Florida for the first time.

[young_bairn]

Hi all.

Im guessing there will be loads of PH'rs that have been or go to Florida regulary. Im booked up for next May with the GF. Staying at the Crown Plaza Hotel on International drive and we are flying into Stanford. Got a hire car waiting for me at the airport.

So just looking for general tips for getting around, places to visit etc etc. Really looking forward to going to the parks so any money saving tips on tickets would be appreciated.

Cheers.

[SeanyD]

Kennedy Space Centre.... facinating day out, loads to see and do, and if I remember rightly, good value compared to some of the parks.

Oh and the Terminator 2 3D ride/stageshow/thingy at Universal Studios will blow you away.

[RemaL]

if your doing the parks book with Orlando Attractions. http://www.orlandoattractions.com/

I used to book with tickets attractions a few times as I found them the cheapest for the tickets but saved over £100 with Orlando Attractions. i'm going in April and within 10 days had my tickets. and they are tickets and not vouvhers.

Also worth trying Daytona, and would recommened the sky Coaster
http://www.skycoaster.cc/

I've done it twice and is the best thing there
from youtube. not me but gives you a idea of what to expect
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlR6qNooDVg

[Conian]

get $5 of change at the airport as there are several toll booths between there and Orlando

When approaching toll stations aim for the right hand lanes as these are the ones you pay at. You can go through the fast-pass lane without paying twice without punishment, the 3 time you will be fined.

make sure you have a satnav!

[Mosman]

Are you sure it's the Crowne Plaza on International no Universal?

Just wondering? if it does turn out to be the one on Universal then you should really enjoy it there. I always stay there when I'm in Orlando for business.

[young_bairn]

Thanks for the tips guys.

Yes the Kennedy space centre is a must for me, not sure about the other half though haha.

Re Hotel. Yes I believe it's quite close to Universal but looking on maps it's hard to get a prespective of the distances. Sat nav will be ordered

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/mco...

Any more tips keep them coming.

[F i F]

See Post no 2 from me on this thread

To repeat

F i F said:

The Bible

2010 edition listed on Amazon for pre-order but not yet available.

Since I posted that the 2010 book has been out one week, Amazon currently sold out, but will accept orders for delivery asap.

There is no better book imo, especially for first timers.

[ErnestM]

young_bairn said:

Hi all.

Im guessing there will be loads of PH'rs that have been or go to Florida regulary. Im booked up for next May with the GF. Staying at the Crown Plaza Hotel on International drive and we are flying into Stanford. Got a hire car waiting for me at the airport.

So just looking for general tips for getting around, places to visit etc etc. Really looking forward to going to the parks so any money saving tips on tickets would be appreciated.

Cheers.

Be careful driving out of Sanford. The local constabulary have no sense of humour regarding speed. Take the 417 (toll road) all the way to international drive. It is worth it because the locals try to avoid the tolls, hence, they are less used.

[F i F]

young_bairn said:

Yes the Kennedy space centre is a must for me, not sure about the other half though haha.

First time I went to Florida with the Mrs and Miss FiF each person had one day where they could choose whatever they wanted to do and the others had to go along.

I chose Kennedy, and the others pulled a face on the grounds that they knew I'd been there twice before so suggested I might like to choose something else.

Anyway we still went, got there as the doors opened in the morning and...

... I had to drag them out as they'd both enjoyed it so much they didn't want to leave and the staff were waiting to lock up at the end of the day.

[sussexjob]

Top tip don't go out on International Drive, its full of pancake-steak houses cut price tat shops the highlite for most is feeding gaters with a fish on bamboo stick fishing rods...think benedorm with neon lights, if you want a bit of hardcore fun get in a taxi $15 and go to Downtown Orlando at night for live bands/drinking bars (this is where Orlando workers go)

[ErnestM]

sussexjob said:

Top tip don't go out on International Drive, its full of pancake-steak houses cut price tat shops the highlite for most is feeding gaters with a fish on bamboo stick fishing rods...think benedorm with neon lights, if you want a bit of hardcore fun get in a taxi $15 and go to Downtown Orlando at night for live bands/drinking bars (this is where Orlando workers go)

There are a few gems on i-drive....

The Crab House (if you like seafood) http://www.crabhouseseafood.com/menu.html

Proper Italian dining experience - Bergamos http://www.bergamos.com/

- - - -

Downtown Orlando is ok but has gone a bit down hill over the past year or so. If you are "adults only" some of the nightlife isn't too bad (but a lot of chav type "yoofs") Fred Khalilian's Club Paris isn't too bad. Did a New Year's eve there once.

[Deva Link]

ErnestM said:

Downtown Orlando is ok but has gone a bit down hill over the past year or so. If you are "adults only" some of the nightlife isn't too bad (but a lot of chav type "yoofs") Fred Khalilian's Club Paris isn't too bad. Did a New Year's eve there once.

While downtown Orlando isn't specifically known for trouble, I thought it wasn't recommended that tourists went there without a local?

[ErnestM]

Deva Link said:

ErnestM said:

Downtown Orlando is ok but has gone a bit down hill over the past year or so. If you are "adults only" some of the nightlife isn't too bad (but a lot of chav type "yoofs") Fred Khalilian's Club Paris isn't too bad. Did a New Year's eve there once.

While downtown Orlando isn't specifically known for trouble, I thought it wasn't recommended that tourists went there without a local?

That is correct. Also - if going "clubbing" I highly recommend getting a car and driver (don't have to get a limo, just a regular car and driver, most likely a Lincoln town car) That way you can go from club to car with a minimum of fuss as most clubs have a "spot" for chauffered cars to park in close to the venue. Orlando's finest do a fairly good job keeping order and rowdy fisticuff type behaviour will land you in a very unpleasant lockup...

[skeeterm5]

also check out allears.net full of useful info

S

[RemaL]

skeeterm5 said:

also check out allears.net full of useful info

S

also the Dibb http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/index.php
all the info you will need

[Mosman]

young_bairn said:

Re Hotel. Yes I believe it's quite close to Universal but looking on maps it's hard to get a prespective of the distances. Sat nav will be ordered

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/mco...

Yep, that's the Crowne Plaza on Universal Blvd. As I said before stayed there on business many times good hotel (nice pool too). Very close to Wet 'n' Wild, couple of minutes to International Drive and five minutes to Universal Studios. Also nice and close to the freeway (I4) to get to Disney etc.

[LilCat]

RemaL said:

skeeterm5 said:

also check out allears.net full of useful info

S

also the Dibb http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/index.php
all the info you will need

Allears is good! Has lots of info from a list of all restaurants in Disney (with current menus) to other activities you can do (Segway around Epcot).

I pref disboards to thedibb.

[Robatr0n]

The Dibb is worth avoiding. There are some useful people on there but the rest seem to be complete morons.

[skeeterm5]

We did the segway tour from Wilderness Lodge, highly recommended.

S

[Arklight]

If you fancy treating yourself (bit pricey) one night foodwise have a visit to Mortons Steakhouse at Dr Phillips market place. The double porterhouse is something of a challenge