1st time to Florida

[bella]

Hi, we are considering Orlando for our holidays this year. This will be our first time to Florida. We have 2 daughters, 2 and 7 and want to make the most of it. We would like to rent a villa as opposed to staying in a hotel, and would like to know of best place to stay at reasonable prices and what areas you recommend? What theme parks are must and what ones do we avoid? We would like to come for 2 weeks in October, however our first week we want to be based at Orlando and our 2nd week we would like to go to Clearwater in the Gulf Coast as we have friends there. Who do you recommend for 2 centre holidays and where can we get the best-priced flights?

I have searched the net but the information is HUGE, so thought I would ask the experts and save me some time!

Thanking you all in anticipation!

[Nostromo]

Hi Bella! Welcome to the OV forums. On this site you'll find links for Villa rental and you can choose the type you need. Compared with hotel prices, not only are villas a fantastic bargain, you'll find that the holiday is far more pleasant and flexible. You'll have your own pool!

This site also offers excellent value for flights, car rental and park tickets via appropriate links. You need to think about booking sooner than later. Since this is your fist time to Florida and the other members will be happy to offer advice on any aspect of your holiday. Go for it!

[Phil and Mel]

Bella,

I can certainly vouch for everything that Nostromo has said. We went to Florida last year for the first time and booked EVERYTHING through the links on this site. Everything was PERFECT!! I think most would agree with me that, once you've been to Florida, you will definitely want to go again and again and again......(you get the picture!!)

Happy villa hunting [msnsmile2][msnsmile2]

Phil

[Liam_Sandie]

Hi

Welcome to the forum. Your kids are a great age to go to Florida!!

As Nostromo says..you can do everything from this site at the links at the top of the page and they are all really good priced! Anything you are not sure about or would like advice on, you will find someone has the answer!![msnwink] I am sure you will find all the information you are looking for including villas in Orlando and on the Gulf coast. Have a great holiday![8D]

[Nostromo]

And as regards the parks, you need to plan carefully cos you seem to have kept only a week in Orlando. Considering that and your kids' ages, I suggest that you go to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and one of the water parks, preferably Typhoon Lagoon. Then keep Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and if your schedule allows, Sea World. You will need a day of rest in between, and so I have assumed that you will have 6 full days max in Orlando. You can also do a spot of shopping after visiting the water park.

Depending on how brave she is, your 7 year old should be able to go on most of the mild and moderate rides. The real big rides will depend on her height (there are restrictions on those) how she feels about going. There is a facility called 'Baby Swap' whereby you and your husband can take charge of the 2-year old (and the 7 year old, if need be) in turn while the other spouse goes on a ride. The advantage is that you do not lose your place in the queue.

There are plenty of other possibilities and if you post questions depending on what you want to do, I am sure that people will be happy to answer.

[Ray&Sarah]

No need to look any further Bella, you can find a villa in Orlando and on the gulf coast through the links at the top of this forum. Then use the other links and get quotes for car hire and flights. The park tickets link is also very good, probably the most competitive we have found. Once you have done all that there are plenty of experts on here who will be able to help with any other questions you might have about Florida.

With two girls aged 2 and 7 you really should do The Magic Kingdom, they will love it.[msnsmile2]

October is a great time to visit, not too hot for queueing at the parks for rides.

Have fun with all the planning, its all part of the fun.[msnsmile]

[KevinT]

Hi Bella,

Welcome to the forum. You made the right choice coming here to ask the questions. You will find all the forum members very helpful and friendly, and the links should provide all you need to book a great holiday. All of the parks are worth seeing. A lot depends on what your daughters like doing, as you won't have time to fit it all in especially if you take a week over to Clearwater, (which has beautiful white sand beaches and is great if you like a restful, relaxing holiday).

I guess you'll have to do what many of us do - try to fit in as much as possible , then come back again year after year, to catch up with the many other entertainments and attractions of the area.

Have a great time!![msnsmile2]

[bella]

Oh my goodness, I wasn't expecting so many replies so soon! It looks like I have struck it lucky in choosing this site for my information!

Thanks guys, once we have sorted out the details - when & if....... I will let you know.

Thanks again!

[8D][8D]

[Snapper]

Hi Bella,

For attractions, with one week in Orlando, my suggestion would be to aim for 4, or at maximum 5, days in the theme parks. They are huge places and if you try to do too many you end up shattered.

This kind of lends itself either to doing everything Disney, everything non-Disney or trying to do the best of both halves. I agree completely that Disney Magic Kingdom would be top of my list given your daughters' ages. I think I would then go Sea World, then Disney MGM and then Universal. A day at Typhoon Lagoon in there somewhere would also be great.

I went MGM rather than Animal Kingdom as I think it has the edge on shows, with Beauty and the Beast and the Indiana Jones Stunt show. Depending on how timid or fearless your older daughter is she would probably meet the height requirements for both the Tower of Terror and the Rock'N'Rollercoaster. My 7 year old niece loved Rock'N'Roll. If you did the baby-hand-off your daughter could get to ride it twice if she liked it. There is also the Phantasmic fireworks show, which is excellent, although personally I think the new Wishes firework show at Magic Kingdom is even better.

Universal or Islands of Adventure is a bit of a toss-up. Again I think your daughter would get more out of a day at Universal than IOA as IOA is more tailored towards white-knuckle and simulation rides which she might not like or might not meet the height requirements for.

All that said, you will get loads of different views and ideas. The good news is that all the attractions around Orlando are so amazing that you can't really go wrong no matter which ones you choose.

[LiesaAnna]

whatever and wherever you go in florida you will have the times of your lives!!!! so much to see and do !!!! the kiddies will love it and cherish the memories forever!