Hi CD's
First time i started researching on this topic(vaccation other than india visiting), as every time a vaccation means to me is going to india :-).

My parents are visiting this summer and planning to take them to florida.
We are 4 plus 3 yrs old kid and would like to take 1 week vaccation to florida.

What's the best approach should we take.
1>Should i simply buy the packaged tours offered by various websites
or
1>Simply buy air ticket and book the time shared resort and book attraction tickets seperately...etc...

2>As you all know time is always a contraint for working family, hence i would like to know from experieced CD's what are the main and must attraction that needs to be covered with out straing ourselves.

At this point i am not getting more questions, but will be back with more after researching more websites

Thank you all in advance
rgds

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MK

It all depends on your preferences. Do you like time in beach, or rides or shows etc.

I will suggest to put Key west in the list - atleast for a day in addition to Universal and 1 or 2 disney parks. If your parents are conservative, better to avoid/limit time on beaches.

Also, check out NASA website for satellite/shuttle launch times. If you are lucky, you may get to watch a launch even.

One week for Florida vacation is too short. But, I will suggest staying in the Orlando area. The Disney theme parks alone would need four days to enjoy fully. The 3 year old kid will enjoy the original theme park. The rest of you would love everything. It is for old and young.

Don't miss the parade and laser show at the night. The Epcot center has all pavellions of most countries of the world.

Use the free shuttle provided by the Motels and you will avoid the driving and traffic jam at night.

Have fun.

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Arvy

Good topic.
Even I am exploring this idea.
I heard from one of our friends that they drove all the way. On mapquest it is around 24 hours drive. Our friends spent a night at the mote. since they had teen age daughters they did this.
I would be very interested in seeing this by spending as little money as possible. Once consolation is taht the gas price is USA is atleast 20 % cheaper than what we buy in Canada.
Any experiences of those who have done this by driving?

Peace

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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.

I went to Florida on a 9 day vacation and I would suggest the following attractions.
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Orlando
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Main Disney attractions
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* Magic Kingdom
* Epcot
* Disney's Hollywood Studios (AKA Disney's MGM Studios)
* Disney's Animal Kingdom

Other Disney attractions
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* Typhoon Lagoon
* Blizzard Beach
* Disney's BoardWalk
* Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex
* Downtown Disney

Other Orlando Attractions
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Universal Studios
Universal Studios - Islands of Adventure
Wet'n'Wild Water Park
Sea World
Aquatica
Discovery Cove

Tampa
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Busch Gardens

Cape Canaveral
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NASA (Check the space shuttle launch schedule if you wanna see one)

Miami
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Miami Beach
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If you wanna explore the Disney theme parks then its a good idea to go for a vacation package with a Disney resort as their guests enjoy many privileges compared to others.

Staying in a Disney resort ensures a free FastTrack pass to all rides in Disney theme parks. This can be very helpful as the wait time for most rides is at least an hour. They also provide free bus, boat and monorail services between the Disney resorts and the Disney parks till late night. Also note that the attractions stay open exclusively for Disney resort guests for up to 2 hours after the park closing time.

If you're interested in other theme parks, then there's a 5 park ticket for $250 which covers the following theme parks.

Universal Studios
Universal Studios - Islands of Adventure
Wet'n'Wild Water Park
Sea World
Busch Gardens

I would suggest to plan your vacation during the July 4th long weekend so as to view the spectacular fireworks at all major theme parks (Disney's EPCOT Theme park in particular).

Remember! These theme parks are HUGE and require at least a day to cover all the attractions. Hence plan in advance and be prepared to face the hot/humid Florida climate (may result in sun burns) and brief outbursts of rain during summer.

Have a great vacation.

Hi,

For Florida the best vacation is in Orlando...Disney world. It’s for both adults as well as for kids. Avoid going to Miami cause I feel it's mainly for bachelors...beaches...bars..etc. If the family loves shopping, a must see is sawgrass mills in Fort lauderdale, near Orlando.

We have been twice to Disney world (Orlando) via this site and they were really helpful, we plan again to go in 2009.

Check the link.

http://www.theorlandovacationstore.com/

Hope this helps..................Jona

Thank you all CD's,
There is enormous information out there in websites. I believe personal experience is the best guidence than the websites.

As of now, i was thinking of doing the below and will keep you updated with my experiences which will be helpfull for other CD's

1>Wanna buy airtickets from Buffalo to Oralando(drive to buffalo from toronto)
2>Book accommadation in time shares resorts whcih will cost me around $350 to $400 per week(2 bedroom+Kitchen suites)
http://www.thevacationstore.info/orlando_florida.htm
3>buy tickets as a package or research on unused tickets thru some websites based on the attactions that i finalize.
4>Rent a car thru some deals to drive thru florida south(Keys west)

My main focus is to explore theme parks for 5 days and 2 days road trip to keywest visiting good senatic beaches.

Driving is another option which i would love to do but cannot go with single family..If two or three family together rent a RV is the best option.

Rgds

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MK