WDW and Surrounding Florida

[Shuyinsama]

Dear People of WDW,

As a big fan of Disney me and my girlfriend decided to visit Walt Disney World for the first time after being in Disneyland Paris for 25+ times.
For us Europeans this is a huge step and difference compared to Disneyland Paris but we are extremely excited!

We will be arriving on November 11th this year and are staying for 11 nights at the All Star Movie Resort.
We imagine it would take us a most of this time to get used to all the Parks and Attractions but as fans of basically everything that surrounds it we want to take it slow our first time. (we are definitely coming back next year probably)

Now we know it is possible to get a transportation to and from Universal Studios and we plan on doing this on one day only.

But what about Florida/Orlando itself? is there a place surrounding the Theme parks where you can maybe go to a mall? Wal-Mart? etc
Basically we want to see a bit of Florida/Orlando too if possible just for one day we would be traveling from our Resort in the morning if possible and go back in the late evening maybe.
Does anyone have some tips maybe going about doing this?

Thank you in advance!

Kind Regards,
Patrick

 

[scdak]

Are you renting a car or planning on using Disney transportation and public transportation? That will help others give you some answers and suggestions.

 

[Shuyinsama]

We do have drivers licenses but we hope to rely on the Public transportation.
(or Disney Transportation depends on where it takes you) but we are not familiar with the Resort or Surroundings at all.

So Public Transport it is I guess.

 

[goofy4tink]

Welcome to the DIS!!! I guess you could always get a cab to take you to a neaby mall, and then another one to get you back to WDW.
I'm just not sure I would take up valuable time outside of WDW, at a mall. But, you're from Europe, so probably feel a bit differently than I do. Perhaps someone can give you a good, nearby mall to head to.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

There is a nice Outlet Mall not far from Disney on the other side of Interstate 4...I would just take a taxi to that and either arrange with the taxi driver for a time to be picked back up or take their phone number and call them when you are ready tp be picked up.

 

[Shuyinsama]

Thank you.

And yes we've considered a cab too, But also very unsure about the prices for a cab.

As for the valuable time... We are also considering it haha.
We are so unsure on the time management it could entirely be possible that we are not going into Florida itself but Universal is definitely something we are doing. I mean Disneyland Paris could be done in 1 day (2.5 if you are going for your first time) but Walt Disney World... The Magic Kingdom alone is bigger I believe haha.

We are wondering how accessible everything is/could be.

 

[abk96]

Hi...do you know about Downtown Disney? It's not outside of Disney World but it's sort of like an outside mall. And Disney transportation takes you there. Lots of shops and places to eat.

Stick around these boards and you'll feel like you know the place before you even get there.

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, Just a thought that if you are really interested in going to Universal, you may want to consider staying on property there for a nite or 2,this would give you front of the line (FOTL) access to Universal and Islands of Adventure rides. One nite stay gives you 2 park days of FOTL. IMHO the BEST way to see and do the Universal Parks. Universal is closer to the airport and also has a great outlet shopping mall nearby. You could rent a car from the airport,go to Universal and do some shopping in that area for the first 2 or 3 days and then head over to WDW with the rental car. You can then turn the rental car in on WDW property and use Disney transportation to go anywhere on WDW property. And you could take the Disney Magical Express back to the airport when you have to return home. (the Transportation Board would be the place to look for the best deals on car rentals. Orlando has good signage for getting around or you could rent a GPS with the car) Keep reading the DIS boards and keep asking ??'s it is the BEST way to know the parks before you visit. Joan

 

[RedfromNL]

Hi, as a fellow european (where are you from by the way?) I can tell you what we do. It might be usefull.

We are renting a car for most of our trip, 14 days. It's relatively cheap and makes it really easy to take several short trips in the area.

There are many, many malls in Orlando alone. We quite liked Mall at Millenia, there are a lot of outlets as well. It was nice to spend a few evenings there since many are open till late.

We are planning at least one trip to the Space center and one day-trip to some small towns nearby. (well by american standards nearby anyway)
And a few afternoon/evening trips to those malls.

We looked at the public transport options and decided against it.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I have found the Orlando bus system (called Lynx) very easy to use - though not at all as efficient as what you find in Europe - it is certainly very good for what we have here in the States. There are 2 lynx bus lines (#50, #56 ) that go from Disney's Ticket and Transportation Center and also more than that from Downtown Disney.

Check www.golynx.com for more information. Fare is $2 per person.

#50 goes to Seaworld and connects there to #8 which takes you along I drive and to the outlet malls - #50 continues on to the main downtown bus terminal - Lake Eola is about 6 blocks away there might be worth investigating - will get you out of the tourist area and into some downtown culture.

#111 goes to the airport but passes by Florida Mall on the way -it is not my favorite Orlando Mall but I enjoy it - oops looks like they have changed this and this line now only goes from Seaworld (Westwood Blvd) to the Airport - not directly from Disney as it used to - still possible but not quite as simple - still passes by Florida Mall.

#56 goes to Kissimmee Osceola Square Mall - think there may pass by a Target not sure about walmart - may be worth looking into but I haven't personally used this line as I have the others - it would probably take you through more tourist areas of Orlando.

Mall of Millenia is a bit more difficult but possible with some changes - but may not be worth the time.

Also the Visitors Center on I drive has bus schedules and trolley maps - they also have a list of how to get to popular destinations using the i drive trolley and the lynx bus system - plus there is also a visitors center downtown in the Lake Eola area.

Renting a car will give you the most freedom of course and if you do I would suggest Mall of Millenia.

 

[Sue M]

The I-Trolley makes lots of stops all over the place. To malls and other attractions. It's been awhile since I used it. They have 2 lines. One trip we stayed at the Universal Doubletree and the I-Trolley stop was just in front of our hotel. We used it a couple of times.
But first you'd have to find out the closest stop to WDW to pick it up. http://www.iridetrolley.com/visitorInformation/maps.asp
I see the closest Trolley stop from WDW would be the LBV Premium Outlet mall. Its fairly close to DTD, so you could take your resort bus to DTD and get a cab from there to the LBV Premium outlet. Shop, and hop on the Trolly for other parts.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Here is the link for Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando - they have lots of activities year round - from WDW you can reach it by taking Lynx #50.

http://www.cityoforlando.net/fpr/html/parks/lakeeola.htm