Things To Do Alone & Golf Questions Purleease!

[Tony G]

Hello all,

I've been reading the threads on this board manically and thought I'd ask for your help with a few queries.

I'm visiting Orlando for two weeks VERY shortly, and was wondering what to do when I get there.

I'm travelling on my own, so I don't really fancy visiting the theme parks again. I visited them on my last trip back in 1992.

I was thinking more about exhibitions (any info on the Titanic exhibition?), movies, theatres etc etc on/near International Drive. Any suggestions?

I'm also considering perhaps renting a car for a day or two and going for a drive... any recommendations as to a destination?

Also, I'm a keen golfing beginner. Could anyone please recommend a nearby driving range where I can rent clubs? I'd rather not lug mine across the atlantic! [msneek]

Thanks in advance. [msntongue]

[Maureen Edwards]

Hi Tony,
The only one I can comment on is Titanic. We did this for the first time in November. If you like history and are generally interested in the Titanic story you will find this attraction facinating.

Your 'guide' takes on the character of an actual person that was on the ship. Our guide was a first class cabin steward who attended to the needs of some really 'posh' guests in first class on the ship. It was absolutely enthralling. They take you around and tell you all the history of the shipbuilders, etc and then tell you about a few of the guests on board. You touch an ice-berg and then stand on deck in the freezing cold to imagine (or try to imagine how cold it was). By now I was so engrossed with the tales told by our guide (who was so knowledgeable) and acted out the character so well, I was in tears as he talked us through the tragic events. Especially when he talks about the children and all the third class passengers who had very little chance of escape.

There are actual artifacts from the ship and I would suggest you stay on after the tour and read all the relevant information. Allow at least 2 - 3 hours, they don't set a time limit you can browse as long as you want.

A word of warning, if you are not prepared to listen very intently and absorb it all I would think twice about going.

There was a family behind us and they talked constantly through our guide's presentation and he got very annoyed (quite rightly) and told them in no uncertain terms, that if they did not find it interesting perhaps they should carry on the tour by themselves!
They soon shut up!

To be fair, I don't really think it is for children, they would probably be a bit bored.

I don't know if all the guides are as good as ours, but if they are, then you will enjoy it.

[Tony G]

Wow... What a reply!

Thanks Maureen for that extremely informative response.

The Titanic exhibition was the one thing I had definitely decided to do as I decided on visiting Orlando. Reading your comments has only made me look forward to it even more... and you have also managed to confirm that the place does indeed exist in reality as it seems to evade mose websites.

Thanks again for your reply.

Anyone else with any other suggestions/comments/information...?

[Maureen Edwards]

Hi Again Tony,
Hope this isn't 'bleeped out' for advertising, try:
www.titanicshipofdreams.com
You can read all about it there[msnwink]

[Tony G]

*drools*

Thanks again. [msntongue]

[Funshine]

If you're travelling to Florida in February how about Daytona - for the racing.

Cape Canaveral too - well worth a visit if you haven't been before.

Silver Spurs Rodeo at Osceola Heritage Park on 192 East - keep your eyes open for any events during your stay. Here's a link www.ohpark.com

Take a flight in a vintage bi-plane at the Warbird Museum off Hoagland Boulevard in Kissimmee.

Try this link too for other local events: http://www.floridakiss.com/f_about.html

[stavros47]

On the Golfing: Southern Dunes is a great golf course to play. It does'nt matter if you are pro or beginner. They all hire out clubs they are of a good standard Taylor made and Callaway's.

[DMC]

Hi Tony

Although you said that you visited the Theme Parks back in 1992, since then several rides have been added and Universal Islands of Adventure has opened and if you like thrill rides then they don't get any better.

As for other things then I too can recommend The Titanic Exhibition its is well worth a visit and on Friday and Saturday nights at around 9.00 pm they lay on a special "Ghost Night" which is a must

As far as other things to do then there are many Golf Courses in and around Orlando so you can take your pick.

If you wnat to do a bit of Shopping then the Premium Outlet Centre at the southern end of International Drive ( approx 2 miles from Seaworld ) is the best place to go for those bargains

If you want more mainstream shopping the Mall of the Mallenia at the north end of International Drive is worth a visit as is the Florida Mall out by the Airport.

For a drive out a visit to the Kennedy Space Centre is only 60 mins drive from I'Drive and again worth a visit. Otherwise a visit to the west coast to Naples / St Petersburgh etc could be good.

As for places to eat then you won't be short of choice but The Olive Garden on I'Drive ( next to Race Rock ) is our favorite the food and the staff are great.

If you like steak then try The Butchers Shop in the Mercado Village, which is also the location for Titanic.

There are 2 Multi Screen Cinemas on I'Drive, one on The Pionte Orlando, which also has a range of Restaurants and Nightclubs and one at the north end of I'Drive next to Outdoor World.

Hope this helps.

[steph_goodrum]

Friday and Saturday night at Old Town on 192 they have a cruise, which is basically a dislpay of lovingly cared for classic cars, I can't remember what the difference is between the 2 nights but think it is to do with the age of the cars, or it might be they have more trucks one night but I'm sure someone will know.

Regarding the hire car if you check out the prices you may find it more cost effective to hire a car for a week as the daily rate is much higher than 1/7th of the weekly rate and I think it generally works out between 3 and 4 days at daily rate is the same cost as weekly.

[Tony G]

Wow... again... errr, am I becoming repetitive?

Thank you all for some excellent ideas. [msnsmile2]

Daytona, now that sounds like fun, I'll take a look to see if there are any race meetings scheduled for when I'm there.

A part of me would love to visit the theme parks again, but I think if I went on my own, I'd end up feeling a touch out of place. [msnembarrased]
As I recall, most of the rides are cars, where groups of people sit. I'd feel really awkward if I was the odd one each time.

I read about 'Ghost Night' at the Titanic exhibition on the website... can't wait to give it a go!

The cruise sounds excellent too, all though I'm rapidly running out of days to fit all this stuff in!

About the golf, I'm really not up to playing a round yet. My first attempt here in blighty was pretty embarrassing, so I'd just like to keep up my practice at a decent driving range... Anybody know of one where they let you hit off the grass instead of off driving mats?

OK, here's the question I'm left with... Should I rent a car to get to the Kennedy Space Centre, or should I take a bus/coach? Many of the websites I've looked at seem to say that it's best to rent to get there, and I think the same is being hinted here?