Awesome Orlando

Advantages: So much to see and do, lots of things are cheap.
Disadvantages: Not enough time to do it all, some big costs.

...Orlando Florida, Wow! Where do I start, can I fit all the information in this review, will I forget details as is so often the way of great places, let’s hope not. I booked my trip to Orlando in October 1999 for Summer 2000, there were 4 of us going, all adults (21-33 years old) Therefore we had no children and several people had told us it was more for kids. We flew from Manchester Ringway to Orlando Airport, taking little over 9 and half-hours. The flight itself was pretty good (Monarch Air) and we touched down at 2 in the afternoon. That meant we were in the hottest part of the day, so my first tip is this, have loose US change in your pockets to get a few cold drinks when you get off the plane and out of the airport. The Airport. Orlando Airport isn’t among the worlds most luxurious. It has lots of seating...

Nameless 03.05.2001 · Read review
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Review of Orlando

  Orlando on the Cheap

Advantages: You get your photo taken with Mickey
Disadvantages: You get your photo taken with Mickey

...of wonga, provided you don't mind too much where you eat (most places in Kissimee are pretty good). Another alternative is to visit an 'all-you-can-eat' place where, for a fixed fee, you can go bananas and pig yourself into oblivion. In particular, the 'Ponderosa' chain of restaurants do an all-you-can-eat breakfast for $3.99 and an all-you-can-eat dinner for around twelve bucks, depending upon what maincourse you choose. It is high quality and very good value for money. The 'Orlando' area, where the theme parks are is not actually in Orlando at all but some fifteen miles south around an area called Kissimmee. The 'action' centres on five main places which you will get to know well during your stay. They are DisneyWorld itself, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, International Drive and Highway 192. The first three cost money to visit so I...

tagheur 26.10.2002 (27.10.2002) · Read review
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Review of Orlando

I-Ride Orlando

Advantages: to many to list here
Disadvantages: you may have to walk a few yards to a bus pick up point

...One of the best deals in Orlando for non drivers, just has to be the I-Ride Tram-Bus ( looks like a tram but is actually a bus ) For under 10 USD you can take unlimited rides all week (7 days) along the whole tourist length of International Drive in Orlando, thats from the Bletz Factory outlet ( Shoppign Mall) at the top of Internationnal Drive to Seaworld at the opposite end ( about 7 miles) These bus/trams run every 15 mins from 0700 to 2300 7 days a week in both directions and are excellent value for money. the drivers generally are very friendly some are even entertaining. the service is superb,I wish they would extend this tram service to the Theme parks brilliant idea but not very practical ( sadly !) Nowadays you most definitely don't need to hire a car if you are staying anywhere along International Drive, the Holiday...

Dalesman 19.08.2000 (22.07.2001) · Read review
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Review of Orlando

Orlando declining

Advantages: Plenty to do and great theme parks
Disadvantages: Low standards

...My experiences of Orlando have changed my views during the past 20 years. My first visit was in 1987 and I couldn't fault it. However, I have returned several times and each time I notice it declining. The family restaurants that I once enjoyed have become dull and have reached poor quality. To enjoy a decent meal you have to visit the more upmarket restaurants which works out expensive. The atmosphere and appearance seems dull and dirty not at all as I remember on previous visits. My advice is to stay at one of the beach resorts such as St Pete's or Clearwater which remain just as beautiful as ever. I found by staying away from Orlando itself I managed to spread my sightseeing further afield. For instance a trip to Melbourne beach (about an hour's drive from Orlando) made a change too. I would avoid September in future as each...

jeckmate 12.02.2008 · Read review
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Review of Orlando

Sea World Orlando.

Advantages: Interact with animals, great shows
Disadvantages: Cost

...I was a bit apprehensive about visiting Sea World. So many people had said to me about how cruel it is to keep animals in captivity. Having visited Sea World in Orlando, my mind has been changed. I am convinced that these animals are happy to be there, although I did feel that some of the enclosures were a little small. Sea World rescue animals, and are keen to inform the general public on caring for animals, and our ecosystem. So, here is my opinion on the park. We visited Sea World just after New Year, so we had the benefit of visiting at the quietest time of the year. Where is it? Sea World is easy to find. It is located near downtown Orlando at the intersection of Interstate 4 (I4) and the Bee Line Expressway. The park opens at 9am, and closing hours depend on the time of year. Car Parking Well, on this holiday...

Testarossa 23.01.2005 · Read review
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Review of Sea World, Orlando

Orlando...Where Dreams Come True.

Advantages: Something to see and do for all age groups. Great for shopping
Disadvantages: The flight took nine and a half hours. :(

...Orlando..Where Dreams Come True. There is so much to say about Orlando, that I don't know where to start... My husband decided it was time to visit Orlando, after hearing so much about it from his friends at work, and deciding that it would be a great birthday present for our daughter, who was coming up to her 13th birthday. (who was he trying to kid, me or himself) So off he went to the travel agent, and arrived back home with every travel brochure that contained Florida. He then spent the next week weighing up the pros and cons of each and every one of them. At last after giving it a great deal of thought and a lot of mumbling and grumbling about extortionate prices (you know what men are like) he came to the conclusion that Unijet would be the best choice, for us to travel with. His reason being that they seemed to offer...

xanadu 13.03.2001 · Read review
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Review of Orlando

Whoah, I'm going to Orlando

Advantages: Hot and sunny, good family holiday, friendly locals
Disadvantages: Can be TOO hot in summer, need to watch for hidden costs

...I've lost count how many times I have been to Orlando. The last time I had a very sarcastic US customs official who commented that I spend more time there than some of the residents. True, this was the third visit in 6 months, and the last Visa was still current! Whenever I go to the US I try and blend in with the locals, and see a bit of the real US. Many people I meet even when I tell them I'm English they ask how long I've lived there. Don't I wish! So this is my guide to planning your dream vacation in the sun, while not getting ripped off etc etc. I'll try and entertain you with some of my experiences as we go along, too. Enjoy. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET THERE? Well I've been various ways - in luxury with Virgin, with my knees cramped up on a tiny charter flight, you name it. You're likely to have a budget which will...

cazm17 15.10.2002 · Read review
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Review of Orlando

Holidays to central Florida and Orlando

Advantages: hot, fun, cheap?
Disadvantages: too hot, long flight

...Paul?s guide to Holidays in Central Florida Getting to Florida Flights Manchester or Gatwick is your best bet for flights to Florida. I always book flights myself directly using any of the following websites:- www.airplaneticket.co.uk www.flights4less.co.uk www.ebookers.co.uk www.travelocity.co.uk www.expedia.co.uk Don?t be afraid of booking a non-direct flight (for instance, changing planes at Atlanta) ? it?s really not that much hassle and can save you loads of money. Also, don?t be afraid of booking a non-charter flight with a US airline. In my experience, the leg room, service etc. is light years better than the likes of Airtours etc anyway. Where to Fly to? McCoy Orlando International is Central Florida?s main airport. Easy to get to, big, well organised and closest airport to Disneyworld. Sanford...

paulfoel 22.10.2004 · Read review
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Review of Orlando

Orlando International Airport

Advantages: Easy to navigate, plenty of toilets.
Disadvantages: Time in Queues and Speaker system.

...Here is my experience of Orlando International Airport which we have used on Three holidays to Florida, our latest visit was Nov 2007. Orlando International airport is one of the main Airports for Central Florida but some airlines use Sanford which is further from Orlando. It really depends on the airline company to which airport you will land at, we used Virgin for all trips and all arrived at the same area of the international airport. Before you arrive in the USA don't forget to fill is those green visa waiver forms for each person in your party oh and 1 white customs form for the whole family. Fill this out correctly other wise you will pay for this later, time wise. The airline crew are very good and will help by checking over your forms but you must ask them to do this. On virgin flights they have a little section in...

CRAFTYDONNA 09.02.2008 (06.02.2008) · Read review
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Review of Orlando, USA (MCO)

Ponderosa Restaurant - Orlando

Advantages: You can eat all you like
Disadvantages: Dont eat too much if you are going to a Theme Park (for obvious reasons)

...As there was a Ponderosa Steakhouse restaurant just over the road from our hotel on International Drive, Orlando, we usually found overselves heading in that direction in the morning for our usual breakfast fix, before the usually mad day ahead of us. There are about five of these restaurants in the Disney vicinity, two on International Drive and three in nearby Kissimmee. You can come out of there full to the brim for as little as $3.99 and with the high exchange rate (when we went it was about $1.90 to the pound) that works out at approximately just over £2.00. They do a breakfast buffet, and a lunch and dinner buffet for $8.99 for a steak buffet. If you choose a different item, either chicken, fish, pork or a larger steak, the price may vary up to approx $15.00. The food is plentiful and you can go back again and again to...

SBROWN487 27.08.2005 · Read review
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Review of Ponderosa Restaurant Orlando