Trip to MCO

Hi All!

Am travelling to MCO with family and friends this month. We will be staying at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel, has anyone been there? If so, is it a nice hotel!?? What parks are the best one's to go to - never been to MCO before! We will be there for Thanksgiving - any recommendations on where to go for dinner that evening? Any advice or suggestions for making our holiday to Florida the best ever are gratefully appreciated! Have booked to use the Clubhouse at LGW before we fly so we can relax - what's the Clubhouse like?!

Thank you to anyone that helps me!!

[:o)]

Hello and welcome. We are flying to MCO on the 25th November. It is a great time to go - everything is Christmassy.

Can't help you with the hotel I'm afraid. Is it the one near Downtown Disney? Good location as you can walk there.

Not sure you will get a reservation for thanksgiving at any of the Disney Restaurants - they book up quickly. You could try phoning and see if there is anything. WDW-DINE on 001-407-939-3463 Just keep pressing the hash key at each prompt - eventually you get through.

Otherwise try some of the big hotels.

All the parks are great. They will be quiet the first up to Thanksgiving and then after the Sunday after. Use the early waking of the first few days to get up an go and be at the parks early.

You can find out loads on the Dibb

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/index.php

The hotel is one that has recently been taken over by LXR. It should be very comfortable but you may find there are a few "hidden costs" such as a resort fee per person which usually includes things like coffee in the room, a daily paper and maybe free local calls - which are free anyway! Its across the street from Downtown Disney. You could look it up on Trip Advisor and see what other people say about it.

IMHO without doubt the Magic Kingdom is one of the best parks. I think its about 5 miles or so from the Buena Vista. We also liked Epcot - not the World Showcase but the Future World and also there used to be a small display by the Coca Cola company which gave examples of how Coke tastes in different countries - fascinating but quite chilly as its in an igloo type building!

Under rated but wonderful nonetheless is SeaWorld. A must if you like the sea creatures - we never miss a visit! The two Universal parks are good but one is more adventurous than the other - cant remember which.

If you plan to do any shopping then the best outlets are Orlando Premium Outlets and if you go online now and sign up you will be able to download discount vouchers.

Hope this helps.

Orlando at thanksgiving can only mean one thing - SHOP TILL YOU DROP. The outlets open very very early (last time we were there - 3.00am, although I believe maybe even earlier now) and the prices are unbelievable with another 50 - 70% off.

David

Don't forget Universal Orlando, particularly if you like thrill rides and have older children/teens. We love it there. It is about a 20 - 25 minute drive from Disney.

If you like Christmas things, then Disney have Mickey's Very Mery Christmas Party on 4 nights a week. It does cost extra, but is good fun and had a special parade and firework display not shown to those not at the party. There is snow on Main Street too, hot chocolate and cookies and special Christmas performances. MGM has the Osbourne Lights - a street just full of coloured lights, dancing to music, and snow again - amazing. Epcot has the Candlelight Processional - a more traditional performance of carols and songs with a huge choir and orchestra. Very moving.

It is worth touring the Disney hotels to see some of the lovely Christmas decorations, in particular the Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge and the Boardwalk Inn.

Some of the hotels outside the parks have attractions too.

Celebration is a town near Disney, 'built' by them believe, but not now owned by them I think. It is a bit 'perfect', but is great for a visit and has some good Christmas activities too.

Thank you everyone - at least I now can go out there with a bit more idea of what to do!! Mickey's Christmas party sounds fab - definately one to get us in to the Christmas spirit. Will post a trip report when I get back. Thank you again

[:p]

YOu will love the clubhouse, try and get there early so you can spend as much time as possible., If you can arrive while they are still serving breakfast even better. Even if you ignore the food, drink and service it is worth the money to be in a haven of peace rather than the departure lounge.

There is a very good guidebook for orlando. 'A Brit guide to Orlando' by simon Venees (i think that is the right spelling) , this is updated every year and is always worth a read.

Have a great trip. Say Hi to the mouse for me!

Originally posted by piggies
Thank you everyone - at least I now can go out there with a bit more idea of what to do!! Mickey's Christmas party sounds fab - definately one to get us in to the Christmas spirit. Will post a trip report when I get back. Thank you again

[:p]

You will probably have to book your tickets for MVMCP. You can book online here.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/pa ... lEventPage

Originally posted by maz

Originally posted by piggies
Thank you everyone - at least I now can go out there with a bit more idea of what to do!! Mickey's Christmas party sounds fab - definately one to get us in to the Christmas spirit. Will post a trip report when I get back. Thank you again

[:p]

You will probably have to book your tickets for MVMCP. You can book online here.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/pa ... lEventPage

We got ours from there a few weeks ago. Paid for international delivery so we had a nice plastic ticket and it turned up within 2 days. Well nice

[/quote]

You will probably have to book your tickets for MVMCP. You can book online here.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/pa ... lEventPage
[/quote]

We got ours from there a few weeks ago. Paid for international delivery so we had a nice plastic ticket and it turned up within 2 days. Well nice
[/quote]

They are really nice tickets. It's amazing how quickly Disney can get their mailings over here.

Hi

We stay at the BVP for at least a couple of weeks each year. It was bought by LXR a couple of years ago and has just about completed it's transformation.

The rooms are great, very modern and brand new. The lobby has just finished its make over too leaving all the major areas looking a lot moderner than a few years ago.

Any other questions just PM me.