Florida- 14 Nights inc flight & hotel- based on 2 Adults + 2 Children (£365.50 each) using code via Thomas Cook

Literally got back from a fortnight in Orlando this morning. We stayed at Rosen Centre which is on the corner of Hawaiian Court (just off International Drive) where the Clarion Inn is also. Cannot comment on the accommodation (although it looked pleasant enough when we walked by) but the location is great. Has an IHOP and Denny's on each end of the road, plus a Walgreens. Fast Lynx bus (111) straight to the Florida Mall and MCO. Very close to Aquatica, Sea World and Discovery Cove too, plus the road to Disney (and the Lynx bus 50 stop). Would recommend this location! (edited)

CaptainSpaulding55 m ago

Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and …Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and how uncomfortable it was walking around over priced theme parks all day in the heat.Not too mention the obese loud mouth American's who think it's absolutely fine too shout right in your ear. The restaurants are all greasy deep fat fried style food , which if you consumed for longer than 14 days you'd probably suffer a heart attack. I can only hope it's changed somewhat since I visited , but too me the idea of a holiday is too relax and not be thrown around on rides all day , or to watch poor animals perform too member's of the public all day.Read lessRead more

Have a house in Florida and we go every year. Your doing it wrong. There is more to Florida than Theme Parks if it's not for you. Why did you go to Florida in the first place? We now do a few days in the parks, we are not rushing around with the kids, we get in early eat breakfast and make use of the fast pass system while riding what we fancy, staying on for the fireworks in the evening. Days we are not in the parks are spent eating at some of Disney's fabulous (non greasy) restaurants like the Boma, which is excellent 5* food. We also spend days off visiting the beach, Florida nature parks and water holes (crystal clear water for swimming in with cold temperatures and great wildlife to see).

If you visiting again be sure to get in touch will point you in the right direction for the things you like to do.

So much to Florida and the weather is a bonus.

CaptainSpaulding2 h, 6 m ago

Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and …Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and how uncomfortable it was walking around over priced theme parks all day in the heat.Not too mention the obese loud mouth American's who think it's absolutely fine too shout right in your ear. The restaurants are all greasy deep fat fried style food , which if you consumed for longer than 14 days you'd probably suffer a heart attack. I can only hope it's changed somewhat since I visited , but too me the idea of a holiday is too relax and not be thrown around on rides all day , or to watch poor animals perform too member's of the public all day.Read lessRead more

Thanks for your opinion, it's really life changing for me, I've been to Florida 9 times and going on my 10th in October, based on your opinion I'll never go back... NOT (edited)

CaptainSpaulding06/05/2018 21:36

Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and …Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and how uncomfortable it was walking around over priced theme parks all day in the heat.Not too mention the obese loud mouth American's who think it's absolutely fine too shout right in your ear. The restaurants are all greasy deep fat fried style food , which if you consumed for longer than 14 days you'd probably suffer a heart attack. I can only hope it's changed somewhat since I visited , but too me the idea of a holiday is too relax and not be thrown around on rides all day , or to watch poor animals perform too member's of the public all day.Read lessRead more

Think this isn’t the thread for you then lol

I agree it’s not a relaxing holiday unless you multi site in Florida. We’ve been about 6 times, 3 with kids and we all love the experience. Each to their own though.

Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and how uncomfortable it was walking around over priced theme parks all day in the heat.
Not too mention the obese loud mouth American's who think it's absolutely fine too shout right in your ear.
The restaurants are all greasy deep fat fried style food , which if you consumed for longer than 14 days you'd probably suffer a heart attack.

I can only hope it's changed somewhat since I visited , but too me the idea of a holiday is too relax and not be thrown around on rides all day , or to watch poor animals perform too member's of the public all day. (edited)

CaptainSpaulding06/05/2018 21:36

Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and …Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and how uncomfortable it was walking around over priced theme parks all day in the heat.Not too mention the obese loud mouth American's who think it's absolutely fine too shout right in your ear. The restaurants are all greasy deep fat fried style food , which if you consumed for longer than 14 days you'd probably suffer a heart attack. I can only hope it's changed somewhat since I visited , but too me the idea of a holiday is too relax and not be thrown around on rides all day , or to watch poor animals perform too member's of the public all day.Read lessRead more

The abuse and incorrect use of "too" here is TOO much for me to comprehend.

Stayed at the Clarion Inn and Suites at Universal last year. Walk to Universal takes 10 mins. There's a TGI acrois the road and along the road there's a Millers, Wallgreens and a few other restaurants and a McDonald's. This hotel was refurbished for last year. We thought it was great and reasonably quiet local. They were just finishing off a road bridge/footway over to the outlets.

CaptainSpaulding2 h, 57 m ago

Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and …Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and how uncomfortable it was walking around over priced theme parks all day in the heat.Not too mention the obese loud mouth American's who think it's absolutely fine too shout right in your ear. The restaurants are all greasy deep fat fried style food , which if you consumed for longer than 14 days you'd probably suffer a heart attack. I can only hope it's changed somewhat since I visited , but too me the idea of a holiday is too relax and not be thrown around on rides all day , or to watch poor animals perform too member's of the public all day.Read lessRead more

Its changed a lot
Its full of loud mouth obese brits instead

I was there last week and volcano bay look like the holding pen for the Jeremy Kyle show.....

frankievallie4 h, 27 m ago

What's public transport like ? Would like to go but staying outside of I …What's public transport like ? Would like to go but staying outside of I Drive/Kissimee/Lake Buena Vista seems so much more expensive. Don't think we'd bother with the Theme parks so much, would like to be able to hop on a bus/train & go to the coast somewhere for the day.Read lessRead more

Use Ubers. They are cheap as chips out there. Plus if you are signing up for the first time you get a free ride, also we worked it between 4 of us who had different phones. Recommended each other and ended up getting nearly a whole week of free/reduced rides.

CaptainSpaulding11 h, 23 m ago

Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and …Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and how uncomfortable it was walking around over priced theme parks all day in the heat.Not too mention the obese loud mouth American's who think it's absolutely fine too shout right in your ear. The restaurants are all greasy deep fat fried style food , which if you consumed for longer than 14 days you'd probably suffer a heart attack. I can only hope it's changed somewhat since I visited , but too me the idea of a holiday is too relax and not be thrown around on rides all day , or to watch poor animals perform too member's of the public all day.Read lessRead more

What's your type of Holiday then? Benidorm every year?

Some people like to do more than just lay next to a pool for 1/2 weeks. For myself I couldn't think of anything else more boring than doing nothing all day.

Doesn't work

Don’t work for me either

Also available ex-LGW 1st June for £370pp (Baymont) or £420pp (Clairmont)

CaptainSpaulding06/05/2018 21:36

Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and …Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and how uncomfortable it was walking around over priced theme parks all day in the heat.Not too mention the obese loud mouth American's who think it's absolutely fine too shout right in your ear. The restaurants are all greasy deep fat fried style food , which if you consumed for longer than 14 days you'd probably suffer a heart attack. I can only hope it's changed somewhat since I visited , but too me the idea of a holiday is too relax and not be thrown around on rides all day , or to watch poor animals perform too member's of the public all day.Read lessRead more

Trashy??? Really??? I agree
. I Drive is a bit like Blackpool and stuck in the 80s but jump in a car and explore and your see there is far more to Florida than Mickey Mouse ...Some of the best beaches are in Florida!! if you were eating fried food every day you must have been on a budget and not had much time to eat (fast food??) I've been going for the past 20yrs and managed to eat pretty healthy when there... Give it another try ;-)!!

CaptainSpaulding1 h, 20 m ago

Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and …Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and how uncomfortable it was walking around over priced theme parks all day in the heat.Not too mention the obese loud mouth American's who think it's absolutely fine too shout right in your ear. The restaurants are all greasy deep fat fried style food , which if you consumed for longer than 14 days you'd probably suffer a heart attack. I can only hope it's changed somewhat since I visited , but too me the idea of a holiday is too relax and not be thrown around on rides all day , or to watch poor animals perform too member's of the public all day.Read lessRead more

I always find it amazing that people that dislike a holiday have a complaint about every single part of it, like its not one thing that let the holiday down its every little thing from start to finish.

Its almost like people want to dislike something.........

eastofthecounty06/05/2018 22:30

Trashy??? Really??? I agree . I Drive is a bit like Blackpool and stuck in …Trashy??? Really??? I agree . I Drive is a bit like Blackpool and stuck in the 80s but jump in a car and explore and your see there is far more to Florida than Mickey Mouse ...Some of the best beaches are in Florida!! if you were eating fried food every day you must have been on a budget and not had much time to eat (fast food??) I've been going for the past 20yrs and managed to eat pretty healthy when there... Give it another try ;-)!!Read lessRead more

Im curious when the last time you went to Florida to think that Idrive is like Blackpool.

Its literally been upgrade top to bottom in the last 5-10 years. The only thing I can slightly think is remotely like Blackpool is Magical Midway which is nothing as popular as It was when I first went 15 years ago (and again has been upgraded)

I have my pros and cons of idrive but to call it Blackpool just seems utterly bizzare to me.....and thats coming from someone who was stood on Idrive 5 weeks ago.

CaptainSpaulding06/05/2018 21:36

Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and …Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and how uncomfortable it was walking around over priced theme parks all day in the heat.Not too mention the obese loud mouth American's who think it's absolutely fine too shout right in your ear. The restaurants are all greasy deep fat fried style food , which if you consumed for longer than 14 days you'd probably suffer a heart attack. I can only hope it's changed somewhat since I visited , but too me the idea of a holiday is too relax and not be thrown around on rides all day , or to watch poor animals perform too member's of the public all day.Read lessRead more

You missed out on the nightmare of South American tour groups and staying in a hotel which is occupied by Pop Warner children.

OoEliteoO11 m ago

Went last year and did the parks now booking for next year but would like …Went last year and did the parks now booking for next year but would like to do things differently by not doing any parks but seeing other Floridian things so with the wealth of experience on this topic could anyone recommend anything as all I got at the moment is Clearwater , Florida mall , and a shooting range .Read lessRead more

Swim with manatees

OoEliteoO06/05/2018 23:53

Went last year and did the parks now booking for next year but would like …Went last year and did the parks now booking for next year but would like to do things differently by not doing any parks but seeing other Floridian things so with the wealth of experience on this topic could anyone recommend anything as all I got at the moment is Clearwater , Florida mall , and a shooting range .Read lessRead more

Drive on Daytona beach.. park up and relax... Try the airboat rides... eat steak and ribs at Mannys chop house (on highway 27, Haines City)... Hire a boat for the day and cruise between the lakes.... get a 5 day Go Orlando Card and cram as much in as you can.. you can do some activities twice!

deleted96915607/05/2018 06:47

The abuse and incorrect use of "too" here is TOO much for me to comprehend.

Are you the spelling police? Chill out , Lmao.

suziemaclondon13 h, 42 m ago

Has an IHOP and Denny's on each end of the road, plus a Walgreens. Fast …Has an IHOP and Denny's on each end of the road, plus a Walgreens. Fast Lynx bus (111) straight to the Florida Mall and MCO.!Read lessRead more

Travel across an ocean to be within a block of two lowest-denominator sugar and fat delivery chain restaurants and the equivalent of a cross between a tesco express and a boots. But with good access to a public bus to a mall and back to the airport for things you bought from the mall!

Dawsy12 h, 14 m ago

Indeed gotta love those double quarter pounders for $2 in the worlds …Indeed gotta love those double quarter pounders for $2 in the worlds largest McDonald's. I admit they are quite tasty and so close to the Days Inn Lakeside.I'll keep an eye out for you, will you be the kid crying that his feet hurt wearing the Thing 2 t-shirt eating carrot sticks? Whilst your parents have matching Micky and Minnie T-Shirts and ears. Read lessRead more

I wonder why so many Floridians are fatty fat fats..?? Hu.

Wirralbargains7707/05/2018 08:06

What's the best month to go when there's no or very few thunder storms as …What's the best month to go when there's no or very few thunder storms as my wife really doesn't like thunder/lightening and we've heard a few horror stories about the weatherRead lessRead more

We went in May last year and only had one storm and a few short showers that quickly dried out. The showers/rain is apocalyptic not like the drizzle we get here, however it is warm water and once it stops you dry very quickly. My main tip is not to go inside an air conditioned building whilst wet, it's better to stay outside and dry off first. Apparently the weather is better in April but Easter crowds are horrendous.

suziemaclondon1 h, 41 m ago

Literally got back from a fortnight in Orlando this morning. We stayed at …Literally got back from a fortnight in Orlando this morning. We stayed at Rosen Centre which is on the corner of Hawaiian Court (just off International Drive) where the Clarion Inn is also. Cannot comment on the accommodation (although it looked pleasant enough when we walked by) but the location is great. Has an IHOP and Denny's on each end of the road, plus a Walgreens. Fast Lynx bus (111) straight to the Florida Mall and MCO. Very close to Aquatica, Sea World and Discovery Cove too, plus the road to Disney (and the Lynx bus 50 stop). Would recommend this location!Read lessRead more

i always stay at clarion inn best location by far

CaptainSpaulding21 m ago

Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and …Such a trashy holiday. I remember going to Orlando Florida as a kid and how uncomfortable it was walking around over priced theme parks all day in the heat.Not too mention the obese loud mouth American's who think it's absolutely fine too shout right in your ear. The restaurants are all greasy deep fat fried style food , which if you consumed for longer than 14 days you'd probably suffer a heart attack. I can only hope it's changed somewhat since I visited , but too me the idea of a holiday is too relax and not be thrown around on rides all day , or to watch poor animals perform too member's of the public all day.Read lessRead more

You couldn’t be more wrong. First of all, don’t buy greasy food and you’ll get nice food. Disney has some amazing award winning restaurants and we have some of of our favourite meals in Disney (and we enjoy it the likes of The Waterside Inn, at home).
Secondly, if you’re there for two weeks I’d expect as an adult you’d chill out when you need to, and not be thrown around on rides all day”.

This also includes car hire, fab deal

ehosin22 m ago

This also includes car hire, fab deal

Yeeeeeah, careful with that. You’ll get stung by insurance and tax at the end. Skip the “free” car hire and look at doing it independently. It’ll be cheaper, or you’ll get a much more fun car for the same price. We got a Ford Focus, and when we got back I looked into what I could’ve gotten instead elsewhere. I could’ve been driving a Camaro for 2 weeks for the same price

Went last year and did the parks now booking for next year but would like to do things differently by not doing any parks but seeing other Floridian things so with the wealth of experience on this topic could anyone recommend anything as all I got at the moment is Clearwater , Florida mall , and a shooting range .

The_Hypnotoad1 h, 12 m ago

Im curious when the last time you went to Florida to think that Idrive is …Im curious when the last time you went to Florida to think that Idrive is like Blackpool. Its literally been upgrade top to bottom in the last 5-10 years. The only thing I can slightly think is remotely like Blackpool is Magical Midway which is nothing as popular as It was when I first went 15 years ago (and again has been upgraded)I have my pros and cons of idrive but to call it Blackpool just seems utterly bizzare to me.....and thats coming from someone who was stood on Idrive 5 weeks ago.Read lessRead more

I'm sorry.. the bit between kirkman and sandlake is still pretty tacky.. I was thinking Blackpool as there's a fun spot (Blackpool pleasure beach) .. lots of cheap suvinour shops, a madam tusaudes and a ripleys believe it or not.. ok it's been transformed midway and looks pretty nice now.. but there is still lot of tack near the top of I drive.. although the 192 has to beat it!! Not saying I don't love it though..its what makes it.. kids always get the free gifts on the receipt from the restaraunts and we try to go to Florida at least once a year 🖒

mastablasta44 m ago

You missed out on the nightmare of South American tour groups and staying …You missed out on the nightmare of South American tour groups and staying in a hotel which is occupied by Pop Warner children.Read lessRead more

agree on the south american tour groups, no manners whatsoever. Florida still a great holiday destination though

CaptainSpaulding06/05/2018 21:59

Comment deleted

Indeed gotta love those double quarter pounders for $2 in the worlds largest McDonald's. I admit they are quite tasty and so close to the Days Inn Lakeside.
I'll keep an eye out for you, will you be the kid crying that his feet hurt wearing the Thing 2 t-shirt eating carrot sticks? Whilst your parents have matching Micky and Minnie T-Shirts and ears. (edited)

eastofthecounty07/05/2018 00:17

Drive on Daytona beach.. park up and relax... Try the airboat rides... eat …Drive on Daytona beach.. park up and relax... Try the airboat rides... eat steak and ribs at Mannys chop house (on highway 27, Haines City)... Hire a boat for the day and cruise between the lakes.... get a 5 day Go Orlando Card and cram as much in as you can.. you can do some activities twice!Read lessRead more

They have a mannys on the 192 near kissimmee which is closer for most who stay near orlando

What's public transport like ? Would like to go but staying outside of I Drive/Kissimee/Lake Buena Vista seems so much more expensive. Don't think we'd bother with the Theme parks so much, would like to be able to hop on a bus/train & go to the coast somewhere for the day.

Dawsy07/05/2018 00:29

Indeed gotta love those double quarter pounders for $2 in the worlds …Indeed gotta love those double quarter pounders for $2 in the worlds largest McDonald's. I admit they are quite tasty and so close to the Days Inn Lakeside.I'll keep an eye out for you, will you be the kid crying that his feet hurt wearing the Thing 2 t-shirt eating carrot sticks? Whilst your parents have matching Micky and Minnie T-Shirts and ears. Read lessRead more

Yep , that's me. I'll assume you'll be the one wearing brown sandals with knee high socks , and some tacky roller coaster t-shirt , not forgetting the token bumbag whilst stuffing your face with doughnuts.

CaptainSpaulding14 m ago

Yep , that's me. I'll assume you'll be the one wearing brown sandals with …Yep , that's me. I'll assume you'll be the one wearing brown sandals with knee high socks , and some tacky roller coaster t-shirt , not forgetting the token bumbag whilst stuffing your face with doughnuts.Read lessRead more

It's called a 'fannypack' actually ....... 😁

I never had a problem with IDrive, I always liked that you could have a walk out somewhere in the evening, if only to a Dairy Queen or a souvenir shop. However last time we stayed there it was really quiet. It's also really well located, I reckon it's as quick to walk to Universal from iDrive as to walk from the car park.

What's the best month to go when there's no or very few thunder storms as my wife really doesn't like thunder/lightening and we've heard a few horror stories about the weather

Creatzy07/05/2018 00:39

They have a mannys on the 192 near kissimmee which is closer for most who …They have a mannys on the 192 near kissimmee which is closer for most who stay near orlandoRead lessRead more

It's a franchised one though and not as good as the original on the 27.. No where near as good food and atmosphere.. been there twice
. 1st time utter rubbish. Poor service...gave it a second go.. wrong order came. Server didn't even know they done kids meals and eat free on Tuesday ect..😫😫

frankievallie4 h, 7 m ago

What's public transport like ? Would like to go but staying outside of I …What's public transport like ? Would like to go but staying outside of I Drive/Kissimee/Lake Buena Vista seems so much more expensive. Don't think we'd bother with the Theme parks so much, would like to be able to hop on a bus/train & go to the coast somewhere for the day.Read lessRead more

Non existent to be honest.. if the reason you dont have a car is because your worried about driving there on the left.. don't! It's a dream to drive. Huge roads.. automatics.. big roads signs... there's not much public transport other than city to city trains and buses..

OoEliteoO9 h, 45 m ago

Went last year and did the parks now booking for next year but would like …Went last year and did the parks now booking for next year but would like to do things differently by not doing any parks but seeing other Floridian things so with the wealth of experience on this topic could anyone recommend anything as all I got at the moment is Clearwater , Florida mall , and a shooting range .Read lessRead more

Revolution Off Road is fun, I would explorer more than orlando, I drove down the west coast last time, Naples is beautiful and Key West is party central if you like that sort of thing. I did a Jet Ski trip around the island and it was great fun for a day out.