Disneyworld Orlando help

[kiwitripper64]

Anyone got any tips on Orlando, disneyworld and JFK space centre?
I am after tips for accom for 2 adults + 2 young teens, best disney sights etc. we will be there early dec.
thanks

 

[straitman]

Anyone got any tips on Orlando, disneyworld and JFK space centre?
I am after tips for accom for 2 adults + 2 young teens, best disney sights etc. we will be there early dec.
thanks

kiwitripper64,

Orlando is BIG :!:

Look at Orlando & Kissimmee.

Try looking at MouseSavers.com - Disney Discount Source - Disney World Discounts, Disneyland Discounts, Disney Cruise Discounts and sign up for their newsletter.

If you have access to timeshare there are many resorts in the area and it proves to be a truly cheap way of accommodating. I suggest that you will need a rental car and that the drive to KSC is actually well worth it.

One other small by line is that there are many toll roads around Orlando which is a nuisance though quite efficient. ie even getting from the airport into Orlando/Kissimmee requires two toll booths.

 

[BAM1748]

Anyone got any tips on Orlando, disneyworld and JFK space centre?
I am after tips for accom for 2 adults + 2 young teens, best disney sights etc. we will be there early dec.
thanks

KSC is a must, if your not interested before you get there you will be after. Allow all day if you want the tour of the launch sites.

Also, there is launch on Dec 16th if you are there of a weather satellite. Rocket launches although very quick from a standing around for ages to a few seconds of amazment is not something you ever forget.

Date: Nov. 20 *
Mission: STSS Demonstrators Program - Missile Defense Agency
Launch Vehicle: United Launch Alliance Delta II
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station - Launch Complex 17, Pad A
Description: STSS Demonstrators Program is a midcourse tracking technology demonstrator and is part of an evolving ballistic missile defense system. STSS is capable of tracking objects after boost phase and provides trajectory information to other sensors and interceptors. To be launched by NASA for the Missile Defense Agency.

Date: Dec. 16 *
Mission: GOES-O
Launch Vehicle: United Launch Alliance Delta IV
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station - Launch Complex 37
Description: NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are actively engaged in a cooperative program, the multimission Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite series N-P. This series will be a vital contributor to weather, solar and space operations, and science.

Try this for FAQ
Patrick Air Force Base - FAQ Topic

 

[mzy]

Hi Kiwi,

I will be holidaying at DW in Sept this year with myfamily (Mrs Mzy & kids). We are staying at the Contemporary resort for 4 nights booked online thru Small World Vacations, Inc. - Walt Disney World Vacation, Disneyland Packages, Disney Cruise Line Vacations and Adventures by Disney!. We booked and paid several months ago and got a good deal. I looked at using Hilton points to stay at their hotel but I was advised to stay as close as possible (the hilton is in the downtown disney area). The Contemporary has the monorail running straight thru it so I figured that would have to be better than a bus.

My kids are still quite young so at this stage we are planning on only doing the disney parks and will leave the space centre until next time. My advice (actually the advice of others given to me) is to book as early as possible, especially is you are looking to get into one of the character dining sessions. Having said this, if you can't get into something first up keep trying as cancellations do occur.

I will be back early october and will give you an update if you want. Also, Disney have sent me a out a planning DVD which I am happy to copy and send.

...Mzy

its a small world after all...its a small world after all...

 

[straitman]

Hi Kiwi,

I will be holidaying at DW in Sept this year with myfamily (Mrs Mzy & kids). We are staying at the Contemporary resort for 4 nights booked online thru Small World Vacations, Inc. - Walt Disney World Vacation, Disneyland Packages, Disney Cruise Line Vacations and Adventures by Disney!. We booked and paid several months ago and got a good deal. I looked at using Hilton points to stay at their hotel but I was advised to stay as close as possible (the hilton is in the downtown disney area). The Contemporary has the monorail running straight thru it so I figured that would have to be better than a bus.

My kids are still quite young so at this stage we are planning on only doing the disney parks and will leave the space centre until next time. My advice (actually the advice of others given to me) is to book as early as possible, especially is you are looking to get into one of the character dining sessions. Having said this, if you can't get into something first up keep trying as cancellations do occur.

I will be back early october and will give you an update if you want. Also, Disney have sent me a out a planning DVD which I am happy to copy and send.

...Mzy

its a small world after all...its a small world after all...

Mzy,

The Contemporary Resort is a really great (magic ) location. It's half way between the Magic Kingdom car park and the Magic Kingdom. To go to EPCOT just requires a Monorail change.

 

[kiwitripper64]

Thanks to all for advice. We fly out of Orlando to New York on 17 Dec, so Kennedy space centre on 16th it is. What a buzz.

How long does it take to get from DW to KSC? Is it best to get car and drive or are there decent bus transfers? It looks about 100k driving.

Accom advice also helpful. There is just so much to choose from. And this is just a small part of 7 week trip.

mzy. An update when you get back would be hugely apprciated. And my advice for younger travelers from Disneyland is to break the day up. Get in to DW early, move fast, then back to hotel for lunch, rest and swim, then back to the magic. Have a great time there

 

[BAM1748]

Thanks to all for advice. We fly out of Orlando to New York on 17 Dec, so Kennedy space centre on 16th it is. What a buzz.

How long does it take to get from DW to KSC? Is it best to get car and drive or are there decent bus transfers? It looks about 100k driving.

Accom advice also helpful. There is just so much to choose from. And this is just a small part of 7 week trip.

mzy. An update when you get back would be hugely apprciated. And my advice for younger travelers from Disneyland is to break the day up. Get in to DW early, move fast, then back to hotel for lunch, rest and swim, then back to the magic. Have a great time there

Personally, I'd hire a car, Alamo would be high on the list of car companies I'd use. THey have some good specials. Also, if you have a car and at KSC you are almost on Cocoa Beach and one of my favourite surf shops - Ron Jons "open 24 hours just like the beach".

 

[NM]

How long does it take to get from DW to KSC? Is it best to get car and drive or are there decent bus transfers? It looks about 100k driving.

Its a good 45-60 mins drive out to KSP from Kissimmee and a little more from Orlando (say International Drive area). A rental car is a good option.

Accom advice also helpful. There is just so much to choose from. And this is just a small part of 7 week trip.

For visiting Disney parks, it is good to stay at Disney if you can afford to. Otherwise ensure you allow for the time and/or cost of transfers or parking at the theme parks.

Learn all about Fast Passes and how to maximise their use before you arrive. Google will be your friend.

 

[Fifa]

My family (2 adults and 2 teenage kids) stayed at Homewood Suites by Hilton Orlando-International Drive just before Christmas 2007. It gets a good write up on Trip Advisor and we were not disappointed.

It is good value (we paid AU$106 per night booked on-line directly through their website) and includes free shuttle to WDW, free internet and a substantial breakfast (incl. cooked items, fresh fruit, sugary cereals, toast, pastries, bagels, make your own pancakes, juice and of course Coke which the kids just had to have each morning [hey, we were on holidays!] all eaten from disposable plates with disposable cutlery!!! We arrived late on Thursday night so missed out on the complimentary light meal and beverages which are served Monday through Thursday evenings.

Ours was a one bedroom suite which contained a king size bed and the teens shared a sofa bed in the lounge, kitchen and 2 tvs. There are also 2 Bedroom units. Homewood Suites is on International Drive so there are no shortage of restuarants with prices to suit all.

We hired a car in Miami and drove straight up to the Kennedy Space Centre where we spent the afternoon then on to Orlando that evening where we dropped off the car. We didn't want the hassle of driving around Orlando or paying for parking at Disney. Yes, it is a bit of a drag being dictated by shuttle bus times but we managed fine.

On the day we left we collected a new rental car and continued on our way. Have fun!

 

[Mal]

When I was in Orlando, I went to the KSC on a day when they had just rolled out the Space Shuttle for launch.

I had "Up Close" tickets (which I do recommend, as they take you out a lot further to some better viewing points and a better tour), and we got close, but still quite a way from the shuttle.

A few things to keep in mind about the trip from Orlando to KSC. Have plenty of coins available - there are about 4 or 5 seperate tolls of 25c or 50c each. Get there early if you can as tours can fill up quickly, and yep it is a very good day trip.

 

[straitman]

Depending upon how long you are there you might like to consider that Disney has a series of theme parks as part of Disney World. They cater for all ages via the various parks.
We have found that alternating DW with another attraction is a great way to do things and certainly not as tiring.
There are also several other good attractions in the area. Gatorland Zoo in Kissimee, several good Water Parks, Universal Studios just to mention a few.

 

[coolumbla]

If you go to KSC you will definitely need a car

I enjoyed the KSC more than any other theme park i've ever been to , simply because i'm of the vintage where everyone v\can tell you where they were when man walked on the moon.

I was there to watch a rocket take of as part of my daughters school trip.There were almost as many dads as there were kids!

Just seeing all the buildings etc on the tour that i have seen on TV for ages was the best part for me

Trivia question
Who is cocoa beaches most famous tv resident?

 

[BAM1748]

If you go to KSC you will definitely need a car

I enjoyed the KSC more than any other theme park i've ever been to , simply because i'm of the vintage where everyone v\can tell you where they were when man walked on the moon.

I was there to watch a rocket take of as part of my daughters school trip.There were almost as many dads as there were kids!

Just seeing all the buildings etc on the tour that i have seen on TV for ages was the best part for me

Trivia question
Who is cocoa beaches most famous tv resident?

Is it the red haired guy from CSI Miami, used to own a surf shop there.

 

[coolumbla]

maybe i need to be a bit more specific

WHo was the tv character who lived in cocoa beach?

 

[kiwitripper64]

Major Nelson, I dream of Jeannie?

 

[coolumbla]

Kiwitripper
i bet you can tell me where you were when Neil armstrong walked on teh moon!

Correct
Major Nelson aka Larry hagman

 

[serfty]

So where did Jeanie (Barbara Eden) live? .. far more interesting than the Major ..

 

[coolumbla]

Jeannie lived here

I Dream of Jeannie - Inside the Bottle

I have far too little to do!

 

[mzy]

But off course it wasn't really Cocoa Beach...it was 1164 Morning Glory Circle, Warner Brothers Ranch, West Oak Street, Burbank, California...just down the street from the Partridges.

...mzy

actually 1164 was Darrin and Samantha's place, the Partridges were across the street and the Nelsen's down a little further.

 

[kiwitripper64]

next you will tell me Jeannie didn't live in the bottle