Look out America, im on my way
Discussion
Ok, following on from the shuttle launch thread the wife and I have provo booked our trip to Florida in sept to see the last shuttle go fly.
Now please, bear in mind the canarys is the longest flight we have been on, so this is a big trip for up.
So many questions may follow.
First off, we are flying with Mr Branson mob, for some reason always wanted to fly virgin, so, is it worth upgrading to premium economy, anybody done this, comes out at £800 extra for the 2 of us there and back.
We are torn between a hotel on international drive in Orlando or a villa in Kissimmee, what you lot think.
We not planning on doing Disneyworld, but would like to do seaworld,space centre and a run up to Daytona beach.
So any tips for a couple of usa virgins, hell I dont even know if my mobile will work out there, im that naive.
Anybody ever been to see a shuttle launch before, any tips.
So any help you folk may have will be taken on board.
God im so excited, its still over 6 months away, damm.
Thanks
Now please, bear in mind the canarys is the longest flight we have been on, so this is a big trip for up.
So many questions may follow.
First off, we are flying with Mr Branson mob, for some reason always wanted to fly virgin, so, is it worth upgrading to premium economy, anybody done this, comes out at £800 extra for the 2 of us there and back.
We are torn between a hotel on international drive in Orlando or a villa in Kissimmee, what you lot think.
We not planning on doing Disneyworld, but would like to do seaworld,space centre and a run up to Daytona beach.
So any tips for a couple of usa virgins, hell I dont even know if my mobile will work out there, im that naive.
Anybody ever been to see a shuttle launch before, any tips.
So any help you folk may have will be taken on board.
God im so excited, its still over 6 months away, damm.
Thanks
For the two of you hotel on International Drive (but a decent one). We stayed here last year http://www.doubletreeorlandoidrive.com/ and it was very pleasant. If you do look at hotels on International Drive look out for the dross.
Seaworld is excellent, did not manage to make Nasa but told that is also good. Daytona is horrible, a let down and IMO not worth the drive. Could be different if something is on at the Speedway I suppose. I would suggest a drive to Clearwater instead.
We lost track of the launches while we over there as one kept being delayed. It was very obvious though when it did happen, even from Orlando. All hotels decamped outside and you could see it clearly.
In terms of Disney don't write off Epcot - it's a bit different and worth a visit.
Seaworld is excellent, did not manage to make Nasa but told that is also good. Daytona is horrible, a let down and IMO not worth the drive. Could be different if something is on at the Speedway I suppose. I would suggest a drive to Clearwater instead.
We lost track of the launches while we over there as one kept being delayed. It was very obvious though when it did happen, even from Orlando. All hotels decamped outside and you could see it clearly.
In terms of Disney don't write off Epcot - it's a bit different and worth a visit.
I live in Orlando, so maybe can help with some Q&A on day-to-day stuff.
I'm not sure that Virgin PE is worth 400 quid each extra. On their MAN-MCO route PE is upstairs, which is much nicer than on the main deck. If you can stomach economy (i.e. you are reasonably normal sized people, who can distract yourself away from the purgatory with alcohol, DVD's or fitful, neck-aching sleep), that extra cash could go toward a premium rental car, or a nicer accommodation.
Don't book a hotel on I-Drive, under any circumstances - unless you enjoy a Blackpool prom vibe.
To be honest, Kissimmee is not much better. Check Davenport, Haines City and Poinciana, which are slightly less tourist oriented, but a little further out.
As far as Shuttle launch is concerned, the obvious and closest public venue that doesn't cost, is Jetty Park, in Cape Canaveral - but it gets super-busy there, so you might want to explore a couple of lesser known locations. Google Old Haulover Canal, Merrit Island, for example.
Any semi-modern cell phone will work, but be careful, because local carriers can hit you with some scary charges (e.g. for incoming calls and text messages).
Feel free to PM me if you need the skinny on anything Central FL specific.
I'm not sure that Virgin PE is worth 400 quid each extra. On their MAN-MCO route PE is upstairs, which is much nicer than on the main deck. If you can stomach economy (i.e. you are reasonably normal sized people, who can distract yourself away from the purgatory with alcohol, DVD's or fitful, neck-aching sleep), that extra cash could go toward a premium rental car, or a nicer accommodation.
Don't book a hotel on I-Drive, under any circumstances - unless you enjoy a Blackpool prom vibe.
To be honest, Kissimmee is not much better. Check Davenport, Haines City and Poinciana, which are slightly less tourist oriented, but a little further out.
As far as Shuttle launch is concerned, the obvious and closest public venue that doesn't cost, is Jetty Park, in Cape Canaveral - but it gets super-busy there, so you might want to explore a couple of lesser known locations. Google Old Haulover Canal, Merrit Island, for example.
Any semi-modern cell phone will work, but be careful, because local carriers can hit you with some scary charges (e.g. for incoming calls and text messages).
Feel free to PM me if you need the skinny on anything Central FL specific.
Matt and David.
Thank you, just the kind of advice a numpty like me needs, thank you.
May seem like im worrying about a little old trip to Florida, its just I have a spinal injury so use a stick to walk, so whenever planning any trip try and find out what I can about everything and anything.
Ta
Thank you, just the kind of advice a numpty like me needs, thank you.
May seem like im worrying about a little old trip to Florida, its just I have a spinal injury so use a stick to walk, so whenever planning any trip try and find out what I can about everything and anything.
Ta
I've bought upgrades at the desk for £99 but I wouldn't pay £200 - you can do a lot in Florida with £800, I'd rather spend another $100 per night on a better hotel room / suite, and that lasts for 14 mights, not a few hours.
Having said that I know people who deem it "essential" to fly upper.
Your mobile will work if the account is enabled for calls abroad. It'll cost a fortune to make calls and you pay extra to receive calls too. If you have a smartphone (iphone etc) the data cost while roaming are high.
Villas are good for families with kids or a group travelling, but if you're going as a couple then you might find it a bit quiet - depends what you want really.
Our family (inc me) absolutely loves the Disney thing. I appreciate that some people don't, but for the last few years we've stayed "on-site" in a Disney hotel but there are some pretty decent hotel on iDrive (and some crap ones too) - unless anyone has specific recommnedations can only suggest that look on Tripadvisor etc. If you have a car it doesn't make a right lot of difference where you stay.
Having said that I know people who deem it "essential" to fly upper.
Your mobile will work if the account is enabled for calls abroad. It'll cost a fortune to make calls and you pay extra to receive calls too. If you have a smartphone (iphone etc) the data cost while roaming are high.
Villas are good for families with kids or a group travelling, but if you're going as a couple then you might find it a bit quiet - depends what you want really.
Our family (inc me) absolutely loves the Disney thing. I appreciate that some people don't, but for the last few years we've stayed "on-site" in a Disney hotel but there are some pretty decent hotel on iDrive (and some crap ones too) - unless anyone has specific recommnedations can only suggest that look on Tripadvisor etc. If you have a car it doesn't make a right lot of difference where you stay.
PaulHogan said:
Good luck. Twice I've been to Florida to see a shuttle launch and twice it has been waved off. Last time there we did see two shuttles on the launch pads, which is a rare sight.
Talking to the travel agent yesterday and she seen 2, once from Orlando and once she was on a night flight home, just taken off, pilot comes on and says any one on the right hand side of aircraft look outside as the shuttle just taken off. Now that must have been awesome.She didnt seem too fussed with it all, compared it too a firework, bless her.
Matt is totally correct about the hotels on I-Drive, we go to Florida alot (usually twice a year) but stay some 3 hours away down I75 in Naples.
The last time we visited the Orlando area we stayed at the Omni Hotel at Championsgate, stunning hotel and well worth the extra over the I-Drive hotels. Save the up-grade money on the plane and use it to stay in better accommodation.
Personally we are not over impressed with Dick Branson's buses, we have over the past few years flown with Continental to Tampa via New York and either made a stop-over in New York or just changed planes and carried on from there. However, for a change this year we are flying Manchester to Gatwick then connecting directly to Tampa.
Your mobile will work fine in the USA, just watch for incoming call charges or calls to your voicemail.
Visit Clearwater, it's really nice. If you get the chance go further South to Longboat Keys off Sarassotta (Think I've spelt that right)
Make sure you have registered yourselves with ESTA the American Homeland Security people otherwise you won't even be let on the plane at this end. You say that you need a walking stick to help you walk, be warned that once you arrive Immigration procedures are painfully slow and you could be stood "in line" for up to an hour waiting to cleared through Immigration. This is because they photograph and fingerprint everyone who enters the USA and if several planes land around the same time it does get very busy no matter which airport you land at.
The Shuttle take-off can be seen for miles even if your in the Disney Parks you will see the Spacecraft rising through the sky.
Seaworld is excellent, so to is Busch Gardens down in Tampa, visit Epcot if you can and go around the world it's well worth it.
Be warned, when it rains it rains, usually around 4pm in the afternoon. Throws it down for about an hour and by 5.15 everything's dry again.
Enjoy it, it's fantastic.
The last time we visited the Orlando area we stayed at the Omni Hotel at Championsgate, stunning hotel and well worth the extra over the I-Drive hotels. Save the up-grade money on the plane and use it to stay in better accommodation.
Personally we are not over impressed with Dick Branson's buses, we have over the past few years flown with Continental to Tampa via New York and either made a stop-over in New York or just changed planes and carried on from there. However, for a change this year we are flying Manchester to Gatwick then connecting directly to Tampa.
Your mobile will work fine in the USA, just watch for incoming call charges or calls to your voicemail.
Visit Clearwater, it's really nice. If you get the chance go further South to Longboat Keys off Sarassotta (Think I've spelt that right)
Make sure you have registered yourselves with ESTA the American Homeland Security people otherwise you won't even be let on the plane at this end. You say that you need a walking stick to help you walk, be warned that once you arrive Immigration procedures are painfully slow and you could be stood "in line" for up to an hour waiting to cleared through Immigration. This is because they photograph and fingerprint everyone who enters the USA and if several planes land around the same time it does get very busy no matter which airport you land at.
The Shuttle take-off can be seen for miles even if your in the Disney Parks you will see the Spacecraft rising through the sky.
Seaworld is excellent, so to is Busch Gardens down in Tampa, visit Epcot if you can and go around the world it's well worth it.
Be warned, when it rains it rains, usually around 4pm in the afternoon. Throws it down for about an hour and by 5.15 everything's dry again.
Enjoy it, it's fantastic.
Wheelrepairit said:
I have a spinal injury so use a stick to walk,
Ah - so that might affect the decison to upgrade the seat.Re immigration queues mentioned above, we've never waited more than a few mins in Orlando, but other major airports in the US can be very bad for this, so that's a good reason to avoid flying indirect.
Do you have a blue badge? You can get one in Florida too and you do need it to park in disabled bays - it's illegal to use them even in private car parks in the US if you're not entitled to and people there simply don't do it.
Pete, have you registered with special assistance on Virgin? They can make things a bit easier for you if you want? I'm spinally injured too and have travelled to the states a fair bit, you can PM me if you want any help or advice.
I'm off to California shortly and I guess the same principles should apply to Florida when it comes to parking....this link might be helpful.
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.ph...
I'm off to California shortly and I guess the same principles should apply to Florida when it comes to parking....this link might be helpful.
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.ph...
Benzman said:
Matt is totally correct about the hotels on I-Drive, we go to Florida alot (usually twice a year) but stay some 3 hours away down I75 in Naples.
The last time we visited the Orlando area we stayed at the Omni Hotel at Championsgate, stunning hotel and well worth the extra over the I-Drive hotels. Save the up-grade money on the plane and use it to stay in better accommodation.
Personally we are not over impressed with Dick Branson's buses, we have over the past few years flown with Continental to Tampa via New York and either made a stop-over in New York or just changed planes and carried on from there. However, for a change this year we are flying Manchester to Gatwick then connecting directly to Tampa.
Your mobile will work fine in the USA, just watch for incoming call charges or calls to your voicemail.
Visit Clearwater, it's really nice. If you get the chance go further South to Longboat Keys off Sarassotta (Think I've spelt that right)
Make sure you have registered yourselves with ESTA the American Homeland Security people otherwise you won't even be let on the plane at this end. You say that you need a walking stick to help you walk, be warned that once you arrive Immigration procedures are painfully slow and you could be stood "in line" for up to an hour waiting to cleared through Immigration. This is because they photograph and fingerprint everyone who enters the USA and if several planes land around the same time it does get very busy no matter which airport you land at.
The Shuttle take-off can be seen for miles even if your in the Disney Parks you will see the Spacecraft rising through the sky.
Seaworld is excellent, so to is Busch Gardens down in Tampa, visit Epcot if you can and go around the world it's well worth it.
Be warned, when it rains it rains, usually around 4pm in the afternoon. Throws it down for about an hour and by 5.15 everything's dry again.
Enjoy it, it's fantastic.
What's this about having to register with ESTA before you fly over to the states?The last time we visited the Orlando area we stayed at the Omni Hotel at Championsgate, stunning hotel and well worth the extra over the I-Drive hotels. Save the up-grade money on the plane and use it to stay in better accommodation.
Personally we are not over impressed with Dick Branson's buses, we have over the past few years flown with Continental to Tampa via New York and either made a stop-over in New York or just changed planes and carried on from there. However, for a change this year we are flying Manchester to Gatwick then connecting directly to Tampa.
Your mobile will work fine in the USA, just watch for incoming call charges or calls to your voicemail.
Visit Clearwater, it's really nice. If you get the chance go further South to Longboat Keys off Sarassotta (Think I've spelt that right)
Make sure you have registered yourselves with ESTA the American Homeland Security people otherwise you won't even be let on the plane at this end. You say that you need a walking stick to help you walk, be warned that once you arrive Immigration procedures are painfully slow and you could be stood "in line" for up to an hour waiting to cleared through Immigration. This is because they photograph and fingerprint everyone who enters the USA and if several planes land around the same time it does get very busy no matter which airport you land at.
The Shuttle take-off can be seen for miles even if your in the Disney Parks you will see the Spacecraft rising through the sky.
Seaworld is excellent, so to is Busch Gardens down in Tampa, visit Epcot if you can and go around the world it's well worth it.
Be warned, when it rains it rains, usually around 4pm in the afternoon. Throws it down for about an hour and by 5.15 everything's dry again.
Enjoy it, it's fantastic.
mondayo said:
What's this about having to register with ESTA before you fly over to the states?
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/mondayo said:
Benzman said:
Matt is totally correct about the hotels on I-Drive, we go to Florida alot (usually twice a year) but stay some 3 hours away down I75 in Naples.
The last time we visited the Orlando area we stayed at the Omni Hotel at Championsgate, stunning hotel and well worth the extra over the I-Drive hotels. Save the up-grade money on the plane and use it to stay in better accommodation.
Personally we are not over impressed with Dick Branson's buses, we have over the past few years flown with Continental to Tampa via New York and either made a stop-over in New York or just changed planes and carried on from there. However, for a change this year we are flying Manchester to Gatwick then connecting directly to Tampa.
Your mobile will work fine in the USA, just watch for incoming call charges or calls to your voicemail.
Visit Clearwater, it's really nice. If you get the chance go further South to Longboat Keys off Sarassotta (Think I've spelt that right)
Make sure you have registered yourselves with ESTA the American Homeland Security people otherwise you won't even be let on the plane at this end. You say that you need a walking stick to help you walk, be warned that once you arrive Immigration procedures are painfully slow and you could be stood "in line" for up to an hour waiting to cleared through Immigration. This is because they photograph and fingerprint everyone who enters the USA and if several planes land around the same time it does get very busy no matter which airport you land at.
The Shuttle take-off can be seen for miles even if your in the Disney Parks you will see the Spacecraft rising through the sky.
Seaworld is excellent, so to is Busch Gardens down in Tampa, visit Epcot if you can and go around the world it's well worth it.
Be warned, when it rains it rains, usually around 4pm in the afternoon. Throws it down for about an hour and by 5.15 everything's dry again.
Enjoy it, it's fantastic.
What's this about having to register with ESTA before you fly over to the states?The last time we visited the Orlando area we stayed at the Omni Hotel at Championsgate, stunning hotel and well worth the extra over the I-Drive hotels. Save the up-grade money on the plane and use it to stay in better accommodation.
Personally we are not over impressed with Dick Branson's buses, we have over the past few years flown with Continental to Tampa via New York and either made a stop-over in New York or just changed planes and carried on from there. However, for a change this year we are flying Manchester to Gatwick then connecting directly to Tampa.
Your mobile will work fine in the USA, just watch for incoming call charges or calls to your voicemail.
Visit Clearwater, it's really nice. If you get the chance go further South to Longboat Keys off Sarassotta (Think I've spelt that right)
Make sure you have registered yourselves with ESTA the American Homeland Security people otherwise you won't even be let on the plane at this end. You say that you need a walking stick to help you walk, be warned that once you arrive Immigration procedures are painfully slow and you could be stood "in line" for up to an hour waiting to cleared through Immigration. This is because they photograph and fingerprint everyone who enters the USA and if several planes land around the same time it does get very busy no matter which airport you land at.
The Shuttle take-off can be seen for miles even if your in the Disney Parks you will see the Spacecraft rising through the sky.
Seaworld is excellent, so to is Busch Gardens down in Tampa, visit Epcot if you can and go around the world it's well worth it.
Be warned, when it rains it rains, usually around 4pm in the afternoon. Throws it down for about an hour and by 5.15 everything's dry again.
Enjoy it, it's fantastic.
It's easy to do and is valid for two years from approval or the expiry date of your passport, whichever comes first.
Without it you will not be allowed to board the flight from the UK. When registering each person travelling must have their own approval, you'll need the flight number of the flight you are travelling on, the address where you are staying in the USA (if you are travelling around then the first night's address must be given), your passport number and your personal details. There are some routine security questions to tick Yes or No too and approval is usually granted immediately but in some cases it can take up to 72 hours so best doing it well in advance.
Log onto this link and you can apply from there, https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov
be warned that there are firms out there offering to do this for you for a fee, avoid these at all costs, do it yourself. It takes no more than five minutes per person and costs nothing. Print off the approvals and take them with you when you travel.
Polarbert said:
Benzman said:
Print off the approvals and take them with you when you travel.
They aren't required. I did mine a few days ago and it said that I didn't have to print them off. All done by electronicals apparently.Deva Link said:
Re immigration queues mentioned above, we've never waited more than a few mins in Orlando, but other major airports in the US can be very bad for this, so that's a good reason to avoid flying indirect.
Wow - you've been really lucky then. I think Orlando Immigration is a f
king nightmare if your are arriving from the UK. There are frequently 2 Virgin 747's, plus a BA 777 and a Lufthansa A340 all arriving within minutes of each other, which is why I always try to get into ATL, CLT or PHL - airports that have much bigger immigration infrastructure - or little transatlantic arrival conflict. If the OP can wangle it, there is a way to avoid the zoo, of course. Arrange for Virgin wheelchair assist. They'll take you through immigration and you avoid the queue of numbskulls who are all incapable of filling-in a visa waiver form, thereby creating the pandemonium.
In summary, Orlando Immigration is a three-ring circus, orchestrated by the meanest, most sour-faced bunch of ar$eholes you could possibly meet (USCIS) and populated by swarms of clueless, bemused, disorganised, disheveled and dysfunctional mouth-breathers (75% of arriving tourons).
It is not a particularly welcoming start-point for anyones vacation, and no error.
Wheelrepairit said:
Ok, following on from the shuttle launch thread the wife and I have provo booked our trip to Florida in sept to see the last shuttle go fly.
Now please, bear in mind the canarys is the longest flight we have been on, so this is a big trip for up.
So many questions may follow.
First off, we are flying with Mr Branson mob, for some reason always wanted to fly virgin, so, is it worth upgrading to premium economy, anybody done this, comes out at £800 extra for the 2 of us there and back.
We are torn between a hotel on international drive in Orlando or a villa in Kissimmee, what you lot think.
We not planning on doing Disneyworld, but would like to do seaworld,space centre and a run up to Daytona beach.
So any tips for a couple of usa virgins, hell I dont even know if my mobile will work out there, im that naive.
Anybody ever been to see a shuttle launch before, any tips.
So any help you folk may have will be taken on board.
God im so excited, its still over 6 months away, damm.
Thanks
£800 extra for both of you return isn't bad. I came back a couple of weeks ago and it was £265 each way per person to upgrade. The plane however was empty so in economy you can lay across the seats and have a sleep. You can only recline in premium economy with Virgin. Virgin as an airline are excelent though imo.Now please, bear in mind the canarys is the longest flight we have been on, so this is a big trip for up.
So many questions may follow.
First off, we are flying with Mr Branson mob, for some reason always wanted to fly virgin, so, is it worth upgrading to premium economy, anybody done this, comes out at £800 extra for the 2 of us there and back.
We are torn between a hotel on international drive in Orlando or a villa in Kissimmee, what you lot think.
We not planning on doing Disneyworld, but would like to do seaworld,space centre and a run up to Daytona beach.
So any tips for a couple of usa virgins, hell I dont even know if my mobile will work out there, im that naive.
Anybody ever been to see a shuttle launch before, any tips.
So any help you folk may have will be taken on board.
God im so excited, its still over 6 months away, damm.
Thanks
I didn't enjoy seaworld and actually walked out of one of the shows. Universal Studios and the one next door (can't remember the name - Jaws and Simpsons rides etc)is my favourite - if you like theme parks thats the place to go. Get tickets in advance and fast passes. They do cheap tickets for the remainder day if you go after 2pm.
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