Orlando - Next Weekend, so what have I forgotten?
Discussion
fatpasty said:
Well me and the OH are massive man v food fans so we are looking for good fatty food which I guess shouldn't be to hard to find but also maybe a couple of places which are a little up market for a treat for her.
I can recommend Spencer's Steakhouse which is in the Hilton on International Drive. Free valet parking, excellent service and I found a voucher online that got me a free bottle of wine.http://www.thehiltonorlando.com/dining/spencers/
Matt Harper said:
The tolls have just gone up again (the theiving t
ts) - so bring a handful of quarters - or avoid the toll road (at the North exit, at least) altogether, without racking up any extra miles.
Here's how...
Take Semoran Blvd north out of the airport, ignoring signs for SR 528 to I-Drive, Disney etc.
Turn left onto Frontage Road (1st light after the airport).
At the intersection with South Conway Rd turn left and then turn right at the next light (McCoy Road).
Note: there is a very nice casual bar/smokehouse grill on the right after a 1/4 mile.
McCoy runs into Sand Lake Road at the intersection of Orange Avenue. Be careful at this intersection. There are more accidents at this intersection involving UK tourists than anywhere else in Orange County. Sand lake leads directly to the hell-hole that is I-Drive.
I'm going to cut out and keep those directions!ts) - so bring a handful of quarters - or avoid the toll road (at the North exit, at least) altogether, without racking up any extra miles.Here's how...
Take Semoran Blvd north out of the airport, ignoring signs for SR 528 to I-Drive, Disney etc.
Turn left onto Frontage Road (1st light after the airport).
At the intersection with South Conway Rd turn left and then turn right at the next light (McCoy Road).
Note: there is a very nice casual bar/smokehouse grill on the right after a 1/4 mile.
McCoy runs into Sand Lake Road at the intersection of Orange Avenue. Be careful at this intersection. There are more accidents at this intersection involving UK tourists than anywhere else in Orange County. Sand lake leads directly to the hell-hole that is I-Drive.
Leaving MCO really pisses me off - I mess it up nearly every year. This year I was fine onto SR528 the first time, then went back to collect our daughter half-way through the holiday (we'd put in her lost and found for a week to give purselves a break
) and I got the exit wrong and was heading for downtown Orlando on Semoran. With your directions I can pretend I did that on purpose!Does it work in reverse? We usually drop off the 528 to refuel at the 7-11 at Jetport Drive and it looks like we could nip under the 528.
Why is that junction so bad for Brits? It's a bit out of the way for most tourists. Is it people missing Florida Mall and U turning back to it?
Matt Harper said:
Like I said, I have no strong feelings either way - I have seen Blue Man Group several times (as I know folks who work at Universal, so avoid the $80 (not 32 quid) admission). I think it's entertaining - but not $80 entertaining.
I have not experienced Discovery Cove and nor would I particularly want to. Although many people like the idea of frolicking with intelligent, though imprisoned animals, I find the whole concept a bit objectionable. I have similar feelings about SeaWorld (though I do support their Manatee rescue program). I'm not some tree-hugging PETA freak - I just think that captive animals for entertainment is morally corrupt - a bit like the circus.
That fact that Disney Corp can extract such hefty ticket prices for this experience proves that a lot of people don't share my view and that is just fine. Because I live in the area and like to have a few beers, I get to hear the views of visitors quite regularly. I would suggest that there are three schools of thought re. Discovery Cove
1. It was fantastic - a totally unique experience.
2. It cost so much, I've convinced myself it was fantastic, in order to justify the expense.
3. The water was freezing, we only got a few minutes with the dolphins, the dolphins weren't very friendly - but we had the park all to ourselves.
As a footnote, when I want to see dolphins, I drive over to Pasco County and get out in the Gulf between New Port Richey and Anclote Key - there are thousands of them, in their natural environment. For tourists, there are numerous boat trips/charters available from Tarpon Springs.
They are here for £32 , http://www.floridatix.co.uk/blue-man-group.aspx?t=... first place I looked. I have not experienced Discovery Cove and nor would I particularly want to. Although many people like the idea of frolicking with intelligent, though imprisoned animals, I find the whole concept a bit objectionable. I have similar feelings about SeaWorld (though I do support their Manatee rescue program). I'm not some tree-hugging PETA freak - I just think that captive animals for entertainment is morally corrupt - a bit like the circus.
That fact that Disney Corp can extract such hefty ticket prices for this experience proves that a lot of people don't share my view and that is just fine. Because I live in the area and like to have a few beers, I get to hear the views of visitors quite regularly. I would suggest that there are three schools of thought re. Discovery Cove
1. It was fantastic - a totally unique experience.
2. It cost so much, I've convinced myself it was fantastic, in order to justify the expense.
3. The water was freezing, we only got a few minutes with the dolphins, the dolphins weren't very friendly - but we had the park all to ourselves.
As a footnote, when I want to see dolphins, I drive over to Pasco County and get out in the Gulf between New Port Richey and Anclote Key - there are thousands of them, in their natural environment. For tourists, there are numerous boat trips/charters available from Tarpon Springs.
I think if you are going to advise people what they may and may not enjoy then you might be better off leaving your personal feelings out of it.
Deva Link said:
I'm going to cut out and keep those directions!
Leaving MCO really pisses me off - I mess it up nearly every year. This year I was fine onto SR528 the first time, then went back to collect our daughter half-way through the holiday (we'd put in her lost and found for a week to give purselves a break ) and I got the exit wrong and was heading for downtown Orlando on Semoran. With your directions I can pretend I did that on purpose!
Does it work in reverse? We usually drop off the 528 to refuel at the 7-11 at Jetport Drive and it looks like we could nip under the 528.
Why is that junction so bad for Brits? It's a bit out of the way for most tourists. Is it people missing Florida Mall and U turning back to it?
Hi DLLeaving MCO really pisses me off - I mess it up nearly every year. This year I was fine onto SR528 the first time, then went back to collect our daughter half-way through the holiday (we'd put in her lost and found for a week to give purselves a break
) and I got the exit wrong and was heading for downtown Orlando on Semoran. With your directions I can pretend I did that on purpose!Does it work in reverse? We usually drop off the 528 to refuel at the 7-11 at Jetport Drive and it looks like we could nip under the 528.
Why is that junction so bad for Brits? It's a bit out of the way for most tourists. Is it people missing Florida Mall and U turning back to it?
Yes it does work in reverse, but is a little more convoluted. Heading east on McCoy Road, beyond the Orange Avenue intersection, you pass under 528 (Beachline) and follow sign for Jetport Drive East, making sure you don't inadvertently find yourself in the extreme left lane, which is the on-ramp for 528 east.
At the 2nd light turn left onto Conway Road, passing back under the highway. At the 2nd right, turn right onto McCoy (as with many roads in this area, McCoy is split, to get around a lake). This road runs parallel and immediately to the north of 528 and you can laugh at all the mugs, queuing to pay to get through the toll as you sail past. McCoy then becomes Frontage Road. You then turn right onto Semoran Blvd south and enter the airport from the north.
Likewise, I hate that toll just before the airport, because it's such a cynical money-grabber. There was a move recently to close Frontage Road, forcing everyone through the toll, but it caused such a stink they backed down - rationale being that tourists wouldn't figure out this bypass.
The reason for the high incidence of RTA's involving British tourists at Orange Ave/Sand Lake/McCoy is that sat/navs set to International Drive, avoiding toll roads will direct off of 528 at the McCoy Road exit. This intersection is the first big junction with multiple turn lanes that you encounter. In fairness the majority of wrecks are caused due to the visitor braking/stopping for the yellow light and the following local yokel flooring it to beat the red and rear-ending the hapless tourist.
Another common one is turning left and attempting to go around, rather than underneath, the opposing left turning traffic.
dazco said:
They are here for £32 , http://www.floridatix.co.uk/blue-man-group.aspx?t=... first place I looked.
I think if you are going to advise people what they may and may not enjoy then you might be better off leaving your personal feelings out of it.
Hang on a second. Re-read my initial post on this - I did not state this was my personal view - and then you challenged me to substantiate it. How else might I offer an opinion on something as subjective as enjoyment of an experience, without involving personal feelings - just as you did?I think if you are going to advise people what they may and may not enjoy then you might be better off leaving your personal feelings out of it.
"Blue Man Group is a must". "Discovery Cove is fantastic". They sound like personal feelings to me...
Matt Harper said:
The reason for the high incidence of RTA's involving British tourists at Orange Ave/Sand Lake/McCoy is that sat/navs set to International Drive, avoiding toll roads will direct off of 528 at the McCoy Road exit.
...but they'd already have gone through a toll at that point, wouldn't they?Thanks for the other stuff.
Deva Link said:
...but they'd already have gone through a toll at that point, wouldn't they?
Thanks for the other stuff.
True - though 99.9% of visitors are of the belief that the airport toll on 528 is unavoidable, I suspect. In an unfamiliar environment, many will follow the road-signs rather than the sat-nav if in doubt. The road-signs commit you to the 528 airport toll. Thanks for the other stuff.
dazco said:
They are here for £32 , http://www.floridatix.co.uk/blue-man-group.aspx?t=... first place I looked.
I think if you are going to advise people what they may and may not enjoy then you might be better off leaving your personal feelings out of it.
...and at risk of getting into a pissing match over this, Universal Studios published price for an adult ticket for this show is $84 + tax (no personal feelings involved).I think if you are going to advise people what they may and may not enjoy then you might be better off leaving your personal feelings out of it.
Matt Harper said:
Hang on a second. Re-read my initial post on this - I did not state this was my personal view - and then you challenged me to substantiate it. How else might I offer an opinion on something as subjective as enjoyment of an experience, without involving personal feelings - just as you did?
"Blue Man Group is a must". "Discovery Cove is fantastic". They sound like personal feelings to me...
You said they were a swizz or a swindle or something."Blue Man Group is a must". "Discovery Cove is fantastic". They sound like personal feelings to me...
YOU said that.
One of the 'swindles' is number two rated on Tripadvisor, but we find out you don't like captive animals.
The other one is THIRTY TWO QUID for two hours of live entertainment!!!!
Great bloody swindles they are.
dazco said:
You said they were a swizz or a swindle or something.
YOU said that.
One of the 'swindles' is number two rated on Tripadvisor, but we find out you don't like captive animals.
The other one is THIRTY TWO QUID for two hours of live entertainment!!!!
Great bloody swindles they are.
Go back and read what I actually wrote, dYOU said that.
One of the 'swindles' is number two rated on Tripadvisor, but we find out you don't like captive animals.
The other one is THIRTY TWO QUID for two hours of live entertainment!!!!
Great bloody swindles they are.
head.Matt Harper said:
dazco said:
You said they were a swizz or a swindle or something.
YOU said that.
One of the 'swindles' is number two rated on Tripadvisor, but we find out you don't like captive animals.
The other one is THIRTY TWO QUID for two hours of live entertainment!!!!
Great bloody swindles they are.
Go back and read what I actually wrote, dYOU said that.
One of the 'swindles' is number two rated on Tripadvisor, but we find out you don't like captive animals.
The other one is THIRTY TWO QUID for two hours of live entertainment!!!!
Great bloody swindles they are.
head."There are plenty that would argue that Blue Man Group and Discovery Cove are two of the more obvious tourist swindles out here..."
You tedious cum drinking cuckold.
dazco said:
You said they were a swizz or a swindle or something.
I'm not surprised he thinks it's a swizz if we can get tickets for £32 yet they're nearly double that in the US.I think a similar thing happens with Disney tickets - there's nothing like the 14 & 21 day Ultimate tickets we can get. Although Florida residents do get special deals.
dazco said:
Matt Harper said:
dazco said:
You said they were a swizz or a swindle or something.
YOU said that.
One of the 'swindles' is number two rated on Tripadvisor, but we find out you don't like captive animals.
The other one is THIRTY TWO QUID for two hours of live entertainment!!!!
Great bloody swindles they are.
Go back and read what I actually wrote, dYOU said that.
One of the 'swindles' is number two rated on Tripadvisor, but we find out you don't like captive animals.
The other one is THIRTY TWO QUID for two hours of live entertainment!!!!
Great bloody swindles they are.
head."There are plenty that would argue that Blue Man Group and Discovery Cove are two of the more obvious tourist swindles out here..."
You tedious cum drinking cuckold.
As I stated, I have no strong feelings either way - and Tripadvisor is just as subjective as yours or my opinion, given that the reviews are posted by significantly less than 1% of the numbers that visit these attractions - so something less than meaningful data.
My posting was based on anecdote from people I socialise with - yours appears to be based on hysteria, because your personal feelings about these venues was challenged.
Stop arguing on my thread, benders.
We got back from Florida on Sunday. But rather than just doing the usual, we rented a Villa with a boat in Cape Coral, and we bloody loved it. Spent lazy days on the boat on the Gulf of Mexico being entertained by Dolphins jumping out of the water right next to the boat. Took it over to Sanibel and Captiva islands, bloody beautiful stuff.
We also did Miami for a few days, the Everglades, and Universal in Orlando. But as far as a beautiful part of Florida goes, The Sanibel and Cape Coral area takes some beating, it was bloody awesome.
Is it wrong that 2 days after returning I am now looking at rental Villas on Sanibel for next year?
We got back from Florida on Sunday. But rather than just doing the usual, we rented a Villa with a boat in Cape Coral, and we bloody loved it. Spent lazy days on the boat on the Gulf of Mexico being entertained by Dolphins jumping out of the water right next to the boat. Took it over to Sanibel and Captiva islands, bloody beautiful stuff.
We also did Miami for a few days, the Everglades, and Universal in Orlando. But as far as a beautiful part of Florida goes, The Sanibel and Cape Coral area takes some beating, it was bloody awesome.
Is it wrong that 2 days after returning I am now looking at rental Villas on Sanibel for next year?
Adenauer said:
Stop arguing on my thread, benders.
We got back from Florida on Sunday. But rather than just doing the usual, we rented a Villa with a boat in Cape Coral, and we bloody loved it. Spent lazy days on the boat on the Gulf of Mexico being entertained by Dolphins jumping out of the water right next to the boat. Took it over to Sanibel and Captiva islands, bloody beautiful stuff.
We also did Miami for a few days, the Everglades, and Universal in Orlando. But as far as a beautiful part of Florida goes, The Sanibel and Cape Coral area takes some beating, it was bloody awesome.
Is it wrong that 2 days after returning I am now looking at rental Villas on Sanibel for next year?
A villa with a boat really appeals. If you don't mind me asking, who did you rent that from?We got back from Florida on Sunday. But rather than just doing the usual, we rented a Villa with a boat in Cape Coral, and we bloody loved it. Spent lazy days on the boat on the Gulf of Mexico being entertained by Dolphins jumping out of the water right next to the boat. Took it over to Sanibel and Captiva islands, bloody beautiful stuff.
We also did Miami for a few days, the Everglades, and Universal in Orlando. But as far as a beautiful part of Florida goes, The Sanibel and Cape Coral area takes some beating, it was bloody awesome.
Is it wrong that 2 days after returning I am now looking at rental Villas on Sanibel for next year?
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