Where on earth do I start?

[worthago]

Hi,
we want to go to Florida in August this year for the first time - probably for three weeks(Mom, Dad and two lads aged 16 and 17 and I have no idea where to start!
We have already decided to have a villa instead of a hotel and wanted to do the Disney area for 2 weeks and then move out to the coast for the last week. Should we get one villa and travel to the coasts or would it be better to get two - one in each area and which coast/resorts are the best?
What parks would be better for older teenagers? (we have done Disney Paris) and is Discovery Cove worth the huge entry fee?
What ticket(s) are the best value to cover the best of the parks?
Got loads more to ask but that will do for now [msntongue]

[thefergies]

If you are a first-timer, I would say Disney first for the experience. I would normally say Universal/Busch Gardens etc (they are on Orlando Flex Ticket) caters better for older kids but it is really marginal and depends exactly what they want to do. I just think you should try Disney as a newbie - you can always do Universal etc next time! If Disney, do the 14 Day Ultimate Ticket and that includes 2 Water Parks and Disney Quest (Arcade Games Centre at Downtown Disney). You can check tickets on this forum's link at top of page and I would recommend car hire from link on this site too.
Can't help on Coast or Discovery Cove but no doubt someone will!

[ravtino]

All depends on budget and what you want, I have done coast and Orlando together but this depends on what you want to see, I have also done Discovery Cove 3 times and loved it, You need to work out what you want to see and then try and fit it in, remembering to allow some rest time which is hard on the first time. I am sure you will gets loads of tips and advice on here. ENJOY

[MarkJan]

For a first trip, I would give Discovery Cove a miss. I would also suggest 4 or 5 days at Disney with water parks also. See the link below:

www.park-tickets.com

With the age of your boys, Universal is a must (if they like rollercoasters [msnsmile]).

One or two centre holidays both have advantages. Are you looking for a couple of days at the beach or a mad first two weeks with a relaxing second week? There is so much to do it will be difficult to choose!

Also look at some night time entertainment such as Cirque du Soleil or the Blue Man Group. Both are great shows.

Which are the best resorts? Different resorts may offer different things. Most are within a short drive to Disney. I would suggest finding a villa on the above sites which you like (or a shortlist) and send enquiries to the owners. Some owners only take Saturday to Saturday bookings but many owners (us included,) allow arrival any day of the week.

Good luck with your search.

[CERICROWLEY]

Three weeks is perfect, you will have the best of what Central Orlando can offer as well as chilling on the coast after.

This site can offer you both villas near the attractions as well as gulf coast villas, just check out the links above.

As to the attractions, don't go overboard with the tickets, there are the 14 day ultimate tickets etc, but you will not be going to disney everyday for 14 days you will exhausted. Take a look at again the link above for park tickets, and you can also browse the florida guide section on here, this will give you an impression of what over people have experienced, and then plan the parks and places you must see, like to see and if you had time to see. This way you will only be paying for tickets that you really need. don't forget to include at least one rest day or a day shopping etc. Your kids may be up for the challenge of non stop enjoyment, but by the end of the two weeks you will be flagging. pace yourselves. Disney parks are great for all ages, although Universal and Busch Gardens tend to gear towards the teenagers/adult.

Totally depends on what you and your family like, just browse around the guides etc and if you want any further information, we are all more than happy to help.

[ShirleyD]

Hi Clare, welcome to the forum
Just a few replies so far and most of them different [msneek] So how to decide? I would also say you need a bit of Disney magic for your first trip to Florida and make sure you get a ticket that includes the water parks as they are such fun. I would also say that if the kids love the rollercoasters, then a couple of days at Universal and a day at Busch Gardens would be a good idea.
You really do need time off between parks to enjoy your villa and maybe a game of crazy golf [msncool]

[worthago]

Hi, thanks for the info so far.
Following a diagnosis of Breast Cancer and two years of treatment this is a trip we want to do 'just in case' if you know what I mean. Therefore, this will be our trip of a life time and no expense will be spared We usually do villa holidays and like to do one day in, one day out so we get the enjoyment of the villa and the areas we are in. The kids definately want to do Busch Gardens, Universal, a shooting range, an airboat to see the aligaitors, hire a Hummer and go to Discovery Cove but thats as far as we have got as we dont know much about the rest on offer!! I was worried that they are a bit old for Disney World? The idea was to have a mad two weeks and then wind down on a beach but which beach we dont know!

[GaryfromBarry]

Hi, Great area for a villa is Indian Wells, really close to all the Disney parks. The teenagers will love Univerasal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Good place for food is the Ponderossa Diner, great value!!! Don't miss Boggy Creek Airboat ride, great to see some wildlife and a real change from the parks.

[ShirleyD]

Just a thought... what if you were to start your holiday with a gulf coast villa? That way you could get over the jetlag and feel more able to do late nights at the parks. Areas such as Rotonda and Port Charlotte are also only two hours from Busch Gardens, so you could spend a day there mid week and/or on your change over day on the way to the Disney area. The park ticket site above is doing a buy one get an extra day free there [msnsmile2]

[msmiff]

Hi, Clair & welcome.
I'm going against the grain a bit... If you've already 'done' Eurodisney, Magic Kingdom & Hollywood studios are similar, so might be worth a miss.
Teenagers will be well suited to Universal (Studios & Islands of Adventure) - usually one day each is about right.
Disney Epcot has some great rides (Mission Space & Test Track to name a couple) & the evening fireworks are outstanding - arguably better than any other park.
Animal Kingdom again has a few 'thrill' rides - Everest & Dinosaur come to mind.
'Chillout' days , for us, are waterparks: Blizzard, Typhoon & Aquatica...
Strangely enough, Sea World has a few really great 'coasters & some of the shows are spectacular !!
Discovery Cove is relatively expensive, but they feed you very well & if you're into swimming (they provide compulsory lifejackets) it's a very relaxing day. Did it a few years ago & liked it so much, am going again the week after next as a birthday treat !!
Notice no-one's suggested NASA space centre, again worth considering as a complete day out - there's nowhere like it anywhere else, so is genuinely unique.
The parks this year are offering really good deals on tickets, all can be bought from this site at very competitive prices, but it's easy to buy more than you can possibly achive, you need to work out some form of itinerary...
Wouldn't suggest daily travel to the West coast, it's too long a drive, better to stay somewhere. Busch Gardens is pretty close to that side & again is great for teens & adults !!
Whatever, you'll have agreat time !!!