Orlando Florida...has anyone taken a vacation there?
By maddysmommy
@maddysmommy (16230)
United States
June 14, 2007 12:58pm CST
My husband wants to take our family to Orlando Florida in August for a family vacation and also to celebrate my son's 5th birthday. This will be our very first family vacation together and I just wanted to hear from those who have visited there, what sites did you see? was it worth the money spent? any recommendations on what we should do? or hotels to stay at and so forth. Feel free to post links that I can look at as well. Thanks in advance.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
14 Jun 07
I have been to orlando many times with my family. If you are going to go to a theme park, make sure that it is one that has appropriate rides/attractions that your son would like. You can search them on the net. We went to the Island of Adventures one time and my boys were ready to leave before 5pm. For the cost of admission, it was a real waste! I love Dinsneyland, but my boys didn't~ they were also a bit older when we went, so I bet that your 5 yr old will love it.
When looking for a place to stay I would suggest that you get a resort where you have a kitchen in the room. We tend to get sick of eating out for every meal and it is also much cheaper to buy groceries and have the food in the room.
If you are not interested in purchasing a time share, stay clear of all the scemes they have down there to get you to look at them. They are very very nice and easily to get sucked into the thought of having a 5 star vacation every year. If you do go on a tour to get free tickets or something, they say it takes 90 minutes and it usually takes about 2-3 hours.
I actually am one that has gotten sucked into purchasing a time share. We loved it! But the expense has gotten nuts. I rent it out for what we pay on the years that we can't use it, just to stay out of the negative. If you can't find a nice place to stay, let me know and I will see if I can get my place for you at my cost. It is a 5 star resort minutes from Disney. I will try to attach photos for you.
Also, there are tons of places to go in the evenings. Our favorite place is Downtown Disney. Your son would love leggoland. They have huge things made out of leggos there and the kids can also build right there~ it is a very fun place to go.
Hope this helped you:)
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
14 Jun 07
WOW thanks for that information sunshine. I would have to pass the information onto my husband regarding the timeshare part - not sure if we would be interested in that but thanks for sharing anyways. Most definitely going to look into Disneyland and possibly Seaworld. My son has a fascination for sea animals so I know that would be one attraction to go to. Not sure how long he is planning our vacation as it may only be 3-4 days tops (depending on how much leave he has left). Thanks so much for the advice, will keep you posted.
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
15 Jun 07
OMG! Your son will love sea world. I have never been to the one in Orlando, but I have been to one in Ohio~I bet the Orlando one is much better and I loved Ohio! Have a blast!
1 person likes this
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
20 Jun 07
Thanks for marking me best response. I bet you will have a blast for your sons birthday.
If you decide you want some info on the condo let me know. It is only available for a week at a time, but it sleeps 8 so you can bring lots of people:) Anyways, I'm jealous because I want to go to Sea World too!! Have fun!
@ibuemma (2953)
• United States
14 Jun 07
i did visit Orlando couple years back. maybe you can check Unversal Theme Park. I'm not sure what their website. but i think they offer a really good deal package including free rental car while you there...universal studio and theme parks is in one location side by side...I really enjoy it, interesting place not only for children also for the parents!
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
14 Jun 07
Thanks for that ibuemma, I will check out Universal Theme Park. I know my husband mentioned Seaworld and something about being able to play with the dolphins? that would be very exciting to do. Thanks again for your response.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
14 Jun 07
My family has been to Orlando quite a few times. I have always found it well worth the money. Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios are the major attractions. There is also a Medieval Times restaurant there as well. We are actually going to Disney for 5 days in a few weeks and are planning to hit Sea World while we are there.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
6 Jul 07
Awesome, hope you had a wonderful time sedel1027 and thanks for taking time out to respond! Looking foward to our trip in August!
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
6 Jul 07
I live in Florida I have been to Orlando a few times to go to Walt Disney World. I think you will all three have a great time but it is always packed during the summer. I like to go when it's not as crowded.I hope your son has a great birthday if you'll do go.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
6 Jul 07
I hope we do have a great time. Since it is the only time my husband can take leave, we thought we would go for it anyways. So looking forward to it and thanks for responding Shaun72!
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
6 Jul 07
Thank you so much molusk my friend, we will most definitely enjoy it and I'll post some pics for all to see when as well.