Holidaying In Florida???

[hensylee]

I don't know that you can combine Disney and Universal. I have been to both and they are separate deals. We went to the hotel at Universal and got tickets for Universal and as guests of the hotel, we got first in line tickets. The same, I believe applies to Disney, but you'd have to book into Disney, too, I think. You might check with your hotel where you will be staying in Orlando and see that they have to offer. They might have package deals. Just contact them and they can tell you all you need to know.

 

[Mary]

Florida is booked!!

Leaving Gatwick on the 5th of Novemember for 17 nights.

7 nights at the Masters Inn Kisamee Orlando, then driving down to the Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa - Fort Myers/Sanibel Island for 3 nights.
Looks beautiful.

Then back up to Sarasota to stay at the Helmsley Sand Castle hotel for 4 nights. And to finish off the last 3 nights will be in the Don Cesar hotel in St. Petersburg.

Got a really great deal with Virgin Holidays and we are both really looking forward to a dream holiday. Thanks for all the great tips and advice with more hopefully to follow folks

I'm going to miss you by about 10 days! We're headed that way the last day of November; like Hensylee mentions, it's a good time of year to visit the Sunshine State!

 

[Bad Mad]

Yeh I thought that ANN. But I'll do search on net. Some sites that sell the tickets let you print them off as you purchase with credit/debit card.

Are you staying in Orlando Mary or are you touring around?

 

[Mary]

Yeh I thought that ANN. But I'll do search on net. Some sites that sell the tickets let you print them off as you purchase with credit/debit card.

Are you staying in Orlando Mary or are you touring around?

This trip we'll stay in Orlando; the trip in February we hope to go south for several days before heading back to Orlando for the VR reunion.

 

[donnamarie]

My only reservation with Clearwater is that there is some construction work going on from now until 2008. Does anyone know if this should be a factor?

Hi - I live in Pennsylvania and last March visited my son just south of Orlando. Being Phillies fans, we wanted to go to Clearwater for spring training. It was a long boring ride, clear across the state. There was a ton of construction in the Tampa area and made the traveling even less fun. That was probably the height of the season there too. I would think there must be really nice places to visit on the East coast of Florida. If you're coming all the way from London, I'd think you'd rather not travel so much once you're here.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[Bad Mad]

Hi - I live in Pennsylvania and last March visited my son just south of Orlando. Being Phillies fans, we wanted to go to Clearwater for spring training. It was a long boring ride, clear across the state. There was a ton of construction in the Tampa area and made the traveling even less fun. That was probably the height of the season there too. I would think there must be really nice places to visit on the East coast of Florida. If you're coming all the way from London, I'd think you'd rather not travel so much once you're here.
Just my 2 cents.

DM

Don't think there is that much construction work going on now.

Surely the travelling would be longer going to east coast? We fly into orlando and that's where we are spending our first 7 nights to do all the disney/universal attractions.
Don't know if you spied but I posted a couple of weeks ago to say we are booked to go on November 5th. The other destinations/hotels are booked also.

From the recommendations of the good people on here, the other places we are staying will be Sanibel, Sarasota and st. petes beach. Apparently the west coast is more beautiful and unspoiled, particular for beaches etc.

 

[hensylee]

The west coast beaches ARE more beautiful. I live in NW Fl panhandle and our beaches are advertised as the most beautiful beaches in the world - and the water is green, not blue as is the Atlantic on the east coast. I believe you will find that beaches in Sarasota are so beautiful, especially at sunset. They are less spoiled than the east coast beaches. You might want to book a dinner cruise while in Sarasota. or even a day cruise to outer islands. The dolphins often swim right up to the small ship where you can see them up close in their habitat.

 

[Bad Mad]

That's what I thought

I have already booked a dinner cruise for when we are in Sanibel. It;s supposed to be brill, but might try one in Sarasota also.
I think the cruise is on the Sanibel Princess boat, and it's really great value too.

 

[donnamarie]

DM

Don't know if you spied but I posted a couple of weeks ago to say we are booked to go on November 5th. The other destinations/hotels are booked also.

From the recommendations of the good people on here, the other places we are staying will be Sanibel, Sarasota and st. petes beach. Apparently the west coast is more beautiful and unspoiled, particular for beaches etc.

Nope, I didn't read the whole thread till just now! Sorry. Sounds like you have a great trip planned! Have a great time!

 

[Bad Mad]

Thanks Donna.

 

[Bad Mad]

At last I've got aroung to posting about myself and my partner's amazing 11 night trip to Florida - 5th - 16th of November.

After coming off the plane and after about 2 hours of driving up and down the highway we eventually found our hotel where we spent the first 4 nights of our vacation - Kissamee.

The whole Disney experience over those few days was fantastic. We crammed in Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, MGM, Universal Studios and Epcot. And with the queues being so small, we got to see everything that we wanted to.
Universal was especially good, where we really enjoyed the Twister experience, and flying over the moon with ET So many rides/experiences to rave about. The movies Through time was a great experience at MGM also, whereby on a train you went through the sets of all the old films like Casablanca, Wizard of Oz, Tarzan etc. etc.
We ate a really beautiful (expensive) meal at Fultons Crab House near Downtown Disney where the Fillet with craB meat was delicious.

So after 4 action packed days at Disney, we packed the bags, and off we headed for the Helmsley Sandcastle on Lido Beach - Sarasota for 3 nights. We got a really nice beach front room on the 2nd floor - perfect for Sunsets - about to come in handy for the big proposal
I asked the manager of the hotel (discreetly) that 1st day when we arrived if he could organise some-one to bring some champagne and strawberries to our room just before Sunset!!I told him of the occasion and he didn't even charge it to our bill So needless to say - champagne, strawberries, sunset, Lido Beach, the ring present (Maria had picked it before we went) - everything was perfect.... and guess what? I said yes

So that night we headed to the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre in Sarasota to watch Laughter on 23rd?? street I think - a play about the entertainment business and McCarthyism. The food was pleasant, but the play wasn't really our thing, so at the half time interval we headed to the pub!!
We did however get our moment of glory when after the couple sitting next to us informed the stage host of our engagment - so the announcment was made in front of the whole theatre and the spotlights were on us
Ann: On our last day at the Helmsley, whilst sipping a cold one at the Kiki bar (on the beach) we witnessed a wedding ceremony taking place - as it just the start of the ceremony I didn't see any of them heading into the water - apaert from the groom that is who had 2nd thoughts!!

On our 3rd day in Sarasota we headed off to meet up with Karen (Starkone) at her beautiful home, where we were treated to an an excellent boat ride around the whole Siesta Key area. We had a great evening's fun that really made our trip that bit more personal/special. Thank you Karen

The next 3 nights we headed off to stay a fantastic resort called the Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa, just across from Sanibel Island. I booked in for a Swedish Massage which was brilliant. Our room was up reaaly high with a veranda looking out over San Carlos Bay, which was nice.
In our time there we took in the Islands of Sanibel and Captiva, which were so unspoiled and beautiful. At the rocky waters of Captiva, I hired a Jet Ski while Maria took in a few rays. WE also had our lunch one day at the recommended Bubble Room - that is sure one hell of a funky place!! It was good, but nothing compared to the 22oz Ribeye steak on the bone, that I had at the Steakhouse at the resort - wow...it was goooooooddddd.......

So down to the last night of our holiday and we headed up to stay at the beautiful pink palace called the Don Cesar in St. Petersburg. I was very impressed with the beach there - paticularly the lovely white sand and crystal clear water. We had 11 nights of the most beautiful weather, and a holiday that will live long in our memories. Just what the doc had ordered per-surgery

 

[Curtsmum]

Wish i could of been in your suitcase, sounds fantastic. Glad you had a great time. My son can't fly that far so we havn't been to America yet, we went to Disneyland Paris and i fell in love with it. I saw a great hotel on the net that had animals roaming around in the hotel grounds. After my son's had his operation, i will sure be hoping that will be our next holiday

 

[Phyllis]

It sounds like a dream vacation and I'm glad you said YES!

 

[hensylee]

Disney World is an unbelievably amazing place. Right out of the movies. And so is Universal. That was probably the highlight of the trip (well, not to mention the engagement being the tops).

I think it's nice that you got to witness a wedding outside the Helmsley castle. After my children's wedding, they went outside the dining room that is just off the Kiki bar, all of them in their wedding clothes/barefeet and watched the July 4th fireworks and then into the water, clothes and all. (not me, tho). Ms Helmsley has (had) an apartment on the top floor.

The Golden Apple play wouldn't be of interest to you because that subject is definitely an American political story from the 50s before you were even born. The audience last time I was there consisted of old people from nearby retirement villages and were brought there by buses. Used to be a very upscale place with Hollywood and New York actors in the cast with local celebs in the audience. I met the mother of Cathy (in the comics) and she looks just like the mother in the comic strip.

My brother used to live in St Pete and yes, the beaches are beautiful. The farther north on the gulf coast you travel, the more beautiful the beaches are. And you can't beat Don Cesar restaurant.

Sanibel Island is very popular. Those islands offshore are truly unspoiled and beautiful. Did you get to see any dolphins beside the boat? They are fun.

Thanks for a good travelogue on your vacation. Florida is a great place for a trip. Orlando alone can fill your entire time and you still don't see it all.

Congratulations on the engagement. Glad you said yes or you might'nt have lived til you got home. When's the big day. Best wishes to you both for a long and very happy marriage.

 

[Bad Mad]

The big day is 20th march 2009

My girlfriend is absolutely horrified that I am suggesting/pretending that she proposed to me
Only a bit of banter!!

WE did so much in the 11 nights, and the weather was fantasic, especially the further south we went.

We definitely will go back, and I reckon we may try and take in Key West next time.

Ann: Stangely we didn't eat in the elegane Don Cesar restaurant, but we went to a nearby Fish Restaurant called Snappers. Where a 6oz lobster served with
scallops and tiger praws was so cheap and really good!!

We did however sample a couple of very good "complimentary" cocktails from the bar, after I witnessed a poor soul in crutches coming in through the front door of the hotel on crutches and falling down about 8 steps (I was asked for an account of what happened)

We saw a few dolphins in our time away. I saw one around 3pm on Lido one day, and actually went in with my snorkel to see if I could get a closer look!! Of course I couldn't find him

Curtsmum: I went to Disneyland Paris when I was about 14 with school and it was really good. If you get the chance to bring him to Florida, he (and you) is in for one unbelievable surprise.
It's hard to explain, but it is truly magical. I think what made out short 4 day stay in Orlando so good, was the time that we went (November). The weather was perfect (and I love it warm and really sunny), and the queues were very small, thus a very short waiting time. If we had of went peak season in July, it may have been a different story, They say you can wait up to 2 to 3 hours in a queue for a ride/attraction. Most things were 10-15 mins wait when we were there.

 

[kfay]

Ok, my vote is for the Sarasota area as well. My husband's family has a condo and a house on Longboat so we go there for 4-6 weeks a year. In fact we are headed down there in March the week before my surgery. It is very laid back, with beautiful, uncrowded beaches. It can be expensive around there, but if you get off of Longboat and St. Armands and go further into Sarasota you can find some reasonable places to eat. When your plans are set I'd be happy to pass along our favorite restaurants.
Kim

 

[Bad Mad]

Ok, my vote is for the Sarasota area as well. My husband's family has a condo and a house on Longboat so we go there for 4-6 weeks a year. In fact we are headed down there in March the week before my surgery. It is very laid back, with beautiful, uncrowded beaches. It can be expensive around there, but if you get off of Longboat and St. Armands and go further into Sarasota you can find some reasonable places to eat. When your plans are set I'd be happy to pass along our favorite restaurants.
Kim

Oh Kim

You got me all excited there I pretended for a second that I hadn't been away yet and was planning it all over again

we have been on the holiday and all!!! we took in sarasota and had a wonderful time there. we ate mostly in st. armands circle, where the food
was a little pricey, but no worse than home.
I'm trying to remember the names of restaurants we ate in.....I think we had breakfast in the \Blue Dolphin one morning which was very popular.

 

[Curtsmum]

[/QUOTE]Curtsmum: I went to Disneyland Paris when I was about 14 with school and it was really good. If you get the chance to bring him to Florida, he (and you) is in for one unbelievable surprise.
It's hard to explain, but it is truly magical. I think what made out short 4 day stay in Orlando so good, was the time that we went (November). The weather was perfect (and I love it warm and really sunny), and the queues were very small, thus a very short waiting time. If we had of went peak season in July, it may have been a different story, They say you can wait up to 2 to 3 hours in a queue for a ride/attraction. Most things were 10-15 mins wait when we were there.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the info, will defo get round to doing it but it most likely will be 2009. I will be back on for more information when we are ready to go, i'm sure my husband would love the relaxation bit aswell as i always get to pick where we go and he never gets any rest. Congratulations for your big day.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

Sounds like a great time. We were at DisneyWorld when my kids were in 1st and 3rd grades and had a great time. We didn't make it to Epcot. We are thinking of going back this summer to do the whole thing plus some. You've given me some great ideas.

BTW, back in June when you first posted this, I read your initial post and assumed you were gay because of your use of the term "partner". Around here, that's how people refer to their gay partner, short for "life partner" I guess. As a teacher, I used to refer to my teaching partner as my partner and never thought twice about it until one day when a friend said, "Whenever you say "my partner", I always have to remind myself that you aren't gay!" Now that I see you are engaged to Maria, I guess that I misinterpreted your choice of words.

 

[Bad Mad]

Sounds like a great time. We were at DisneyWorld when my kids were in 1st and 3rd grades and had a great time. We didn't make it to Epcot. We are thinking of going back this summer to do the whole thing plus some. You've given me some great ideas.

BTW, back in June when you first posted this, I read your initial post and assumed you were gay because of your use of the term "partner". Around here, that's how people refer to their gay partner, short for "life partner" I guess. As a teacher, I used to refer to my teaching partner as my partner and never thought twice about it until one day when a friend said, "Whenever you say "my partner", I always have to remind myself that you aren't gay!" Now that I see you are engaged to Maria, I guess that I misinterpreted your choice of words.

You know, it actually crossed my mind at the time, that people may have thought that or maybe I am and Maria's his bedroom name

Interesting how we can sometimes perceive things. I may be careful though....wouldn't want any big boys on here making a pass

Lisa n Katy / curts mum: If I can give you any ideas, I'd be delighted to help.