| Aug 11, 2006 @ 9:50 PM |
Places a tourist shouldn't miss
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UserNameWithoutAnyNumbers
Posts: 207
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Hi all,
Gonna be in Orlando in Just under 8 weeks. So far I plan on getting a Universal flexi-ticket, visiting discovery cove and Magic kingdom (I got my daughter with me).
I was just wanderin' if anyone could tell me, you all being Floridians an' all, if there is a place you would describe to me as being a place you simply cannot miss as a tourist. Other than the places I have just mentioned (re-iterated below)
Sea World
Universal Studios
Wet 'n' Wild
Bush Gardens
Magic Kingdom
Discovery Cove (swim with dolphins)
My hotel is opposite wet 'n' wild, so the best bars and restaurants around that area would come in handy too. Promise I won't take my daughter in the bars.
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| Aug 11, 2006 @ 10:05 PM |
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JMW32792
Posts: 1,495
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Hi there 
First of all are you going to have a car at your disposal while here?
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| Aug 11, 2006 @ 10:11 PM |
Places a tourist shouldn't miss
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UserNameWithoutAnyNumbers
Posts: 207
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Hi there yourself JMW
Not planning on doing so. Friends said it is just as easy to get around using the bus service as it is pretty good. Maybe hire a car for a few days for when we go to busch Gardens.
My daughter loves public transport, we go everywhere by car over here.
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| Aug 11, 2006 @ 11:03 PM |
Places a tourist shouldn't miss |
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JMW32792
Posts: 1,495
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Are you planning on only going to the magic kingdom at Disney?
Busch gardens is a good 3-4 hour drive round trip depending on traffic and it is basically a zoo/amusement park with thrill rides.
If it was me I would forego the rental car and the drive to Tampa in exchange for Animal Kingdom at Disney and would swap out Universal studios for Islands of adventure which is an amusement park with thrill rides that is located on the same property as universal unless you were already planning on doing both parks there? Traffic here and on the interstate to Tampa is hell during the week...I wouldn't wish it on anyone! 
That way everything is closer and maybe rent a car for one day to head out to the beach on the east coast. Just some things to consider. I would also look into securing reservations for the special character meal at the castle at magic kingdom with all the princesses including cinderella for your daughter...a very magical experience every little girl should get to have 
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| Aug 11, 2006 @ 11:12 PM |
Places a tourist shouldn't miss
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jfreak68
Posts: 1,184
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Ok you being a limey, you must go to Crickteer arms. It isn't far from where you will be staying. It is an English pub that a lot of the brits go when they are here.
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| Aug 11, 2006 @ 11:24 PM |
Places a tourist shouldn't miss |
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Dovestreasure
Posts: 3,419
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You had mentioned that you were also looking for the best bars and restaurants in the area. Since you will have your daughter with you I was going to suggest going to two pubs that allow children and and tend to be family oriented. They are both on International drive, and within walking distance from where you are staying. One is O'shucks and the other is called the Lucky Leprechaun. They both have karaoke and you see lots of kids jump up there to shine. Chuck E Cheese is also on International drive they serve pizza and they have all kinds of arcade games. It is a fabulous place for kids. Another place your daughter may enjoy is Leggo Land at Downtown Disney , the leggo sculptures are awesome. Kennedy Space center is another fun place for kids. If you would like to do something that will give you a good look at Natural Florida a ride on a airboat is a real treat. Pick up a Florida Tour guide in your hotel lobby there are usually discount coupons for airboat rides.
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| Aug 11, 2006 @ 11:26 PM |
Places a tourist shouldn't miss
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JMW32792
Posts: 1,495
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oh and Downtown Disney is a must do for shopping and restaurants.. they have some neat stuff for kids and adults too! ( legoland store with huge figures made out of legos including a snoring man on a park bench) Be sure to buy her a lanyard for pin collecting, they sell them that already come with a few pins and if she sees a disney castmember with a pin she likes all she has to do is ask to trade for one that she has and they are supposed to do it... pretty kewl 
edited to add: GMTA Dove re legoland 
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| Aug 12, 2006 @ 12:02 AM |
Places a tourist shouldn't miss |
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Dovestreasure
Posts: 3,419
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JMW we think alike and I am a big kid and love that place.. I was there recently and they have added some new structures. With all this touristy talk it makes me really appreciate how fortunate we are to have all this in our own back yard.
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| Aug 12, 2006 @ 12:18 AM |
Places a tourist shouldn't miss
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JMW32792
Posts: 1,495
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http://allearsnet.com/
http://www.mousesavers.com/
check out these sites...loads of disney info
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| Aug 12, 2006 @ 12:45 PM |
Places a tourist shouldn't miss |
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outlaw_star
Posts: 1,089
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Busch Gardens in Tampa I would recommend using a cab to go and come back from there since on the weekends there is always a traffice jam on busch blvd between 30th street and 50th street going eastbound. Or go during the week when the crownds are low and easier to get into via a car. Not sure about bus routes and times but that is always a option as well. Think Sea World is right next door as well. IF you have little ones you could try Lowry Park as well. Not as flashy as Busch Gardens but lower in price of admission.
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| Aug 12, 2006 @ 2:48 PM |
Places a tourist shouldn't miss
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jackf1950
Posts: 688
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an airboat ride, anyplace... by Cocoa they are at lone cabbige park...
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| Aug 12, 2006 @ 3:26 PM |
Places a tourist shouldn't miss |
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Dovestreasure
Posts: 3,419
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I just love airboat rides, the one I went to recently was in Christmas FL. It was a blast Got stung by something though within five minutes if pulling off the dock.. ouch!!!!!!!
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| Aug 12, 2006 @ 4:54 PM |
Places a tourist shouldn't miss
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UserNameWithoutAnyNumbers
Posts: 207
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Thank you all so much for your recommendations, I now have a lot more info from which to plan my agenda, although knowing how my daughter loves water, it will probably be an on-going battle of this park, that park, airboat ride aginst "Can we go back to wet 'n' wild please dad"
Thanks for your time in responding to my question, you are all a very helpful and friendly bunch. I will let you know how it went 
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| Aug 12, 2006 @ 6:55 PM |
Places a tourist shouldn't miss |
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Dovestreasure
Posts: 3,419
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Have a wonderful journey , make lots of happy memories.
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| Aug 13, 2006 @ 6:56 PM |
Places a tourist shouldn't miss
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witchietoo
Posts: 2,630
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I like the sea monster
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| Aug 13, 2006 @ 6:57 PM |
Places a tourist shouldn't miss |
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witchietoo
Posts: 2,630
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Old Town on 192 is good for shops and games. Something different outside the parks.
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| Aug 13, 2006 @ 7:24 PM |
Places a tourist shouldn't miss
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UserNameWithoutAnyNumbers
Posts: 207
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sea monster??
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| Aug 13, 2006 @ 7:31 PM |
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witchietoo
Posts: 2,630
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lol...it is made of lego's and has steam coming out of it's nose. It is in the lake outside the Lego store at downtown Disney.
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| Aug 13, 2006 @ 8:13 PM |
Places a tourist shouldn't miss
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UserNameWithoutAnyNumbers
Posts: 207
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Cool, already added downtown disney to my agenda
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| Aug 13, 2006 @ 10:00 PM |
Places a tourist shouldn't miss |
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creamqueeny
Posts: 26
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you can skip all of Lakeland together (1/2 way between Orlando & Tampa) there is NOTHING here... ;-)
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