Florida over Christmas
Discussion
Going to Florida over Christmas staying near Kissammee and I would welcome some advice re Disney World etc. My children are 19, 17, 14 and 3 - and are looking forward to a good trip spending lots of my money!
Advice re tickets and any other relevant help/information welcome.
Cheers
B-T-B
Advice re tickets and any other relevant help/information welcome.
Cheers
B-T-B
Snap thats where me and the girlfriend are going.
You will have the time of your life and so will your family.
Disney is very much for kids imo, i didnt enjoy it much but have no doubt kids would be in their element.
The universal studios and islands of adventure are the ones to go to along with Busch gardens. Along with pretty much all the water parks (cant wait for aquatica)
My favourites in no particular order are
Islands of adventure (spiderman is great, probably the best there imo but the simpsons should be better)
Seaworld- amazing place!
universal
wet and wild- old but good
blizzard beach- amazing huge water slide!
typhoon lagoon
Busch gardens- sheikra is very shocking without being that scary (its over before your scared)
The malls are all good for shopping- shame about the current exchange rates.
Watch the roads after is rains, they are excessivly slippy and my god that rain is beyond heavy.
Have fun ! Enjoy the steak
You will have the time of your life and so will your family.
Disney is very much for kids imo, i didnt enjoy it much but have no doubt kids would be in their element.
The universal studios and islands of adventure are the ones to go to along with Busch gardens. Along with pretty much all the water parks (cant wait for aquatica)
My favourites in no particular order are
Islands of adventure (spiderman is great, probably the best there imo but the simpsons should be better)
Seaworld- amazing place!
universal
wet and wild- old but good
blizzard beach- amazing huge water slide!
typhoon lagoon
Busch gardens- sheikra is very shocking without being that scary (its over before your scared)
The malls are all good for shopping- shame about the current exchange rates.
Watch the roads after is rains, they are excessivly slippy and my god that rain is beyond heavy.
Have fun ! Enjoy the steak
sorry forgot about the tickets
You can get the orlando flex ticket which includes
Busch gardens (optional ticket)
universal
islands of adventure
aquaticawet and wild
seaworld
Disney ticket
includes all the disney parks
forgot to add that the disney park with the tower of terror is good (forgot its name now)
Best getting the tickets now. I dont think they are any cheaper over there iirc.
Get organised and try and stick to a schedule as there is so much to do and see.
Kennedy is great, just wish there was a launch at xmas which unfortunately there is not.
You can get the orlando flex ticket which includes
Busch gardens (optional ticket)
universal
islands of adventure
aquaticawet and wild
seaworld
Disney ticket
includes all the disney parks
forgot to add that the disney park with the tower of terror is good (forgot its name now)
Best getting the tickets now. I dont think they are any cheaper over there iirc.
Get organised and try and stick to a schedule as there is so much to do and see.
Kennedy is great, just wish there was a launch at xmas which unfortunately there is not.
I was in Kissimmee this time last year at Daytona.
The only bit of Disney I did was Universal Studios, which was a really enjoyable day out. Also did Kennedy Space Centre ( You really need a day). On Friday night in Old Towm Kissimmee it is Hot Rod/Bike Night (petrol head bit). All the old boys turn out with their beautiful cars and bikes for all to see. Some good metal on display.
Also, If you like your steak, then I suggest you visit Kool's Oak Fire Grill on 7725 W Hwy 192 Kissimmee, FL
The orange square building just to the right of the 'A'. Map link below,
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Kissimmee&rls=p,...
It is the best Steak House in the area. Biggest they do is a 32oz T-Bone Steak, 1/2 is fillet and the other I think was rump. Effing marvellous. A really good meal, for peanuts!
Oh and have a great holiday.
The only bit of Disney I did was Universal Studios, which was a really enjoyable day out. Also did Kennedy Space Centre ( You really need a day). On Friday night in Old Towm Kissimmee it is Hot Rod/Bike Night (petrol head bit). All the old boys turn out with their beautiful cars and bikes for all to see. Some good metal on display.
Also, If you like your steak, then I suggest you visit Kool's Oak Fire Grill on 7725 W Hwy 192 Kissimmee, FL
The orange square building just to the right of the 'A'. Map link below,
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Kissimmee&rls=p,...
It is the best Steak House in the area. Biggest they do is a 32oz T-Bone Steak, 1/2 is fillet and the other I think was rump. Effing marvellous. A really good meal, for peanuts!
Oh and have a great holiday.
We alternate Florida/Californa (Disney) each Christmas. Done it for years, and the 'kids' are now 18 and 21! No-one does Christmas like the Americans in general, and Disney in particular. Magic Kingdom is the best bet on Christmas day - don't expect to get to many rides as its real busy, but great parades and it snows at night! Disney MGM also gets real Christmassy too - Osborne (not Ozzy!) family lights are...well...there lot's of them. Hell it's all good, which is why we keep going. The Disney hotels have a real great seasonal atmosphere too.
Only real advice is to book early (LIKE NOW) for where you want Xmas dinner! Possibly for Boxing day too. You can phone up (number on Disney web site plus details of restaurants...not toll free from the UK) and book a table at all the decent reataurants. If you dont book real soon you'll end up in a fast food joint on 25th/26th. There are 2 decent restaurants in the Grand Floridean (Narcoossees is/was nice), just get the monorail out the park at meal-time; I like the Brown Derby in MGM too. Cinderellas's castle is good for a family meal also, but not such an 'event' as the GF. Remember the 'mercins don't do turkey for Christmas dinner; thet've done that already for thanksgiving so you're just looking for a nice meal. And thankfully they don't to crackers, hats and mottos either.
And take a few warm clothes, you can get caught out. Most years it's tee-shirt warm in the day and just a sweat-shirt at night. But a few years ago we got caught with a few days of a real cold spell - ice in puddles and it pi$$ed with rain on the 25th and 26th! Bitter cold at night! Loads of visitors were having to make do with towels and plastic as warm gear! It's only happened once at Xmas, but we now take an extra sweater each, jacket, hat and gloves; hopefully they'll stay in the case but better safe then sorry.
Have fun.
Only real advice is to book early (LIKE NOW) for where you want Xmas dinner! Possibly for Boxing day too. You can phone up (number on Disney web site plus details of restaurants...not toll free from the UK) and book a table at all the decent reataurants. If you dont book real soon you'll end up in a fast food joint on 25th/26th. There are 2 decent restaurants in the Grand Floridean (Narcoossees is/was nice), just get the monorail out the park at meal-time; I like the Brown Derby in MGM too. Cinderellas's castle is good for a family meal also, but not such an 'event' as the GF. Remember the 'mercins don't do turkey for Christmas dinner; thet've done that already for thanksgiving so you're just looking for a nice meal. And thankfully they don't to crackers, hats and mottos either.
And take a few warm clothes, you can get caught out. Most years it's tee-shirt warm in the day and just a sweat-shirt at night. But a few years ago we got caught with a few days of a real cold spell - ice in puddles and it pi$$ed with rain on the 25th and 26th! Bitter cold at night! Loads of visitors were having to make do with towels and plastic as warm gear! It's only happened once at Xmas, but we now take an extra sweater each, jacket, hat and gloves; hopefully they'll stay in the case but better safe then sorry.
Have fun.
Would love to watch "Wishes" on Christmas Day.. But the park is going to be PACKED!!
Restaurants I liked on Disney Property (Ones I can remember at the mo):
Ohana at the Polynesian
Boma at The Animal Kingdom Lodge
Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge (Kids might like it.. Do not steal the ketchup from another table you will get sent to prison...)
50's Prime Time (They will make you eat your greens
)
My fave would have to be California Grill at The Contempory... Have dinner here then watch the "wishes" fireworks from the outside area.
If you like Steak then Shulas Steak House (I think its at the Dolphin)
Living Seas at EPCOT (Epcot has loads of nice restaurants around the World Showcase..)
Off Disney property:
Roys Restaurant
Choup Choup (Near Universal)
Melting Pot (Something different for the kids - Fondue)
Gaylord Palms suppose to have a nice steak place (Old Hickory Steak House? Best known for the sixteen-ounce Certified Black Angus naturally aged prime center-cut New York strip steak.)
Things to do:
Segway Tour around Epcot (around $90 minimum age of 16)
Off Road Segway Tour around Wildnerness Lodge ($85 again 16 is the minimum)
Oh before I forget take your kids to Beaches and Cream (Beach Club at Disney) and order the Kitchen Sink!!
If you are going to book any restaurants on Disney Property use this number 001-407-939-3463
Disney geek hat off now...
Restaurants I liked on Disney Property (Ones I can remember at the mo):
Ohana at the Polynesian
Boma at The Animal Kingdom Lodge
Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge (Kids might like it.. Do not steal the ketchup from another table you will get sent to prison...)
50's Prime Time (They will make you eat your greens
)My fave would have to be California Grill at The Contempory... Have dinner here then watch the "wishes" fireworks from the outside area.
If you like Steak then Shulas Steak House (I think its at the Dolphin)
Living Seas at EPCOT (Epcot has loads of nice restaurants around the World Showcase..)
Off Disney property:
Roys Restaurant
Choup Choup (Near Universal)
Melting Pot (Something different for the kids - Fondue)
Gaylord Palms suppose to have a nice steak place (Old Hickory Steak House? Best known for the sixteen-ounce Certified Black Angus naturally aged prime center-cut New York strip steak.)
Things to do:
Segway Tour around Epcot (around $90 minimum age of 16)
Off Road Segway Tour around Wildnerness Lodge ($85 again 16 is the minimum)
Oh before I forget take your kids to Beaches and Cream (Beach Club at Disney) and order the Kitchen Sink!!
If you are going to book any restaurants on Disney Property use this number 001-407-939-3463
Disney geek hat off now...
te, by far the worst of the water parks. Huge queues, poor cleanliness, crap rides.A few pointers from a former local..
The best steak house in Orlando is Del Frisco's Double Eagle. It's on Fairbanks ave just about 1/4 mile W of I-4. It's past downtown Orlando and a 30 minute drive or so from Kissimmee.
It's the equal to any of the fine steakhouses here in my native NYC area. It is not a touristy place.
If the weather is cold enough, a nice trip is to Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, about 2/3 of the way to Daytona Beach.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/defaul...
This is your best shot at getting up close and personal with Manatees, just check their website before you go, as the Manatees only show if the St John's river is below about 70f, which it usually is in the wintertime.
The Theme Parks are going to be absolutely JAMMED on Christmas Day. You have been warned. If you have a Villa, cook your own Christmas Dinner.
The best steak house in Orlando is Del Frisco's Double Eagle. It's on Fairbanks ave just about 1/4 mile W of I-4. It's past downtown Orlando and a 30 minute drive or so from Kissimmee.
It's the equal to any of the fine steakhouses here in my native NYC area. It is not a touristy place.
If the weather is cold enough, a nice trip is to Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, about 2/3 of the way to Daytona Beach.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/defaul...
This is your best shot at getting up close and personal with Manatees, just check their website before you go, as the Manatees only show if the St John's river is below about 70f, which it usually is in the wintertime.
The Theme Parks are going to be absolutely JAMMED on Christmas Day. You have been warned. If you have a Villa, cook your own Christmas Dinner.
Many thanks for all your constructive replies (and thanks LilCat for your pm 
)
Certainly lots of food for thought and some good tips, we're all hoping the weather is kind and we can try to get away from this dull and miserable island we call blightly for a couple of weeks!
Cheers again to all contributors
)Certainly lots of food for thought and some good tips, we're all hoping the weather is kind and we can try to get away from this dull and miserable island we call blightly for a couple of weeks!
Cheers again to all contributors
Robatr0n said:
LilCat said:
Lots of good advice
Everything she said! 
, but thanks Rob for the help earlier in the year about the 'Stang rental and the Tip-off about the Saturday Nite Cruise! (No idea if that will be running at this time of year but well worth a look if it is!)Kept meaning to let you know how I got on re. the rental, but hey-ho!
Fantastic holiday and all that went thoroughly enjoyed it, sure the OP will too!
chunkymonkey71 said:
gets really busy... lot of americans spend their time over christmas at disney so expect long queues of idiots and bad driving.
Parks are fun though and fireworks are brilliant!
It's OK, I am considerably thinner and fitter than your average yank and can beat them to the front of any queue Parks are fun though and fireworks are brilliant!
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