Orlando
Dec 10, 2002 | 3:10 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PPSP. Yeah, I'm the bartender at that fancy 5-Star that forgot you said no salt on your freakin' frozen margarita. Listen up people! NO FROZEN DRINKS!
Posts: 2,022
edited to delete dupe (I should check back more often, sorry)
[This message has been edited by GoodKarmaGuy (edited 12-15-2002).]
[This message has been edited by GoodKarmaGuy (edited 12-15-2002).]
Dec 10, 2002 | 10:51 pm
#17
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 592
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MoreMiles:
4. You drive around, make a mistake... then you end up on a toll road. You won't be able to come off an exit unless you pay for $1. You then need to pay another $1 to go back the opposite direction. More than half of the highways in Orlando are toll roads.</font>
4. You drive around, make a mistake... then you end up on a toll road. You won't be able to come off an exit unless you pay for $1. You then need to pay another $1 to go back the opposite direction. More than half of the highways in Orlando are toll roads.</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MoreMiles:
6. Most hotels renamed themselves "Resort" so they can charge a $3 extra of resort fee. This fee is never quoted at reservation until you arrive for checkin.</font>
6. Most hotels renamed themselves "Resort" so they can charge a $3 extra of resort fee. This fee is never quoted at reservation until you arrive for checkin.</font>
I'm not a big fan of Orlando as a vacation destination. I mean, the amusement parks can be nice every so often if you feel like spending a weekend being... amused, but I really feel sorry for the people who base a lifetime of travel around this place. Which brings me to my question...
When trying to explain the many virtues of non-tourist-trap world travel, how do you respond to people who are convinced Orlando, FL is the greatest place on earth? When I invite people to accompany me on a trip to Europe, for example, the invitees' reasoning usually goes like this:
Hmm... Europe... Never been to Europe before... But...
I don't really feel like going to Orlando right now, and...
Orlando is the greatest place on earth, therefore...
Anything Europe has to offer must pale in comparison, so...
Europe would not be a good idea. No thanks.
I know I can never hope to instill true understanding, but is there any way to convey to these people what they're missing?
Dec 11, 2002 | 6:15 am
#18
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Iowa...Delta Charter Diamond, now Gold
Posts: 2,069
I love going to Orlando...I don't take the toll roads...The rest of you keep going to Disney and I will go to Universal and stay on property (at hard rock hotel), and get front of ride access.
Was there twice last year and finally figured out the roads to take to avoid toll roads...actually there is one that goes almost straight from airport to universal...I think the last time we took that route when leaving it took less than 30 minutes.
We are going back Dec 25-31. Looking forward to another great time!!
Was there twice last year and finally figured out the roads to take to avoid toll roads...actually there is one that goes almost straight from airport to universal...I think the last time we took that route when leaving it took less than 30 minutes.
We are going back Dec 25-31. Looking forward to another great time!!
Dec 17, 2002 | 8:50 am
#20
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Grand Rapids, MI USA UA 1K, AA EXP 1MM, SQ PPS, BA GOLD, Hyatt D, Hertz Plat and AMEX Cent
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MoreMiles:
This place is ridiculously expensive and everyone there tries to make a profit. </font>
This place is ridiculously expensive and everyone there tries to make a profit. </font>
Dec 20, 2002 | 6:49 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, Breezy 2
Posts: 12,608
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Sweet Willie:
There is NO reason why two adults should spend ANY time here unless they have children or are entertaining children.
Unless you are into the amusement park thing.</font>
There is NO reason why two adults should spend ANY time here unless they have children or are entertaining children.
Unless you are into the amusement park thing.</font>
My problem with Orlando/LBV/Kissimmee is the lack of non-chain, non-amusement-park food. Fortunately, I like Waffle House for breakfast (pork and potatoes are two of life's major food groups), and even TGI Friday's or Chili's can't really mess up a chef salad for dinner.
Dec 27, 2002 | 10:13 am
#23
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Greensboro, NC, USA
Posts: 43
Disneyworld isn't for everyone, that's true.
However, I've found it to be a nice, if slightly expensive destination ever since my wife first took me there 18 years ago. I've been back every year since. There are an endless variety of good restaurants to choose from. The food costs about 1 & 1/2 times as much as back home, for the same quality food, but it's less expensive than say, New York or San Francisco. The entertainment, although not as sophisticated as one might find in Europe, is usually good, and the scenery is always lovely. There is also the cleanliness of the place, which I find appealing. I never particularly liked stepping over homeless people and dog feces in San Francisco. Disney employees are almost always more polite and helpful than you will find anywhere else. There is also the safety factor. When our kids were older, we would routinely let them roam the parks alone without fear of something happening to them. (Saved a lot on babysitters.) In contrast to my recent trip to Spain, I never worry about crime, or pick pockets when I'm on the Disney property. (This is NOT true of the Orlando area in general.) As to the expense, there are ways to economize. An annual pass or multi-day pass will bring the cost per day down considerably, depending on how many days you go to the parks. They also allow you to do things at a more leisurely pace, which I find to be the best way to do it. If you bring the cost down to say, $30.00 a day, that's not bad for 8-10 hours of quality entertainment. You can also eat breakfast in your room, and back pack in your snacks to cut costs. There are even deals available for hotel rooms on the Disney property if you know how to locate them. We usually paid around $100 or less a night. There are almost always airfare specials available to Orlando. I do agree that going to Disney from May to September is similar to wearing a fur coat to a bonfire. We preferred the weather in December and January.
However, I've found it to be a nice, if slightly expensive destination ever since my wife first took me there 18 years ago. I've been back every year since. There are an endless variety of good restaurants to choose from. The food costs about 1 & 1/2 times as much as back home, for the same quality food, but it's less expensive than say, New York or San Francisco. The entertainment, although not as sophisticated as one might find in Europe, is usually good, and the scenery is always lovely. There is also the cleanliness of the place, which I find appealing. I never particularly liked stepping over homeless people and dog feces in San Francisco. Disney employees are almost always more polite and helpful than you will find anywhere else. There is also the safety factor. When our kids were older, we would routinely let them roam the parks alone without fear of something happening to them. (Saved a lot on babysitters.) In contrast to my recent trip to Spain, I never worry about crime, or pick pockets when I'm on the Disney property. (This is NOT true of the Orlando area in general.) As to the expense, there are ways to economize. An annual pass or multi-day pass will bring the cost per day down considerably, depending on how many days you go to the parks. They also allow you to do things at a more leisurely pace, which I find to be the best way to do it. If you bring the cost down to say, $30.00 a day, that's not bad for 8-10 hours of quality entertainment. You can also eat breakfast in your room, and back pack in your snacks to cut costs. There are even deals available for hotel rooms on the Disney property if you know how to locate them. We usually paid around $100 or less a night. There are almost always airfare specials available to Orlando. I do agree that going to Disney from May to September is similar to wearing a fur coat to a bonfire. We preferred the weather in December and January.
Dec 30, 2002 | 12:33 pm
#24
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 873
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sleepytime:
If you bring the cost down to say, $30.00 a day, that's not bad for 8-10 hours of quality entertainment.</font>
If you bring the cost down to say, $30.00 a day, that's not bad for 8-10 hours of quality entertainment.</font>
[This message has been edited by ql2112 (edited 12-31-2002).]
Aug 10, 2003 | 2:58 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: TPA
Programs: Hilton Gold, DL DIrt Medallion
Posts: 38,267
Personally I really like Orlando. it's one of my favorite short-trip detsinations. As it is only ~90 minutes away by car, we get up there 2-3 times a year for long weekends. If you play your cards right, it's really a fun city to spend time. It's also not as expensive as people here are making it out to be. If you're a Florida resident, Disney drops to $25 per day or so, as we can purchase a 4-day "Play Four Days" pass for $99. Universal offers similar deals. With Priceline, you can always find a nice 4* room for ~$60 a night, even in the peak seasons. It's all what you make of it.
Aug 11, 2003 | 9:51 am
#26
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Pennsylvania
Programs: HHonors Silver
Posts: 4,029
In my observation the Orlando theme park prices have kept pace with 1-day Vermont/Colorado ski ticket prices for the last 25 or 30 years. So $50+ seems to be pretty much in line, unfortunately.
Aug 12, 2003 | 2:57 pm
#27
Join Date: May 2002
Location: FL USA
Posts: 31
Since this topic was revived, I'll add my 2cents ...
As someone who was born and raised in the Orlando area, Orlando is not the same thing as the theme parks or (shudder) International Drive. Disney isn't even in the same county as Orlando! (Which is why you can't make a local call to the REAL Orlando.)
Orlando does benefit from Disney's proximity, however, because there are so many talented performers who spill over into the multitude of live-music venues and local theaters. The caliber of live entertainment on any given night of the week except maybe Monday and Tuesday could probably compete with anything outside of Manhattan. Beaches are about an hour away, but within reach ... there are many river tours and hiking and camping tours in the immediate Orlando vicinity. As mentioned, there are many museums as well. One of my favorites is the Morse Museum, which has the most massive collection of Tiffany pieces I've ever seen. (The famous "Wisteria Window" in the Metropolitan Museum of Art is actually on long-term loan from this museum.)
I know I sound a little like the Chamber of Commerce, but it really does rankle when people slam Orlando for all those tourist-trappy tactics ... and come to find out, they've never even BEEN to Orlando.
As someone who was born and raised in the Orlando area, Orlando is not the same thing as the theme parks or (shudder) International Drive. Disney isn't even in the same county as Orlando! (Which is why you can't make a local call to the REAL Orlando.)
Orlando does benefit from Disney's proximity, however, because there are so many talented performers who spill over into the multitude of live-music venues and local theaters. The caliber of live entertainment on any given night of the week except maybe Monday and Tuesday could probably compete with anything outside of Manhattan. Beaches are about an hour away, but within reach ... there are many river tours and hiking and camping tours in the immediate Orlando vicinity. As mentioned, there are many museums as well. One of my favorites is the Morse Museum, which has the most massive collection of Tiffany pieces I've ever seen. (The famous "Wisteria Window" in the Metropolitan Museum of Art is actually on long-term loan from this museum.)
I know I sound a little like the Chamber of Commerce, but it really does rankle when people slam Orlando for all those tourist-trappy tactics ... and come to find out, they've never even BEEN to Orlando.
Aug 13, 2003 | 11:05 am
#28
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: AC E75, SPG Plat, HH peon-by-choice (ex Gold)
Posts: 8,090
I quite enjoyed Orlando and WDW/Universal. (Well, not the real Orlando. 
)
I'm sorry, but is $50/day a lot of money?
Geez... with conversion, that comes to $70/day for me and I'm not even complaining!
I look at it as a vacation and, as such, will expect to spend a fair amount of money.
)I'm sorry, but is $50/day a lot of money?
Geez... with conversion, that comes to $70/day for me and I'm not even complaining!
I look at it as a vacation and, as such, will expect to spend a fair amount of money.
Aug 13, 2003 | 6:05 pm
#29
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.
Posts: 7,664
[/b][/QUOTE]
Since this topic was revived, I'll add my 2cents ...
As someone who was born and raised in the Orlando area, Orlando is not the same thing as the theme parks or (shudder) International Drive. Disney isn't even in the same county as Orlando! (Which is why you can't make a local call to the REAL Orlando.)
Orlando does benefit from Disney's proximity, however, because there are so many talented performers who spill over into the multitude of live-music venues and local theaters. The caliber of live entertainment on any given night of the week except maybe Monday and Tuesday could probably compete with anything outside of Manhattan. Beaches are about an hour away, but within reach ... there are many river tours and hiking and camping tours in the immediate Orlando vicinity. As mentioned, there are many museums as well. One of my favorites is the Morse Museum, which has the most massive collection of Tiffany pieces I've ever seen. (The famous "Wisteria Window" in the Metropolitan Museum of Art is actually on long-term loan from this museum.)
I know I sound a little like the Chamber of Commerce, but it really does rankle when people slam Orlando for all those tourist-trappy tactics ... and come to find out, they've never even BEEN to Orlando.
You better not see what the "location snobs"
are saying about your city on this thread.
http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...ML/011059.html
mike
[This message has been edited by MIKESILV (edited 08-13-2003).]
Since this topic was revived, I'll add my 2cents ...
As someone who was born and raised in the Orlando area, Orlando is not the same thing as the theme parks or (shudder) International Drive. Disney isn't even in the same county as Orlando! (Which is why you can't make a local call to the REAL Orlando.)
Orlando does benefit from Disney's proximity, however, because there are so many talented performers who spill over into the multitude of live-music venues and local theaters. The caliber of live entertainment on any given night of the week except maybe Monday and Tuesday could probably compete with anything outside of Manhattan. Beaches are about an hour away, but within reach ... there are many river tours and hiking and camping tours in the immediate Orlando vicinity. As mentioned, there are many museums as well. One of my favorites is the Morse Museum, which has the most massive collection of Tiffany pieces I've ever seen. (The famous "Wisteria Window" in the Metropolitan Museum of Art is actually on long-term loan from this museum.)
I know I sound a little like the Chamber of Commerce, but it really does rankle when people slam Orlando for all those tourist-trappy tactics ... and come to find out, they've never even BEEN to Orlando.
You better not see what the "location snobs"
are saying about your city on this thread.
http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...ML/011059.html
mike
[This message has been edited by MIKESILV (edited 08-13-2003).]