Orlando - any hidden gems?
Discussion
swerni said:
The highlight is the 3 hours you'll spend in customs,
It's all down hill from there
We did an hour and half in the que to get through passport control. We had a tired 21 month old with us. He was even more grumpy than we were. Had to carry him the entire time. It was annoying. It's all down hill from there
As for hidden gems...not much to add, but consider the Kennedy space centre if you haven't been before. It won't be around in its current form for long due to all be sectioned because of the new shuttle programme.
bakerstreet said:
swerni said:
The highlight is the 3 hours you'll spend in customs,
It's all down hill from there
We did an hour and half in the que to get through passport control. We had a tired 21 month old with us. He was even more grumpy than we were. Had to carry him the entire time. It was annoying. It's all down hill from there
As for hidden gems...not much to add, but consider the Kennedy space centre if you haven't been before. It won't be around in its current form for long due to all be sectioned because of the new shuttle programme.
If you have a car try getting out to some of the beaches on the West / East coast for something different. Off the beaten trail we did these which we thought where excellent.
Giraffe Ranch - http://girafferanch.com/
Swamp Tours - http://kissimmeeswamptours.com/
Thanks all.
We're on the 'late' BA flight out of LGW (arrives 18.15) so we anticipate less hassle compared to mid-afternoon when most international flights arrive. Also we're in premium economy, so get off the plane before the masses
The lake drive to see alligators appeals. I've seen them in the wild in Fl before (Sanibel), so will be great to show the kids!
I know we have Islands of Adventure passes, we're doing Aquatica, Discovery Cove and Disney only for the 'not so scary parade/evening'. We're in Kissimee, but obviously with a car.
We're on the 'late' BA flight out of LGW (arrives 18.15) so we anticipate less hassle compared to mid-afternoon when most international flights arrive. Also we're in premium economy, so get off the plane before the masses
The lake drive to see alligators appeals. I've seen them in the wild in Fl before (Sanibel), so will be great to show the kids!
I know we have Islands of Adventure passes, we're doing Aquatica, Discovery Cove and Disney only for the 'not so scary parade/evening'. We're in Kissimee, but obviously with a car.
Puggit said:
Thanks all.
We're on the 'late' BA flight out of LGW (arrives 18.15) so we anticipate less hassle compared to mid-afternoon when most international flights arrive. Also we're in premium economy, so get off the plane before the masses
The lake drive to see alligators appeals. I've seen them in the wild in Fl before (Sanibel), so will be great to show the kids!
I know we have Islands of Adventure passes, we're doing Aquatica, Discovery Cove and Disney only for the 'not so scary parade/evening'. We're in Kissimee, but obviously with a car.
Old Town might be worth a vist on a Fri-Sun evening, they normally have a few cars down there, plus stuff for the kids to do. Kennedy Space Centre was a highlight for me this year. We're on the 'late' BA flight out of LGW (arrives 18.15) so we anticipate less hassle compared to mid-afternoon when most international flights arrive. Also we're in premium economy, so get off the plane before the masses
The lake drive to see alligators appeals. I've seen them in the wild in Fl before (Sanibel), so will be great to show the kids!
I know we have Islands of Adventure passes, we're doing Aquatica, Discovery Cove and Disney only for the 'not so scary parade/evening'. We're in Kissimee, but obviously with a car.
Challo said:
Puggit said:
Thanks all.
We're on the 'late' BA flight out of LGW (arrives 18.15) so we anticipate less hassle compared to mid-afternoon when most international flights arrive. Also we're in premium economy, so get off the plane before the masses
The lake drive to see alligators appeals. I've seen them in the wild in Fl before (Sanibel), so will be great to show the kids!
I know we have Islands of Adventure passes, we're doing Aquatica, Discovery Cove and Disney only for the 'not so scary parade/evening'. We're in Kissimee, but obviously with a car.
Old Town might be worth a vist on a Fri-Sun evening, they normally have a few cars down there, plus stuff for the kids to do. Kennedy Space Centre was a highlight for me this year. We're on the 'late' BA flight out of LGW (arrives 18.15) so we anticipate less hassle compared to mid-afternoon when most international flights arrive. Also we're in premium economy, so get off the plane before the masses
The lake drive to see alligators appeals. I've seen them in the wild in Fl before (Sanibel), so will be great to show the kids!
I know we have Islands of Adventure passes, we're doing Aquatica, Discovery Cove and Disney only for the 'not so scary parade/evening'. We're in Kissimee, but obviously with a car.
Also worth visiting Celebration, which is a town built by Disney. Its looking a little worn now, but originally it was like a film set. Everything just looked looked a bit too neat and tidy, and the houses looked like film set facades.
One stand out gem for me was feeding the giant tortoises at Gatorland. We obviously went for the normal gator stuff, but when were were at the tortoise enclosure you could buy food on a stick and go into the enclosure to feed them. It was amazing been up close with such creatures.
Not us, but someone else doing the same thing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P_rC0TTnrw
If you get down to Clearwater then a dolphin trip on a boat is worth doing (I recommend the sea screamer).
Again not me but you'll get the idea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3XQEDzM2m0
Edited by 98elise on Monday 17th October 13:36
98elise said:
If you get down to Clearwater then a dolphin trip on a boat is worth doing (I recommend the sea screamer).
+1 on Clearwater beach, or go a little further down the coast to Indian Rocks, a lot quieter IMHOTry Cooters on Poinsettia Ave for food, great atmosphere and all you can eat crab legs!
Not sure if A) they have it every year and B) whether it will be there now, but last time we were there we went to Gaylords (don't laugh) as they had a giant indoor christmas/santa ice sculpture thing. It was great, they even had a full size ice slide (get in a sack and go down!). Many many ice sculptures.
One of the very best things I have done in Florida though, and I am sorry but I can't remember where or what it was called, was going to a small oval raceway that seemed to be a proper red-neck backwater kind of thing; coke that tasted of mould, rickety bleachers, grotty toilet block, proper greasy food. But it was amazing; full on figure-8 school bus racing, stock car racing, caravan racing and to finish.... a destruction derby. Proper good fun.
No holding back either. The buses were T-boning each other and the winner ended up on his side on fire after doing celebration donuts on the in-field (well trying, hence he went over). The caravan race got off to a wicked start when the lead car, a jacked up pick up with an air-stream looking caravan, decided jack-knifing on the green flag would be ace! The whole field plowed into him and it was carnage. The crowd went wild.
I found it advertised in the back of a news paper!
Think there is or are places near that Gatorland place where you can get an airboat ride (everglades I think). That is cool as well.
One of the very best things I have done in Florida though, and I am sorry but I can't remember where or what it was called, was going to a small oval raceway that seemed to be a proper red-neck backwater kind of thing; coke that tasted of mould, rickety bleachers, grotty toilet block, proper greasy food. But it was amazing; full on figure-8 school bus racing, stock car racing, caravan racing and to finish.... a destruction derby. Proper good fun.
No holding back either. The buses were T-boning each other and the winner ended up on his side on fire after doing celebration donuts on the in-field (well trying, hence he went over). The caravan race got off to a wicked start when the lead car, a jacked up pick up with an air-stream looking caravan, decided jack-knifing on the green flag would be ace! The whole field plowed into him and it was carnage. The crowd went wild.
I found it advertised in the back of a news paper!
Think there is or are places near that Gatorland place where you can get an airboat ride (everglades I think). That is cool as well.
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Monday 17th October 17:35
Im staying in Kissimmee at the moment. Friday and Saturday evening at the old town is good.
Hoping to head to clearwater next weekend and do the sea screamer.
We've done all the Disney parks this week.
A trip to wild florida was a welcome break. It's a chilled out wildlife Park with the option of doing an airboat ride and or monster truck wildlife tour. I thoroughly recommend it. We did the airboat ride and spotted a wild alligator. We only managed the half hour airboat trip but I could have easily done the full hour.
I was hoping to do the Kennedy space center but the others aren't keen. Next time!
Eat to the beat at Epcot is pretty cool. This week we've seen Jeffrey Osborne and Tiffany. Hoping to see Chaka Khan next Monday.
Whatever you do, it will be great.
Edited to add, I think we were on the same flight as you, but last week. Customs was a major pita. We also had to wait an hour on our car. All in all took nearly three hours to get out the airport. Had planned on a Walmart shop, but ended up heading straight to bed.
Hoping to head to clearwater next weekend and do the sea screamer.
We've done all the Disney parks this week.
A trip to wild florida was a welcome break. It's a chilled out wildlife Park with the option of doing an airboat ride and or monster truck wildlife tour. I thoroughly recommend it. We did the airboat ride and spotted a wild alligator. We only managed the half hour airboat trip but I could have easily done the full hour.
I was hoping to do the Kennedy space center but the others aren't keen. Next time!
Eat to the beat at Epcot is pretty cool. This week we've seen Jeffrey Osborne and Tiffany. Hoping to see Chaka Khan next Monday.
Whatever you do, it will be great.
Edited to add, I think we were on the same flight as you, but last week. Customs was a major pita. We also had to wait an hour on our car. All in all took nearly three hours to get out the airport. Had planned on a Walmart shop, but ended up heading straight to bed.
Edited by Terzo123 on Tuesday 18th October 01:23
Have you been to Celebration? It's a "model town" built by Disney, and is right at the end of the 417 Greeneway. Have a walk around the lake, an ice cream at Kilwinns (fantastic), perhaps lunch there. And marvel at the amazing houses and general perfection there - it's right out of Stepford Wives if a little spooky.
If you head down Highway 27 towards Haines City you'll find Manny's Chophouse. Brilliant genuine food, great atmosphere and very popular. Go early, arrive hungry!
How about a balloon flight? We used Thomson Aire who were really good.........£300 for a party of eight.
If you want to find paradise, a 2 hour drive south gets you to Anna Maria Island which we thought was amazing.
Hope the hurricane stays away!
If you head down Highway 27 towards Haines City you'll find Manny's Chophouse. Brilliant genuine food, great atmosphere and very popular. Go early, arrive hungry!
How about a balloon flight? We used Thomson Aire who were really good.........£300 for a party of eight.
If you want to find paradise, a 2 hour drive south gets you to Anna Maria Island which we thought was amazing.
Hope the hurricane stays away!
I haven't been for about 4 years but between 2008 and 2012 we went on a regular basis.
Old town Friday night as said earlier, really good night
Celebration is worth a look, we were going to get married there, it's a really nice place
Take a drive to st pete's it's a nice drive too.
I always enjoyed being able to run a huge uneconomical petrol car for pennies too
Enjoy
Old town Friday night as said earlier, really good night
Celebration is worth a look, we were going to get married there, it's a really nice place
Take a drive to st pete's it's a nice drive too.
I always enjoyed being able to run a huge uneconomical petrol car for pennies too
Enjoy
Immigration and customs took about 40 mins. We had small delays thanks to a Virgin 747 arriving before us but I've seen far worse at MIA and endured longer at BOS and JFK.
Avis preferred meant walking up to the booth, providing ID and driving off in our Chrysler 300 pimpmobile.
Naps all round at the moment as we come to terms with jet lag...
Hurricane forming off the Atlantic coast more likely to effect UK than us
Avis preferred meant walking up to the booth, providing ID and driving off in our Chrysler 300 pimpmobile.
Naps all round at the moment as we come to terms with jet lag...
Hurricane forming off the Atlantic coast more likely to effect UK than us
As you're in Kissimmee and if you fancy a couple of hours of 'me' time, I recommend a spin on a Harvard WW2 trainer at "Warbird Adventures"
http://www.warbirdadventures.com/
You can take the controls and do stunts if you wish.
Here's me, up the front, upside down over Kissimmee, from back in 2009.
http://www.warbirdadventures.com/
You can take the controls and do stunts if you wish.
Here's me, up the front, upside down over Kissimmee, from back in 2009.
Edited by Blib on Wednesday 19th October 19:40
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