Hampton Lakes

[major]

Hi to all,
As I have now booked our hol for 2007, I'm looking for any info about Hampton lakes...just to keep my excitement going as we have over a yr to wait.

Also where is the best place to buy park tickets. We are also considering doing Busch gardens as this is the only park we haven't done yet...whats your opinions on this park???

Thanks
Lindax

 

[Cochise]

Busch Gardens is really good, we travelled there twice in our 3 weeks last time and have planned to include two days again. I am most excited to return to Epcot and Busch this year out of all the parks.

 

[tartangirl]

Hi,

We stayed in Hampton Lakes 3 years ago and across the road at Westridge last year. Somehow we got a luxury 5 bed villa for the price of a 3 bed. The villa was gorgeous - the estate was pretty much the same as most others which is pretty good.

Handy for Disney along Sherberth Road and easy to get to the I4 for Busch. Last year there were loads of roadworks on the I4 just before the junction which meant that at times the traffic was horrendous. I dont know if the roadworks are still there but I'd familiarise yourself with alternative routes to get to Universal as there were a couple of times we were heading for the I4, saw the traffic and just turned round and went a different route - I dont know what that route was but DH seemed to know where he was going.

It's been a couple of years since we went to Busch. We went on an absolute scorcher in July and got the opening time wrong by 30mins

By the time we arrived Rhino rally was already Qing for over an hour and never went below that all day.

Montu was broken down all the time we were there causing Qs at the other rides. DS wanted to go on Scorpion but with only a lap bar on a ride that went upside down the parents said no so he wasn't happy.

Without any fastpass system and with the July heat and crowds we didn't have a great time. The kids started to get grumpy which is a sign for us just to call it a day.

To tell you the truth I left thinking the park was a bit tacky (cheap fairground stalls where you can win cheap soft toys). It was sad because we went in 1991 and thought the park was fantastic so we went with high expectations.

That said we'll be giving it another try next year as the kids are now older and we'll get the opening time right next time.

 

[ely3857]

We stayed at Hampton Lakes last Oct and found it to be an excellent location (providing you have a car) around 1/2 between Universal and Disney with publix just 5 mins drive away.

Jodie

 

[major]

Hi
Just like to thank you all for your replies.

Cheers
Linda

 

[jax100]

we stayed in clear creek which is off u27 last week. Travel to disney was fine using the sherberth road - altho i do believe that since we came home there has been a new route opened to disney going off the 192 onto the 429(i think) for a short distance and disney is signposted from there.

shops - fine and handy for either publx and wallmart, and also a winn dixie.

Tickets we bought ours from universal. Our disney tickets we bought when we got out there using the walmart vacation shop. it worked out about a few dollars cheaper than other places which added together made a meal.

 

[coastergirls]

We have stayed at hampton lakes the last two years we have been and are staying not far from their this year. Nothing wrong with the location couldn't really fault the area or the house. In easy reach of everything you want as regards supermarkets/ restaurants and parks.
Busch gardens used to be my favourtie park but I have to agree last time we went I felt it had got a bit tacky as well with the fairground stalls.
Noticed there was not as many animals a few pens etc were empty. Dolphin show was gone and they had build or were building a ride where the orangutangs used to be. Not the park it used to be. I have to say I was disappointed too with things not working. However the kids had a great time especially the little ones who really enjoyed the Land of the Dragons as it was all small kiddie type rides and water!! They even got up on stage for the show which made their day. They had nothing to compare it to so they had a ball.
We are not going back this year much to the disgust of 9 year old who thought she would be doing the new ride.
However if you have never been before I am sure you will enjoy it .
There are a few different shows to go to and there are usually performers out and about . Girls were horrified by the lady with the snake!!
There are alway deals on as regards tickets. You get a Busch/Seaworld combo ticket.