Hi Gang,

Going to Orlando for the first time... and want to do as much as possible.

What all (besides the obvious Disney stuff) would you recommend we do? We will be there from March 17 thru March 22.

Also, any way to get discounted tickets to the major attractions?

Any help would be appreciated.

William

Can't help too much with what to see, since I have 3 kids and we never seem to be able to get ourselves out of the Disney parks.....
but if you are a steak lover, head on over to Charley's Steak House on Irlo Bronson Hwy., Kissimmee (next door to the Hyatt) because their steaks are phenomenal !!!

YUM!!!

Thanks... We love steak... and happen to be staying at that Hyatt for two nights!

Can't be much more convenient than that!

William

It depends on what you like to do. Do you like to play golf? Shopping? Fine Dining?

I know this is a Disney thing, but be sure to see the Cirque du Soleil at Downtown Disney one evening. Tickets are about $70 each.

If you like to golf, Disney has some nice golf courses, though expensive. This winter, they had to cut their green fees dramatically, as they planted the grass seed too late -- the grass was brown in December.

Not a golfer... we can shop though... Cirque de Solei... that is a definite... any info on that?

Also, anyone know if there are any tours of the Shuttle facilities? Is that near Orlando?

Thanks

William

Glad that Charley's will be so convenient for you. Don't know if you've been to Orlando before, or are going with children, but your days will fill up very fast, and since you have less than a week you probably won't want to venture over to Cape Canaveral because it would take a full day and you may prefer to stay put for this trip.

Visit disney.com and you might even be able to buy tickets online for Cirque du Soleil. If not online, then there is definitely a phone number where you can order advance tickets. I just dug out an old ticket I had from when I saw it at Thanksgiving. Here's a good area to sit in: Sec. 201 Row AA Seat 11

Shopping: plenty of outlet shopping in Orlando. Premium Outlets just opened not too far from Disney off of I-4. Also, there are a lot of outlets off of International Drive: Off Saks Fifth Ave, Polo, Coach, Waterford, Wedgewood, etc. The Waterford store sells stuff for about half-off or less from department store prices.

[This message has been edited by Alysia (edited 02-22-2001).]

In order to optimize your time in the parks, be sure to get one of the "how to do Disney" guidebooks. There are several, a good bookstore will have a selection. You could check with amazon.com for reader reviews. Orlando will probably be crowded with spring breakers, so a logical gameplan will help you keep your sanity. Avoiding long lines by using the tips and tricks in the books definitely will enhance your parks experience. Have fun!

[This message has been edited by Dianne47 (edited 02-22-2001).]

One trick at the Disney parks is to work your way backwards: go to the far end of the parks in the morning and end up in the front end of the parks in the evening. The lines for some of the rides will be much shorter this way.

that is tourist stuff, go to Charleys on Orange Blossem Trail. same owner, less tourist

kennedy space center, an all day trip.

Try this web site. I have found it extremely helpful for planning our annual trips to Orlando.
http://wdwig.com/contents.htm

Agreed. I don't think we've established yet whether wharvey is taking any kids along, have we? The Space Center could be great for middle or high school kids who are interested, but might not be as good for little munchkins. If it's just adults going, take the side tour that goes out to the old launch sites. They take you to the spot where the 3 Apollo astronauts died -- very sobering and thoughtprovoking.

In Orlando, I can recommend Sea World for all ages, especially if you haven't seen any large marine mammals up close before.

And pick up a copy of the The Unoffical Guide to Walt Disney World -- entertaining and informative.

Have fun. (Oh, and if you have little munchkins, take them to the It's A Small World ride at Disney. The song will stick in your head forever...)

Let me make this clear....

NO KIDS!!!!!

William

Well now, you don't have to yell. How in the world would we know whether you've been procreating?!