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Central Florida Attractions |
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Attractions
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Bring Water / Quality: / Value :
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Freeze bottles of water to take to the parks they will keep cold all day. You can always refill your water bottle in the park. Prices are crazy high in the park, after all, its just water. |
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Free Car Parking / Quality: / Value :
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A good insider tip is to park at the Portofino Hotel, for Universal Studios, the parking still costs $8 as with the normal car park but if you have food at any of the hotel restaurants you can get the parking ticket validated. From Portofino there is a water taxi to Universal, which is fun for the kids.
This also works for Disney resort hotels. You can park for free at the hotel and get into the park 1 hour earlier as a guest at a Disney resort hotel, so a good result all-round. The Disney California Grill is an excellent restaurant with a great view of the Disney fireworks but you'll need to book in advance. |
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Water ride / Quality: / Value : not rated
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If you intend to go on water rides a change off clothes is advisable, if it is a little cloudy you soon feel cold (you don't need to carry these around with you - use a locker at the entrance to the park) |
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Free Disney & Universal / Quality: / Value :
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You can't get into Disney or Universal for free but there are several shopping sections that are free. These are Disney 's Downtown/Market place and Universal's Citywalk. Disney 's Downtown is better for kids, it is free but still has plenty of atmosphere and fun for children. Take a boat out, go on the train, carousel, etc. Free chocolate (samples) at the Ghirardelli store
Friends said "Disney Boardwalk resort in the evening. Meal in Spoodles was quite good and it was really nice just to walk up and down the boardwalk, watching the boats and other folk. Would recommend it." Univeral's Portofino resort is also well worth the visit and you can take a free boat ride from there to Universal's Citywalk.
Citywalk would be great for late teens/adults, aimed much more at the late night club scene. |
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Very Cheap Theme Park Tickets - Timeshare Presentations / Quality: / Value :
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In many shopping malls you'll see theme park tickets offered at very cheap prices. These all entail either a timeshare presentation or a scam. Timeshares may be for hotels, resorts or villas.
Some friends of ours have attended several timeshare presentations and obtained these tickets without buying a timeshare. Here is a summary of their comments.
"The Breakfast timeshare presentation was interesting although was certainly hard sell and pressure but it is very easy to say No, although they do give you a look of disbelief. There are crèche type facilities for the kids although ours cried and were returned to us. We picked up $50 in cash for attending plus a nice Breakfast.
We also attended the Hilton version of the Timeshare, this time for lunch and 2 free Disney tickets. |
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Half Price at the Water Parks / Quality: not rated / Value : not rated
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You might have heard of the watery wonders of Wet 'n Wild. Well, you can cool off year-round at this well-known water park (6200 International Dr., 407/351-WILD, www.wetnwild.com) with more than a dozen really splashy rides for $10 off its admission after 3 p.m. When the discount kicks in actually depends on closing time; when the park closes at 6 p.m. in the off-season, it starts at 3 p.m.; when it's open until 11 p.m., 5 p.m. Regular admission is $28.95; $22.95 for ages 3 to 9. |
Dining
Almost every chain in the US has at least one restaurant in the Orlando area. Though we mention many of them our preference goes to the small local business and the best food in town:)
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