My mum is not keen to go back to Old Town, what is so bad?

[Guest]

Can someone tell me what is so bad about Old Town?.
Me and my mum have just been discussing our plans for our next trip even though it is a while away yet and she is not keen to return to Old Town even though she has reluctanly agreed to go with me again as long as we don't stay too long.
She said when we went there on out last trip she didn't feel safe and to her the place had a bad vibe about it.
I did not feel like this at all and was wondering if anyone else has or is it just my mum being a bit paranoid?

[Lightningz]

I must admit last time I visited (2009) I felt it was more sketchy than previous visits.

We parked up across the 192 and first had a random person give us a parking ticket, I think when he (eventually) explained it was a joke charity donation. Confused the heck out of me, then three guys, one carrying a ferret were asking us for a $1, polite enough when we declined but I wouldn't want to cross them.

Once 'in' the town itself I felt better and more safe.

I would still go back, though, just perhaps park in a better spot or something.

[Guest]

I would agree with her, to be honest. It's a bit seedy.

[Guest]

Just wanted to add that we did go during the day and it was a bit like a ghost town there, almost had the place to ourselves!, not that it bothered me but maybe thats why my mum felt nervous.
Main reason i went and would go back for is the Black Market Minerals shop which i loved, being a crystal collector and they were so very cheap there!.

[Sweetie Babes]

We nearly stayed in a house on an estate set back from Old Town, and I'm glad we cancelled and found something else.

When we got back from Busch Gardens on the shuttle, we got off the bus there (where we'd parked) and ate dinner in the BK there - really seedy branch and the customers were a bit iffy. My brother then wanted to have a look round as we were there, and it was classic car night. Well, we spent about half an hour walking about, listening to the live music and looking at the cars and stuff, but I didn't like it. It was all so loud that I'm sure we'd have been disturbed by it at the house, a couple of blocks back from all the action.

It's not that I felt unsafe per se, but it did have a slightly dangerous edge to it, if you know what I mean.

Why are you so keen to force your mum to go there if she doesn't want to? Are you talking about a visit, in which case you could go on your own, or actually staying in the area?

[Poppycat]

We've been to the Saturday night cruise several times and although it's not got the polish of the theme parks and malls, we've had a good time.

This year we took the DS's and they had a great time talking to the locals about their cars and were even allowed to sit in some of their heroes ( bumblebee and herbie) which made their holiday.

With plenty of people around, there was a good vibe and we never felt unsafe. A big field behind the fun spot offers free parking. All the shops are open, so maybe an alternative option for the OP?

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Sweetie Babes

Why are you so keen to force your mum to go there if she doesn't want to? Are you talking about a visit, in which case you could go on your own, or actually staying in the area?

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I am not forcing her to go, i said i am happy to go there on my own but she is not happy about me going on my own for the safety reasons.
We are not staying in the area, we stay on site at disney, we would get the bus there and would only probably be there a couple of hours.
Just a couple of shops i really like there, Black Market Minerals as mentioned above and the Kandlestix store makes really nice handmade candles and i wanted to get a couple made on our next trip. Couldn't fit them in our cases this time as we had already bought too much!

[Sweetie Babes]

Well, I wouldn't describe it as a place to feel actively unsafe in. But as you're a woman, I can see where she's coming from. If you went on a busy day and in daylight, then I can't see how you'd have a problem. If there was going to be a problem, then it would be at night!

[katiep]

I visit old town every time i have came to florida since 2000 and although i agree it is shabbier than it used to be, i would still go, as i like some of the shops there too and have always found everyone to be really nice etc plus the old car rally is a must we loved that so will defo be going this time too though i do appreciate lots of people dont like it im glad all my family like it as much as i do

[Guest]

mmmmmm, i think maybe i sometimes let my guard down too much on holiday and thats why i didn't pick up on any of these things that are being said (something to remember for the next trip)
And on reflection, maybe it wasn't a good idea to be walking around there wearing bum bags (tourist giveaway).