Florida - time for an updated thread for 2017

[Giraffe]

We are heading that way again soon for some Disney magic and all other things Florida and wondered whether anyone has any recent this year experience. I know [MENTION=6886]Bozza[/MENTION] has for sure.

Core questions from me are:

- What is the new Pandora land like? Is it worth it as I have previous not liked Animal Kingdom very much, too crowded and not the same nice vibe as other parks.
- Anything new at any of the other parks since we went last summer?
- Shall we do two days at Universal or not? Struggling to justify the money on this, but equally I did very much enjoy the Harry Potter bit last year.
- What are the best tips for eating cheap but well. Any favourite restaurants on Disney and off?
- What else in Florida is a must for you outside of Disney/Universal. We have hired a car so are willing to go further afield for the odd day out.
- finally the 18 year old is 18 when we are out there. Any suggestions for a great way to celebrate this?

Probably worth saying that there are six of us going, two proper adults, a 20, an 18, a 15 and a 14 year old. An assortment of very brave, go on anything types, and a couple of cowards who struggle with anything tougher than "It's a Small World"

 

[BevBHA]

Where are you staying? There are loads of good restaurants I could recommend in Kissimmee area.

For a day out go to Busch Gardens, it's excellent and well worth the hour or so drive - will make the very brave ones you mention very happy.

With regards to Universal, I personally love the park with Hulk and the bigger rides in and not so much the other park. However the prices are so close paying for one park and doing both that's it's better VFM to do both.

 

[casbom]

It's so expensive these days, we're going over for just a few days in early Sept as won 5 nights at the Sheraton Vistana, and luckily I work in travel so can get cheap flights but the tickets are a rip!

We are going to do Disney and Universal in 2020, but I would say Universal is worth it, just make sure your ticket includes access to the new Volcano water park which opened last month.

Something special, what about the shooting range? I think you can go there, just need to buy your own bullets (walmart) and go along and pay to try out different guns. Don't think the under 18s can do this though!


I love Red Lobster and Carrabas - good value food from a couple of decent chains.

 

[ditchy]

Carrabas a great no nonsense chain with decent food !

 

[Bozza]

My specialist subject!

On my recent solo trip, I didn't go to Pandora (it wasn't open, but they were doing limited capacity trials of it) as I wanted to save it for when we go back as a family. However, as an avid Disney podcast and vlog consumer, it does seem to be very well regarded with exceptional theming and two decent ride additions.

Also new: Animal Kingdom being open at night, including night time safaris and the new "Rivers of Light" show. (I've not done either - same reason as above). You might not have done the new Soarin' yet either, nor the Frozen revision to the old Maelstrom ride in Norway. Disney's Hollywood Studios is a bit of a building site, but the relatively new night time Star Wars firework show is absolutely AMAZING and a must see. Wishes (night time fireworks show) has now gone from the Magic Kingdom and been replaced.

Depending on where you are staying, I'd do Universal over two days and stay at one of the on-site hotels (we like the Hard Rock) to get Front of the Line access, meaning you can jump the queue on most rides, so you can ride favourites repeatedly with minimal/no wait. It also means no one has to drive anywhere at the end of the day and you can enjoy City Walk's many bars and the like, as well as the great pools (they'll let you drink in the poo tool, unlike DIsney). Volcano Bay, Universal's new water park opened recently too.

Last year we went to Kennedy Space Centre for the first time in years and it was amazing, far exceeding my memories and expectations. The Atlantis exhibit in particular is exceptional. I won't give any spoilers, but I was choking back a few tears at one point.

Maybe combine the above with a day out on the coast too. Last month I went out to Cocoa Beach for the first time, sat on the pier and watched a rocket launch. The beach itself is gorgeous.

Busch Gardens is also well worth a visit if you've not been before or not recently.

Disney restaurants that are amongst our favourites are: Boma, Sanaa, Teppan Edo, Coral Reef and California Grill. The latter could be a great choice for your special occasion as you can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from there - a great alternative spot.

What dates are you going?

 

[Simster]

We went last year, and here is my top tip:

It is definitely worth paying for the Universal queue jumping upgrade even though it is expensive. However, DON'T simply pay for these passes.
Instead, you should pack an overnight back and just check-in to one of Universal's 2 or 3 premium hotels for a single night, and then do the Universal parks on both the check-in and check-out days. If you do it this way, you get the queue jumping pass on BOTH your check-in AND check-out days, so it suddenly becomes far more economical. You also get early entry to the Harry Potter parts of the park which aren't actually covered by these queue jumping passes.

Honestly, you will thank me for this if you follow that advice.

 

[Bozza]

We went last year, and here is my top tip:

It is definitely worth paying for the Universal queue jumping upgrade even though it is expensive. However, DON'T simply pay for these passes.
Instead, you should pack an overnight back and just check-in to one of Universal's 2 or 3 premium hotels for a single night, and then do the Universal parks on both the check-in and check-out days. If you do it this way, you get the queue jumping pass on BOTH your check-in AND check-out days, so it suddenly becomes far more economical. You also get early entry to the Harry Potter parts of the park which aren't actually covered by these queue jumping passes.

Honestly, you will thank me for this if you follow that advice.

Who have you this wonderful advice?

 

[Simster]

Who have you this wonderful advice?

You have me this fine advice, Mr B. And thanks very much for it too.

 

[whitelion]

Try an alligator farm.
An airboat ride in the Everglades - alligators in the wild and Seminole habitats.
Key West - Hemingway history.
Florida Keys - swim with the dolphins.

 

[Withdean11]

If you haven't already, i would recommend booking an air boat ride on the Everglades (there are locations close to Orlando). This was an unexpected highlight of my trip last year. Good thrill from the air boat ride and great spotting the wild alligators, snakes and turtles.

Coupled this up with an afternoon at Gatorland. Also worth a visit IMO.

 

[The_Viper]

Never been to Disney, been to Cocoa Beach a few times now but never jumped into the disney adventure, what are the top 3 best places to go when doing that?

 

[Bozza]

It's so expensive these days, we're going over for just a few days in early Sept as won 5 nights at the Sheraton Vistana, and luckily I work in travel so can get cheap flights but the tickets are a rip!

I don't think park tickets are that bad if you are going for a more typical 2 or 3 week stay - the 'per day' cost comes down considerably if you buy the UK specific 14 or 21 day Disney ticket, although here's clearly some element of trying to dissuade people from buying tickets for Universal in that. Once you've got your Disney ticket, each day spent there is 'free' which makes a Universal ticket look expensive by comparison.

 

[grubbyhands]

Try an alligator farm.
An airboat ride in the Everglades - alligators in the wild and Seminole habitats.
Key West - Hemingway history.
Florida Keys - swim with the dolphins.

All of the above but the airboat is so sodding noisy don't expect to see any gaters.

 

[casbom]

I don't think park tickets are that bad if you are going for a more typical 2 or 3 week stay - the 'per day' cost comes down considerably if you buy the UK specific 14 or 21 day Disney ticket, although here's clearly some element of trying to dissuade people from buying tickets for Universal in that. Once you've got your Disney ticket, each day spent there is 'free' which makes a Universal ticket look expensive by comparison.

I guess it depends on how many tickets your buying.
For me 2 Adults and (in 2020) kids will be aged 11, 9 and 6. Cost currently for a 5 day Disney ticket (5 tickets) in total is £2500! Add on Universal tickets (another grand) and it's a lot even before Flights, car, Hotel/Villa and spending money. But yeah I agree Universal is comparatively speaking more expensive for what you get.

 

[Bozza]

I guess it depends on how many tickets your buying.
For me 2 Adults and (in 2020) kids will be aged 11, 9 and 6. Cost currently for a 5 day Disney ticket (5 tickets) in total is £2500! Add on Universal tickets (another grand) and it's a lot even before Flights, car, Hotel/Villa and spending money. But yeah I agree Universal is comparatively speaking more expensive for what you get.

Your numbers can't be right.

Last year I bought 5 * 14-day adult tickets (we weren't actually a party of 5 adults, but it made sense to pay for the kids as adults due to a quirk of the Disney Dining Plan) and it was £1540 for the tickets. That will be more for this year, but not that much more!

 

[dazzer6666]

Try an alligator farm.
An airboat ride in the Everglades - alligators in the wild and Seminole habitats.
Key West - Hemingway history.
Florida Keys - swim with the dolphins.

This - Dolphins Plus in Key Largo is brilliant. Miles better than the Disney version

Go to Coco beach and hire a boat (with skipper and Mate). Fishing, visit some islands etc. Great fun and not too expensive

If you have the time, combine Busch Gardens with a night in Clearwater - lovely Florida seaside town, fantastic beach.

Balls I want to go back now :-(

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

We went last year, and here is my top tip:

It is definitely worth paying for the Universal queue jumping upgrade even though it is expensive. However, DON'T simply pay for these passes.
Instead, you should pack an overnight back and just check-in to one of Universal's 2 or 3 premium hotels for a single night, and then do the Universal parks on both the check-in and check-out days. If you do it this way, you get the queue jumping pass on BOTH your check-in AND check-out days, so it suddenly becomes far more economical. You also get early entry to the Harry Potter parts of the park which aren't actually covered by these queue jumping passes.

Honestly, you will thank me for this if you follow that advice.

You can pick the fast passes up for a lot cheaper if you get in early $40/50 - problem is people leave it till later and the price shoots up.

The early access to HP is brilliant and free when you buy tickets Via Virgin lol

Busch Gardens is very underrated as well - Discovery Cove is massively over rated and priced

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

[MENTION=6886]Bozza[/MENTION] may agree with me - but the Dibb website is a brilliant place to read up on things - loads of reviews and the like.

Full of absolute weirdos, but a good resource

 

[casbom]

Your numbers can't be right.

Last year I bought 5 * 14-day adult tickets (we weren't actually a party of 5 adults, but it made sense to pay for the kids as adults due to a quirk of the Disney Dining Plan) and it was £1540 for the tickets. That will be more for this year, but not that much more!

Yeah your right! haha! That price is for both Disney and Universal - Disney 5 day magic your way ticket for 3 Adults and 2 Children comes to £1437, with the Universal 3 day ticket coming to £1080 - I got a bit mixed up!

Both through undercovertourist

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

For tickets

Play agencies off against each other - they all have targets to hit so will sell them at net if you time it right