First timers to Orlando....advice pls?

[pooky_uk]

Hi All

I have been reading these boards and they are great

Hubby & I, plus my 6 yr old daughter are going to Orlando in Feb - this will be our first trip abroad!!!

I am soooooo excited, we are not telling our daughter She will have her 7th birthday out there....

Would really love some advice on quite a few questions!

1. What will the weather be like in Feb (staying in All star movie - 3rd - 12th Feb....then off on a 4 day disney cruise *huge grin*

2. We want to see as much as possible and this is my first plan:

3rd - Thurs - will arrive late pm, so plan to chill and maybe go to downtown disney...
4th - Fri - Magic Kingdom &wishes
5th - Sat - Animal Kingdom
6th - Sun - Epcot (a late start - just looking to do World showcase)
7th - Mon - Island of Adventure (may drop)
8th - Tues - Seaworld
9th - Weds - Univeral Studios (may drop)
10th - MGM & fantasmic
11th - Magic Kingdom - will try and get a character breakkie - my daughters 7th birthday
12th - Swimming with the dolphins @ discovery cove
13th - the next four days chilling on the disney cruise

The ones I have marked "may drop" are not definates, just wait and see how much energy we have! Hopefully we can do IOA!

I have tried to split up the manic and more relaxed stuff - would love your views on this

Also, the cruise docks @ 9am at Port Canaveral but our flight is not until 18.05 - I don't suppose for a minute it is worth trying to a a park - some suggestions as to what we can do with this "spare" time would be great

and any other tips you can give a fellow brit for their first time in WDW, let alone abroad!!!!

Thanks

Laura
Plymouth, UK

 

[Mpet]

Hi & welcome

WOW!!!! What a trip for your first abroad.

We wen't to Florida in Feb a few years back (the last 2 weeks) . the days started cool, but generally speaking, by mid day, it was nice and warm - we wore shorts. The evneings get a bit cooler, but a lot better than the UK in feb!!!

Your plan looks great, but You will be tired on your first day. We find that by about 6pm, we have had enough. We usually find that Seaworld is a good first day as the pace is less hectic, but a lot of perople do AK as it opens relatively open and can be covered in relative ease over one day. For a first trip, I would leave MK until you have acclimatised to the time difference and can fully appreciate it.


Of your 'drop' options, you may find IOA not very suitable for your daughter - it has a lot of coasters. Universal is the better choice as there are more rides/shows that your daughter should enjoy.

My tips are to keep reading the boards and making notes, get a good guide book and a map!!!


Maxine

 

[pooky_uk]

Thanks for your advice Maxine - I know, doing MK first will be tough but that is the main reason we have put it back in for a second trip

I have bought 2 really good guide books: The unofficial Guide to WDW 2005 by Bob Schelinger (sp) and Frommers WDW & orlando 2005....both really infomative!

Just have to wait a few months so I can see what the park opening hours are likely to be - I am hoping we can catch spectromagic but I understand this isn't on too often....

 

[Andy Lou & Meg]

Do not TRY and get a character breakfast for your daughter's birthday!!!!!!
Just imagine if it was your 7th birthday............ and you got to have breakfast with Mickey Mouse!!!!!
No doubt if you mention it when you arrive at the restaurant, you will get some special treatment.
Hope you have a fantastic time!!

 

[Bexx]

Hope the weathers good in Feb - that's when we go too!!! Actually it can vary a lot, so best to pack clothes you can layer. If it's nice, it's really nice - lovely and warm without being sweltering. But it can get pretty chilly too, especially in the evening.

Don't want to cost you more money, as you've already got two good guidebooks - but have you checked out the Brits Guide to Orlando, by our very own Simon V (Veness). The latest edition is due out 1st Oct.

My other tip - wear VERY comfortable shoes.

 

[goofy4disney91]

in my expierience feb is grand. The weathe couldn't be nicer and the lines are short. You are so lucky. Because of scheduling our trip has been in March the past two years. The weather is great during the day and all though the pools are chilly your seven year old probably wont mind. Feb is so great in part due to the fact that at night you should throw on some sweat shirts and tour the great courtyards at the all-star resorts. I stayed in all star sports in Feb and DM and I had a great time taking a slow stroll through the elaborate resort. I imagine your family may not be as in to the sports as I was, being a sport fanatic (sports are second only to disney in my book) loved every second of it. Definetly get some hot chocolate from the cafeteria before this walk, this makes it all the more cozier!!!! Afterwards head back to the hotel and listen to the Radio Disney bedtime stories on the Radio Disney Channel. Your daughter will absolutely love that!!!!
As for your plan of manic and relaxed, sounds great to me. The wonderful world is tiring as it so huge. If ur looking for general tips look and read under the "general tips and info i learned in my wdw expierience" thread. Hope your first trip to the states is a blast.

 

[goofy4disney91]

by the way feel free to pm me whenever u return. if u have internet acess while in wdw then just post from orlando!!!!! We always enjoy live stories greatly

 

[pooky_uk]

Thanks for the tip about the book Bexx - I had aimed to get the Brit guide by S Veness but WH smith only had the 04 version.....I WILL buy the 05 version when it is out - really want this book as a brit's viewpoint will be more informable!



I just don't know how I'm going to contain my exitement for the next 4/5 months!!!

 

[Bexx]

I just don't know how I'm going to contain my exitement for the next 4/5 months!!!

Tell me about it!! You're going to have a great time.