Presidents Day

[SidB]

We're due to fly to Orlando in 9 days and I've heard that it's Presidents Day whilst we're out there. Can anybody tell me what effect this may have on us, busy parks, traffic, shopping, eating etc.

Thanks

 

[Scotfan]

Hi there, we'll be there too. it will be our 5th visit this week and we wont be doing a park on Presidents day, the whole weekend is busy but not unmanagable if you use fastpass. We plan to do IOA on the Sunday, also the parks are open longer and have more parades. From the wednesday the parks start to quieten.
When do you go and how long for? If you can spare the time away from main parks I would have a shopping day or pool if its warm enough.
Saturday nights are always busy in restaurants, we once spent ages in a gridlock then had a long wait at the restaurant, so now we go somewhere very close on a saturday, never had a problem any other day.
If you have any specific questions fire away.

 

[SidB]

Hi Scotfan, thanks for offering the advise. We fly out on the 12th, returning on the 2nd March. It's not our first visit. We went in April 2001 and had a 10-day pass. We had a fantastic time, much better than I'd expected. I had this image of how Americans behaved, and this was totally changed. The service we got everywhere (except McDonald's) was outstanding, especially at Disney. My youngest daughter was only 4 when we went last time so a lot will have been forgotten. I can't wait to see her face when we get to MK, first stop of course. The other thing I want to re-live is the character breakfast at the Contemporary. There's loads of other stuff we want to do but we'll never get time to fit it all in. Both of my daughters want to do Discovery Cove but the credit card won't stretch that far this time.

We're going to pack this weekend so some advise on what sort of clothes to pack would help. Is it shorts weather during the day ?

 

[WDWfan uk]

Sid pack your shorts but also take some warmer clothes for the evening - the early mornings and nights are cool at this time of year usually..... I'd advise layers - even in March we've had to wear sweatshirts first thing and then as it warms up you can peel off the layers! ( We always rent a locker so we can store the extras we take for early am and evenings).

 

[Kilted_Yank]

Originally posted by SidB


I had this image of how Americans behaved, and this was totally changed.

I hope you mean that you image was changed in a positve way... we try to make our viditors feel welcome, especially those from the UK.

 

[SidB]

Yeh, sorry, I thought that sounded bad just after I sent it. OK, the image I had came from TV (shouldn't believe everything I see) and from the very "loud" tourists I encounter in Oxford.

One wonderful experience I had was when we were waiting to take the monorail into MK. A lady with her kids noticed our accents and this started up a conversation. By the end of our short journey She'd told us loads; she was from LA, her husband was a lawyer and at a convention, she had 10 kids (!), Disney Orlando was so much better than the park on the west coast, which rides would be good for our kids (she was so right). I could go on. We bumped into her again going around the park, and each time she asked how we were getting on, which rides we had taken, what we were doing next etc. She really restored my faith in human nature.

Why do you think I'm coming back ?

 

[Kilted_Yank]

Glad to hear that you enjoyed your encounters with my countrymen here at home... as for the Americans you encountered at Oxford... what can I say? all cultures produce some buffoons. My wife did her Masters and Ph.D at Essex, and tended to avoid many other Americans for that same reason.

I hope you enjoy your upcoming visit... as it turns out, I'll be at wdw around the same time, so if you happen to see a large black man in a kilt, that'll probably be me, so be sure to stop and say hello!

Cheers,

Bill

 

[SidB]

Bill,

I'm sure if you're there I'll see you, especially if it's windy. I suppose you'll end up as an extra attraction for the ladies.

Seeing as I have you attention are there any good websites for finding the weather forecasts for Orlando ?

We're starting our parks with the MK on the 13th and plan to visit Animal Kingdom and MGM, as well as a Disney water park if it's warm enough. We've left our plans fairly flexible and will be visiting parks more than once I'm sure. I'm hoping to finish the holiday with Fantasmic.

Might see you there....

 

[Olaf]

Try this one Sid. It's from the National Weather Service.

NWS

After reading your second post, I was worried you would be offended by the talkative American woman. Many Brits tell me that they find us a bit too forward and too nosey. Oh well, I guess it's better than being too loud.

Bill, tell me you're joking about wearing that kilt around WDW? You're gonna get some strange looks. You'd be better off wearing socks with sandals.

 

[Kilted_Yank]

Originally posted by Olaf
Bill, tell me you're joking about wearing that kilt around WDW? You're gonna get some strange looks. You'd be better off wearing socks with sandals.

You couldn't be more wrong. I wear a kilt almost every day, yes, even in the winter. From time to time people give me odd looks, but for the most part, people tend to think it is rather cool. Many people like the look, and others (particularly women) realise that a man in a kilt... especially in America, where we place too much value on clothing, is exceptionally confident and really doesn't care what most people think. Basically, I 'm a bit of a nonconformist, which made me a rarity when I was in the Marines, and a continued rarity in federal law enforcement.

Have a nice day

 

[SidB]

Now that would be some sight. I find it difficult to imagine an black ex-marine in a kilt on a windy day at WDW. If you were wearing socks and sandals..............

Only kidding. You realise I'm going to spend all of my time at WDW wondering if you're around.

So when are you there, which parks, are you taking kids etc etc ?

Bill, respect.

 

[Olaf]

Oh God Bless! A guy in a kilt WITH socks and sandals! Now that would be a sight to see!

Don't you find the wool a wee bit itchy? I remember wearing a kilt as a little girl and that wool was worse than my itchy petticoats.

 

[Scotfan]

Now this I have to see!
DH, DF and DS's will have their kilts with them, but that is for formal nights on the cruise the following week, certainly not for wearing round the parks. I think it may be a bit too warm ( or hope so anyway) for them.
BTW what tartan do you wear?