geeks like me.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tours.htm

I don't normally use travel guides when I travel, but for a touristy location like Orlando, they're indispensable. Try to get one from your local library, or hit up your local Big Box bookstore. They come in all flavors, including one ones with names like "The Unofficial Guide to Disney World for Grown-Ups", "Walt Disney World for Cheapskates", or "Great Days in Orlando for $50 or less".

Once you've got an attraction itinerary going, try to buy tickets ahead at discount rates. Almost all of them have AAA and military discounts; if you know anyone in the military, those rates are almost always the best.
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zbar
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If you are only going for 3 nights then that is 2 play days correct? So that is not enough time to do everything, but you can do alot. If you stay at a hotel on International Drive, you most likely will not need a car. As you said shuttles will take you to the parks, but be careful you are on their time, not yours. A cab from I - Drive could be costly to go to Disney but not Universal or Sea World. As a matter of fact the Rennaisance on I drive is right across the street from sea world so you can walk to it. Universal is great fun, its all thrill rides and movie rides. If you are into drinking beer and having a great time SeaWorld is nice but EPCOT is fantastic. I highly reccomend EPCOT to folks who go to Disney without children, as it is not all Princesses and stuffed mice...going around the countries in the afternoon to evening hours is great fun, and also a learning experience. There are bevvies in each country, not just beer, but wine and cocktails too! The food in every country is amazing too. Definately stay for the fireworks at epcot as they are amazing!

Now as far as why I told you to stay on I-drive, there are a PLETHORA of restaurants, clubs, musems (ala Ripley's) shops, ect.. there and you can walk to almost any of them. If you dont want to walk a cab is very minimal. If you like Japanese food the world famous Rangetsu of Tokyo is there! http://www.rangetsu.com/ Delicious outstanding Japanese cuisine. There are also very nice restaurants such as Ruth's Chris ect....

The drive to Ocala is about 1.5 hours. on a toll road. It is mostly barren but one of the hilliest spots in florida, which I find to be a treat as I never see hills where I am.

Oh and of course ZBAR is only about 45 mins away from Orlando and welcomes visitors with open arms!

Feel free to ask me anything you may need to know and I can try to answer you , if not I will find the answer.

If you do decide to go to epcot let me know and I will give you some great tips on where to eat, where to view fireworks, and how to get on the few rides they do have without having to wait 2 hours.
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Barn Girl
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Actually, our flight arrives around 11am and our departing flight is around 7:30PM, so we'll have pretty much 3 full days and one half day.

If I can't get my friend's timeshare on the cheap, I found a condo on vrbo at Blue Heron Beach Resort, which is on a 400 acre lake around 10-20 min. to Universal. It's $99/nt and looks really nice, and it has free shuttles to Univ/WDW/SW.

I'll see if I can score us a cheap rental car, if not, we can probably just do shuttles/taxis.

I'll have to look into Epcot a little more, they were building it last time I was there, if that tells you how long it's been! :teehee:
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zbar
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Fantastic, that sounds like a lovely place to stay! If you are a AAA member you can find discounts on rental cars and park tickets.

Wow it has been a long time since you have been to Orlando! ;)

Thats awesome ! the more time you have the better,it gives for some leasurly strolling, and shopping. :clap:
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Barn Girl
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Oh yeah, one other thing I forgot to ask about... rides. I have a bad back (shattered a vertebra in a riding accident a little over a year ago.) Are there any particular rides I should avoid? I don't want to hurt myself (I know, ridiculous since I'm jumping courses again :teehee: , but I act like a little old lady otherwise. )
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jillincolorado
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Barn Girl not to derail, but wherever did you find such great deals for airfare?? :innocent:
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zbar
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Well I would think that would be up to your descretion. They have warning signs at the entrance of all rides telling you if it involves fast motions sharp turns ect.

Soaring at epcot will be ok, as far as coasters, I would avoid them then...
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