Re: Disney Florida Holiday - any pointers?
Few years since I have been but I drive is a good place to base your Orlando stay on, stay at the end with the Mercado and upsidedown building it's far nicer and quieter. Car is essential. We usually have 10 days in Orlando (as after this time you are in need of a recovery) and then have 4 or 5 nights on the Gulf Coast (Clearwater was our favorite) for a chill and include a day in Busch Gardens (Epic park for the Coaster fan) as it's in nearby Tampa which is quite a drive from Orlando. Hotels wise I drive is cheap and you can get a room for $50 a night easily, don't spend too much though as all you will do is sleep there (you'll be out at 8 for breakfast and back after 10pm after dinner) so any extras are a waste of money. As said before don't bother with Universal studios, it is eclipsed by MGM, but do have a day in Universals Islands of adventure it's a great park for the thrill seeker. Unsure of Seaworld now, been there 4 times and always enjoyed it but after seeing the Blackfish stuff I am torn, I probably won't bother again though now.
Accommodation on the Gulf Coast is more expensive as there is less competition so budget 50% more for a place (we found a cracking Motel in Clearwater that was tidy, had a nice pool and wasn't too expensive.
Eats wise, you will live in places like Denny's, Wag's and IHOP they offer some nice food at reasonable prices, there is also another place that does an all you can eat buffet very cheap that I can't remember the name of which is worth a visit too.
Tickets used to be available used from booths on i drive, sound weird but lots of people bought 4 day passes and then didn't like it so decided to sell them on with 3 days remaining, these used to offer great value (usually 50% off gate prices) as they had to be used within a certain time limit, however I think these have been cracked down on. There are still ticket deals from booths on i drive that offer a decent discount on universal, seaworld, wet and wild (worth a day) and Busch parks.
Oh and budget for a day out at Kennedy space center, it's epic, you'll need a car to get there too.
Carl.
