Orlando - Heading to Orlando in complete ignorance

I am going to be spending four days in Orlando and have the most ignorant possible questions.

I have not been there in 8 years, even then I did not fly in so I have no idea about MCO (and its distance from places of interest). I also have no idea of where to stay or what to do.

I am only going in order to break up an itinerary a bit without finding myself freezing in NYC between a stay in LAS and a flight out of TLV.

Should I stay somewhere close to the Mouse? Should I go downtown? If I take an airport hotel, how far would it be to whatever might be of interest in the city or any of the theme parks?

Is a car rental necessary or is public transport easily available?

In other words: HELP!

Two questions:

1. When are you coming?

2. What do you like to do?

Lots of FTer's in the area. I am sure you'll get lots of advice!

I think MoreMilesPlease is correct. We need to know why you are coming to Orlando and what you want to do. If it is to visit the parks, that is one thing. If it is just to relax, that is another. Give us some idea of interests and budget.

I'm with everyone else... more info please :)

But I would pretty much say that a car rental is necessary :)

I am arriving on Saturday, March 3, at 6:06 am, after spending a full week in Vegas and then getting on a 4 hour flight, very possibly in Economy (I am a Delta Gold on an M fare, so I would say I have only a small chance of an upgrade). In other words, I will probably arrive exhausted which is why I am not thrilled about driving.

I will remain there until Tuesday, March 6, at which time I will head to JFK and connect to TLV. (Fortunately, these flights will be in FC and Biz Elite.)

I am coming for the following reasons:

1. To give a decent memorial period to the money I am certain to lose in Vegas.

2. To avoid the freezing north (otherwise I would have gone to New York and spent a few days wandering through Manhattan).

3. To just relax a bit -- possibly to spend one day at a theme park.

(If any FTers are in the area and are willing to subject themselves to the torture of meeting me, it would be my great pleasure. This is especially true if they are beautiful women with truly atrocious taste in men.)

I really can't give you any more information because I don't have any. Until about an hour before I made that post I had no intention of going to MCO. I was going to spend those days in Atlanta (I will be there for three days before going to Vegas) but having been there several times in the past two years, I thought I would try someplace else (and someplace warmer) on the way back.

Hmmmm.

I would try to stay at the Hyatt right in the terminal to get some sleep and rest a bit. The hotel is very nice, and has many amentities you would enjoy. You will essentially get of the plane, take a quick tram ride, and take the escalator up to the hotel.

I'll give some more thought to where else you might like to stay :)

FWIW -there is a possiblity I'll be there around the same dates. I'll keep you posted.

Hmmmm.

I would try to stay at the Hyatt right in the terminal to get some sleep and rest a bit. The hotel is very nice, and has many amentities you would enjoy. You will essentially get of the plane, take a quick tram ride, and take the escalator up to the hotel.

I'll give some more thought to where else you might like to stay :)

FWIW -there is a possiblity I'll be there around the same dates. I'll keep you posted.

Is there a Hilton you can suggest? (One that allows smoking.)

If I do stay in the airport area, how difficult would it be for me to get into the touristy section of the city and/or one of the parks?

I would, of course, be very happy to see you (assuming that this time you do not poison my salami sandwich). :D

There is a Hilton near Disney that is pretty popular with alot of FTers. I generally stay at the Hyatts.

The Disney and Universal parks are about 30 minutes from the airport - maybe more if you're not as familiar with the area as we are. However, you would have to drive. There isn't any decent transportation to that area. The Hilton will provide shuttles to the parks if you're interested.

IF you stay at a Disney hotel, they provide transportation from the airport for free. But then you're "stuck" on disney property the entire time. There is a car rental that will pick you and and deliver the car on disney property if you'd like a car for a day. Disney has pretty decent internal transportation that will get you anywhere you want to go on their property.

I definitely would rent a car - particularly if you only have a few days.

Is a car rental necessary or is public transport easily available?

There is a bus system that goes to a lot of places, but I think your hourly rate has to be pretty low before the bus is worthwhile.

I took it because I couldn't rent a car, my driving license having expired. As it happens, I took the bus to the state motor vehicle department.

How convenient (to the Orlando Old City and either Universal or Disney) is Embassy Suites Orlando - International Drive/ Jamaican Court?

What kind of an area is it in?

Orlando Old City is in the opposite direction, and I would think about a 30 minute drive from the Embassy Suites and are also a bit closer to Universal. But generally speaking, I would consider it convenient to both attractions.

International Drive is the old "main drag" in the area. There are hotels of all varieties, some nicer than others. The area is closest to the convention center, so you may have a good number of business people around. However, I would have to check a map to see exactly where it is.

Okay, I have made a reservation there (which can be cancelled). I also got a good deal from Sixt -- a five day rental for $138.78 with all insurance, fees, and taxes.

Seeing as the official check in time is 4 pm, and I will be half asleep by the time I arrive at 8 am, I may wind up spending the day asleep in the car. :D

Dov, everything is about 20-30 minutes from everything else. Traffic on I_drive & I-4 can be maddening.
Read all the stuff below and let me know if you have questions. I am there quite often. Also, you may want to hang out at the pool the day of arrival. Or pick a hotel with a bar.

If you do end up staying at that Embassy Suites, there is a collection of shops and restaurants within walking distance called the Pointe.

Point Orlando: This complex has a host of restaurants, clubs, comedy, movie, and shops. It is located on International Drive. While it does not have a hotel attached, International Drive does have dozens of hotels and a trolley that goes up and down the entire length of the drive. http://www.pointeorlando.com/. Improv Comedy Club, B.B. King’s Blues, and a great selection of restaurants. Restaurant list: http://www.pointeorlando.com/dining/

More information on International Drive, aka I-Drive:
http://www.internationaldriveorlando.com/thingstodo/index.asp
50 activities on I-Drive: http://www.internationaldriveorlando.com/50ways/index.asp

A couple other ideas of things to do:
Downtown Disney/Pleasure Island – Downtown Disney has Cirque de Soleil and House of Blues. Pleasure Island is currently undergoing renovations. Not sure when it will be completed. Downtown Disney can be interesting. If you are there on Sunday, a nice day is the Gospel Brunch at House of Blues, hang out a bit, then see Cirque de Soleil. More information can be found at the bottom of this page: http://www.wdwinfo.com/downtown/pi/

Universal’s CityWalk: Lots of nightlife options, many consider this better than Downtown Disney.
http://www.universalorlando.com/Nightlife/Citywalk-Nightlife.aspx (http://www.universalorlando.com/Nightlife/Citywalk-Nightlife.aspx)

Downtown Orlando – While not an organized location, Church Street (formerly home of Church Street Station) and Orange Ave host dozens of restaurants and bars. Some can be found here: http://www.downtownorlando.com/fun/nightlife and here: http://www.churchstreetbars.com/

Gatorland: At 110- acres, Gatorland provides affordable-priced family fun with thousands of alligators & crocodiles to see, an aviary, breeding marsh with observation tower, petting zoo, nature walk, award-winning gift shop and one-of-a-kind reptilian shows including the Gator Wrestlin' Show, Gator Jumparoo and the Up-close Encounters Show. http://www.gatorland.com/

AirBoat Rides:
Various places:
http://www.bcairboats.com/tours.shtml
http://www.kissimmeeswamptours.com/
http://www.bigtohoairboatrides.com/

Thanks, that sounds pretty good.

In the end, because Hilton gives Elites a discount on award stays of 4 days or longer, it only cost me 4,000 points more to rent the room at Embassy Suites from the day before I arrive. That way, when I get there about 8 am, I can have breakfast and then go straight to bed for a few hours.

If you are in the area when I am there (March 3 through 6), let me know and we can get together for a few drinks and solve any of the world's problems that we have not yet settled on Omni/PR. :)

Hi Dov,

Welcome to Florida... I thought you were never going to fly to the US again? :p

The International Drive (I Drive) area is a good place to stay, just like all cities, you have to be aware of your surroundings. It's an area of restaurants, shops and touristy gimmick attractions (not all bad). You probably do want a car unless you want to stay in just one area, like I-Drive, Disney, etc.

Another thing to do in Orlando that no one has yet mentioned is Outlet Mall Shopping, there are 2 big outlet malls near that area. There are also 2 other big malls nearby - Mall of Millenia near Ikea and the Florida Mall, this area starts to get dicey but I go there during the day.

Why don't you set up a small do/meet or mention it in the Community Forums? As someone else mentioned there are a bunch of FT'ers from the area and maybe we can get together? I am not yet sure if I am here that weekend, but if I am I'd love to get together although I'm not too keen on visiting at Universal Studios only because I've been there a few times recently.

Places to be aware of are:

Pine Hills
Kirkman Drive North of Universal (I used to live in this area and it was lovely at one time)
The Cirtus Bowl area
South Orange Blossom Trail (OBT)

And don't forget to keep a ton of quarters for our toll roads. You will pay one within a mile of leaving the airport. :D

Hi Dov,

Welcome to Florida... I thought you were never going to fly to the US again? :p

I wasn't -- but I got an offer that I could not refuse.



The International Drive (I Drive) area is a good place to stay, just like all cities, you have to be aware of your surroundings. It's an area of restaurants, shops and touristy gimmick attractions (not all bad). You probably do want a car unless you want to stay in just one area, like I-Drive, Disney, etc.

Another thing to do in Orlando that no one has yet mentioned is Outlet Mall Shopping, there are 2 big outlet malls near that area. There are also 2 other big malls nearby - Mall of Millenia near Ikea and the Florida Mall, this area starts to get dicey but I go there during the day.

I actually enjoy walking around tourist gimmicky areas and shopping malls. I am serious -- it is just one more part of my very weird personality.




Why don't you set up a small do/meet or mention it in the Community Forums? As someone else mentioned there are a bunch of FT'ers from the area and maybe we can get together? I am not yet sure if I am here that weekend, but if I am I'd love to get together although I'm not too keen on visiting at Universal Studios only because I've been there a few times recently.

Good idea. If you can't come, can you send your Incredibly Gorgeous Blonde Sister instead?

And don't forget to keep a ton of quarters for our toll roads. You will pay one within a mile of leaving the airport. :D

After a week in LAS, do you really think I will have a quarter left?

BTW, do these toll roads take charge cards?

Good idea. If you can't come, can you send your Incredibly Gorgeous Blonde Sister instead?I just took her back to MCO for her flight to PHL today! :p



After a week in LAS, do you really think I will have a quarter left?

BTW, do these toll roads take charge cards?I'm not sure if they take credit cards, I doubt it since the toll booths are spaced every few miles and the tolls range from 50 cents to a couple of bucks. Your rental car company might have an e-pass on it that you can use, they usually charge you after they get billed from the highway system. It's well worth it if you think you will be driving the toll roads because the roads have separate e-pass lanes. Every major highway in Central Florida is toll except for I-4.

And don't forget to keep a ton of quarters for our toll roads. You will pay one within a mile of leaving the airport. :D
True, but unless things have changed since Nov, there's no exact change lane any longer :( I used to come with a pocket full of quarters too :D

Your rental car company might have an e-pass on it that you can use, they usually charge you after they get billed from the highway system.Depends on the car rental company I guess, but the last one I rented from in Orlando, wanted to charge a set daily fee for a toll pass. That daily fee was such that it would take quite a few tolls to make it worthwhile. So I would suggest checking with your car rental agency to see how/what they charge for that service. For me it was cheaper to just bring some change with me.

True, but unless things have changed since Nov, there's no exact change lane any longer :( I used to come with a pocket full of quarters too :DWow, I was there in October and they still had an exact change lane. I guess that was a recent change. :eek:

Depends on the car rental company I guess, but the last one I rented from in Orlando, wanted to charge a set daily fee for a toll pass. That daily fee was such that it would take quite a few tolls to make it worthwhile. So I would suggest checking with your car rental agency to see how/what they charge for that service. For me it was cheaper to just bring some change with me.

Wow, I was there in October and they still had an exact change lane. I guess that was a recent change. :eek:That's what I thought too. I think the tolls went up to $1 (from the airport) and many people don't carry that many quarters with them.

re: the toll. I think convenience stores such as 7-11 sell a visitors Sun pass for about $5 (not sure). We've never bought one because we really didn't use the toll roads much.

I just realized that we may be talking about 2 different toll roads. We never take the Greenway(?) because it costs more and takes longer. I'm talking about the tolls on the beeline.

Funny how all the airport signs that direct you toward Disney send you to the Greenway and don't even mention you can go the other way. Maybe because the tolls are more :D

Dovster,

With a rental car, you could explore farther away and see a little bit of the real Florida. Here are two suggestions:

Wekiwa Springs State park
http://www.floridastateparks.org/wekiwasprings/default.cfm
http://www.canoewekiva.com/
http://wekivaisland.com/

Blue Spring State Park
http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/default.cfm

Blue Spring might be the better choice as it is the winter home of many manatees and it is something uniquely "Florida". Many visitors never travel beyond a five-mile radius of Disney World and have a chance to see something like this.

-Vic

With a rental car, you could explore farther away and see a little bit of the real Florida. Here are two suggestions:


Before my parents passed away they lived in Margate for the last 20 years or so of their lives and I visited them on a regular basis, so I have spent a lot of time in South Florida and some time in Central Florida as well.

I just realized that we may be talking about 2 different toll roads. We never take the Greenway(?) because it costs more and takes longer. I'm talking about the tolls on the beeline.You may well be right. I have to admit that I don't pay a lot of attention to the best/quickest ways to get to/from the airport and tend to just follow the signs.

I promised my daughter I'd take her sometime during the 1st half of this year (but haven't settled on a date yet), but I'll try to keep the beeline in mind this time.

:D

All you have to do when leaving the airport is go in the opposite direction the signs pointing toward Disney say. You will end up driving past the convention center/i-drive, before reaching I-4.

It used to be the only way to go until the built the greenway.

Thanks, that sounds pretty good.

If you are in the area when I am there (March 3 through 6), let me know and we can get together for a few drinks and solve any of the world's problems that we have not yet settled on Omni/PR. :)

Sadly, I will be in the wilds of Tennessee those days. Had to look on a map when they told me where.
If it changes, I will try and make it up there.
Enjoy and let me know if you have any specific things in Orlando.

Dov, It looks like I'll be missing you too. Any set of dates I may use will have us crossing paths at the airport :)

Dov, It looks like I'll be missing you too. Any set of dates I may use will have us crossing paths at the airport :)

Alas, my love, you do me wrong,
To cast me off discourteously.
For I have loved you well and long,
Delighting in your company.

awwwwww ;)

My situation also fits the thread title, I'll be in Orlando Sunday and Monday nights (staying at the I-Drive Radisson on an award stay). I'm busy during the day on Sunday and Monday, but have all of Tuesday morning and afternoon uncommitted before my evening flight home.

What do you think is the best park or attraction you can do in 6-8 hours on a Tuesday (I'll have a car)? Is there anything remarkable to do in the evenings (not doable in most US cities)?

On a Tuesday in early January, you should have your choice of places to go. However, since the Disney Marathon is this weekend, there may be some residual crowds.

What are your interests? Types of rides you like? When it's uncrowded the time you have should allow you to see just about everything in a park. If you're alone, some rides have single rider lines that will speed it up for you in the unlikely event it's crowded.

What are your interests? Types of rides you like?

Honestly it's been a long time since I tried any of this stuff so I'm not sure. I'm not the type of guy who would plan a trip to see an amusement park, but since I'll be there anyway, I want to try something.

Then I can only suggest you pick one park from either Disney or Universal. You should have plenty of time to see the whole thing.

To Dovester- welcome to my hometown. I have nothing to add to the excellent advice already given. I should be in town that weekend if you do want to do a mini-DO or just need a guide around town.

To Dovester- welcome to my hometown. I have nothing to add to the excellent advice already given. I should be in town that weekend if you do want to do a mini-DO or just need a guide around town.

Either one would be great. I always enjoy meeting FTers in any city.

If anyone is as geeky as me and hasn't gone to the Kennedy Space Center yet, I highly recommend it if you find yourself with a spare day in MCO. (Especially if the amusement parks are partially shut down for maintenance or marathons as was the case earlier this week.)

One of their tours currently allows you to enter the disused side of the vehicle assembly plant, marvel at the size of the internal space and get within 20 feet of the partially stripped Endeavour Orbiter. That one stop on the tour made the drive out to KSC and back worthwhile for me, but there is also a fair bit of other stuff to see. The restored half finished Apollo 18 is pretty impressive and some of the Mercury and Gemini capsules are definitely worth seeing.

My situation also fits the thread title, I'll be in Orlando Sunday and Monday nights (staying at the I-Drive Radisson on an award stay). I'm busy during the day on Sunday and Monday, but have all of Tuesday morning and afternoon uncommitted before my evening flight home.

What do you think is the best park or attraction you can do in 6-8 hours on a Tuesday (I'll have a car)? Is there anything remarkable to do in the evenings (not doable in most US cities)?

Well, one park day is about $80. If that does not put you off, pick whichever Disney park looks best to you online. Get there as early as possible.

Or if you are a Harry Potter fan, Universal's take on Hogwarts/Hogsmeade is most impressive.

And don't forget to get your 9000 point rebate on the Radisson I-Drive (and give us a review). Free hotel!

Please see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/17807136-post1.html

Great thread. The Golfer and I will be in Orlando from the 23rd to the 30th. For, surprise, the PGA show.
Any suggestions for day trips? We've got a few days built in to kick back for the theme parks, but I'll have the days mostly to myself.

Great thread. The Golfer and I will be in Orlando from the 23rd to the 30th. For, surprise, the PGA show.
Any suggestions for day trips? We've got a few days built in to kick back for the theme parks, but I'll have the days mostly to myself.

When the going gets tough, the tough usually like to do some shopping. :D

Here are some places if this interests you...

Millenia Mall - upscale shopping

http://www.mallatmillenia.com/

Outlet Malls - For more down-to-earth prices, check out the two outlet malls. One is on International Drive, the other is closer to Buena Vista/Disney Marketplace...

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=96

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=17

When the going gets tough, the tough usually like to do some shopping. :D

Here are some places if this interests you...

Millenia Mall - upscale shopping

http://www.mallatmillenia.com/

Outlet Malls - For more down-to-earth prices, check out the two outlet malls. One is on International Drive, the other is closer to Buena Vista/Disney Marketplace...

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=96

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=17

Sadly, last day of vacation was yesterday. Flew home last night. I really want to go back

I did find the Millenia mall. I also unfortunately found the Festival Bay mall.
I walked around the outlets by the Festival Bay mall, but they weren't anything really interesting.

Our hotel was the Hyatt Place by Kirkman and Major Blvd, so we were within walking distance to Universal, and spent plenty of time there.

I was surprised at the small size of the art museum. I needed a place to get away from kids, and although I was right, there wasn't much on display. I guess the Milwaukee and Chicago mueseums have spoiled me.

Next year I think during one of my free days I'll get down to Tampa. I remember as a kid there was a beach in Tampa Bay that we always went to. I'll have to see if I can find anything on that.

It looks like I will be in Orlando over the same dates (Mar. 3rd-6th). Unfortunately, my daughter and I will be over at Universal, staying at the Royal Pacific and we won't have a car.

But if anyone ends up at Universal let me know. And while I won't let Dovster anywhere close to my daughter as she's only 16 and much to impressionable ;), I'm more than willing to meet at the City Walk for dinner one evening.

It looks like I will be in Orlando over the same dates (Mar. 3rd-6th). Unfortunately, my daughter and I will be over at Universal, staying at the Royal Pacific and we won't have a car.

But if anyone ends up at Universal let me know. And while I won't let Dovster anywhere close to my daughter as she's only 16 and much to impressionable ;), I'm more than willing to meet at the City Walk for dinner one evening.

See my response in the other thread. I have a car and am willing to meet anywhere. You need not be afraid of my being with your daughter until:

1. At least 5 more years have passed.
2. I know that you will not be within shooting distance of us.