off to Orlando

A meeting area where members can relax, chill out and talk about anything non magical.


Moderators: nickj, Lady of Mystery, Mandrake, bananafish, support

MagicWorld Magic Shop for Magic Tricks Manufacturer of modern & unique magic apparatus! Best prices around! Web Design for Magicians A web site set up to sell my book, THE STRIPPER DECK, and future magical/mentalism titles. Visit Magicbox for all the latest and best effects!

off to Orlando

Postby midge25 » Apr 16th, '12, 09:16



I am going to Orlando soon kids are 9 & 11, it is about 6 years since the last visit does anyone have any tips, places to go? things to see? shops advice. magic or none magic related.

midge25
Senior Member
 
Posts: 408
Joined: Apr 20th, '03, 21:00
Location: Warrington (41)

Re: off to Orlando

Postby AnonymousZC » Apr 16th, '12, 17:30

I went last October. I had a load of things planned, yet didnt do most of it.
If you are on international drive, and want to travel on it, it is tempting to get an itrolley pass. But its probably best to look at lynx buses, as these take you off international drive (like to the florida mall or the airport) but also up and down international drive. Best to look at what stops are near where you are staying.

I had planned to visit Ripleys and WonderWorks on international drive, but never got round to it.
There is a magic show at WonderWorks, but never got to see it. Looked alright, and it comes with pizza and beer (soft drinks for the kids)!

Magic related; might be good to have a look at Wizardz Magic Theater.

What are your plans so far?

User avatar
AnonymousZC
Preferred Member
 
Posts: 273
Joined: Apr 10th, '07, 18:03
Location: Midlands, England, UK. (26:AH)

Re: off to Orlando

Postby Ant » Apr 16th, '12, 20:26

It really depends on what you want to do.

The only thing I think is a bit expensive is Aquatica. It's just a a glorified water park and the parking is expensive, Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon are much better value. Disney do two week multi-entrance tickets which I would definitely recommend, it also gives free access to DisneyQuest in Downtown Disney.

Downtown Disney is also home to a magic shop, it's near the cinema, opposite the House of Blues (which is also a great place to eat).

Epcot has my favourite fireworks, Fantasmic at MGM is also awesome. The ice-cream shop on Main Street in The Magic Kingdom is incredible and so is Ghiradelli in Downtown Disney.

La Nouba is okay but I have seen better Cirque shows, it may also be a bit too mature for your children's ages.

I'll stop there needless to say I love Florida in general, I would recommend hiring a car and buying a sat nav from Walmart, it works out cheaper than renting one, the shuttle buses are okay but I prefer the flexibility of a car, especially if you plan to visit Busch Garden's, Clearwater or Daytona.

"The most important thing is not to stop questioning."
User avatar
Ant
Advanced Member
 
Posts: 1307
Joined: Jul 11th, '09, 21:09
Location: Hertford, UK (29:AH)

Re: off to Orlando

Postby mr invisible » Apr 16th, '12, 21:34

Awesome place for the kids, and adults alike :P If your at the right part they have a magic shop near the universal studios!! Hopefully its still there? was there 4 years ago. Also you may want to observe your surroundings if your travelling with the kids... When we were there in 2008 there were a few gangs that operate just outside the parks, and they pray on all tourists...Sorry for being negative but this is America, and witnessed a few dodgy situations when I was there!! In fact 2 people on the other side of the parks were shot just for a few pounds.. But on a positive note its a great place and if you stay near the boundaries and use a bit of common sense and judgement you will have fond memories of a great place. Garry 8)

MEMBER OF THE SHEFFIELD CIRCLE OF MAGICIANS.
Is magic really real ??
User avatar
mr invisible
Advanced Member
 
Posts: 1118
Joined: Feb 21st, '12, 17:05
Location: Belper, Derbyshire. [ 47-SH]

Re: off to Orlando

Postby Ant » Apr 16th, '12, 21:41

I have been 5 times now and never had any trouble or seen any trouble anywhere near the parks, either I have just been lucky or you were unlucky Garry...!

Orlando is a reasonable sized city though so I do not doubt there are bad parts, Disney however have their own private army...

"The most important thing is not to stop questioning."
User avatar
Ant
Advanced Member
 
Posts: 1307
Joined: Jul 11th, '09, 21:09
Location: Hertford, UK (29:AH)

Re: off to Orlando

Postby mr invisible » Apr 16th, '12, 23:41

:oops: :oops: :( Sadly I am always unlucky.. But serious if I had the chance to go again I would go again. like I said in my post its a amazing place. 8)

MEMBER OF THE SHEFFIELD CIRCLE OF MAGICIANS.
Is magic really real ??
User avatar
mr invisible
Advanced Member
 
Posts: 1118
Joined: Feb 21st, '12, 17:05
Location: Belper, Derbyshire. [ 47-SH]

Re: off to Orlando

Postby AnonymousZC » Apr 17th, '12, 10:15

Just talking to the girlfriend, and we both prefered aquatica to Typhoon Lagoon. At the time of going Blizzard Beach was shut.
Aquatica seemed to have more things to do (slides, and childrens water play area), where as not so much in Typhoon (though they do have salt water snorkeling over a coral reef and some big waves in the pool). But we had tickets to all the parks, so we never really saw the cost for individual parks, and had itrolley tickets for transport.

My parents hired a car the first time we went, when I was younger. It was very handy, especially with us kids, but my dad wanted this time to not have the obligation of having to drive everywhere. We had transport with our hotel to all parks, which was very handy.

I cannot remember there being a magic shop outside of Universal Studios, but there was one inside. In the Arabian section, there was a little magic show put on, and afterwards you could buy their tricks (sponge balls, floating card, fire wallet), but they also had a nice little selection of professional tricks as well.

If I had to pick one ride to go on, it would be; the crash test dummies in Epcot. Fantastic ride, great idea and suitable for young ones (my nephew of 8 loved it).

If my girlfriend had to pick one ride, it would be; space mountain (magic kingdom), haunted house (magic kingdom), harry potter (universal studios), jurassic park (universal studios), simpsons (universal studios), the mummy (universal studios), aerosmiths rock'n'rolla (MGM), toy story (MGM) and the whole of halloween horror night (universal).

Don't forget to pick up an autograph book and take lots of pictures with all the characters (I would say as long as they are not too old for that, but my brothers fianceé, 28 years old, loved getting them).

User avatar
AnonymousZC
Preferred Member
 
Posts: 273
Joined: Apr 10th, '07, 18:03
Location: Midlands, England, UK. (26:AH)

Re: off to Orlando

Postby midge25 » Apr 18th, '12, 08:30

we always get a car there so transport is not a problem. Thanks for the advice everyone

midge25
Senior Member
 
Posts: 408
Joined: Apr 20th, '03, 21:00
Location: Warrington (41)


Return to The Dove's Head

Best prices around! UK's Online Magic Tricks and Jokes Shop offers kids and beginner magic tricks and jokes. Sorcery Shop - Home of the ITR Aeternum Servare Secreta World-Of-Magic, Suppliers of quality Magic Worldwide Playing Cards for Magicians Dude That's Cool Magic

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest