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View Full Version : Is a holiday 15 months away too soon to start planning??


jakvee
10 Jun 08, 10:09 PM
Ok, so I don’t go on holiday for another year, well actually it’s over a year, but whose counting (well, apart from me?), so I have decided to post my itinerary as I can’t stop thinking about what we are going to do when we are on holiday. My family is very laid back when it comes to decision making, so if no rough (ok, detailed) plans are made beforehand, then we’d spend at least an hour every morning saying ‘Well I don’t mind what we do today, what do you fancy doing?’ and it would go back and forth until we all fall out!!

Whose who?

The people who are going on the holiday are as follows;

Me, Vicki
Chief organiser; way too organised for my own good (so they tell me). This will be my 4th visit. I am looking forward to shopping, the rides, eating and drinking!!
Jamie
My boyfriend who has long suffered the torment of my organising way too in advanced! This is Jamie’s 3rd visit and is looking forward to shopping (I know a bloke who loves shopping – only in Orlando though, I can assure you his enthusiasm doesn’t span to the Trafford Centre!)
Mum (Mandy)
Going for her 50th Birthday (ok she’ll kill me for putting that, but she’ll probably not read this so I might have got away with it.) Also doesn’t like rollercoaster’s but I’m going to try using the ‘You’re 50 now, you have to try everything!’ card. This is her 2nd visit, although the 1st time she was there will be over 10 years ago.
Hayley
My younger sister; my aim is to get her on Sheikra, as she didn’t do it last year. 4th visit to Orlando and she’s looking forward to pretty much everything I think.
Totty
Hayley’s boyfriend and is pretty much up for anything. 2nd visit to Orlando.

Jamie and Me!
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn175/hazzamondo/Family/SL740370.jpg

Me and my Mum!
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn175/hazzamondo/Family/SL740371.jpg

Hayley and Totty
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn175/hazzamondo/Family/SL740063.jpg

How did this come about?

It’s my mums 50th next year so to celebrate she wanted to go on a winter sun holiday. Don’t get me wrong I like a relaxing holiday on the beach, but when there’s a group of you, I think for the money you spend going somewhere in Europe you may as well get a villa in Orlando (am I right?) Anyhow, I asked Hayley and my Mum who both thought that it was a good idea so we started the search. We found a good deal for two weeks and now have it booked. Yippee. Now the saving and the dieting starts!

What to do when we’re out there?

I have already started doing my mums head in, calling her every morning at work with new ideas for what we can do. So I have an outline of stuff we want to do but haven’t put them into date order. We are arrive on a Sat night so I reckon the 1st thing we’ll do is navigate our way to the villa and then head out to the nearest Wal-Mart for essentials, that is, if we find the villa, none of us have ever driven out there before! I have bought the Orlando Map which shows where places to eat n that are and I am going to get the Brits Guide to Orlando too to help me on our way. If you have any useful tips, I’d greatly appreciate it.

Food
Dennys
Perkins
Any other places good for breakfast??
Johnny Rockets
Cheesecake Factory
PF Changs
The Italian at Pointe Orlando
Outback
Bahama Breeze
Chilis
Somewhere fishy for my mum, maybe one of the restaurants at Downtown Disney??
Am I missing any great place for food? (probably lots!)

Shopping
Premium Outlets
Beltz (or whatever it’s called now!)
Mall of Millennia
Florida Mall
Festival Bay

Theme Parks
Islands of Adventure
Universal Studios
Sea World
Aquatica
Busch Gardens

Days Out/Other
Daytona
Boggy Creek – we have never done this before
Celebration – what time of day is best to go here?
Crazy Golf – anyone recommend a good one?

Nights Out
City Walks
Downtown Disney
La Nouba
Kissimmee for the Old Car show
Halloween Night at Universal (if it’s started when we go!)


You will have noticed that the Disney parks aren’t on there. We don’t really ‘do’ Disney anymore; we much prefer the other parks so we haven’t bothered to get the Disney Tickets. Jamie and I still have our hopper passes though so the options there should we decide one day that we want to go.

We could also do with some advice as to what to do on the day we fly home (I know, planning for home time before we’ve even got there!) Last year we dropped our bags off at the free time check in and then proceeded to argue about what we were going to do for the next few hours. In the end we went back to universal to have another go on duelling dragons, but we weren’t really dressed for the parks. What do you guys do on your last day? I think we don’t fly until 8.30pm, so we’ll practically have all day.

If anyone has any useful tips or advice on anything on my itinerary, i'd gladly appreciate it.

So i'll try and refrain from posting my pre trip report until nearer the time!!:d:

TinselAngel
13 Jun 08, 01:23 PM
Hiya
Your list looks pretty good. I think there is a seafood place at DTD - Fulton's crab house ? don't know what it's like because we don't do seafood, but check out the reviews online.


I don't think you're too early - my DH starts planning the moment the flights are confirmed - no matter how far off ! Planning is half of the fun anyway, plus, as you say, you would waste too much time deciding what to do each day without it . You can always change the plan on the day if you feel like doing something different anyway!

Enjoy the rest of your planning !

mainecoon lover
13 Jun 08, 01:47 PM
Its not to early. I love the planning as it a part of the excitment of your holiday.

jakvee
13 Jun 08, 04:23 PM
Hiya
Your list looks pretty good. I think there is a seafood place at DTD - Fulton's crab house ? don't know what it's like because we don't do seafood, but check out the reviews online.


Thank you! I think that half of us that don't do fish (me included) but i'm hoping there'll be chicken or something on the menu too!:grin:

carys
13 Jun 08, 04:53 PM
Never too early to plan go for it it is exciting ! How about Sharks underwater grill at seaworld ? I had a lovely fish dish there last time .

peterpan
13 Jun 08, 05:05 PM
ive got sharks underwater grill on my to do list as well kids will love it you have got glass walls which is an aquarium and see all the sharks swimming around. also seen as its your mums birthday you can request a diver into the tanks with a birthday message written for your mum just a thought. also ive never been but mannys chop house has been recommended to me on here. I saw some photos and it looks fab.

xXxArielxXx
13 Jun 08, 06:30 PM
Hi :wavey:

Its never to early to start planning! Sounds like a fab trip! Also you could try Golden Corral for a meal as it is a really nice buffet!

Happy Planning! :D

HazelDK
13 Jun 08, 06:34 PM
Where is the Olive Garden on your restaurant list?
This is a great place to eat for a family of your size as you get a salad or soup free with every main course... Oh Yummy. I want some now.
Also try Little Italy Maggiano's which do a 4? course meal for $25 a head. DO NOT EAT before you go. The food is massive. It is a great restaurant- although you are scared a Mob boss will walk round the corner any minute... :) ha ha
Perkins is nice when you just want normal home cooked food... But its quite salty.
Also go to Sweet Tomatoes if you like salad....
I've noticed; I only ever comment on food :)

HazelDK
13 Jun 08, 06:35 PM
Oh I forgot. (Not food)
Blue Man Group...
And Discovery Cove- I am so looking forward to this. :)

princessfiona
13 Jun 08, 07:23 PM
Its never to early to plan I think. The more time you have the more time there is to save and have all the money you need to have a great time on holiday. Your ideas look great. You will prob change your mind a few times about things but hey thats what it is all about. Good luck!

ameliaUK
13 Jun 08, 07:26 PM
we have been planning since we got back in January,not going till next year June,like the rest say never to early

jakvee
13 Jun 08, 10:53 PM
seen as its your mums birthday you can request a diver into the tanks with a birthday message written for your mum just a thought.

Cool, that sounds like something good to do!!

Little Italy Maggiano's - is that at Pointe Orlando?

Thanks for all your thoughts, i am sure my plans will change nearer the time but i'll keep you posted for your opinions! :thumbs-up

jakvee
13 Jun 08, 10:57 PM
And Discovery Cove- I am so looking forward to this. :)

Can you do discovery cove without the entry to Seaworld/busch as we are already getting the Flexi tickets?

sueh6
13 Jun 08, 11:28 PM
I don't think it's ever too early to start planning, even if it's only a rough draft of what you would like to do and where you would like to eat. It all saves time when the park hours are released so that you can just slot everything in to place :)

HazelDK
14 Jun 08, 12:11 PM
Little Italy Maggiano's is right on the edge of Point Orlando. Near to my favourite Olive Garden I think :)

jakvee
14 Jun 08, 06:26 PM
Little Italy Maggiano's is right on the edge of Point Orlando. Near to my favourite Olive Garden I think :)


Cool, thanks, i think i'll be adding both these places to my list of restaurants. :thumbs-up

Minnie67
15 Jun 08, 09:26 PM
Never too early to start planning! My itinerary is all complete for July next year. It means anything that needs booking can be sorted early to avoid any disappointments. Also part of the fun of the trip is the planning. I drive my lot nuts but it all works out well & everyone gets to do what they with no time wasted trying to decide on the day.

We tried Shark's Underwater Grill last oct 07 one of best! However you do need to book as soon as you arrive at the park tables fill fast.