How Far South Before It’s Warm? Fish are Freezing in the Keys

8 Tips for Enjoyable Theme Park Trips: Tip #4

4. Parking – When visiting the theme parks, you have several options. Most of our Orlando area condos offer free shuttle to all of the theme parks. Make sure that you ask if the shuttle is free, not just do they offer shuttles. If the resort provides a shuttle, but it is not free, always get the price up front. One resort offers a shuttle for $10 per person. Even though this might be a good rate for one person, a family of four will spend $40 versus the $13 to park your own vehicle at the theme park. If the resort offers a free shuttles, they might not always work with your schedule. If the shuttle does not work with your schedule, you also have other options. If driving your own vehicle is what you choose, you can park at any of Disney’s parks such as The Magic Kingdom, then if you want to go to any other par, like say The Animal Kingdom, your parking pass is also valid at all of their other parks. If you are trying to live your life as green as you can, then parking your car at one of Disney’s parks, then taking their transportation from park to park, might your best option.

Beautiful New Waldorf Astoria Golf Course in Orlando- World’s First

Add another coup for one of the world’s favorite vacation spots- the world’s first Waldorf Astoria golf course near Disney World. I hear Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy have a tee time later this week.

7 Useful Tips When Planning a Trip to Orlando #4

4. If you are staying for more than 5 days you might want to visit the Three Biggies: Universal, Sea World, and Walt Disney World. You can do this by getting a 2 Day Park Hopper to Disney, 2 Day Universal Ticket, and a 1 Day Sea World or another suggestion is a 3 Day Park Hopper, 1 Day Universal, and 1 Day Sea World.

7 Useful Tips to Orlando #3

3. If you are going to visit Walt Disney World you may want the park hopper. The park hopper allows you to visit multiple parks in the same day. It is more expensive to get the park hopper option, so unless you plan on moving around you might want to stick with the base ticket. We found going to Animal Kingdom works well first thing in the morning when the animals are feeding. Then hop over to another park or two for the rest of the day.

Watch Out- Harry Potter and Fiends (er, Friends) Are Coming to Universal Orlando

Under construction

View the Shuttle Takeoff at Night Next Week

Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 1:36 a.m. EDT, the Discovery is scheduled to launch- it is cool to see it from places like Orlando but way cool to see it up close- we have done both. Mike

Goodbye Anislav Varbanov, Stuntman for Disney- Died on the Job

Anislav Varbanov, 30, died while rehearsing a stunt at the Indiana Jones show in Disney World, Orlando. We need to appreciate the hard, dangerous work that goes into “entertaining us”. Tip- show your appreciation next time you are there- Mike

Ringling Brothers Museum et al

We really enjoyed our time at the Ringling Brothers museum and art gallery in Sarasota, FL. It is well worth the trip though I think real little kids might get bored. They have an expansive art gallery with John Ringling’s massive collection. Some of his collection is also displayed in the mansion. The circus museum was great as was the “biggest little show on earth”- the miniature circus display in the Learning Center. We also enjoyed lunch at the restaurant located in the visitor’s center- excellent fare at a fair price. Tip- take the tram when you can but do enjoy the massive Banyan trees. Mike

Heading Off to the Circus Museum in Sarasota-

Will let you know about it on Thursday (late)- Mike

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