Mary2e

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.

Ambraciot

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.

Mary2e

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.

LizzyDragon84

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.

Dovster

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

Ambraciot

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.

toomanybooks

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!

Dovster

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

WIRunner

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.

Sez_Who

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

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

WIRunner

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.

hhoope01

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.

Dovster

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.