Orlando Specialist
Due to demand for information on the Orlando Florida.
Bairdstravel has brought in Florida experts to help our customers have
the dream trip to Orlando.
Bobby and Jackie Bryden have travelled to Florida many times now and
hope to return in the near future.
Here are a few questions for our Orlando experts.
How many times have you visited Orlando? 10
Where have you have stayed ?
Monumental Movieland (formerly Bestwestern Movieland) - 4 times
Rodeway Inn - once; Quality Inn International - twice; Ramada Inn - once; Travellodge - once;
Double Trees - once
Above is Bairdstravel who also stayed at the Movieland
Favourite hotel?
Monumental Movieland (for location) and Double Trees
Best value hotel?
Monumental Movieland
Least favourite hotel you have stayed at?
Ramada Inn
Favourite meal?
Hard Rock Cafe
Best value food in Orlando?
Ponderosa
Cheapest bar?
Monumental Movieland Bar - happy hours 12 noon - 7pm and 10pm to closing
Favourite beer [one for Bobby]
Budweiser
Favourite bar?
Monumental Movieland Bar
Which theme park do you like most?
Universal Islands of Adventure
Favourite ride and why?
The Hulk - it is really fast with lots of twists and turns
What do you think of the water parks?
We like Wet N Wild and Aquatica at Sea World. There is lots to do at the parks for both adults and children. They have lots of food and drink outlets which are not too expensive considering you are in a water park. Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach at Disney are also very good.
Animal kingdom or Bush gardens your fav -
We love Busch Gardens. There are lots of rollercoasters there and a great jeep safari that takes you round the park where you will see lots of animals.
Do you think the price of tickets for the parks is good value?
We always buy our Flexi plus tickets before we go. This gives you 14 days unlimited entry into Universal Studios, Universal Islands of Adventure, Seaworld, Aquatica, Wet N Wild and Busch Gardens. We have bought Disney passes here and in Florida and there is not much difference in price.
How do you get to the theme parks?
We use the free coach to Busch Gardens (details are given when you purchase the Flexi or Flexi plus ticket). We walk to Wet N Wild and Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure (or a short taxi ride if you are tired!). We use the transport from the Hotel to go to Disney or if there is a group of you a taxi may work out cheaper. There is also transport from the Hotel that takes you to Sea World and Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure but it is usually very busy. You can use public transport to travel to Sea World - the i-ride bus or no. 8 Lynx bus takes you there.
Is there any parks you have not went to and why not ?
No - we have been to all the parks.
MGM STUDIOS
What kind of entertainment is there for adults ?
There are a number of dinner shows you can go to or if you enjoy just having a meal and drink lots of bars and restaurants in the International Drive area. There are also a lot of different dinner experiences at Disney and City Walk at Universal Studios.
Where have you been on your day trips further away from the theme parks?
We have travelled to Clearwater a number of times. It is a lovely beach resort about 90 minutes from Orlando. There is lots to do here - sun bathe on the gorgeous beach or go on the Clearwater Screamer. This is a speedboat that takes you out to sea where you usually are able to see dolphins jumping about in the water. There are other boat trips on offer if you want something at a slower pace! There are also nice cafes and restaurants here too.
Driving easy or hard?
We have never driven in Florida.
Suggestions for first time vistors to Florida?
Depending on your preference I would suggest a visit to some Disney Parks and also Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure. There is so much to do and see that you would never be able to cover all of it on your first visit.
JAWS RIDE AT UNIVERSAL
With the pound being so weak at present are their still bargains at the outlet factories?
We did find the outlets a lot more expensive this time but if you look around there are still bargains to be sought.
Is the I ride on International drive a waste of time for tourists?
No, we found the I-ride really good. It runs regularly and takes you to the Prime/Premium Outlets, Sea World, Aquatica and other attractions the length of International Drive.
Which month is best for visting Orlando?
We usually go end June beginning July which is good but you do get some rain. We have visited at Christmas/New Year and it was great. We did not see rain at all and the weather was lovely (in the 80s).
Tourist awaits his transfer
How do you get to your hotel from airport?
We arrange a transfer when we book our holiday.
Downtown Orlando worth a visit.
It used to be worth a visit but I don't know what it is like now. Rosie O'Grady's is where we used to go but it is now closed.
Anything free in Orlando?
I'm not aware of anything being free in Orlando. Anything we have done has always had a price attached.
Bobby and Jackie our Florida experts
Thanks very much from Bairdstravel