Orlando - Next Weekend, so what have I forgotten?

Orlando - Next Weekend, so what have I forgotten?

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wobert

5,010 posts

221 months

Friday 12th October 2012
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Thought I'd check in here as we're off to Disney a week tomorrow for a fortnight.

Staying at Old Key West and have tickets for the park for the full monty. On Disney dining package so already have most of our meals sorted, courtesy of the missus being organised!

Travelling with my two children aged 13 and 7 (boy and girl).

HOGEPH

5,249 posts

185 months

Friday 12th October 2012
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Call into the Fish on Fire before heading back to the airport on your last day. This place seems to be coming a PH venue!

Deva Link

26,934 posts

244 months

Friday 12th October 2012
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wobert said:
Thought I'd check in here as we're off to Disney a week tomorrow for a fortnight.

Staying at Old Key West and have tickets for the park for the full monty. On Disney dining package so already have most of our meals sorted, courtesy of the missus being organised!

Travelling with my two children aged 13 and 7 (boy and girl).
We've been at this time of year in the past and it's the best time to go - it's looking pretty warm there at the moment.

If you haven't done Disney Dining before you'll be amazed at how hard it is to use all the credits!

Have you got Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets sorted?

mike13

715 posts

181 months

Sunday 14th October 2012
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wobert said:
Thought I'd check in here as we're off to Disney a week tomorrow for a fortnight.

Staying at Old Key West and have tickets for the park for the full monty. On Disney dining package so already have most of our meals sorted, courtesy of the missus being organised!

Travelling with my two children aged 13 and 7 (boy and girl).
I've got a timeshare at Old Key West,has recently been done up,Olivia's is a lovely restaurant,you will have a ball.

cat220

2,762 posts

214 months

Monday 15th October 2012
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Well this is my last night in Florida after a fantastic two weeks!

Weather has been excellent, first week was a bit thundery however this past week has been perfect. Pretty much in the 80's all day so still warm but not unbearable especially If your doing parks etc. We were based in Orlando but have done a fair bit of travelling around. Main highlight was an overnight down to Sanibel. Our daughter is only 17 months old so only so much travelling we could do.

Thanks to all for the advice in this thread, especially Matt.

Cheers,
C

mattman

3,174 posts

221 months

Tuesday 16th October 2012
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Hi Matt H - are you still over in Orlando?
We're off in March next year and building our list of resturants to try - trying to avoid the usuals and don't really fancy Manny's again. We're staying just off the 192, so any recommendations?
List of new places to try currently includes;
Teak Neighnourhood Grill,
Smokey bones,
texas roadhouse,
Steak n Shake (for kids milkshakes),
Nascar - citywalk

Some of the others I have which we've done before and found to be good-
IHOP for breakfast
Logans
Longhorns
Sweet Tomatoes
Tony Romas
Bob evans
Cheesecake factory
B-Line diner in the Peabody (so good for breakfast but not cheap!)

Won't go near a golden corral or ponderosa!!

Ta smile

Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Tuesday 16th October 2012
quotequote all
mattman said:
Hi Matt H - are you still over in Orlando?
We're off in March next year and building our list of resturants to try - trying to avoid the usuals and don't really fancy Manny's again. We're staying just off the 192, so any recommendations?
List of new places to try currently includes;
Teak Neighnourhood Grill,
Smokey bones,
texas roadhouse,
Steak n Shake (for kids milkshakes),
Nascar - citywalk

Some of the others I have which we've done before and found to be good-
IHOP for breakfast
Logans
Longhorns
Sweet Tomatoes
Tony Romas
Bob evans
Cheesecake factory
B-Line diner in the Peabody (so good for breakfast but not cheap!)

Won't go near a golden corral or ponderosa!!

Ta smile
Hi,
I live close to Orlando - however, right now I'm 38,000 ft above southern Arizona - heading home from a work project in Los Angeles



I tend not to spend much time in the Kissimmee area, so all of my recommendations would be in the Orlando metro, rather than the tourist corridor. If you are happy to travel into the downtown and south central/northern/eastern suburbs, I'd be happy to offer some suggestions. Give me some clues on what you enjoy - age range, kids in tow, busy, loud, tranquil, sophisticated, exclusive, eat it 'n' beat it - what are you looking for?

Jamster123

485 posts

202 months

Tuesday 16th October 2012
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Reading this thread with interest ... I've been 6 times mostly as a kid . I'm heading over again this time for new year staying near sea world , Orlando .

Would be greatfull for any advice with regards to weather/ where to go and especially where best to spend New Year's Eve with the mrs.

Last time we were there was around 4 years ago , I was 24 . Remember thinking I won't do Disneyworld again untill I have kids ( which i dont ) . enjoyed bush gardens , adventure island universal etc ...never been to Kennedy space center , really fancy going there .

Generally how is Florida over Xmas ? We fly out on the 29th for 2 weeks , do parks close ? Golf still good etc ?

remember having a chocolate cake almost the size of my iPad boxed up and being instructed to " have it for your breakfast if your struggling sir " lick

Jamie

Edited by Jamster123 on Tuesday 16th October 21:51

Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Tuesday 16th October 2012
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Parks only close due to extreme weather events (hurricanes) - last happened in August/September 2004.

December/January climate is not as consistent as at other times of year - though generally is cool and dry. Cool means low-mid 70's daytime and mid-high 50's at night. Temp in Christmas day was 88 degrees last year - though the year before it was in the 50's. A little chilly at night, so bring a jumper.

Parks get busy during the 'holidays' (Thanksgiving, through New Year).

KSC recently expanded the visitor offering to include the previously inaccessible shuttle launch pads, so still a great day out.

mattman

3,174 posts

221 months

Tuesday 16th October 2012
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Matt Harper said:
I tend not to spend much time in the Kissimmee area, so all of my recommendations would be in the Orlando metro, rather than the tourist corridor. If you are happy to travel into the downtown and south central/northern/eastern suburbs, I'd be happy to offer some suggestions. Give me some clues on what you enjoy - age range, kids in tow, busy, loud, tranquil, sophisticated, exclusive, eat it 'n' beat it - what are you looking for?
You can go off people quite quickly you know! biggrin

Its the wife's 40th while we are out there - 2x kids, 1x of each model will be 10 and 12 - very willing to travel, like a bit of variation from a good burger joint, proper pizza through to a little more upper end dining - nothing too fussy, no cr@p buffets filled with football shirts & shell suits. we travel up to the metro area a little, but as we've been quite a few times already we are looking to do stuff off the usual tourist map as well as the parks. Went to see the Magic vs Knicks last time and kids loved it wo are looking to get back to the amway for something again this time.

The wife has already booked citero's and the wishes cruise on her actual birthday as she's still a big kid

We're flying into Miami, staying over the 1st night then travelling up after a morning tour, so any recommendations for lunch stops between the 2 would also be welcome if you know of any and which route you'd recommend?

Sorry to ask for so much!

Deva Link

26,934 posts

244 months

Tuesday 16th October 2012
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Have a look at the restaurants in Celebration and Dr Phillips - you get the odd local in those areas, so they're not 100% touristy, but without venturing too far or into areas where you shouldn't go.

I said I'd never go to Mannys again due the waiting time and the way they favour locals (which I don't mind to an extent, but was ridiculous on our previous trip) but was persuaded to take some friends this year and the call-ahead seating worked fine.

Edited by Deva Link on Wednesday 17th October 12:28

cat220

2,762 posts

214 months

Tuesday 16th October 2012
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If you enjoy steak, we've always had nice meals here....

http://www.ruthschris.com/

Cheers,
C

Roger Woods

643 posts

210 months

Wednesday 17th October 2012
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We have a place in Indian Ridge Oaks just off the 192 in Kissemmee, we dont get out there as much as we used to owing to flight costs (and 4 kids, another story) but we went to a great Japanese in Celebration last trip, great food, also the Kobi near to Old Town is fantastic

Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Wednesday 17th October 2012
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mattman said:
Its the wife's 40th while we are out there - 2x kids, 1x of each model will be 10 and 12 - very willing to travel, like a bit of variation from a good burger joint, proper pizza through to a little more upper end dining - nothing too fussy, no cr@p buffets filled with football shirts & shell suits.
OK - as mentioned previously, 'Johnny's Filling Station' and 'Johnny's Other Side' at Michigan Ave and Ferncreek (just south of downtown) is a great, great place for massive burgers, good beer/wine selection and a fun lunchtime (probably not so great for the kids in the evening). Added bonus - few to no tourists.
Anthony's Pizza at Summerlin and Washington, just east of downtown Lake Eola is extremely good and very authentic - avoid if you don't like garlic. This place is also very close to two other favorites for me - Wildside BBQ (across the street) and Dexters (a little further along Washington).
Also great for pizza is Carieras Cucina in the plaza on Dr Philips Blvd. As mentioned by Deva Link (who I regard as very expert on all things Orlando, through the tourist lens) there are several interesting restaurants, catering a variety of budgets, in the Dr Philips area (western end of Sand Lake Road).

mattman said:
we travel up to the metro area a little, but as we've been quite a few times already we are looking to do stuff off the usual tourist map as well as the parks. Went to see the Magic vs Knicks last time and kids loved it wo are looking to get back to the amway for something again this time.
When was the last time you were here? I ask as they demolished the 'old' Amway and built another quite spectacular arena close by. I personally do not see the attraction of Basketball, but you shouldn't have any trouble with tickets, as the Magic suck balls and a lot of the fans quit when Dwight Howard did. At risk of throwing a curved ball, there's a lot of motorsport action in the area in March - including 3 very high profile events (NHRA Gatornationals, ALMS 12 Hours of Sebring and IZOD Indycar St Pete Grand Prix). Not certain when the Sun'n'Fun Fly-in at Lakeland takes place next year, but that too is an awesome event (may be April though, can't remember).
Plant City Strawberry Festival is a lot of fun too - and that is deffo in March.

mattman said:
We're flying into Miami, staying over the 1st night then travelling up after a morning tour, so any recommendations for lunch stops between the 2 would also be welcome if you know of any and which route you'd recommend?
For speed, take FL Turnpike, for slightly less speed but few tolls take I-95 and 528 Beachline. For a lazy see some real Flawduh drive, take SR 786 from North Palm Beach to Indiantown and SR710 to Okeechobee. From there SR98/68 through Oak Hammock, Lorida and on to Sebring. Then take SR27 north through Lake Wales ('Fresh from Florida' orange juice country - the groves are all in bloom in March, and smell great) and Haines City to Interstate 4, east to Orlando.
Lightsey's Seafood restaurant in Okeechobee is a fantastic place to stop for lunch - very highly regarded state-wide.

Finally, no posting of mine on this subject would be complete without a plug for my local - The venerable, the famous Fish on Fire Smokehouse and Grill, just west of MCO on the lonesome corner of Mccoy and Detwyler (I get free booze for every tourist I coax into the place, so don't let me down!!)


mattman

3,174 posts

221 months

Wednesday 17th October 2012
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Blimey! Thanks Matt - I've sent to the boss to add to her list. We were looking to do a state type fair this year as well, she found one ( will check which) but think we'll change to your recommendation.
We try and do a sports event, done baseball, basketball and hockey just to try something different, not because we are particularly massive fans.
However, our son is a kart racer and I'm a big car/Motorsport fan so will see if we can fit this in as we'll - that'll please the boss! biggrin
A visit to the fish is booked then!!!

Tophatron

425 posts

220 months

Wednesday 17th October 2012
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Great recommendations again Matt, I'll be hopefully using a few while I'm over there (less than 2 weeks to go!).

I don't suppose you have any recommendations for a good Vegetarian or Fish restaurant in the Orlando area? The OH is a Veggie (who also eats fish) and can sometimes struggle in the US to get something she likes that doesn't have meat in it..

FoF is already on the list.. wink

Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Wednesday 17th October 2012
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Tophatron said:
I don't suppose you have any recommendations for a good Vegetarian or Fish restaurant in the Orlando area? The OH is a Veggie (who also eats fish) and can sometimes struggle in the US to get something she likes that doesn't have meat in it..
Being a fairly committed carnivore, veggie venues are not really on my radar, I'm afraid. Most places have some vegetarian options - and Seasons 52 on Sand Lake Road at Dr Philips has a fairly big selection.
As far as fish goes, you really are spoiled for choice, from the cheap and cheerful (FoF's blackened Grouper sandwich is sensational) to the quite high end (Mahi at Roy's is pretty damn special) and the potato wrapped Red Snapper at Disney's Flying Fish is reknowned too.
Right down the middle is Bonefish Grill (2 locations, Orlando Gateway and Dr Philips 'Restaurant Row') - The bang-bang shrimp starter is ridiculously good (spicey though) and their wood-fired sea fish (any, but Grouper is my fave) with lemon butter and gratin dauphinois is worth twice what they charge for it. Gateway location - just north of OIA is the better of the two, in my opinion.
FoF's catfish is good and local caught, as are their gator-bites (not sure how a vegetarian would view Alligator, of course.....)

mattman

3,174 posts

221 months

Wednesday 17th October 2012
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Tophatron - probably more lunch than dinner, but recommend Sweet Tomato's at South Apopka Vineland Road near the entrance to Lake Buena Vista. lots of veggie and meat options

Roger Woods

643 posts

210 months

Thursday 18th October 2012
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Worth noting for motor heads is Old Town and the old town cruise nights

http://myoldtownusa.com/car-cruises/

A great free night out

shoebag

1,137 posts

251 months

Saturday 27th October 2012
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I am flying down to Orlando for a week of sun tomorrow. Staying with a friend at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort. Will visit the Fish On Fire either Wed night or Thursday for the band night.