Last minute tips

[babalicious]

Well, the time has nearly arrived. I go to orlando in 3 week, i can't belive it's has finally come, I've been sking question about my holiday for over a year now! So has anyone got any final tips and advice for me about my holiday to orlando with my 2 year old, 4 other adult and two teenagers! thanks

[vehelpfulguy]

And I have been answering your questions for over a year as well (as have others) !!

Final advice. Dont overdo it.

There is a temptation in Orlando to try to cram a lot in, visit every theme park, stay there for as long as you can, and you just get exhausted.

Try to alternate busy days with relaxing days. Visit the theme park one day, sit by the pool for the next day and so on.

I happen to think it is wrong to take a 2 year old to Orlando (and I said that last year when you first asked about going) but as you are taking them then bear in mind that for someone that small it can be rather overpowering.

So put yourself in the position of the 2 year old when visiting the parks and think how the crowds may be affecting them.

It is also VERY hot over there (currently it is about 33c or 34c which is between 92f and 94f) and to be honest is not the best time to go (which I also said last year) so make sure the 2 year old has plenty of cover (get a cover for the pushchair) and also get plenty of liquids.

With such hot days it will be awful standing in queues in the theme parks in the middle of the day so consider getting to the park early, coming home for a sleep in the middle of the day, then go back to the park for late afternoon and early evening, or maybe just do half a day in the park rather than the whole day.

I have seen your debate about a car and have to say that if you can, try to get a car, with a child and all the stuff you need to carry round for a child, a car would be very useful.

Note also your do a LOT of walking in the theme parks (they are huge) so wear sensible shoes, have a rucksack with water in it, and baby wipes to cool you down and wipe you and plenty of SUN CREAM.

Most of all, enjoy yourself and let us know how it goes.

[vehelpfulguy]

Note the following about airport security.

I flew to Jersey two weeks ago and they are currently very strict on carrying liquids on the plane in hand luggage (I understand that terrorists can mix 2 liquids together to make explosive).

So tell all your party to pack liquids in their suitcase and not in hand luggage.

This includes sun cream and other lotions, tins and bottles of drink, and any other liquid or cream.

I had to throw away 2 half full bottles of sun cream because they were in my hand luggage and they would not let them through security.

If any of your party want some drink for the plane journey get them to buy them AFTER they have gone through security and are in the departure lounge.

Any drinks or liquid they buy when they first arrive at the airport (water, coke, sun lotion etc) which is in their hand luggage will have to be thrown way before you can get through security.

If you need liquid of any sort for the 2 year old find out NOW what you are allowed to carry on the plane for a baby or yound child.

[vehelpfulguy]

One final thing before I shut up.

I have seen your questions about hiring a car and sense some tension between members of the group who are going (about if you should hire a car or not).

These tensions may build up while you are there and spoil the holiday.

So to avoid these tensions dont feel that everyone in the group has to do the same thing every day.

Maybe try splitting up into smaller groups of 2 or 3 people and maybe even go to different places.

If you are all together all the time, and always going to the same place, it may get a bit too stressful so dont be afraid to suggest spliting up.

And if you want a fantastic day in an amazing "theme park" go to Sea World.

Although this has a few white knuckle rides it is really a zoo for mainly sea creatures. It is a lovely park to stroll round, and your 2 year old will love it.

The show with the killer whales is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. I was so impressed I saw it 3 times.

Choose your seat carefully or you will gert soaked !!!.

There is also a Dolphin show, sea lion show, and also loads of areas where birds and sea life can be seen in their fairly natural state.

If you can feel the tension building up just say to everyone you are going to Sea World with your 2 year old and have an amazing day just you and her.

Web site

http://4adventure.com/SWF/default.aspx

[scoobydooby]

On your last day, take advantage of the check in at Downtown Disney. It's operated by Virgin Airlines but others can use it for a small fee (about $5 I think). You can unload your cases and spend the rest of the day luggage free. Many people spend their last day at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach because you can hire towels etc. but we've always spent our last day at DisneyQuest. Youngsters love it, there's Internet access, lots of computer games including the old space invaders. You can record your own song, create your own roller coaster and ride it (simulator) and the food is to die for!!! There's also lots of shops at Downtown Disney and you can get all those last minute presents. Hope you have a fantastic time - we want to hear all about it.

One more thing, you need to spend the first couple of days getting used to the heat (it's unbelievable). Stay by the pool or go to a waterpark. If you go to any of the themeparks you'll be sweating buckets whilst waiting in the queues !!

[jno]

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/ parkhours/calendarHome?id=MKCalendarParkHoursM onthlyViewPage

Disney World often stays open late Sunday and Monday - if you can keep people awake there's a lot less queuing then (I did this at Disneyland Calfornia years ago and we went round and round on Pirates of the Caribbean, no need even to get off the boats as nobody waiting).