Orlando 101 - It's not all about Disney

Now most people that know me see me as a Disney nut and in many ways that is true. But for me, it's the whole Orlando experience. It's Walt Disney World, it's Universal Resort, it's Sea World and all the other parks, attractions and shows that has made Orlando the most popular family vacation destination for the last 40 years.

Boys will be boys.


My first Disney experience was in Disneyland California way back in 1980. Although for me it really started in 1991 after a conversation with a friend discussing the differences between Disneyland and Walt Disney World Florida. This ended up with us both going on a cram-it-all-in 1 week trip. Staying in a motel on International Drive and fitting the 4 main parks at the time. Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Universal Studios Sea World and Busch Gardens.
And I loved it, but then again, we were a couple of 20 something IT professionals with a Chevrolet Camero as a hire car and a healthy disposable income. It would have been hard not to right?!

The following year I visited Disneyland Resort Paris (then known as and sometimes still referred to as EuroDisney) with the same friend and his family. I'll talk more about that park in a future post (look at me, my first post and I'm already thinking ahead)

The seed was planted

Well since then, I've been back to "The World" twice. The last time was back in 1998 with my girlfriend, who later became my wife. But this time we stayed on property at the All Star Music Resort and that was it, I was hooked. Staying on property was actually the highlight of the trip and it was then I truly understood the Disney experience.


Although I stated earlier it's the whole Orlando experience I love, it's Disney who have lead the way in exceeding customer expectation, or what is commonly referred to by travel experts as "that Disney Magic" and I'll be talking a lot more about that in future posts (there I go again!).

Disney World guard asks little princess for her
autograph http://www.huffingtonpost.com

The obsession is kicking in

It's been 15 years since I last went to Orlando, but since then I have been keeping a very close eye on how things have evolved. Now I'll discuss vacation planing with anyone I know who are going, then review the trip with them on their return. Accumulating peoples views of this holiday and how to experience it.
I've subscribed to a few podcasts and have a couple of books on the subject. But I truly believe that the only way to really know is to go and see it ...again.
So I plan to go back in 2015 with my wife and now 2 kids, yes we "got biz-zay" (Syndrome - The Incredibles).

The boy who lived hasn't helped

In order to feed my fix within the last 12 years I've visited Disneyland Paris 3 more times, but it's the Orlando fix I desperately crave for.

And more specifically the expansion to Fantasy Land in the Magic Kingdom and the ever expanding Universal Islands of Adventure with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter which is about to spill over into the Studio park with Diagon Alley. 

Copyright - Universal Studios Orlando

I suppose now is the time to reveal that I'm also a huge Harry Potter fan! Mid-life crisis people OK? Mid-life crisis! And while we're on the subject, I blame my wife for that one as she introduced me to the books.

Now back to Universal, where their client experience has come up in leaps and bounds. They were the first park to introduce Express Pass before Disney brought out Fast Pass for their most popular rides. This is where, in stead of queuing for an attraction, you take a ticket and it gives you a time to come back, so you can go off and enjoy other areas of the park and you return at that allotted time to get straight on the ride with a very small wait time. Well Disney is bringing that concept into the 21st century with FastPass+ and My Disney experience app. Expect more on that in a future post sometime soon.

And so much more.

Then there's Sea World and their sister park Discovery Cove, another incredible experience for the family to enjoy.

And let's not forget to mention Wet-n-Wild, Busch Gardens and the shopping! you have to set some time for shopping (for the gals really)!.

There is something for everyone in Orlando and I hope to keep you informed and perhaps discuss your experiences or even help you plan your next trip. 
So if anything from this post site enhances your next vacation, then it's been worth it and I'd love to hear from you.

So please, move all the way to the end of the isle, filling all the empty spaces, keep your arms and legs in the car throughout the ride, refrain from eating, drinking and smoking during the show and absolutely no flash photography is allowed. 

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy more

Dale.