Do's & Don'ts

[DC1DC1]

Hi,

We are making our first trip to Florida (mid March) & would like some tips on a few must do’s & more importantly things not to waste our time on.
I have the Brits 05 guide & it all looks good to us!

2 adults & 2 kids (girls aged 6 & 8).

Thanks.
Dave

 

[G00fyDad]

Don't do anything but Walt Disney World. jk

You should go see St. Augustine. I went there when I lived in Jacksonville. It was sooo neat.

 

[tartangirl]

Dont do the Pirates Dinner Show

 

[allie5]

It depends on your family. If your girls HATE big rides, then to be honest I would leave out Universal / Islands of Adventure. Its easy to try and do TOO MUCH so prioritise what you all want to get out of the holiday. Be flexible and you will have a great time!

Dont miss: An evening at Downtown Disney, Mini golf, the Wal-Mart!!, Premium Outlets, a drive to Celebration, beaches on the Gulf Coast, all the fireworks that Disney do, a character meal, visiting the Disney hotels, boggy creek airboats....I could go on!!

As has been mentioned, the Dinner Shows are best avoided. I have heard that Gatorland is dirty and particularly nasty (though we have never bothered). The Pointe and Mercado shopping centres (both on I-drive) have seen better days and arent worth bothering with anymore in my opinion.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We are going mid-March too.

The best advice is not to try and do too much, have days where you can relax maybe do some shopping etc between your days at the Theme Parks.

Read Simon's book and get a decent idea of which parks you really must see.

Everyone has their own ideas on which parks they prefer and you will do too, they are all so different.
Do not discount Universal Studios or IOA , it depends on what sort of attractions you and your children will enjoy - our boy is 8 and loves water, despite the delights of Disney all his favourite rides or play areas are at US.
Plus a big advantage there is that the parks are situated next to each other so you can just walk from one to the other.

 

[KayleeUK]

Hi there and Welcome to the DIS

I would definately decide which of the parks you want to do, then you can decide which type of tickets you need.

With two little girls I think MK is a big must for you

 

[DC1DC1]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Is there any rides in any of the parks that are generally deemed as over rated?

we are a family that wants to get in the parks early & make the most of things before the really busy times, so we don't want to waste this time with average rides that can be done later.

 

[cheryl.UK]

Don't rush around and try to do EVERYTHING on your first trip. After one day you'll already have decided to go back anyway.

Do go to Fantasyland at the bery end of the evening and do all the rides there without queues. We've ridden dumbo 3 times in a row at 10.55 (pm)peak season.

 

[UKPhil]

Don't try to do full days in the parks with children of that age (actually no one at any age should try to do full days). Spend the afternoons chilling out.

You can't see everything in two or three weeks so make a plan before you go of how you'll spend your days but don't try to stick too rigidly to it. You'll find that with children you just can't.

One of our favourites (and its free!) is Saturday night at Old Town.

Shopping: Any Wal-Mart super centre, The Florida Mall OR Mall At Millennia (sp?) (wouldn't bother with both), Belz, Premium Outlets. There are lots more but these should more than do you for one trip. All are close on a full day out and your children will probably hate you for it !

 

[vernon]

Dave,
Where are you staying, have the girls been on thrill rides before?

If you're staying on Disney, then an afternoon break is a workable idea. It depends on how the kids take it. March is not too hot, so they may be ok if you give them a little "down time" just after lunch. A lot of people will take their families out of the parks for a couple of hours. If your journey time to the hotel is too much then this isn't an option. I found that by having a relaxed sit down lunch ( even if it's counter service) and scheduling in a quite 60-90 minutes after lunch it was enough to recharge the kids batteries. There are a number of rides/shows that are indoors and seated. Muppets, Little mermaid, Beauty and beast show all @ MGM. Hall of Presidents, Timekeeper, Carousel of Progress, Tikibirds all @ MK. It's tough to be a bug, Lion King show, Pocohontas show, Tarzan show all @ AK. HISTA, Mexico ride @Epcot are things that immediately spring to mind as attractions that give the oportunity for a little rest while lunch goes down for everyone's energy levels get back to normal. My kids used to work ok as long as we worked in a full restday (i.e. pool, a waterpark or shopping) every 3rd day or so. If your tickets are such that you're only getting for example 4/5 full days in the Disneyparks you're not going to want to waste 4 or 5 hours out of each of those days by driving back to your hotel for an hours nap ( particularly if your kids don't need it). Some kids need a complete break from the parks during the day, some just need a couple of relatively quiet hours in the middle of the day, some are like the ever ready bunny and don't stop AT ALL. The only way you'll find out is by trial and error as to how they work.

There are a lot of rides that different people think are "over rated", however the only way to decide that for your family is to do as many as you can. There are few attractions that won't hold something for someone in your group, so if you personally don't get much out of it, try to watch the reaction of your partner/kids to see what they are getting from it. It can turn a tedious 3 minutes into a magical one if for example, your youngest gets a real buzz from something as simple as the bubbles coming down in the little mermaid show.

 

[Disney owl]

welcome Dave

I disagree with Vernon we've stayed in a villa the twice we've been & taken lots of afternoon breaks. It's def. worth it in our opinion. our kids are all teenagers now but they still appreciate it .. They usually hit the pool & we rest!

Do agree with you to get there as the parks are opening. It makes so much sense.

do have a plan before you go .

 

[MazdaUK]

We're staying onsite to take advantage of the extra openings. Our kids get up early enough at home so with the time difference we'll probably be banging on the door every day, so the only way to do any evening stuff will be to break it up for an hour or two around mid-day. I've not scheduled a full day anywhere - half here, half there plus chill time at the hotel pool and waterparks

 

[paulh]

my advice is dont try to cram too much in as you WILL go again (our first trip was was going to be our only trip been 15+ times now and are dvc mebers now)i feel sorry for firstimers as there is a lot more ther now than when we first went in early 90s just enjoy it
Paulh

 

[jax100]

this is hubby and i's forth trip to orlando and as of yet we still have not done space kennedy, busch gardens or anything orther than disney or universal. this time we have our universal tickets as they included wet and wild and sea world, we have only ever done shamu and the dolphins at sea world.
it is not possible to see it all esp if you have children going to. include in your plan afternoon breaks, days off from the parks and rest and shop days.

 

[Twinks]

Hi Dave

Do eat breakfast from the Main Street Bakery in Magic Kindom, hot cinnamon rolls and coffee, it's our MK brekkie ritual, go sit round the corner on the yellow chairs under the parasols and look over the castle while you eat it and think of us LOL

Book to eat at either Cinderella's Royal Table or Crystal Palace for your character dining experience.

Beaches and Cream at Disney's Boardwalk is a great place to eat (didn't get to try the kitchen sink, will make sure we do this year!), you don't need a park day to do this.

Visit Epcot World Showcase and wander around the lagoon at your leisure and let the kids stop at each countries Fun Stop, it's one of our favorite places. Make sure you eat at one of the countries. Late lunch is cheaper than early dinner! Our faves are Canada, Mexico, Morocco and France!

MMMMmmm do you think food rates quite highly in our Disney vacations LOL
I'm only a size 10 honest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a wonderful time.

Twinks

 

[jns]

enjoy your selves

and as everyone said stick to disney
don't try and do every thing because you will miss out on the magic
we have been 5 times and still have not got round to US / IOA
Sea world is nice if you like aniamls

what we do is aim to do just a few things and any thing else is a bonus

have a wonderfull holiday
the planning is just as much fun

 

[daveyoghurt]

I wouldn't place any limits on your visit to Florida, Universal is definitely worth a visit - a lot of the rides and attractions compare very favourably to what Disney has to offer. Disney is great and your kids will love it, but for a less dollar intensive day you should certainly consider US/IOA and Seaworld. As some of the other guys have said already, this probably won't be your only visit so don't try to 'do it all'!

 

[SammieG]

The greatest advice I can offer is to take time to smell the roses.

Some of the most magical moments we have experienced have been spontanious.

Of course if there are restaruants you feel you must try, then book.. but personally, we like to go with the flow...

However, we went in 97 - with absolutely no intention of returning and now will be making our 13th or 14th trip - so I can take the time to do not very much on vacation as I know we will be going back.

Take very comfortable shoes - at least 2 different pairs.

Try not to do toooo much... have a park day.. then a shopping day.. or a water park day... If its really raining.. go SHOPPING!! Millenia is spectacular, but we also like the FLorida Mall and the designer Mall at Little Lake Bryan.

lastly HAVE FUN!!