"I'm going to DisneyWorld!" Help!!!

Varangi

Varangi

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I thought I'd reach out to the smartest folks I know. Just got a great deal on airfare for the family+ (7) to Orlando- Now I need to figure out the rest. We getting at 6:30pm this Sunday, the 14th and leaving Thursday Morning. Epcot, The Magic Kingdom, and Harry Potter @ Universal are the topic. Were thinking of staying outside the complex and renting a car- maybe a 2-3 bedroom Apt. w/ a 30min drive to the park. We're old hands at Disneyland out here on the left coast but a fish out of water in Orlando.
I closest I've ever been to Orlando is the swamps of Camp Rudder @Eglin AFB.

Any info or experience would be appreciated.

Mike
 
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Varangi said:
I thought I'd reach out to the smartest folks I know. Just got a great deal on airfare for the family+ (7) to Orlando- Now I need to figure out the rest. We getting at 6:30pm this Sunday, the 14th and leaving Thursday Morning. Epcot, The Magic Kingdom, and Harry Potter @ Universal are the topic. Were thinking of staying outside the complex and renting a car- maybe a 2-3 bedroom Apt. w/ a 30min drive to the park. We're old hands at Disneyland out here on the left coast but a fish out of water in Orlando.
I closest I've ever been to Orlando is the swamps of Camp Rudder @Eglin AFB.



Any info or experience would be appreciated.

Mike
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Bring lots of money/credit cards, good walking shoes and lots of patience. The fireworks at EPCOT are not to be missed.

You do know what EPCOT stands for don't you?
Every Person Comes Out Tired!:D
 
Ugg you poor guy headed to mousetrap. lol.We are about 45 minutes from disney. I haven't. been on disney since. a young tot in 1969. lol. If ya get tired of the mouse. I'll. take you to frog bones indoor range. pistol and long gun . It's. with in walking distance. from home. lol
 
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Varangi said:
Were thinking of staying outside the complex and renting a car- maybe a 2-3 bedroom Apt. w/ a 30min drive to the park.

Any info or experience would be appreciated.

Mike
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My suggestion would be if you are going to rent to go West of Mousetown not East toward Orlando, it gets more expensive in that direction. Look West over toward Clermont on Rte 27 and that area, or North around Apopka, easy to get to in 30 minutes or less.
 
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Oh yeah, this is going to cut into the gun fund! Ditto on the comfortable shoes and comfy clothing, your going to do a lota hoofing and such. Only spent one day there had to fulfill a promise to my daughter to stop there on the way home from the Florida Keys, scuba diving you know. Wasn't too bad, only bled from the nose, ears and wallet! Do have a good time now!
 
You've got military icons in your avatar line. If you're eligible, check out Shades of Green, the military-owned resort on Disney property.

Shades of Green Resort

The largest rooms on Disney property. Was actually one of the first Disney hotels, the Golf Resort or Disney Inn. Purchased by the military and reopened in 1994. It's next to the Polynesian, and you could walk to the Ticket and Transportation Center if you were of a mind. Your room rate goes up as your rank goes up, and you can hold up to three rooms. SOG runs their own transportation system, and you also have access to Disney's internal system as well. Deep discounts on tickets. Couple good restaurants, and an AFES store on property.
 
I took my family years ago when the kids were the appropriate age. Money disappears like water vapor. The weather is very unpredictable at this time of year. It may be sunny and quite warm and a few hours later dark rain clouds, showers and cold wind. Go prepared for this because buying gear in the area is expensive!

Orlando is far enough north to get chilly in the winter.
 
You didn't leave much time for planning. We've stayed in the town of Davenport several times, usually rent a large house for 15 of us but usually rented in advance. Short drive to the park, watch your speed, they like to hand out coupons on the long driveway into the park.
 
Go to Epcot and sample the beverages of each country. Photos indicate my buddy and I made it all the way round to Mexico but my memory of it escapes me. I do recall some awesome wine flights in France (served by awesome French ladies) and some spectacular bruschetta served with a Chianti in Italy. Sapporo and sashimi in Japan I seem to remember being pretty tasty as well.
 

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Having spent several years building EPCOT on the '80's I feel uniquely qualified to advise: Bring money (5$digit credit limit plastic will suffice), comfy shoes and a coat. This time of year you can have 80 degrees today and 40 tomorrow, after the rain stops. If you have a large group, a condo "off property" would be ideal. This is sort of "slow season" between Christmas and Spring Break. Enjoy. Joe
 
Well if it is this time of year you are DOOMED!:D

Spend the extra money and stay IN the Park. It is so much more convient. You can just jump on the tram, bus whatever in get where you want so much faster.

Staying outside is like the worst commute to work ever!

The All-star Movie, Sports and Music Resorts are reasonable, nothing fancy but all you need is a bed, They are fine and they have basic dinning right there.

Get up, eat something, jump on transportation and then wait in line at what ever you want to see. The lines this time of year will be LONG.

Trust me, been there done inside outside many times when the kids were young, will never stay outside the park again (actually will never go there again:D)

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/p...sney world hotels|108071926748|e|15400yt14045
 
Oh, Mike:

You really didn't leave yourself nearly enough time to plan this, did you? My best advice is to try and snag a copy of this book - "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World":

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-Guide-Walt-Disney-World/dp/1628090367"]The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2016: Bob Sehlinger, Len Testa: 9781628090369: Amazon.com: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51wJyb-5C0L.@@AMEPARAM@@51wJyb-5C0L[/ame]

Try to get the most current edition. Most times, you can find a copy on the shelves of your local library. It can be a godsend in helping you plan, and giving you a lot of time saving tips.

One of the best bits of advice I will give you is to buy and bring ponchos for everyone. Pack them in a small backpack, and have someone tote it all over the darn place. Yeah, people will look and snicker, and you'll feel like an idiot...until it starts raining and everyone is running around like the Wicked Witch worrying about melting. You'll feel like the smartest person in the world, and your kids will give you the "oh...he is so WISE" look. Priceless. You can also use the ponchos on the Safari boat ride to keep from getting drenched and having to walk around all day in soggy underwear.

Also, please be patient. You'll run into some of the biggest horse's rear ends in the world there. You cannot fix them, but you can easily get sucked into their sickness and meanness and really ruin your trip. Just Charlie Mike and keep cool.

For the kids, one of the best things our kids did in EPCOT was to visit the kiosks in every "country" and we took pictures of them wearing the hats of that country - British Bobby Helmets in England, Moroccan Fez in Morocco, etc. If they still have it, the "Princess Dinner" in Norway is to die for. It is expensive, but you'll eat some of the best chow in the world there.

I'm kind of glad our kids are older now (18 and 20), but we built some really excellent memories, and had lots of fun at WDW.

Best of luck to you and yours, please let us know how it turns out.

Regards,

Dave
 
Haven't been in decades since my babies were babies. Oldest now has 3 sons with the oldest being 8.

When we did go, my wife's father was in a wheelchair having been paralyzed from the waist down. When you arrive at a ride, the wheelchair goes to the head of the line along with all in the party.

Not suggesting anything, just saying. ;)
 
You did pick a great time to go. I use to work at Disney World and from January-March the crowds weren't as crazy and the lines were reasonable. Weather this time of year is always good in Florida too. Everyone likes to go in the summer and forgets we have our rainy season that time of year. I'm sure you guys are going to have a blast.

Renting a house or apt is a good idea. There are house rentals in the Kissimmee area just minutes from Disney. Not sure how long you're staying but Sea World is also conveniently close to Universal and a great place to see.
 
Comrad said:
You didn't leave much time for planning. We've stayed in the town of Davenport several times, usually rent a large house for 15 of us but usually rented in advance. Short drive to the park, watch your speed, they like to hand out coupons on the long driveway into the park.
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Our best friends live in Davenport, right off 27 in Deer Creek.

The town is growing like crazy, they just had a traffic light installed at the entrance to their development. :D
 
Universal is great but the roller coaster is not for the faint of heart. :eek: :(

My nephew works at Universal, and has been since college, they've paid pretty much for his Masters.

Some good restaurants on site also.
 
Disneyworld is a blast where we have had some of our best family vacations. Good less expensive food and entertainment is all around (you do pay admission - yes) when you do not feel like splurging. Good restaurants in town if you stay off premises. There is also cheaper lodging on premises these days, which is fine since you will be exhausted and pass out every night anyway. There are lots of books on Disneyworld (I like the Birnbaum book) that are well worth it and have great tips - more than I can post here. Get a guide book and it will answer your questions. There is so much to know. My favorite ride is the Test Track in EPCOT and I enjoy the Living Seas Restaurant and the German Pavilion (What liquid is Germany known for?). My wife and I honeymooned there and we have fond memories of Tony's Restaurant on Main Street. There are a legion of special events that change with the day that you can get into if you know how. Last time, we were at a sit down "Desert Buffet" overlooking the Magic Kingdom Fireworks from the top of a restaurant building. Just have fun.
 
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