Topic Wiki

Orlando Overview
Orlando is a magical place that's not too far from home and cheap to get to with miles. Obviously, Disney, Universal and SeaWorld are the main attractions, but there are other things to do as well. The theme parks are not just for families with kids; a couple can have an absolute blast as well!

Trip Reports:
@Yehuda's trip to Universal - Quick TR Summary, Detailed TR = 4 parts Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Getting there and getting around:

How long should I go for?
The length of your trip will likely be based on the number of parks you want to go to. Don't rush your day - give yourself a full day per park, walk around slowly, get engrossed in the magical worlds that are Disney and Universal, and wait on long lines all day :P . Some will say that you can do parks in less than a day, which may be true for certain ones, so then do a park and a night activity; don't squeeze in 2 parks in 1 day because you finished 1 park at 3PM.

Air:
MCO is Orlando's airport. You can fly directly from all New York airports. Flying business from NY will have just marginally better seats/service for double the price. The only useful benefit is getting more free checked bags, so if may be worth sending 1 person in your family in J so they can bring an extra bag. As of 1/15, Uber was not allowed at MCO due to an airport fee dispute, so the 2 ways to get an Uber are 1) Take a random hotel shuttle to a hotel and then call an Uber from there (suggested by @Uber on Twitter, but join the ethical discussion of using a shuttle if you're not staying at that hotel) and 2) Move the pin on your Uber map to a road outside the airport so that you can officially request a ride. Once a driver responds, call him and tell him you're actually in MCO and see if he'll agree to pick you up anyway. Below are the direct flight options with one-way Saver prices in Y/J.

HPN:
B6 - miles vary based on the dollar cost of the flight

EWR:
UA - 12.5K/25K
B6 - miles vary based on the dollar cost of the flight
WN - New non-stop flights beginning March 2016 - miles vary based on the dollar cost of the flight but if you're flying with your +1 and you have the Companion Pass, this can be your cheapest way to MCO

LGA:
DL - 12.5K/25K
B6 - miles vary based on the dollar cost of the flight

JFK:
AA/US - 12.5K/25K with AA miles | 7.5K/15K with BA miles
DL - 12.5K/25K
B6 - miles vary based on the dollar cost of the flight

ISP:
WN - miles vary based on the dollar cost of the flight but if you're flying with your +1 and you have the Companion Pass, this can be your cheapest way to MCO

Car:
A car is not absolutely necessary in Orlando, but it will definitely make things easier for you so you can be on your own schedule. Keep in mind, you'll have to pay parking fees at the parks each day. Many hotels have complimentary shuttles to the airport or the parks and some might even have both. If your hotel only has a parks shuttle, you can probably get a cab for the airport trips for cheaper than renting a car. If Minyan and going to the Kosher restaurants are on your radar, then you will likely need a car, although there are hotels that are both near those sites and have shuttles to the parks. See where your hotel is and decide if you need a car.


Where to stay:

Basically, your options are to stay at a hotel in the 10-15 minute range from the parks, at an official Disney or Universal Resort, or renting a private home in the greater Orlando area.

Here are some places that are discussed in this thread:

NameAreaMore InfoComments
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Comfort Inn & Suites Universal Convention Center10-20 minutes from parksWebsiteNot the fanciest, but being a Choice property means there's a BRG possibility. Free shuttle to Universal and SeaWorld. 5 minute walk to Kosher Gourmet restaurant/grocery and 20 minute walk to Chabad.
HotelDisney ResortWebsiteSPG category X; X/night
HotelUniversal ResortWebsiteSPG category X; X/night
"Get your own place"Greater Orlando AreaAirBNB, VRBO, HomeAway, Florida Sandanavian/ Vacation Pool HomesRenting a private home can be great for a family. You'll get more for your money over a hotel - a couple of bedrooms, living/dining rooms, and a full kitchen. There will usually be a pool, and if you look hard enough, you can find one that's enclosed for privacy. The downside is that they're usually not too close to the parks, which means you'll definitely need a car and have to pay for parking at the parks.


What to do:

Theme Parks:

With some searching you might find a travel/tourist website (like Musement) that may have a sale that you can use towards the tickets. For Universal Studios, the cheapest place to buy would be from Chabad of South Orlando or Orlando Torah Academy . Tickets are only sold for the upcoming "season". So in December, you'll be able to buy tickets for January break, but not for Pesach, and in the summer, you likely won't yet be able to get for the upcoming January.

Disney ParksComments
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Magic Kingdom
Epcot
Hollywood StudiosFormerly MGM Studios.
Animal Kingdom

All Disney parks have airline style food at specific cafes. Not very good but at least it's a hot meal without leaving the park. You can see the list of cafes on Chabad's site here.

Universal ParksComments
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
StudiosThe first of the 2 parks built, so it has some of the more classic rides like E.T. and The Mummy, while also featuring plenty of newer rides like Shrek, Minions, and Transformers. There are 1 or 2 roller coasters, and the rest of the rides are more like shows/3D/4D rides. Home to Harry Potter: Diagon Alley. If you have a park-to-park ticket, you can ride the Hogwarts Express train to connect to the HP World in Islands of Adventure. Only Kosher snacks are available here, no real food. As of 1/15, the mix for ButterBeer had a hechsher, but the topping did not, and they won't serve you without it. For a TR on the park, see here.
Islands of AdventureFeaturing rides like Jurassic Park and The Hulk, this park also has 1-2 roller coasters, while the rest of the rides are more of the show/3D/4D variety. Home to Harry Potter: Hogsmeade. If you have a park-to-park ticket, you can ride the Hogwarts Express train to connect to the HP World in Studios. Only Kosher snacks are available here, no real food. As of 1/15, the mix for ButterBeer had a hechsher, but the topping did not, and they won't serve you without it. For a TR on the park, see here.

Other ParksComments
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SeaWorldA very family friendly park, less packed than Disney and Universal. Cheap annual passes as well as combo discounts for SeaWorld and Busch Gardens (which is in Tampa, 1hr away).
LegoLandLocated in Winter Haven, the park is a bit of a distance from the Greater Orlando area - approx. 45- 55 min away from other Orlando parks. LegoLand has an amusement park as well as a water park. If you look online it looks like the 2 are often not open on the same day. Each park costs about as much as the Disney/Universal parks (~$80) and can be greatly enjoyed by children, but can be underwhelming for adults. All rides are "kiddie" rides, some don't even allow adults on. The park is missing the magic of Disney/Universal, but may be much emptier than those parks, so that's a plus. The life-size Lego statues around the park are cool, but their water damage shows that LegoLand just doesn't get the "magic" necessary for an Orlando park. Kids will love the mini coasters and rides, something they might not be able to experience too much in Universal and parts of Disney.
See here for cheaper tickets (~$100 total for 1 adult and 1 child ticket)


Other Attractions & Activities

NameMore InfoComments
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WonderworksWebsite
Fun SpotWebsite
Titanic The ExperienceWebsiteGeared towards older kids / adults
Ripley's Believe it or notWebsite
Disney QuestWebsite
Cirque De SoleilWebsite
Orlando Science CenterWebsite
Kennedy Space Center - Visitor's ComplexWebsiteTour NASA's KSC. Now features Space Shuttle Atlantis.
Skeleton MuseumWebsite
Event & Family Photography - Chavi Photo Website


Shuls:

NameMore InfoComments
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chabad of South OrlandoWebsiteDaily Minyanim - Shachris @ 8:00AM and 9:30AM on Shabbos. Mincha/Maariv is 10 minutes before Shkia, which can be difficult to make if you're spending the day in a park. During very peak seasons, they'll have an extra Maariv later at night.
Orlando Torah AcademyWebsiteLocal day school that has Shacharis @ 8:30AM Monday - Friday during the school year (but not week of the 27th - they're on Yeshiva break vacation. (2024) Orlando Torah Academy runs KosherOrlando.org, which organizes and opens shuls in the resorts during busy times; check out the website to signup and find out more about the various minyanim
Orlando Torah CenterWebsiteShachris @ 6:30AM weekdays, 8:00AM, Sunday 8:AM, 7:15AM (Hashkama) and 9:00AM Shabbos (Nusach Ashkenaz) as well as a separate Eidut Hamizrach at 9:AM. Mincha/Maariv is 1:30, and before/after Shkiah, which can be difficult to make if you're spending the day in a park. There's also a nightly 10PM Maariv

Food:

For Kosher food inside the theme parks, see the comments section of the specific park above.

NameMore InfoComments
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Kosher GourmetWebsiteA classic deli with slightly pricey/reasonable prices, unlimited fountain soda refills, and mostly-friendly service. You may be able to find discounted gift cards at GreatKosherDeals.com. Next to the restaurant is also a Kosher grocery. The restaurant will give you a bag to go shopping with and you'll bring your purchases back to the restaurant to pay. Mostly (only?) non-perishables sold here. (Certified by the RCF)
Kosher GrillWebsiteReview from shiframeir - Got takeout from here (place was packed and crazy for Yeshiva week), and the food was actually very good though understandably not cheap. Shwarma on baguette was great - even though they threw in this cabbage salad that scared me, it actually went great with the shwarma. Burgers were thick with flavor and decent shoe string fries. Caesar salad with chicken was what it is everywhere but with a real flame grilled piece of chicken. Stir fry wasn't fantastic, but is a nice alternative option on the menu that we enjoyed. Chili wings didn't really have much sauce flavor, but maybe they're better when you don't take it to go.
Review from yeki89 (when this store was a food truck called Kosher on Wheels) - Falafel & fries was very good with large portions and fair prices.
(Certified by the RCF)
Kosher EateryWebsite Dairy and Meat Kosher Restaurant (Certified by the RCF)
Erin McKenna's BakeryWebsitePareve and Gluten Free. Oat products are not Pas Yisroel. Ice Cream is NOT certified Kosher. (Certified by Florida K/Rabbi Sholom Dubov)
Catering by Motti / Motti's BistroWebsiteTakeout food available for Shabbos. Bistro restaurant only open during Yeshiva week
Winn DixieStore LocatorLocated on Apopka Vineland (yes, that's a street name), this supermarket carries Cholov Yisroel milk and many other Kosher products.

« Last edited by sprint on January 12, 2024, 12:06:49 PM »

Author Topic: Orlando Master Thread  (Read 500075 times)

Offline Yordai Dooma

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 4234
  • Total likes: 54
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: AA EXP/LT Platinum, SPG gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Platinum Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National EE,
Re: Orlando Master Thread
« Reply #740 on: November 26, 2015, 03:09:51 PM »
I know the people and I consider them very reliable. . Feel free to do your own research.
+1

Offline E R K

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2011
  • Posts: 1251
  • Total likes: 50
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
Re: Orlando Master Thread
« Reply #741 on: November 26, 2015, 04:18:14 PM »
that hechsher is approved by the star-k
Do you have a link that they approve it?

Offline 12HRS

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jun 2013
  • Posts: 5108
  • Total likes: 575
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
Re: Orlando Master Thread
« Reply #742 on: November 26, 2015, 05:33:24 PM »
Do you have a link that they approve it?

no but call them

Offline noturbizniss

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 7116
  • Total likes: 140
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: North Jersey
Re: Orlando Master Thread
« Reply #743 on: December 07, 2015, 02:58:41 PM »
Anyone here have the discount link to undercover tourist from the mousesavers email newsletter?
READ THE DARN WIKI!!!!

Chuck Norris...
...can still do FT method
...READS THE WIKI!!!

Offline JosephM

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jan 2014
  • Posts: 285
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Orlando Master Thread
« Reply #744 on: December 13, 2015, 11:18:41 AM »
Does someone have the link from mousesavers for discount at undercover tourist that they can forward to me?

Offline alpicone

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Aug 2012
  • Posts: 879
  • Total likes: 5
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York
Re: Orlando Master Thread
« Reply #745 on: December 19, 2015, 07:58:20 PM »
I am going to be going to Legoland over New Year's weekend. My kids are Lego fanatics and this will be our 3rd time at Legoland (2nd time in Orlando).

Jut wanted to share this link for buy one adult get one child free http://legoland.com/tlmdvd
« Last Edit: December 19, 2015, 10:57:32 PM by alpicone »

Offline 12HRS

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jun 2013
  • Posts: 5108
  • Total likes: 575
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
Re: Orlando Master Thread
« Reply #746 on: December 19, 2015, 10:53:56 PM »
I am going to be going to Legoland over New Year's weekend. My kids are Lego fanatics and this will be our 3rd time at Legoland (2nd time in Orlando).

Jut wanted to share this link for buy one adult get one child free http://legoland.com/tlmdvd

ftfy

Offline alpicone

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Aug 2012
  • Posts: 879
  • Total likes: 5
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York
Re: Orlando Master Thread
« Reply #747 on: December 19, 2015, 10:57:00 PM »
ftfy

Correct. TY. Edited the original post.

Offline noturbizniss

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 7116
  • Total likes: 140
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: North Jersey
Re: Orlando Master Thread
« Reply #748 on: December 21, 2015, 01:13:01 AM »
If anyone wants the mousesavers UT link I can share in pm. Mind you it's literally a dollar less than regular UT prices.
READ THE DARN WIKI!!!!

Chuck Norris...
...can still do FT method
...READS THE WIKI!!!

Offline 12HRS

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jun 2013
  • Posts: 5108
  • Total likes: 575
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
Re: Orlando Master Thread
« Reply #749 on: December 21, 2015, 07:51:01 AM »
If anyone wants the mousesavers UT link I can share in pm. Mind you it's literally a dollar less than regular UT prices.

i'd grab it. going next week hopefully.

Offline SarahMS

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Dec 2015
  • Posts: 2
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: New Jersey
Re: Orlando Master Thread
« Reply #750 on: December 22, 2015, 06:25:00 PM »
Looking to form a shabbos/daily minyan in the championsgate villas over Yeshiva break - http://www.thetopvillas.com/championsgate/... We already have 5 men committed. We ideally would have a minyan Jan 20- Jan 31 2016. Anyone interested? Or alternatively do you have a shabbos minyan in one of the Orlando rental communities and NOT in a hotel? Any leads would be appreciated.

Offline stbaum

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2014
  • Posts: 1336
  • Total likes: 60
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Female
    • View Profile
Re: Orlando Master Thread
« Reply #751 on: December 23, 2015, 12:09:55 PM »
i've asked this question before but i'm hoping someone new will see this and have a solution.

i want to use my UT offer but i only want SeaWorld tix. i need 2 and it comes just short of $150. what to do??
My greatest achievement? I am fluent in FRIENDS quotes

Offline 12HRS

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jun 2013
  • Posts: 5108
  • Total likes: 575
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
Re: Orlando Master Thread
« Reply #752 on: December 23, 2015, 01:37:26 PM »
i've asked this question before but i'm hoping someone new will see this and have a solution.

i want to use my UT offer but i only want SeaWorld tix. i need 2 and it comes just short of $150. what to do??

did you try calling them? tell them you don't mind paying 1 dollar more.

if that doesn't work make 1 of your tickets the $92 one or buy all day dining banana beach aquatic orlando for a kid 11.72 or adult 17.04

Offline stbaum

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2014
  • Posts: 1336
  • Total likes: 60
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Female
    • View Profile
Re: Orlando Master Thread
« Reply #753 on: December 23, 2015, 01:55:04 PM »
did you try calling them? tell them you don't mind paying 1 dollar more.

if that doesn't work make 1 of your tickets the $92 one or buy all day dining banana beach aquatic orlando for a kid 11.72 or adult 17.04

i didn't wanna lose money for nothing. i asked UT to charge me more but no-go. i also wanted to get a $10 credit for Planet Hollywood and figured i'll just get drinks but PH will be closed till mid 2016


from the Amex offers discussion thread:
chatted with rep about my UT issue http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=969.750

rep was quite rude and kept quoting T&C but in the end he got me a $10 credit. all in all not too shabby :)
My greatest achievement? I am fluent in FRIENDS quotes

Offline shmoejoe

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Dec 2015
  • Posts: 20
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Orlando Master Thread
« Reply #754 on: December 26, 2015, 10:11:33 PM »
Going to JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes anyone ever stayed there? Any reviews? Can someone pls describe me the 4 parks in Disney, 2 parks universal, seaworld? And we're 2 adults were is a must and were could we skip, being there for 5 days iyh!
Thanks in advance!!
« Last Edit: December 26, 2015, 10:34:22 PM by shmoejoe »

Offline shmoejoe

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Dec 2015
  • Posts: 20
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Orlando Master Thread
« Reply #755 on: December 26, 2015, 10:14:27 PM »
Didn't get UR AMEX offer anyway in getting it? Will calling help?

Offline shmoejoe

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Dec 2015
  • Posts: 20
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Orlando Master Thread
« Reply #756 on: December 28, 2015, 05:30:24 PM »
HELP!!!
Going to JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes anyone ever stayed there? Any reviews? Can someone pls describe me the 4 parks in Disney, 2 parks universal, seaworld? And we're 2 adults were is a must and were could we skip, being there for 5 days iyh!
Thanks in advance!!

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9693
  • Total likes: 187
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Orlando Master Thread
« Reply #757 on: December 28, 2015, 08:06:13 PM »
HELP!!!
Going to JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes anyone ever stayed there? Any reviews? Can someone pls describe me the 4 parks in Disney, 2 parks universal, seaworld? And we're 2 adults were is a must and were could we skip, being there for 5 days iyh!
Thanks in advance!!
Welcome to the forums! Try asking just 1 question at a time and in a calmer voice. That will usually help get answers.

Offline shmoejoe

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Dec 2015
  • Posts: 20
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Orlando Master Thread
« Reply #758 on: December 28, 2015, 10:19:26 PM »
Thanks yehudah for the tip, its just that I'm leaving next week i"yh and still have no clue which parks to do!! Btw I loved your TR very informative very enjoyable to read feel bad for that pool situation hope they refunded you!!
P.s. I'm a forums reader for the longest just never had any questions so never signed up!!

Offline aarony

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2010
  • Posts: 530
  • Total likes: 31
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Orlando Master Thread
« Reply #759 on: December 28, 2015, 11:08:57 PM »
Really depends what your interests are.  Magic kingdom is classic Disney.  SeaWorld is shows and nice walking around.  I believe universal is better for roller coasters and a great visit for harry potter fans.....