Its Nice To Share - The Last Day

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Bob, what is it like to actually live in Orlando? Sorry for all the questions but just really interested to hear a locals point of view.

Bev, living in Florida in general is 3 months of misery and 9 months of bliss. Of course I'm referring to the weather. To me, mid-June through mid-September are hot and horrible but they're the price we pay for the mostly-beautiful rest of the year. So we spend our days indoors or in air conditioned cars and shopping malls.

Tourists are concentrated south of the Turnpike along Kirkman, I-Drive and into the Disney area. Most locals don't live in that area so it's quite easy to say that unless you work in the tourism sector, there is not that much mixing of tourists and locals. You won't drive to the Altamonte Mall to shop, locals don't go to Festival Bay to shop. (Of course there is mixing at Florida Mall and Mall at Millenia.) I've lived in Florida for over 30 years but in Orlando less than 10. My job is actually in the north suburbs but when we moved here we made the conscious decision not to live in the north suburbia of Seminole County but instead live near the attractions. In other words, we wanted to be tourists in our own city. We've had Sea World annual passes, Universal annual passes and EPCOT annual passes, but not at the same time. We currently just have Pleasure Island annual passes (which unfortunately is coming to an end.)

I appreciate tourism and I think most local people do to. Orlando was just a cow town until Mickey arrived so basically none of us would even be here were it not for tourism. That's true even though I'm not in the tourist business nor are most people living here. Yes, at some point the theme parks are just there; I can hear the Wishes fireworks most nights.

For our family (DW & DS) vacations, we're in to cruising so that's what we do 2-3 times per year. We had a cruise this past May out of Barcelona to Malta, Italy and France.

The €/£/$ ratio is definitely in your favor right now so please come back, bring your friends and enjoy your visits.

BobK/O-town

 

[wicket2005]

Thanks Bob, I found your reply really interesting. It is nice to hear what Orlando is like from from a living point of view. Just read your reply to my hubbie and he found it interesting too.

I am hoping at some point to be able to visit Orlando other than university/college holidays ie July/August, though I do like the heat but not necessarily the humidity which does make a difference. So it sounds like the other 9 months of the year would be ideal to us too. Who am I kidding, I would go to Orlando any month I could.

We are back across next July which we are all looking forward to, just seems a long way a way now but I know how quickly time goes by so shouldnt really wish my life away.

All the very best.

Bev

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I am hoping at some point to be able to visit Orlando other than university/college holidays ie July/August, though I do like the heat.

When you have kids you do need to work around their school schedules. Our DS attends the University of Central Florida here in Orlando but he still likes to travel with us.

Months like October/November/April are indeed pleasant here. Theme park operating hours are shorter but you can pretty much get on any ride with a 5 minute wait or no wait at all. And THAT is an awesome way to do the parks!

Nice chatting with you.

BobK/Mouseland

 

[wicket2005]

Sounds good to me. We have been in February 3 times when the kids were younger and the weather was a bit hit and miss. We were there in 1998 when the tornado stuck Orlando and that was some freaky weather. All the tv channels were beeping.

It is nice your son wants to come on holiday with you. We enjoy having our two with us and think it will be change when they are not with us, especially, when we go to Orlando with all our family memories there.

 

[arieljasmine]

Thanks so much for sharing your live trip reports, I have so enjoyed reading them. I will look forward to seeing the rest of your photos.

Thanks to Bob too, I was also very interested in your take on living in Orlando.

Laur's

 

[mandymouse]

Thanks for sharing your fab trip reports Bev, it's been lovely to catch up with you everyday

Thanks again

 

[PoppyAnna]

Bev,
I've just read all the days of your reports from start to finish, really enjoyable - thanks for sharing

 

[mark&sue]

always good to have the next holiday booked


susan

 

[wicket2005]

Thanks for your kind comments. I enjoyed doing them and am enjoying adding photos to them at the moment.

At least we are booked for next year which is the only way I can leave the place knowing I am set to come back.

I hope you all enjoy your holidays.