Need some help!

[Melann]

My boyfriend and I are driving in to FL on Dec. 31st. We have a room booked at a Hampton Inn in Altamonte Springs, FL from the 31st until Jan 3rd. We are checking into Disney January 3rd. Here is what I need some help with...Is anyone familiar with the Altamonte Springs area and could give some nice restaurants to go to eat to while we are there and anything to do on new years day. I was thinking of driving to some outlet malls...what is close by? Also, he wants to go to Universal and I want to do Islands of Adventure? Neither one of us have never been to either park, but we don't want to buy more than a one park ticket b/c of what we have already spent for the Disney package. We are both in our early 20's...what park would you suggest going to? Thanks in Advance! Happy Holidays!

 

[gschmerl]

I would say IOA. I know it's my favorite!!

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

You can get a one day, two park pass for about $10-15 more than a single park pass.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Can you stay closer??? Altamonte Springs is about 1/2 hour away from Universal, but you travel on I 4 which can make it longer.

 

[Melann]

We booked the hotel in Altamonte Springs b/c it was super cheap...but we are willing to move if we can get a better rate or maybe just even be closer. Any suggestions?

 

[the Dark Marauder]

When do you plan on going to Universal? Crowds will diminish after 1/1, so you'll be able to hit both parks in one day if you go commando and fully utilize express/express plus. If you're really good, you can hit IOA first, be done by around 12-1 and then hit USF until 7.

 

[Dznefreek]

I live in Altamonte Springs about 10 minutes from the Hampton Inn you are staying at.

Nearby Restaurants:
TGIF
Bennigans
Red Lobster
Olive Garden
Kobe
Sweet Tomatoes
Wing House
Amigo's
Ale House
Bahama Breeze
Straub's
Longhorn Steakhouse
Outback
Carrabba's
Stinewood Grill
Sam Snead's
Applebee's
Hooter's
Gator's
The Melting Pot
Hop's
Pebble's
Too Jay's Deli
Also all of the usual fast-food places.

Most are within minutes of the hotel, others 5-7 minutes at the most.

Outlet Malls
Belz is near IOA/USF
Premiere Outlets near Lake Buena Vista
Altamonte Mall
Seminole Mall

Traffic can be ungodly! If you leave for the parks during rush hour plan on 30 - 45 mins. Non peak times I have made it is as little as 20 minutes. You can travel down Edgewater which parallels I-4 and miss a good part of the traffic.

Any other questions, just ask!

 

[SpideyHulk24]

If you go to priceline and pick the Intl. Drive area, you can sometimes get a 3-4 star hotel for $30. I stayed at Wyndham for that price. Great hotel and service.

 

[Melann]

How do you think crowds will be at Universal on Jan 1st? Has anyone gone that day before? we figured it would be a madhouse, and thought we would go to Universal Jan 2nd! thank you so much for all of your help, and i definately plan to check priceline out!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

The 31st is the madhouse. 1/1 is tame in the morning, as many people are sleeping off their hangovers It starts to pick up during in the afternoon, but it will not be 60 minute wait busy. It can get up to 30-45 minute wait busy, but you never know. After the NYE weekend passes, the crowds disappear...