Florida Tips/Suggestions?

[TheKrow]

Hi all,

Just wanted to say what a great community this is and I look forward to being a part of it for the forseeable future!

Myself and my girlfriend will be travelling from the UK on 2nd June for 2 weeks and we really can't wait! I've been once or twice before but the last time was in 2007 and it was with my folks.

We are staying near Pointe Orlando on I-Drive and we don't have a car so we will be using the I-Ride Trolley to get around.

We don't plan on going to Disney just because it's really expensive and we know we want to go to Universal so we're likely to get the Flexi-Ticket.

So far we have a list of the following to do within the two weeks:

- Universal Studios
- Islands of Adventure
- SeaWorld
- Wet 'n Wild
- Aquatica
- Ripley's
- Wonderworks
- Mini-Golf
- Premium Outlets
- Mall at Milennia

We're looking to mainly eat at Ponderosa/Golden Corral with a trip to NBA City & Hooters thrown in for good measure!

I was hoping I could get some tips/suggestions on other things we can do? I would really like to see the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom/Illuminations, is it possible to see these without getting entry to the Disney parks? Also, are there any other attractions/events/restaurants you would recommend on International Drive or in the surrounding areas?

Thanks for reading this, I look forward to hearing your suggestions!

- TheKrow

 

[Kath2003]

:I was hoping I could get some tips/suggestions on other things we can do? I would really like to see the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom/Illuminations, is it possible to see these without getting entry to the Disney parks? Also, are there any other attractions/events/restaurants you would recommend on International Drive or in the surrounding areas?

The only way you could do see the fireworks without a Disney Ticket would be to eat at one of the Disney restaurants which overlook the MK. I don't know the details of these but they are not cheap.

There's a thread at the top of the page with a list of loads of Orlando restaurants, and their locations. I-Drive has pretty much everything you could ever want to eat!

There are two Premium Outlets - one at the North end of I-Drive, and the one at the very South end. The I-Ride trolley goes to both.

 

[TheKrow]

Thanks Kath! I'd read somewhere that you could see the IllumiNations fireworks from somewhere in Downtown Disney? I don't think eating at a Disney Restaurant would be out of the question, however I think I read the last I-Ride Trolley is around 10pm? In which case I imagine I'd have to find other transport back to the hotel!

Are there any attractions/things to do which you would recommend other than the ones I've already listed?

Thanks again!

- TheKrow

 

[Kath2003]

Thanks Kath! I'd read somewhere that you could see the IllumiNations fireworks from somewhere in Downtown Disney? I don't think eating at a Disney Restaurant would be out of the question, however I think I read the last I-Ride Trolley is around 10pm? In which case I imagine I'd have to find other transport back to the hotel!

The I-Ride trolley doesn't go to Disney (any part of it). And it stops at 10:30pm.

To get to Disney you'd need to use hotel shuttles, Mears shuttles, taxis or the Lynx bus (8 or I-Ride Trolley to Sea World, then 50 to Disney).

The last Lynx 50 bus is midnight from the Transportation and Ticket Center in Disney (shortly after this from Downtown Disney), except on Sundays when it's 10:45pm. The 8 runs until 2am from Sea World so you'd be able to catch that to get back to your hotel.

 

[rosh]

If you can get there I would definitely pay Busch Gardens a visit - one of my favourite parks, and also it works out cheaper to buy a Seaworld 3 park ticket and a Universal ticket seperately rather than a flexticket.

 

[Tony Toon]

If you can get there I would definitely pay Busch Gardens a visit - one of my favourite parks, and also it works out cheaper to buy a Seaworld 3 park ticket and a Universal ticket seperately rather than a flexticket.

Totally agree. If you buy the tickets separately you can definitely get them cheaper than a Flexticket. Busch Gardens is definitely worth a visit and I'm sure you'll know about the bus they run from various points that takes you there and back for a nominal charge. Our kids (23 & 25) love the rides there although it's not our favourite (old fuddy duddies ). Not been to Ripley's or Wonderworks so couldn't comment. Also not tried Wet & Wild although we love the Disney Water Parks and don't think that Wet and Wild looks to have quite the ambience when we drive past it . If you're on I Drive and using the I Trolley I would give Sweet Tomatoes a visit. Makes a nice change from the usual fare in such as Ponderosa/Golden Corral and if you sign up for emails before you go and just happen to have a birthday while you're away (I've several birthdays now all under different addresses) you get loads of money off coupons that save a fortune. Texas de Brazil is great but expensive and you must eat at the Cheesecake Factory at Mall of Millenia. Make sure you're really hungry for the last 2 if you visit. We also like Logans for cheap eats and Sizzlers for a good value all you can eat buffet breakfast.

If you go to the Boardwalk in Disney and stand on the bridge which takes you over to the Beach Club Hotel you can get a pretty good view of Illuminations and you can hear the music. Standing on the beach at either the Polynesian or the Grand Floridian will give you a really good view of Wishes fireworks (minus the projections onto the Castle of course) and they pipe the music there as well. You don't have to buy anything to do either of these - you can just visit. Mind you the food at the Grand Floridian Cafe is supposed to be very good and Beaches and Cream do great burgers, ice cream and a Kitchen Sink if you're up for a challenge. Fantasmic is just a fantastic show (our absolute favourite) and while you can hear the music and see some of the fireworks at say for example Fantasia Gardens Mini Golf the way the show is set (behind a big man made mountain) means the only way to catch this is actually in the amphitheatre.

We're the opposite to you - doing Disney this summer but missing the rest. . Happy planning - it's fantastic fun and very necessary if you're going to make the most of your two weeks.

Mrs TT

 

[taylor91]

We stayed on I-Drive for 2 weeks but decided to do Disney, however we used the I-trolley and Lynx buses to get around as we didn't want to drive. I'd advise going on the Lynx bus website and print a few timetables off... they were invaluable after a hard day shopping in the malls...the last thing you want to do is stand out in the heat wondering when and if a bus is going to turn up with lots of heavy shopping You will also probably discover that the I-trolley is good for small trips but those wooden seats are uncomfortable!! Once you learn the routes of the 2 then you can pick and choose, the Lynx buses are not that expensive.
You will also need to use the Lynx buses to get to Mall at Millenia and Florida mall.
Also make sure you pick up any booklets aimed at tourists, they are great to get discounts that all add up.
If you need any help with the bus system just ask

 

[TheKrow]

Hi guys,

Thanks for taking the time to reply!

@Rosh/MrsTT: I've been to Busch Gardens once before just to ride Sheikra but I never really had chance to have a full look around! Are there any ticket sites in particular that you would recommend as the ones I've tried come out at being a little more expensive than getting the 5-park Flexi?

@MrsTT: Also I think you might have convinced me to try the Cheesecake factory!!!

I'm a total newbie when it comes to Disney, is the Boardwalk in Downtown Disney? :S

@Taylor91: Thanks for the great advice about the Lynx bus (didn't really know about it!) are they just like normal Buses in the UK and is it for Tourists or locals too?

Thanks again!

- TheKrow

 

[dixonsontour]

You will have plenty to do with no disney.

Are you staying at rosen inn pointe orlando? Lots of good eating places nearby. Don't discount non buffets. The ale house is reasonably priced and Friendley's does a meal+drink+icecream for $9.99 or $11.99.

Walgreens is also handy to stock up on snacks/water. You are fine to take water and snacks into the parks.

Do buy a refill mug at seaworld and universal if you like soda. The mugs cost about $7 - the seaworld one can be used at busch/seaworld/acquatica and the universal one at both parks all holiday. Refills cost $1.06 at seaworld and 75 cents plus tax at universal.

Do sign up for coupons two or three days before you go. Go to the restaurant website and join the email club - you will be sent a coupon for joining by email. Use your hotel zip code.

Ihop and perkins send BOGOF meal coupons and are on I drive.

Also try iridetrolley.com, valpak.com and orlandocoupons.com for discounts eg we got free maragritas at margaritaville at citiwalk from a coupon off orlando coupons.

 

[taylor91]

The Lynx buses are for anyone who wants to use them. They are like buses in the UK but more comfortable... between a bus and a coach... check out the website and the timetables and you will soon get the hang of it. http://www.golynx.com/