First Time Advice Please.....

[Kat7]

Hi there,

Premium Outlets is definately the place for Nike, Adidas stuff....also Levis, BUT make sure you try the stuff on first....don't go by the sizes, as American clothes sizes are different from UK sizes.

I'm a bit of a sado, cuz I really like Old Navy clothes. Excellent for kids stuff!
There's one at the North end of I-Drive, if I remember rightly...unless they've moved it in the last 4 years - you never know!

Also take a look at the Festival Bay mall. That had just opened when I was there last. Fab skateboard track, if your kids are into that sort of thing!!!

TIP: don't take too many clothes with you, cuz you know you'll buy loads out there! Take a couple of empty hold-alls and fold them up at the bottom of your other bags. That way you won't have to buy any more bags when you're out there. ------yup, we had to do just that on our 1st visit!!![msnembarrased]

Kat

[steviesrightfoot]

Cheers Kat

Do you know how much luggage we can bring back?

Also we are going to buy a camcorder, should we get one here or there?

And finally, how much money, cash, would you exchange.
Family of 5 going for 3 weeks.

Getting excited

[Mr_Pip]

Hi, Just a word of caution on buying electrical goods.

I bought a sony Vaio laptop from Florida last time I went over and when it broke 6 months later I had a hell of a time getting it fixed. It had to be sent back to the states. I don't know if this is true of all electrical goods or not but just thought I'd let you know.

[Albert the Frog]

We've bought a digital camera and a camcorder and they've been fine. we did however buy them from Walmart deliberately as Asda should honour any warranty.
Like others on either t his or another thread i wouldn't take a shed load of cash just my debit/credit card I've found that you only need cash really for incidentals-ice cream,tips and the like.

[millie]

So jealous!!!
My own tips would be........

The day you want to go to the Magic Kingdom try to make it a day it does not open early to resort guests (Early Magic Hour). On the days it doesn't open early they do an opening ceremony which is lovely and a great start to the holiday. We always do MK on our first day! You need to get there early (about 8ish into the car park) and get the monorail/boat tot he MK and wait outsiode the front for it to begin.

I would also avoid the park which has early opening. You should be able to get that info easily from guest relations or on the Disney official website in advance. That is because many of the resort guests will go to that park that day. Going to that park the day beofre or the day after early opening is a good idea.

Dont't miss Fantasmic at Disney Studios! Its amazing. You do need to get there early though. Don't sit too near the front. If there is even a little wind you may get a bit wet from the spray.

Another must do (aswell as the Shamu show) is the Clyde and Seamore show at SeaWorld. Get there early because as the crowds are building a little mime artist pirate comes out and takes the mickey out of people coming in. He is hysterical!!!! I dread the day i go to Seaworld and its his day off!!!!!

There are too many!!!
Have a great time!
L

[steviesrightfoot]

Thanks Guys

Just got the Nationwide credit Card, so will use that for most things and will take some Dollars.
I think i will get a camcorder this weekend, would like to video the start of the hols,airport and stuff


Millie, we have planned MK for our first day.
Having never been b4 i think it will be a great way to start for the kids.
And if not to tired would like to see a fireworks display in the evening.
Should be a good start [msnsmile2]

Good tip on avoiding the early opening parks.

[millie]

Being at the MK first thing on your first day may mean you might be too exhausted to see a fireworks show that night. I know we are always still jetlagged and in bed by about 9!!!! We usually stay till the parade then head home after that. You could always go home and have a rest and if you are still up and about you could go back in for the night time show?

The Opening Ceremony is well worth it especially if you have children. I did not know it existed till my DD got us up at 4am on our first morning and we set off early. Turned out to be a real highlight of the trip. Great way to meet Mickey and Minnie as soon as you enter the park.

Lx

[steph_goodrum]

"Do you know how much luggage we can bring back?


This depends on who you are flying with, charters have generally around 20kg per person (sometimes 15kg) limit but scheduled usually 2x23kgs per person, BA and Virgin have just reduced theirs but I think BA may not have introduced the lower limit just yet or if you booked your tickets early then you should get the higher limit.

ps can't resist any longer, is there something significant about the right foot?

[steviesrightfoot]

hi Steph

I`m a Liverpool fan and chat on their forums and my nickname on there is after their star player, steve gerrard, who has scored some amazing goals with his right foot.

I keep the same name and password for wherever i chat, easy to remember

[Kat7]

Hi 'Stevie'

I too am a MASSIVE reds fan & cruise the boards on LFC...have found too many juvenile posts and comments, though!

Camcorders.....I've just bought one, this week...cuz I have a poorly dog[msnsad]

Depending on how much you want to spend...I bought the Panasonic NV-GS300.
Great reviews....Costs £550 in the 'Pnanasonic shop', but I got it for £375 from 'purely gadgets' on-line. I am a complete beginner at the camcorder game, but it is a better model for me to 'grow' into!
Check out 'simplydv' website & forum. they have loads of good advice & reviews.

I bought this one instead of the NV-GS280 cuz it had both DV in & out, so I can archive any edited footage back to DV tape for safe keeping.(the 280 is identical to the 300, but only has DV in)
Oh, it also has a 3.1megapixel stills camera built in, although I do have a spearate one.
Also, the low light lux rating is 1....0 means you can film in total darkness, so hopefully it'll take some good footage of florida @ night and maybe the fireworks.

Onto money....the previous times we have gone, the credit card took a real beating....not nice to come home to, so this year I'm already collecting USD travellers cheques. The exchange rate I got yeaterday was $1.91..... [msnsmile2]..even better with 0% commission which most places now do. They're as easy as cash, but safer cuz if you lose them...report them & they'll be replaced within 24hrs.......try to get American Express cheques.
You'll need a little cash for the toll roads coming out of the airport...if you're flying into Orlando International....don't know about Sanford!
I don't really know what to advise on how much to take....for me & hubby I'm planning on about £1500....but he has a tool fetish and has 'previous' for relieving Walmart for a substantial amount of their stock! (He's into old british motorbikes and USA are still imperial, so he can egt most of what he wants at a fraction of the price!!!!!)With kids....I wouldn't like to say, but don't automaticaly buy Disney t-shirts n stuff in the parks. Check out the character shops @ Premium Outlets and what was the old Belz outlets.....don't know what its called now!

As its your 1st time, may I suggest investing in the 'brit guide to Orlando & WDW'....there are some really good tips in it...and a planner which shows the busiest days for all the parks.
Amazon have it for about £10. On our 1st trip in 2002, it was our bible (oops, can I say that?![msnoo]) I have bought this years,2007, and the updates have already proved useful!

Hope this helps....feel free to ask more.....I could go on forever!!!
[msnsmile2][msnwink]

Kat