going to Orlando any advice ?

[no golf clubs at all]

I have been fighting it for years (hate the place, walking, queing, too many people etc), but my daughter is now 11 and we reckon this is probably the last year she can a) get there on a kid fare and b) not be grumpy teenager about everything 

Any advice on which parks to go to? I have heard Universal, Sea World and Busch Gardens are great, I have been to EPCOT years ago, not sure it would give my daughter the best day out though....

[hammyhammer]

I love Orlando although probably because i'm a big kid -

I went when I was 11 and enjoyed it so much I begged my wife 2 years ago to go just the two of us.

Top tip always get to the parks when they open and use the fast pass system as soon as you get there.  Universal is excellent (been to LA one not Orlando) as an 11 year old I loved epcot.  Magic kingdom with all the rides is a must and maybe one the water parks.

Sea world is defiently worth it is a good starter as it is not as big as other parks and is fun way to walk the jet lag off.  We did a behind the scenes tour and got to touch a penguin which was fun.

An absloute must is to go to Kennedy Space center.

For car nuts going to Daytona speedway you can go to museum

If you have time the keys and everglades are fun but they are a long way down

[Gti_Mad]

The best places for Ur daughters age are busch gardens, universal islands of adventure and sea world  aquatica is a good water park plus dineys blizzard beach

[richtung]

if you are armed forces, you can get into busch gardens and seaworld for free and get discount at all the other theme parks.

go to the supermarket in the evenings and make butties and get drinks - as with most theme parks in the world, the price of food and drink is extortionate

Rich

[no golf clubs at all]

Thanks for the input guys, no sadly not armed forces though I feel i may need a military budget to make the most of this holiday 

[BeezerDiesel]

We try and go every year, my Missus is hooked on the place.
The last couple of years we've stayed in Disney hotels as it just makes life so hassle free (as long as you can get in on the free dining plan offers). They're not expensive either.
Having said that, over the last couple of years the holiday prices have at least doubled, mostly because of the fact it is so hard to get cheap flights now unless you can put up with the hassle of changing plane somewhere on route.

There's so much to do and see at all the parks I couldn't possibly recommend one in particular for an 11 year old girl (and I've go two boys anyway who will have slightly different tastes!).
If she likes Harry Potter you've just got to do that. It's done well but the area is a bit small and it gets PACKED at peak times.
Is she into rollercoasters and thrill rides? If so head more towards Universal, and she'd like Sea World too which comes under the Universal umbrella. Busch Gardens comes under the Universal banner too but I've never been arsed to go there!
If she's into more laid back things then head more towards the Disney places, their water parks are excellent too.
The Disney resorts have a definate twee character that sort of sucks you in and most of the staff are really good and get into the spirit of things. Universal staff can be a bit rude!
There's no right and wrong way of doing Orlando but you will need a definate plan of action before you go as the days just run away from you.

[garrardrj]

Don't you have to pay to go to America now......used to be a visa or similar. what do you have to pay now? It used to be free , why they charging now?

[BeezerDiesel]

An ESTA. They were free but are now £15 IIRC.
Pales into insignificance when you're paying about £600+ each for a flight!!

[gtipirelli]

Both my kids were born in Daytona so know the place well

Highly recommend the space centre, sea world and any of the water parks. The Disney village is also a nice place for a shop and lunch.

Universal boardwalk is nice and lively in the evenings for drinks/meal as well

Have a good time - I have never been in July/August so cannot comment on the crowds

[no golf clubs at all]

I'm guessing July is a busy period (4th etc?) we will do 3 parks maybe four over the fortnight, should we buy tickets before we leave the uk or buy there?

Part of the hols will be to malls for the mrs (ugh) and guitar and Apple stores for me (mac book pro on the way woo hoo), but most of all I want to make sure my wee girl has a lovely time, she said she doesnt want to go near Disney but I think she is just trying to be cool 

[Gti_Mad]

Yh it's cheaper 2 buy tickets for parks before u go dude 

[micaerin]

We absolutely love Orlando and will be visiting this September, only tip i can offer is to check out www.thedibb.co.uk for all your questions, just like this site an excellent forum with loads of friendly people more than willing to help.

[reevo]

make sure you have some realy realy comfy shoe's, your going to need em. get ya self down to old town one evening, there is a bit of a funfair and some nice little shops. not sure how you would find out but on some nights, there is an old school car show and on other nights they have bikes. plus there is a longhorn's just over the road and it's mint (if your not veggie)

eating out: i found golden coral to be the best buffy style place, there are a few to chose from, sizlers and ponderosa but for me, choice and service is a lot better at golden coral.

shopping: when visiting the mals, go to the customer services/relations and collect a discount book, they give you 10-15% off all the major store's.
 also try the flea markets, you can get some good deals on gifts n stuff, be care full with the electricals though, some of em are snide (any one want to buy a tomtom1)
ps: wallmart cheese cake is the best in the world.

[GTIjames]

Went a few times myself when i was younger and always been keen to go back, not sure quite how it works now but we got the unlimited disney pass before we flew out,  used to get to the main parks as they opened in the morning and then leave early afternoon and head to the water parks - typhoon lagoon, blizzard beach and river country as they got a bit quieter then.

went to coco beach and daytona a few times to break up the parks and you have to go to the space centre too, busch gardens was a bit of a drive from where we usually stayed so only went once but great rides

As for food probably all changed now but i liked 'steak n shake', and after visiting another state more recently i found 'chillies' pretty good.

We managed to do it cheap, by booking a flydrive and staying in these pretty budget motels around kissimmi, 19 years ago now but me mam said it cost c£600 for 2 weeks flights, accom and car for family of 4. You spend all day out and about so need for a fancy hotel, cereal from the malls for breaky, sneak in your sandwiches for lunch and then out for dinner in the evening 

[micaerin]

Believe me Prices have soared, especially Flights! were going for 20 days in September and with spending money for a family of 4 its going to cost virtually 10K