Our first Florida family vacation was in 1998. Arielle was almost 4 and Mitchel was 2. On Sept 25th , we packed up the van, rented a small 20 inch TV and VCR, set it up between the two front seat and set out for 1847 miles trip (2992 kms). At mile 19 Arielle asked "Are we almost at Disney World yet". Travelling approximately 9 hours a day, the three day trip was surprisingly very pleasant, the kids watched movies all the way down, we would stop on average every four hours at a McDonalds so that the kids could run around the play area.
We stayed 20 nights at a Days Inn suite in Old Town. Purchased a one year membership at Disney World and a 7 day Flex pass. We went to the 4 Disney theme parks at least 3 times each. Going early in the morning, returning for an afternoon swim/nap and sometime returning to the park at night for a few hours. We also spent 2 days each at Universal, Sea World and Wet & Wild.
We also included one day at Water Mania, the dinner theatres shows Arabian Nights and Medieval Times and on the final day in Florida a visit to Green Meadow petting farm, which turned out to be the kids favourite of all the parks.
Favourite family restaurant: Rainforest Café.
Overall, a very relaxing vacation despite the kids ages, having the time to spread out your visits to the parks and going off season helps a lot.
Arielle with Goofy
Arielle & Mitchel near Rainforest Cafe
In 2006, Arielle was 11 and Mitchel 9. We left on Sept 13th , this time the kids enjoyed watching DVD movies, playing X-Box which was hooked up to the in van DVD system and playing on their DS. Took two days to drive down.
We stayed 28 days in a two bedroom unit at the Diamond Polynesian Isles Resort in Kissimmee. $37.21 a night, taxes included through SkyAuction. Very nice resort, TripAdvisor presently as it at #11 out of 217 hotels in Kissimmee.
Diamond Polynesian Isles
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In the first 14 days we took our time doing all the Disney theme parks several time each plus we including 3 days Disney Quest, 2 days each at Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. We also went to see the Cirque du Soleil ( La Nouba), fantastic show!
In the next 14 days we did Universal, IOA, Sea World and Wet & Wild several times each and included the dinner theatres Medieval Times and Pirates. We also attended the Halloween Horror Night at Universal. It consisted of 7 haunted houses, three shows and three scare zones. Finally we travelled to Cocoa beach for a day.
Most days we would return to the resort in the early afternoon to relax and sometimes return at night went the crowds would subside. Overall, the parks were fairly quiet, we were able to ride the parks best rides several time, sometimes not even getting off the ride to stand in line. I remember going twice and sometimes 3 times in a row at Test Track, Soaring, Tower of terror, RocknRoller coaster and Space Mountain.
Favourite restaurants: Sharks Underwater Grill at Sea World, Golden Corral and Rainforest Cafe.
Kids favourite desert: Giant sundae called the Earthquake at Ghirardellis in downtown Disney. (8 scoops of ice cream, 8 toppings of your choice, bananas, chocolate, whipped cream).
Mom & Dad favourite desert: Caramel Cheesecake and Raspberry Napoleon at San Francisco Pastry at Universal Studios.
MGM
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Sharks Underwater Grill at Sea World
Giant sundae called the Earthquake at Ghirardellis
Caramel Cheesecake and Raspberry Napoleon at San Francisco Pastry
Magic Kingdom
In 2007, we left on Aug 15th , drove down again but this time we made a small detour for a couple of days at Hershey Theme Park in Pennsylvania. Then we stayed 4 nights on the beach at the Bahama House Hotel in Daytona Beach before heading to Orlando for 25 days. We stayed for 4 nights at Vacation Villas at Fantasy World, in a 2 bedroom resort, price $78.66 a night. Then to Orbit One Resort for 7 nights, the price for a 2 bedroom unit, $30.00 a night , finally 2 weeks at Wyndham Cypress Palms, again in a two bedroom unit, price per night, tax included $30.00. All of these through SkyAuction. Usually cheaper if you stay at least a week! We enjoyed all of the resorts we stayed in including last years Diamond Polynesian Isles Resort but our favourite was Wyndham Cypress Palms. All of them rate high on TripAdvisor.
We practically did the same thing as last year, all the Disney parks several times and the Flex ticket parks but this time we include two trips to Busch Gardens. We also spent a day at the Orlando Science Museum.
Favourite restaurants: Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Texas de Brazil, Salt Island, Sweet Tomatoes, Bahama Breeze, Macaroni Grill and Golden Corral.
Favourite deserts: Same as above. Went to Ghirardellis 4 times and San Francisco Pastry 3 times.
Bahama House Hotel in Daytona Beach
Bahama House Hotel in Daytona Beach- Sunrise
Orbit One Resort
Orbit One Resort
Orbit One Resort
Wyndham Cypress Palms
Wyndham Cypress Palms
Wyndham Cypress Palms
Wyndham Cypress Palms
Wyndham Cypress Palms
Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Mom and Arielle at Epcot
Epcot
Busch Gardens
Wet & Wild
Now with our 2009 trip coming up , what can we possibly do that we havent done before! Presently we are leaving on Aug 19th . Stopping somewhere near Boston, havent booked the hotel yet. This is a 6 hour drive for us. Then on to the Crowne Plazas near Washington after another 6 hour drive,, ( total cost $62.74 through Priceline) so that the next day we can take the Auto-Train in Lorton, VA. The Amtrak Auto-Train leaves at 4 p.m and accommodates vehicles. It travels overnight , arriving in Sanford , Florida at 09:00 a.m. We are getting two roomettes and the meals are included.
We may leave on the 18th and visit 6 Flags Theme Park New England in Springfield. Not sure what to do, cant stand large crowds, maybe someone can tell me how busy they get on a Wednesday in late August.
We arrived on the 22nd for a one night stay at The Courtyard Marriott in Melbourne, FL., ( total cost $65.50 through Priceline) The next day we are leaving on a 4 days Bahamas Cruise on Carnivals Sensation. We have booked two outside cabins with adjoining rooms. Arielle and Mitchel have never been on a train or a cruise and we are keeping this part of the vacation a secret.
On the 27th we are staying one night at The Courtyard Marriott in West Palm Beach. ($63.47, Priceline) On the 28th, we are staying one week at Wyndham Sea Gardens, right on the beach in Pompano Beach in a studio unit, full kitchen, washer/drier. Price $30.85 a night, Skyauction. Finally, we are returning to our favourite Orlando resort , Wyndham Cypress Palms in a 2 bedroom unit for two weeks. Price per night, $30.85, Skyauction.
This time around we are going to do the Jungle Queen River Boat cruise in Fort Lauderdale during our stay in Pompano Beach. When in Orlando we are going to do the Flex tickets which includes Universal, IOA, Wet & Wild, Sea World, Busch Gardens and the new water park Aquatica. We are also going to do Mitchels favourite, Disney Quest a few times, Typhon Laggoon and also the Blue Man Group.
We are going to skip the Disney theme parks this time around. Nothing has been added at the Disney parks since our last visit in 2007, on the other hand the Universal parks have added the Simpson ride, changed Earthquake to Disaster and the new roller coaster The Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit should be ready by the time we get there. Aquatica will be new for us and Sea World will have its new roller coaster , Manta.
So there you have it, I think this trip should be more exciting than the last three.
We stayed 20 nights at a Days Inn suite in Old Town. Purchased a one year membership at Disney World and a 7 day Flex pass. We went to the 4 Disney theme parks at least 3 times each. Going early in the morning, returning for an afternoon swim/nap and sometime returning to the park at night for a few hours. We also spent 2 days each at Universal, Sea World and Wet & Wild.
We also included one day at Water Mania, the dinner theatres shows Arabian Nights and Medieval Times and on the final day in Florida a visit to Green Meadow petting farm, which turned out to be the kids favourite of all the parks.
Favourite family restaurant: Rainforest Café.
Overall, a very relaxing vacation despite the kids ages, having the time to spread out your visits to the parks and going off season helps a lot.
Arielle with Goofy
Arielle & Mitchel near Rainforest Cafe
In 2006, Arielle was 11 and Mitchel 9. We left on Sept 13th , this time the kids enjoyed watching DVD movies, playing X-Box which was hooked up to the in van DVD system and playing on their DS. Took two days to drive down.
We stayed 28 days in a two bedroom unit at the Diamond Polynesian Isles Resort in Kissimmee. $37.21 a night, taxes included through SkyAuction. Very nice resort, TripAdvisor presently as it at #11 out of 217 hotels in Kissimmee.
Diamond Polynesian Isles
In the first 14 days we took our time doing all the Disney theme parks several time each plus we including 3 days Disney Quest, 2 days each at Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. We also went to see the Cirque du Soleil ( La Nouba), fantastic show!
In the next 14 days we did Universal, IOA, Sea World and Wet & Wild several times each and included the dinner theatres Medieval Times and Pirates. We also attended the Halloween Horror Night at Universal. It consisted of 7 haunted houses, three shows and three scare zones. Finally we travelled to Cocoa beach for a day.
Most days we would return to the resort in the early afternoon to relax and sometimes return at night went the crowds would subside. Overall, the parks were fairly quiet, we were able to ride the parks best rides several time, sometimes not even getting off the ride to stand in line. I remember going twice and sometimes 3 times in a row at Test Track, Soaring, Tower of terror, RocknRoller coaster and Space Mountain.
Favourite restaurants: Sharks Underwater Grill at Sea World, Golden Corral and Rainforest Cafe.
Kids favourite desert: Giant sundae called the Earthquake at Ghirardellis in downtown Disney. (8 scoops of ice cream, 8 toppings of your choice, bananas, chocolate, whipped cream).
Mom & Dad favourite desert: Caramel Cheesecake and Raspberry Napoleon at San Francisco Pastry at Universal Studios.
MGM
Sharks Underwater Grill at Sea World
Giant sundae called the Earthquake at Ghirardellis
Caramel Cheesecake and Raspberry Napoleon at San Francisco Pastry
Magic Kingdom
In 2007, we left on Aug 15th , drove down again but this time we made a small detour for a couple of days at Hershey Theme Park in Pennsylvania. Then we stayed 4 nights on the beach at the Bahama House Hotel in Daytona Beach before heading to Orlando for 25 days. We stayed for 4 nights at Vacation Villas at Fantasy World, in a 2 bedroom resort, price $78.66 a night. Then to Orbit One Resort for 7 nights, the price for a 2 bedroom unit, $30.00 a night , finally 2 weeks at Wyndham Cypress Palms, again in a two bedroom unit, price per night, tax included $30.00. All of these through SkyAuction. Usually cheaper if you stay at least a week! We enjoyed all of the resorts we stayed in including last years Diamond Polynesian Isles Resort but our favourite was Wyndham Cypress Palms. All of them rate high on TripAdvisor.
We practically did the same thing as last year, all the Disney parks several times and the Flex ticket parks but this time we include two trips to Busch Gardens. We also spent a day at the Orlando Science Museum.
Favourite restaurants: Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Texas de Brazil, Salt Island, Sweet Tomatoes, Bahama Breeze, Macaroni Grill and Golden Corral.
Favourite deserts: Same as above. Went to Ghirardellis 4 times and San Francisco Pastry 3 times.
Bahama House Hotel in Daytona Beach
Bahama House Hotel in Daytona Beach- Sunrise
Orbit One Resort
Orbit One Resort
Orbit One Resort
Wyndham Cypress Palms
Wyndham Cypress Palms
Wyndham Cypress Palms
Wyndham Cypress Palms
Wyndham Cypress Palms
Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Mom and Arielle at Epcot
Epcot
Busch Gardens
Wet & Wild
Now with our 2009 trip coming up , what can we possibly do that we havent done before! Presently we are leaving on Aug 19th . Stopping somewhere near Boston, havent booked the hotel yet. This is a 6 hour drive for us. Then on to the Crowne Plazas near Washington after another 6 hour drive,, ( total cost $62.74 through Priceline) so that the next day we can take the Auto-Train in Lorton, VA. The Amtrak Auto-Train leaves at 4 p.m and accommodates vehicles. It travels overnight , arriving in Sanford , Florida at 09:00 a.m. We are getting two roomettes and the meals are included.
We may leave on the 18th and visit 6 Flags Theme Park New England in Springfield. Not sure what to do, cant stand large crowds, maybe someone can tell me how busy they get on a Wednesday in late August.
We arrived on the 22nd for a one night stay at The Courtyard Marriott in Melbourne, FL., ( total cost $65.50 through Priceline) The next day we are leaving on a 4 days Bahamas Cruise on Carnivals Sensation. We have booked two outside cabins with adjoining rooms. Arielle and Mitchel have never been on a train or a cruise and we are keeping this part of the vacation a secret.
On the 27th we are staying one night at The Courtyard Marriott in West Palm Beach. ($63.47, Priceline) On the 28th, we are staying one week at Wyndham Sea Gardens, right on the beach in Pompano Beach in a studio unit, full kitchen, washer/drier. Price $30.85 a night, Skyauction. Finally, we are returning to our favourite Orlando resort , Wyndham Cypress Palms in a 2 bedroom unit for two weeks. Price per night, $30.85, Skyauction.
This time around we are going to do the Jungle Queen River Boat cruise in Fort Lauderdale during our stay in Pompano Beach. When in Orlando we are going to do the Flex tickets which includes Universal, IOA, Wet & Wild, Sea World, Busch Gardens and the new water park Aquatica. We are also going to do Mitchels favourite, Disney Quest a few times, Typhon Laggoon and also the Blue Man Group.
We are going to skip the Disney theme parks this time around. Nothing has been added at the Disney parks since our last visit in 2007, on the other hand the Universal parks have added the Simpson ride, changed Earthquake to Disaster and the new roller coaster The Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit should be ready by the time we get there. Aquatica will be new for us and Sea World will have its new roller coaster , Manta.
So there you have it, I think this trip should be more exciting than the last three.
