Orlando 101: Tips for a safe and sane Central Florida vacation
— -- When you're in a planning mode, Orlando seems like a fantasy about to come true; and why not? This is a city sprinkled with Disney dust, a magical place where dreams come true. But it's also a landing zone that can break your bank, cramp you with crowds and drive a wedge between the closest of family and friends.
Truth is, this can be a stressful destination, especially if you insist on doing it all, and at warp-speed pace. There are ways, however, to ease the hassles and make all your memories happy ones.
Money matters:Daily expenses (attractions, hotel and three squares) can cost a family of four up to $600, so most of us look for ways to curb them. You can save some though not a lot with multiple-day passes to the theme parks. You can save more by spending some of your time at free or low-cost attractions, such as the twice-daily March of the Peabody Ducks (www.peabodyorlando.com; 9801 International Dr., Orlando 32819; 407-352-4000), meeting the flock at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey (http://www.audubonofflorida.org; 1101 Audubon Way, Maitland, Fla. 32751; 407-644-0190), seeing Winter Park's finest on the Scenic Boat Tour (www.scenicboattours.com; 312 E. Morse Blvd., Winter Park, Fla. 32789; 407-644-4066), or people watching at Downtown Disney (www.downtowndisney.com; E. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. 32830; 407-824-4321). Also, when going to the parks, consider packing lunch. Theme park food is overpriced and sub-par.
Ducking the crowds:Have you ever seen so many people? Well, maybe you have if you live in New York, L.A. or another megalopolis, but Disney and Universal masses and lines can challenge your patience if you don't cut corners. This is a worldwide destination, but if you can go against the American school calendar you can blunt the impact. That means coming the week after Labor Day until the week before Christmas, except Thanksgiving, and mid January through mid May, except spring break. (Summer, thanks to crowds and heat, is the worst time to come.) In the Disney parks, you also will find shorter lines if you use the free FASTPASS.
Pace yourself:You can't do it all – you'll die from exhaustion if you try. Recognize your limits and plan accordingly. If you're going to the theme parks and are staying for several days, consider those multiple-day tickets. They're not only less expensive, most give you the opportunity to hit the parks for a few hours, go back to your room for a rest and come back later or on a different day. Before you enter, decide on your "must-do" rides and shows, three or four are plenty for a day, and save the lesser ones for your next visit. Also, plan trips to some of the smaller, less crowded attractions mentioned above: You'll broaden the fun and be rewarded with a slower place.
Weather wise:You've probably read enough to know hurricanes periodically whack the stuffing out of the Sunshine State. Orlando is safer than coastal areas, but it can suffer high winds and rain during a storm. The major parks have contingency plans to let you reschedule your visit when a hurricane is threatening travel plans. Otherwise, the biggest inconveniences are summer and winter rains (a $5 poncho will keep you dry) and summertime's oppressive heat and humidity. Remember to pack a sunscreen with a 25 or higher rating to help avoid a nasty sunburn or worse – sun poisoning, which can land you in the hospital.
Grid unlock:Traffic can be nightmarish, especially during the seven-day-a-week rush hours, usually 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. During these times of day, tourist hell-bent on the attractions and workers racing to their jobs are on a collision course. If possible, avoid Interstate 4 and main interior arteries – John Young Parkway, U.S. 17/92 and others – during these periods. Consider the coins spent on toll roads such as the 408, 417, 528 and Osceola Parkway to be small change compared to the traffic relief they can provide. You also can get daily traffic and construction updates on the Internet at www.traffic.com/Orlando-Traffic/Orlando-Traffic-Reports.html.
Ride safety:Heart patients, including youngsters, have died on Orlando's thrill rides because they didn't know or respect their limits. Don't be one of them. Those warnings posted at the entrances to some rides aren't just the lawyers talking. They're real. If the ride says heart patients, pregnant women, people with neck or back problems, or those who suffer motion sickness shouldn't ride, pay attention if any of those apply to you. (Mission: Space at Epcot is so realistic barf bags are available at the end of the ride. It's also the ride where a 49-year-old woman and 4-year-old – both with heart defects – died after riding the ride, which has a dozen health warnings.)
Ride restrictions:All of the major theme parks and some smaller attractions have rides with minimum height requirements in addition to the health warnings cited above. Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure, in fact, has height restrictions on more than half of its rides, including the Incredible Hulk Coaster and Dueling Dragons, which require riders to be at least 54 inches tall. To avoid disappointing the youngsters you have in tow or even yourself, check out the ride listings at the theme park websites, www.disneyworld.com, www.universalorlando.com and www.seaworld.com.
Packing pets:We don't recommend it, but some of you can't take a break without your pet. For the most part, dogs, cats and occasionally other small pets are welcome at some area hotels and motels. You can get the scoop on these and other services at three up-to-date sites –www.bringyourpet.com, www.petswelcome.com and www.dogfriendly.com. Additionally, Disney, Universal and SeaWorld have day boarding for your pets, usually $10-$12, and Disney offers overnight boarding for $15.
Do you have any Orlando survival strategies? Please share them below.
Jim and Cynthia Tunstall are the authors of the Orlando City Guide on USATODAY.com.