Medieval Times

[bwoodhouse]

I'm visiting Orlando for the first time in May/June this year. I've been planning it for the last couple of months and have decided that we probably won't hire a car (staying on International drive - Rodeway Inn) and getting a limo to/from the airport. The I-Ride Trolley seems to have most things covered and we'll use the hotel shuttle to WDW.

My question is how easy is it to get to places like Medieval Times via Taxi? I have read somewhere that Taxi's are expensive and difficult to obtain in Orlando, is this true?

We may yet hire a car for a few days (KSC for example) but I drive enough at home and a holiday without driving sounds great!!

Thanks in advance
Brendan

 

[SimonV]

Hi Brendan, and welcome to the DIS! I'm afraid you'll find getting from I-Drive to somewhere like Medieval Times almost impossible without either a car or taxi. There is no direct public transport between the two areas, hence you may be better off going on one of the organised trips to the dinner shows which most tour operators arrange, or using a company like Mears shuttles (although for four, you may even be better off with a taxi as Mears charge per person). Hope that helps!

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

I'd recommend hiring a car, even for a few days. We have been to FL 11 times and had a car every time. I just can't imagine being without it and that's not just because we stay in Kissimmee now. Even when we used to stay on I Drive we had a car.

There are just too many limitations on you without a car imho. Everything is SO spread out over there. Remember that Florida state is the size of the UK.

Why not think about a car for a few days then you can have some extra freedom and use the trolley etc when you are without it. I'll bet you will feel the benefit.

Just as an aside - what attracts you to Medieval Times? I have never seen the attraction of the dinner shows. They are one tourist trap too far for me. Sorry, I hope that doesn't sound rude. I don't mean it to be.

Louise

 

[bwoodhouse]

Thanks for your replies.

Miss Mickey Mania - One of the other reasons for shying away from a hire car is I hear that I-Drive is an almost permanent car park, if that's true I'd rather have someone else do the driving!! What was your experience of I-Drive traffic?

Medieval times just appeals to us. It's not the sort of thing that I can see myself attending in the UK so thought we'd give it a go. One of our party (17 year old girl) so it on TV recently and thought that it looked good fun. Have you had a bad experience of it?

Brendan

 

[mariechez]

We thought we wouldn't need a car last year (our first trip) how wrong we were, its really hard to imagine just how spread some of the places are. Just going to one shop next door to another sometimes needs a car trip. We didn't have any problems with traffic and after a couple of days my DH really loved driving.

As for the Med Times l'm afraid almost everything that l read about it hasn't been that good. There is so much more to see and do and for a first trip l def wouldn't bother. Save your money and have a character meal instead.

You will have a fantastic time and will certainly want to go back. We said it would be a one off and hear l am 12 months on getting ready for my second trip.

 

[allie5]

I have to agree with Marie. I couldnt consider NOT having a car, unless I was having my entire vacation staying on site at Disney. Its very hard to visualise just HOW far apart everything is when you havent been. I-Drive is 10 miles long from top to bottom for example (tho most attractions are in the top 4 mile stretch). There are plenty of ways to avoid the traffic on I-drive...the I-4 runs pretty much parallell from Sea World up to Belz on one side and Universal Boulevard runs the otherside from The Pointe* up to Universal Studios / Kirkman Rd .(*edited to add...DH reminded me this has been extended all the way down to Sea World now).

Without a car you are at the mercy of the hotel buses and have to be REALLY careful not to miss your one back "home". Leaving Magic Kingdom after the fireworks can take upto 45 mins...if you miss the last bus you are looking at a BIG taxi fare. You cannot, feasibly come back for a break either, which can be important if you have small children with you. Reaching attractions like Medieval Times, airboat rides, shopping malls and even the Wal-Mart (not to be missed US Superstore ) is next to impossible without your own transport.

Im the worlds biggest coward (Tower of Terror?? No chance!!) but even I can drive in Florida...it really is easy peasy lemon squeezy. You will have a much more fullfilling and less stressfull holiday WITH a car, in my opinion. Though, the limo from the airport DOES sound good!!

Medieval Times?? Personally....wouldnt bother. Expensive, poor quality food, mediocre entertainment. Consider Mickeys Backyard BBQ, Hoop de Doo Revue or one of the other FAR FAR superior Disney meal experiences than MT. Sea World also do a "Dine With Shamu experience, which may be worth a look.

Happy holidays!

Allie

 

[Enright78]

Have to agree with the othewrs, to get the best out of your trip a car will give you the chance to see so much more.
We have been at various times of the year and never really been in bad traffic jams, you need to remember that Florida is BIG with big roads and low speed limits, so driving is no problem at all. DH also says drivers are more courteous there.

On Med times I'd also agree with others..without a car it will be difficult and expensive.
I would tend to go for a special meal on Disney property (Hoop de Doo or Ohanas) or maybe the new Dolly parton dinner show which seems to come highly recommended.
JMHO

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

Well Brendan, we found the I Drive traffic to be pretty busy at the Wet and Wild end but not quite so bad at the 'quieter' end. I'm not sure which end you're staying at . Evenings can get crazy with so many going to and from evening activities.

There's not actually all that much on I Drive imo. Some restaurants of course which is very handy but any shopping is EXTREMELY touristy and not the best. I just wouldn't like you to limit yourselves to that strip as there is so much more. It's a good base though, nice and central.

For something fun, go to Wonderworks which you will recognise - it looks like an upside down building! There's also Ripley's believe it or not museum and an amazing FAO Schwartz store which is an experience even if you don't have kids.

I haven't personally been to Medieval Times but have heard that it is overpriced with very mediocre food. I've only ever been to one dinner show and that was the wild west one which is closed now I think. It was ok but nothing to write home about.

Why not try a Disney evening show like Hoop de Doo at Fort Wilderness?

Louise

 

[bwoodhouse]

Louise

We are staying very close to Wet n Wild and I've heard that the drive from this end to WDW can be a nightmare, although that view doesn't seem well represented in this thread!!

From the comments so far I think I'm starting to change my mind about the car so next question is: Any recommendations for car hire company's? I've had a look at holiday autos and airline-network and have a good idea of what I should be paying - unless anyone has a great recommendation for somewhere!!

As for Medieval Times I'd have a hard job convincing the rest of my party not to go but my expectations have certainly been lowered!! Perhaps I'll post a report when I get back

Brendan

 

[allie5]

There is no question that I-Drive from Sandlake Rd upto Kirkman Rd can be a nightmare at times. If you are going to Disney, Kissimmee or anywhere that ISNT on that top stretch then the traffic is easily avoided. If you are staying between Sandlake and Kirkman Rd, then there are quite a few back ways to avoid a lot as well. Universal Boulevard is WONDERFUL...you can cut back onto I-drive in several places. Most convienantly, it exits right back next to Wet & Wild. The traffic is worst early evenings when people fight to get to all the restaurants. You can either walk, or cut down to others down the plaza end (same chains down there, just quieter!!). With a little planning, you wont be adversely affected.

 

[SimonV]

Despite a lot of the posts here, I do actually enjoy MT quite a lot (Dixie Stampede is a superior show all-round, mind you), and I think kids in particular get a lot out of it. The food is pretty ordinary, true, but there is usually stacks of it (I defy anyone to leave hungry!), and a lot of the action is very skiful and energetic. If you don't enjoy audience participation (i.e. cheering loudly for your 'knight') this is probably not for you, but, with the Medieval Life exhibition and the quality of the 'castle' surroundings, I think it's good fun (especially if you can pick up a show discount - click Here! ).

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

Brendan, I think the name of the car hire website we use is Yes car hire. It was a bit cheaper than the others we had used and utilises Dollar which is onsite at McCoy airport. Not sure about Sanford but I suppose it's the same.

I don't know the website addy but I'm sure if you put in a search on yahoo it'll come up.

Louise

 

[Enright78]

We ahve used www.airlinenetwork.co.uk for the last few trips and been very impressed at the prices/service

 

[Azune]

Don't know if anyone will read this now as it was a couple of weeks ago when it was posted but I have to say, in my times visiting Orlando I have never felt that the traffic was really bad along international drive. After all this is the UK board all of you must encounter much worse traffic on our roads! So I wouldn't let that worry you!