Well, here at the Oh Orlando towers we are always asked by visitors to the Sunshine State “what’s fun to do, and isn’t that expensive” the answer. Loads and not always expensive.
You are in the fun capital of the universe! You will be bowled over at the myriad of options. You can take a helicopter ride? (Mr Oh Orlando is actually considering this for the next adventure in July) just off I-Drive there are one or two tour companies that will whisk you into the blue, blue sky for a birds eye view of the parks and the stunning scenery around. These rides are quite reasonable in price as well. One such company is called Air Force Fun. They operate just off I-Drive, it’s a “first come, first served” operation. No booking required and the prices range from $35.00 per person. This is for a 5 minute tour that takes you over Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay. Or the top tour is $140.00 per person and takes in Universal Studios, the Wheel at Icon park, Sea World, Discovery Cove the Disney parks some resorts and Gatorland. This is around a 20-25 minute flight. Whichever way you look at it that’s money well spent in our book!
Another less expensive way of seeing the sights on I-drive is the I-Drive trolley bus. This is a great fun mode of transportation. Mr Oh Orlando can remember using the bus the very first time he visited, he was staying at the Quality Inn International by the large McDonalds. The trolley bus was a great way to zip along the road to visit the malls (anyone remember Beltz mall???) and to pop to restaurants and Universal Studios and Sea World. The drivers really make the trip fun, and you can see so much whilst on it. As transportation goes its still great value for money at only $2.00 per person, children are $1.00 and senior citizens (over 65) is only 25 cents! A day pass per person is only $5.00. So if you are running up and down the drive and fancy a change from Ubers and Lyft this is perfect. There are many stops situated along the route so you will always be near to something to see and visit.
One of the newest things we want to do this year is make some “mini us”. OK we are not exactly tall anyway! But over at the Lego store is Disney Springs you can make a “mini” you! They have a mini figure factory that lets you recreate yourself in Lego form. You choose the design of the torso and the colour, and while that is being printed you can choose your hair and accessories, this has got to be an absolutely must do! What a perfect “little” memento of the holiday of a lifetime, AND it’s a gobsmacking $11.99!! What a deal! A unique, one off, no one else will have. Brilliant. We’ve seen some stunning designs that people have made and it comes in a presentation box. Who ever said money can’t buy happiness have never brought Lego! For more information on this feel free to watch the video on allears.net where the fabulous Molly makes a mini figure of herself. (Side note – we LOVE allears.net. Some really informative vlogs on what to do and how to do it in the parks. You should definitely take a look).
Now when you visit Orlando you MUST eat your own body weight in snacks and assorted random things you almost never eat while at home, one of those being the world famous turkey drumstick from WDW. This is a right of passage for anyone visiting for the first time. You can have the ‘normal’ one or the BBQ sauce covered one. Either way you are gonna get messy eating this thing. Think Bam-Bam from the Flintstones and you’ll get the general idea. They are brined then cooked in the oven for the golden colour. You had better have a large appetite because you are going to be eating this thing for ages. Ashley, Mr Oh’s son on his first visit in 1998 kept asking for a ‘chicken leg” and after us looking round the food outlets he finally pointed to the mammoth turkey legs and said “that’s it Dad!” He did have to choose the BBQ sauce covered one….what a mess….
On our next visit in July (a mere 185 days away) we will be trying loads of new and exciting restaurants. One in particular is the Morimoto Asia restaurant, this is a pan-Asia theme, taking in, Japanese, Korean and Chinese food. One dish in particular that has got Mr Oh salivating is the Morimoto spare ribs. Melt in the mouth street food and Blistered Shishto Peppers with wasabi and yuzu salt. Nom nom nom. (NOT for the vegetarian Mrs Oh). As most restaurants in the ‘Springs there are takeaway windows so you can grab a bite to eat and walk along getting the sauce down your new shirt…..(true story).
Also in Disney Springs is the Areophile Balloon flight. Situated on the west side, this is the Worlds largest painted Helium ballon. You will go as high as 400 feet up and have views to nearly 10 miles away (weather permitting obviously. The basket holds 19 passengers and one crew member. We’ve seen this many many times and it looks a complete hoot!! We definitely plan to ride this more than once, guests 12 and over are permitted to ride by themselves, but under 12’s need to be accompanied by someone 18 and over. This costs $20 for adults (10 and over) and $15 for children (aged 3 to 9).
When you see the WDW property spread out in front of you it will take your breath away. Don’t forget WDW is roughly the same size as Greater Manchester…..yikes.
If you have park tickets for either WDW or Universal then don’t forget they both have some cracking mini golf courses. Admission is included in the ticket price so why not pop along and have a game before or after the park. Get some bragging rights and claim a free meal from your family and friends as part of a wager! A good way to unwind after a dash around. There are also great crazy golf course dotted around, one great one is on I-drive called Congo River Golf. It even boasts REAL ‘gators in the water hazards. We kid you not. A multi level course that will make you chuckle or scream in equal measure!! The prices are great too, kids and seniors for 36 holes will cost $13.25, or for 18 holes its $8.50. For anyone else its $14.75 for 36 holes and $8.50 for 18. If you are non playing spectator its a flat fee of $5.00.
One last little thing you MUST do is go to the drive through ice cream parlour called Twistee Treat. There are several locations on the 192. If you want a cone, a cup a twirl or a sundae this is the place. Or maybe you are hankering for waffle taco or a hot fudge brownie boat??? The phrase all our parents have said to us in the past “your eyes are bigger than your belly” is a true one as you sit with one of these beautiful creations. We guarantee you will probably get bored eating this and admit defeat. Everyone we know who’s had one has had to share it or sadly consign it to the waste bin. So… the answer is share one!!! Get a cone and 2 spoons. Oh, and plenty of napkins. It’s Orlando. And its hot. Do the maths. Or eat it quicklyfor the brain freeze of a lifetime!! Your choice.
That’s all for the mini blog. See you all soon. Stay safe and get booking that holiday.
Ya’ll take care now.
theohorlando.blog 