Florida advice

LondonRoad · 14-05-2010, 19:50

We're thinking of doing an Orlando trip with the kids next year. I was there yonks ago during July when it seemed to rain most days.

Do any of you know when is the best time to go? Any advice on things to do and avoid also appreciated.

My girls will be 6 and 9 years so it will be mainly a theme park thing (although I might go it alone to Cape Canaveral

)

Angua · 14-05-2010, 19:56

If you wish to avoid queues & don't mind Love-bugs September is brilliant. Is only seemed to rain in the early evening for about 30 minutes and you weren't spending all your time waiting. Also later in September you get the Disney Halloween parades/themes.

Also as your two will be under 10 they are still at child rates.

Hom3r · 14-05-2010, 19:58

When I went their back in 91 (apr) it rained everyday a 2pm. But it only lasted 1/2 hour, after which it dried up sharpish.

I would look at going when a shuttle launch is happening, as this is the last year of the shuttle, so I would be a CC for a launch.

LondonRoad · 14-05-2010, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hom3r

When I went their back in 91 (apr) it rained everyday a 2pm. But it only lasted 1/2 hour, after which it dried up sharpish.

I would look at going when a shuttle launch is happening, as this is the last year of the shuttle, so I would be a CC for a launch.

It was July 91 that I was there. Similar thing, torrential rain for a while in the afternoon every day. But when it rained it really rained.

I wouldn't try to plan my holiday around the shuttle. In 91 there was a launch due for something like the 23rd of July. I was looking forward to it but it got put back, firstly for a day then until the beginning of August by which time I was back home.

Charlie_Bubble · 14-05-2010, 20:35

Mid August to mid October is the height of the hurricane season in Florida. I got caught up in hurricane Charley about 5 or 6 years ago in mid August and it wasn't much fun.

Fingy · 14-05-2010, 20:52

PM sent with some advise, have linked you to a podcast and another forum. HTH

Pog66 · 17-05-2010, 14:55

Have been twice - both times at Easter break - and glorious weather both times!

Flyboy · 17-05-2010, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by LondonRoad

We're thinking of doing an Orlando trip with the kids next year. I was there yonks ago during July when it seemed to rain most days.

Do any of you know when is the best time to go? Any advice on things to do and avoid also appreciated.

My girls will be 6 and 9 years so it will be mainly a theme park thing (although I might go it alone to Cape Canaveral

)

Don't leave them behind, they will love it. The Kennedy Space Centre is fascinating to children of all ages. The tour is brilliant, visitors get taken to the launch pads, as well as the assembly hangars.

**Rob** · 17-05-2010, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie_Bubble

Mid August to mid October is the height of the hurricane season in Florida. I got caught up in hurricane Charley about 5 or 6 years ago in mid August and it wasn't much fun.

Hmm, friends are trying to encourage me to go out there in September - More Northern Florida though rather than the theme parks. Doesn't seem quite so attractive a proposition now

Hom3r · 17-05-2010, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyboy

Don't leave them behind, they will love it. The Kennedy Space Centre is fascinating to children of all ages. The tour is brilliant, visitors get taken to the launch pads, as well as the assembly hangars.

We went twice once was with a tour, we went back the day after George Bush Snr opened Astronaut Memorial http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/as...-memorial.aspx, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Mirror_MemorialBack then there where only a handful of named on it.

Its made from black granite with white granite inlays, when we was there, here was a lot of problems with the letters cracking and looking cak.

But with the sun behind it (it will always be behind due to sun tracking, and you can see it move) the name shine.

punky · 17-05-2010, 18:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by LondonRoad

We're thinking of doing an Orlando trip with the kids next year. I was there yonks ago during July when it seemed to rain most days.

Do any of you know when is the best time to go? Any advice on things to do and avoid also appreciated.

My girls will be 6 and 9 years so it will be mainly a theme park thing (although I might go it alone to Cape Canaveral

)

My family live in Florida and its my work so any questions you have I can answer. I don't want to write out about a massive prose but if you have any specific questions then i'll answer them.

Best time to go if money is not an issue is Easter school holidays. Weather is hot but not stupidly hot. Its much less humid than the summer and you don't have to put up with the hurricane season.

Tour ops know this and price it accordingly (even higher than summer). If you want a cheaper period then try februrary half term or october half-term an try see if you can 'borrow' some time off during the term next to half-term.

Anything else, just ask.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

Hmm, friends are trying to encourage me to go out there in September - More Northern Florida though rather than the theme parks. Doesn't seem quite so attractive a proposition now

Watch out for gators

---------- Post added at 18:05 ---------- Previous post was at 18:01 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie_Bubble

Mid August to mid October is the height of the hurricane season in Florida. I got caught up in hurricane Charley about 5 or 6 years ago in mid August and it wasn't much fun.

Them were the days!

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/20...e-charley.html

Hom3r · 17-05-2010, 18:18

When we went in April 91, it should have been in the high 70s we were in the low 90s. The previous week it had topped 100.

LondonRoad · 17-05-2010, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by punky

My family live in Florida and its my work so any questions you have I can answer. I don't want to write out about a massive prose but if you have any specific questions then i'll answer them.

Best time to go if money is not an issue is Easter school holidays. Weather is hot but not stupidly hot. Its much less humid than the summer and you don't have to put up with the hurricane season.

Tour ops know this and price it accordingly (even higher than summer). If you want a cheaper period then try februrary half term or october half-term an try see if you can 'borrow' some time off during the term next to half-term.

Anything else, just ask.

Thanks Punky. You may live to regret your kind offer

We've not got around to pricing yet but we were leaning towards the end of March beginning of April.

Our youngest will be 6 at the end of March and it would have been ideal if were over there for her birthday but it would mean 2 weeks off school so I think that's a non-starter.

What's your opinion on accomodation? Hotel or Villa?

Hom3r · 17-05-2010, 18:55

We stayed at the Roadway Inn (Motel) on international drive, it was bed only, but near that where loads of food places, We paid back then about $5 for a plate a a mug, then it was all you could eat for breakfast fried, cereal or fruit, and OJ on tap.

We used to stuff outself silly and this would last till about 3pm then we would grab a small snack lunch.

punky · 17-05-2010, 19:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by LondonRoad

Our youngest will be 6 at the end of March and it would have been ideal if were over there for her birthday but it would mean 2 weeks off school so I think that's a non-starter.

What's your opinion on accomodation? Hotel or Villa?

You're a bit unfortunate for 2011. School easter holidays are normally late March - mid April but are a bit later for 2011.

Might be worth asking the school anyway. A lot of schools do grant absences if you ask first.

Regarding the accomodation - villa all the way. You can get a villa cheaper than a hotel these days anyway. And that includes private pool, kitchen, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer...