Itinerary check and questions...

I am planning an Orlando trip with my wife. We are in our late 20s with no children. Please help.

Day 1: Full-day Flight

Day 2: Epcot

Day 3: Animal Kingdom

Day 4: Water Park

Day 5: Outlet, Ripley, I-Drive

Day 6: Drive to Miami, Miami Beach, stay a night at Miami

Day 7: Everglades or Keys, drive back to Orlando for late afternoon flight

Questions:

1. Is it safe to say there won%26#39;t be a lot of people in the theme parks on a weekday in early October?

2. There are some cheap package with tickets outside the resort, does that mean I will need a car for that?

3. Is the outlet in Orlando pretty much the same thing as in SoCal?

Thanks,

Glenn

Itinerary check and questions...

October is a great time to visit the parks as kids are back in school and the holidays have not yet begun. Last year we went the first or second weekend of October last year and there was almost no wait for most rides and the more popular rides like Space Mountain and Rockin Rollercoaster only had 10-15 minute waits.

I can%26#39;t compare the outlet here to those in cal. as I haven%26#39;t been to those in cal. but there are tons of outlets in Orlando. Just watch the prices, sometimes you aren%26#39;t always getting a deal.

I personally would not drive all the way down to Miami just to stay overnight. That is a 3-4 hour drive one way and then you say day 7 the keys, that will be another 4 hours or so futher from Miami. So on that last day that would mean you would have to drive about 7-8 hours just to get back to Orlando for your flight.

There are plenty of nice beaches that are closer if that is why you are going down there. Check out St Petersburg or Sarasota for nice beaches.

Itinerary check and questions...

I%26#39;d imagine the cheap package with tickets means you%26#39;ll need to sit through a time share presentation to get the tickets. People in the UK or Trooper will probably know how to get around with local transport if you tell them where you%26#39;ll be located.

Thanks! What%26#39;s the difference between the two water parks? Which one should I go to?

Glenn

Please remember that the drive from the Keys to Orlando is about 7-8 hours. Depending on what time your flight is, you really would not have time to visit and get back to orlando for a flight.

I haven%26#39;t been to either of the Disney water parks but I think that the general consensus is that if you like the thrill rides then Blizzard Beach is better.

Which water park? There are 3 - the Disney ones are Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon; the other is Wet %26#39;n%26#39; Wild.

Type in ';typhoon Lagoon'; in the search box - there are several topics covering the differences between BB and TL.

I%26#39;d cut day 6 and 7 out, and stay in Orlando - you%26#39;ll not want to drive 8 hours before a flight. Plus, if it%26#39;s late afternoon (say around 5pm) you%26#39;ll need to check in for about 3pm, 7 hours driving - you%26#39;d have to LEAVE Miami at 3am to get to the Keys for 7am, so you%26#39;d only have an hour until you%26#39;d have to drive back again!! Stay in Orlando - there are so many outlets and malls to see!

New Condo

We stayed at the Pelican Isle in 2006 and there was a new condo being built to the west of the Pelican, is it completed and what is the name of it?

New Condo

';Bella Riva'; (or something similar).

I believe it is finished. Very upscale :-)

only one day

We are stopping in Orlando on our vacation and only have 1 day for visiting Disney and staying a night. Its just my husband and I, no kids.

Are we nuts? The day at Disney will only be from 2pm until closing. Should we get a park hopper? Would be nice to see the %26#39;must sees%26#39; at MK and Epcot.

Also, should we stay our one night at the resort ? (we were thinking PO French Quarter) Or off site. Talked to AAA and for about the same we can either stay onsite or at a hotel outside with AAA discount and buying tickets when we get there.

We are hoping that since we are going Sept 5th, 2 days after Labor Day, that it will work to our advantage.... less people with lots of kids just starting school etc.

Our trip just drops us down there for that short time and I couldnt imagine going to Orlando and not visiting Disney. We have never been there. My husband has been to other places in Orlando. This is my first time down to Florida.

Are we nuts? Any ideas? Anyone done a 1 day trip?

only one day

If you cannot arrive at a Disney park until after 2:00 PM, you probably are wasting your day and money if you go to a theme park.

Most parks in the off season close early (some as early as 5:00 PM like Animal Kingdom; 9:00 PM at the latest). You would have only enough time to cover a very few things and you%26#39;d be disappointed about that I%26#39;m sure.

Instead of spending a huge amount of money to go to a theme park for only a few hours, how about going to Downtown Dinsey and Pleasure Island instead. You%26#39;ll have later hours to stay, plus parking and admission is free to Downtown Disney. Pleasure Island stays open late (2:00 AM, I think), and you only pay for the clubs you go into.

I say go to Downtown Disney and get a ';taste'; of it without spending lots of money for too short a time.

only one day

Kats right, although MK and Epcot are later to close. They are connected via mono rail but travelling, entry, exit all eat into your time.

Check whether Wishes fireworks are on that night, if not see the Epcot ones. You%26#39;d need to decide whether or not to split the time between parks but, personally, I%26#39;d not as you simply don%26#39;t have enough time to do more than half a park. If it was me, I%26#39;d opt for a shortened Epcot, but if you%26#39;ve never been to MK before, you might want to do that instead.

Epcot is more adult than MK.

Hi rainbwblu,

I would agree with chinners and go to Epcot. You will have 7 hours of wondering. Ending your short visit with Illuminations would be lovely and give you that Magical Feeling. You would still have a little time after to head to Pleasure Island to have abit of fun, if you wanted. Any time at Disney is worth it, IMO.

Chef Mickey's Buffet Lunch For Limited Time

Someone may have posted this already, and if so, sorry for the repeat.

Chef Mickey%26#39;s is offering a buffet lunch from August 28 through September 8 and from September 16 through September 22. The times are 12:30 p.m. 鈥?3 p.m. (last seating at 2:40 p.m.) and cost is $20.99 (ages 10+) and $11.99 (ages 3-9).

Chef Mickey's Buffet Lunch For Limited Time

Kat- is it a Character meal like the breakfasts/dinners they offer?

Chef Mickey's Buffet Lunch For Limited Time

Well, the post I saw didn%26#39;t say specifically that it%26#39;s a character meal, but I think the implication is there that it is.

All the meals at Chef Mickey%26#39;s are character meals, so as bad as it is to assume, I would say yes it is.

I%26#39;m pretty sure that when I first read about the Lunch at Chef Mickey%26#39;s, It was my understanding, it was to be a Character Meal. Perhaps I%26#39;ll ring Disney and try to fit one more Reservation into my Holiday. Was a little bummed we couldn%26#39;t get the Breakfast.

Which Restaurant for a Birthday Treat

Hoping to pick up cheap flights for the weekend of 14th Sep as it is my birthday. We have already been out this year in June for 2 weeks, desperate to go back! Where would you suggest for a nice family dinner? We are taking our 3yr old son so has to be child friendly. Thanks

Which Restaurant for a Birthday Treat

We%26#39;re a fan of %26#39;Ohana in the Polynesian.

You can time your reservation and request window seat to watch the fireworks - with some advance legwork, and arrive 30 min prior to rez to remind them of your special request, then have some tiki drinks @ the bar.

During dinner in one section of the big room, they%26#39;ll have kiddie games of some sort -- hula hoops, etc.

We don%26#39;t have kids, but we%26#39;d see kids having a blast.

Which Restaurant for a Birthday Treat

Are you wanting a place outside the theme parks?

Ohana%26#39;s is very good, but I prefer Chef Mickey%26#39;s for an ';outside'; theme park restaurant. It is very ';kid friendly'; for your child, but still a great dining experience.

Yeah, we are looking for something outside of Disney.

beauty secrets

I go tomorrow Morning - Yipeeeeee

I feels like it has taken ages to get to this point, but it is finally here!!!!!!!

We leave for the airport tomorrow and fly out at 10.30. I am getting really excited now and a little bit nervous.

Florida here we come!!!!! :-)

I go tomorrow Morning - Yipeeeeee

Have a great trip. Why are you nervous ?????? You should%26#39;nt be. We%26#39;ve got 68 days to go oh and 3 hrs 14 min.

Say hello to MM for me.

I go tomorrow Morning - Yipeeeeee

Have a great time, we%26#39;ll be there in 5 days so I%26#39;ll watch out for a couple of puffers in the parks!!

Don%26#39;t forget your patches :-))

Just relax and enjoy... ;-)

UCC

I have no idea why i am nervous, but i just have lots of butterflies in my stomach.

I will certainly say hello to MM for you. Dicanio10 I have plenty of Patches for the other half but I am sure it still won%26#39;t be enought :-)

I will not be able to sleep tonight as I will be tooooo excited :-)

ee, you are not nervous... it is ';excitment';.

Have fun :-)

Hope you have a wonderful trip. It%26#39;s normal to be nervous and excited. Just want till that plane touches down and you%26#39;re really finally there.

I know what you mean, I will be fine when i actually arrive at Sanford and we are outside in the sunshine :-)

Just not looking forward to the travelling part, but i am really looking forward to all the golf, eating and relaxing we will be doing.

have a safe journey and fab holiday

the journey will be go quicker than you think

neesymac, Dreams really do come true, lucky you.

Have a Swell Holiday

Globespan Villas

Hi, wondered if anyone has stayed at any of the Globespan villas and if they have what were they like. Last time we were in Florida we booked everything ourselves but got a really good dealthis time with the flights, villa and car from Globespan. Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Globespan Villas

My comment is I%26#39;d rather cut off my leg than fly Globspan- they are cheap for a reason.

But for the VIlla thing,it will be pot luck as they are allocated on arrival and if things are not to your liking good luck in geting it fixed. The way the help those who are stranded due to their delays and cancellations means you%26#39;ll get little to no help.

I%26#39;d look again at prices during the sales for the scheduled carriers which will start in the next week or so.

Globespan Villas

Flyglobespan pay bottom dollar to management companies for villas that no one wants booking them themselves.

You would not expect a Crowne Plaza paying Super 6 money (unless of course it is during a school holiday period wen they charge BA prices for Ryanair service).

Hi, Just returned from Orlando on two week holiday for the second year running and despite other reports our experience with Globespan has been faultless!! Flights on time on outwards and return leg and we stayed at the Fairfield Inn at the Mariott Village LBV. I have already looked at booking again next year where they are offering the Majestic Dune apartments at Kissimee which do not appear to have too bad reviews on this site.

Once again for two years have had no problems at all with Globespan (this is not to day that others have not)

Thanks for your replies. The reason why we decided to go with Globespan was due mainly to some friends (2 sets at different times) flying with them last year from Glasgow and they said they couldn%26#39;t fault them. Left bang on time, food was good, aircraft was spotless and cabin crew were very friendly and efficient.

We flew with Icelandair last year and it was a nightmare, staff were rude, spoke their own language all the time so you couldn%26#39;t understand what was being said or what was happening and it was a two plane flight, from Glasgow to Iceland, a 4 hour wait and then from Iceland to Sanford.

Will just need to keep my fingers crossed that Globespan pull their socks up.