I've heard negative comments about Orlando...

[PChef]

Hi

I'm in the process of planning a trip to Florida next Feb. In discussions with some others at the school gate, I heard comments like, WDW is OK for the kids, but the rest is just like Blackpool...? Lots of concrete...

Please reassure me as I definitely do not want to spend £3k + to end up anywhere remotely like Blackpool!! To which parts could they be referring, so I can avoid them? (Sorry to anyone who lives in/loves/visits Blackpool, I don't mean to offend, it's just not what I'm looking for!)

Michelle

 

[Deedee]

Have these people got a life!!! Its the best place ever and as for ok for the kids i must know a lot of adult kids!!! Go for it and i can guarantee you will be planning your next trip on the plane coming home.

 

[carolfoy]

I suppose the comparison could be made by looking along some of the main streets, maingate, int drive etc, there are quite a lot of amusement type areas with rides, arcaeds, some tacky gift shops etc but apart from that I'd say orlando was the polar opposite of blackpool - theres cheap places to eat almost all hotels are a fairly good standard. people are friendly and helpful,
And WDW is wasted on the kids! you'll be surprised by the amount of childless couples there - of all ages! its absolutely superb, can't fault it!
if you're staying on site you'll be so swept up in the magic any slight 'tackiness' is done with more magic than you can shake a wand at

 

[Disney D]

That's ridiculous!! I don't see how anyone could say it's like Blackpool! I've been there 4 times (5th trip coming up November).

I Drive has lots of souvenir shops, restaurants, bungee, Go Karts, that type of thing, but no way would I say it's like Blackpool.

It's worth every penny of your £3k. You go there and enjoy yourself and if you're expecting it to be like blackpool, you will have a very nice surprise cos it's absolutely nothing like it.

 

[PChef]

Thanks, everyone for your reassurance.

I guess every area with tourists has slightly tacky gift shops, 'attractions' etc. and Orlando probably has more tourists than most...!

We are planning on staying somewhere like Bahama Bay, with a communal heated pool. This area is supposed to be quieter and a bit more rural. We don't mind a 20-30 min drive to the parks. We will certainly try to see some of 'real' Florida, maybe an airboat tour, perhaps a visit to Winter Park or Disney's Wilderness Preserve.

Anyway I'm prepared to have an open mind! Not sure why people would want to make such comments, though...

Michelle

 

[alisonbestford]

If you could drive to one of the beaches for a few nights too that could be fun

We stayed in New Smyrna Beach this last Easter and at Clearwater last Feb

The locals will tell you that it's far too cold to go to the beach in Feb but DD (7) was in the pool everyday

 

[carolfoy]

Anyway I'm prepared to have an open mind! Not sure why people would want to make such comments, though...

Michelle

Jealousy?
seriously though, not everywhere suits everyone so you'll make up your own mind but with millions of brits returning year after year, americans returning several times a year and every nationality under the sun also visiting, as well as the BBC poll for top 50 places to see before you die rating it at number 3 they can't be doing much wrong!

 

[Lisa Francis]

I absolutely agree with everyone else.

We went for the first time last year and loved it. Everywhere was spotlessly clean, I never saw any bad behaviour or drunkeness. Oh and the sun shined every day.

We were in a villa for our hols and only once went up and down International Drive. I have to say my partner and I were glad we were in a villa as International Drive was busier and if I am honest one or two buildings could do with a lick of paint but I think this is only because it is the older part of the town.

It is in no way like Blackpool though.

I come from up North originally and absolutely hate Blackpool. I can honestly say don't let anybody put you off you will love it. It was a pleasure to go to places where everybody is pleasant, polite and has a smile. Even the donkey's at Blackpool look sad. Perhaps they should try and get a holiday to Animal Kingdom.

Please book you will not regret it.

We are going back in 5 weeks that's how much we enjoyed it.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I live near Blackpool, about 5 miles away.

Believe me there are no similarities.
The problem with B/pool is not necessarily the place itself just the some of the people it attracts, especially in the summer.
Seems to be a popular venue for stag and hen nights etc , consequently it is common to see
gangs of people walking around in fancy dress and just going round the pubs and bars all day.

In Orlando there are areas of I-drive with the discount stores etc that we find a bit too busy (tacky?...maybe) although we have stayed and had good holidays there - but it's certainly not rowdy or loud in anyway, personally we now prefer the seclusion of a private villa.

Blackpool is more like Ibiza I would have thought, though I have not been there myself.

To compare to anywhere in Florida is crazy to be honest.

 

[AndRu]

Orlando / WDW is just like Blackpool? That's like saying Orlando Bloom is like Johnny Vegas.

Sure, there are "tacky" areas but that's the same of any tourist region. On the whole Orlando / WDW is a beautiful, clean and nice place to be. You don't get gangs of drunkards or have to step over 'pavement pizza' there ike you do in British / European seaside towns.

Orlando is THE family holiday destination for the world and in my opinion it sets the benchmark that every other tourist resort should aspire to. Yes, it is expensive but you can do orlando on a budget if you plan properly. If you're taking children then they will have a good time - and as every parent knows, if you can keep them happy, you'll be happy.

I cannot recommend Orlando and WDW highly enough and hope that you get the chance to visit one day to find out for yourself.

 

[angel659]

Hi

Blackpool??????????????????????? No comparison in my opinion. Ok I Drive has some tacky shops, but you dont have to go there. You may want to go shopping at 192.

Its a great place and so many things you can do. Please book your holiday and dont pay any attention to these people. Perhaps as Carol said they are jelous. Its a fab place and I cant wait to go back Oct 2007. I have been 5 times and its still not enough. I also want to move out there. I cant until I finish my nursing training.

Believe me you will love it.

 

[ely3857]

Ask them when they went, chances are the never have been!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Jodie

 

[Leanne1977]

I totally agree, no comparison. In my opinion it is pure jealousy that you are going and they arent.

I really don't like people that try to put a dampener on peoples plans with stupid comments.

I have had this myself with some jealous people. Comments like "we wouldnt consider going until the children are at least 8, they won't get anything out of it!!!!!" WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes people just can't be happy for others.

It will truly be the best holiday you have ever had. We wouldnt consider holidaying anywhere else.

 

[arieljasmine]

I totally agree with everyone else's comments, and just wanted to add that it is definitely not just for kids!! Me and DH are both in our twenties without kids, and will be going for the fifth time in September - I can't wait.

You might find it interesting to have a look on the trip reports board to see the sheer range of posibilities available to you in Orlando.

Have a great trip and make up your own mind, I'm sure you will love it.

ArielJasmine

 

[SimonV]

Carol Foy and Johnny Sharp (among others) are spot on with their comments here. There ARE a few superficial similarities (the tacky gift shop plazas are horribly numerous in places), while Blackpool also has some nice areas (and a beach!) that you won't find in Orlando. But the comparison doesn't bear much scrutiny and I defy anyone not to enjoy a trip here, with children or without. There is nowhere like Orlando anywhere else on earth, and it delivers more fun, in more ways, with more detail and value for money than you could ever imagine

 

[PChef]

Thanks for your comments, everyone. It certainly was not the impression I had received from reading these boards, so I was confused!

I don't mind the odd tacky area, we can avoid those, I guess it was the drunken English gangs of lads that 'Blackpool' conjures up for me, that had me worried! (Found in many Med. resorts, not just Blackpool!)

The kids will certainly be coming along!! We have just back from DLP and have caught the Disney bug!!

Michelle

 

[tashasmum]

We have been going to Florida for the last 10 years,our dd was only 4 the first time she went. This year we are not going until xmas as we thought that we would try something different in the summer. International drive area is more touristy than anywhere else but it is still nothing compared to Blackpool.
When you are in the parks the kids will probably be in awe of everything and will want to do as much as possible but you really need to pace youselves. You will be surprised by the amount of people and then when you look down on the floor there is no rubbish. When did you last see that in Blackpool?
I have never spoke to anybody that did not like Florida. Hope you enjoy it if you do decide to go.

 

[Frances999]

Many of my friends think the same and believe it is really tacky and touristy. I agree with the others that most people who pass such comments probably haven't been there themselves - mostly due to their preconceived ideas about what it will be like.

You'll have a wonderful time!

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

You usually find these comments from a person who has never been and heard from a friend off a friend who had a friend with a friend of there get the picture? It usually is jealousy,I have heard comments when we have been or going on the lines of "Oh no it just isnt for us!" now you will never know if you never go! if people dont fancy it? I never understand why its much more than parks! My partners mother and father came and they was the "it isnt for us" and they enjoyed it!

It isnt all concrete! believe me there is so much there you wont believe,and the tacky gift shops spotted around the places arent like blackpool!

NO ONE CAN COMPARE DISNEY TO BLACKPOOL! its crazy! they are crazy!

The magic,the breathe taking parks, the faces on little kiddies,and adults...honestly you have no worries at all! and believe me once you've been once you are hooked line and sinker!

 

[Sarnia]

We wanted to go to the Bahamas for our honeymoon, but the all inclusive place we wanted to stay at was so expensive that we could't afford 2 weeks at the time. However, staying at WDW for an extra week was only a little extra so we did that.

I was a bit embarrased telling people we were going to WDW, and wasn't really looking forward to it, as I thought it was only for kids.

Well to cut a long story short, WDW was by far the best bit, I wished we'd spent the whole 2 weeks there! Now we have been to WDW 4 times since, own Disney Vacation Club at SSR, and plan to go for two weeks every year.