Help needed!

Hi,

I have just been lucky enough to win a trip to Orlando. We are hoping to go in November, possibly in the last two weeks. I have never been to the states before and there is so much to to take in! We will be staying at the Hard Rock Hotel for 7 nights.

I hope somebody can help with the following questions:

1. What is the weather like in November? (can I wear t-shirt %26amp; shorts and sunbathe)

2. Will there be xmas decorations and parades in November?

3. How far apart are the Universal theme Parks and the Disney theme Parks? Is it worth hiring a car.

Your help is appreciated.

Thank you

Help needed!

Wow. What a great thing to win!

Weather-Warm in the day, cooler at night. Usually high 70%26#39;s during the day. I would bring a jacket, long pants, a few long sleeve shirts, as well as shorts and short sleeve shirts.

Sunbath-People who are used to Florida consider it chilly. Tourist are out swimming and sunning.

Xmas decorations and Parades-Yes.

Worth hiring a car-YES!!!!! As far as I know, the Universal Hotels do not have shuttles to Disney. You could take a cab, but by the time you figure in time and expense, your better off renting a car.

Help needed!

Thank s for the advice, very helpful!

There%26#39;s one thing you need to be aware of at the time you%26#39;re going.

American Thanksgiving holiday is the 4th Thursday of November (this year it%26#39;s Nov. 23rd) and that particular week will be very, very busy at the theme parks, due to the holiday. Just be prepared for crowds and more crowds.

Also, the Friday following that day (Nov. 24th) is considered to be the biggest shopping day (because of Xmas) of the year in the U.S., so if you want bargains, go shopping that day, but again be prepared for crowds, crowds, crowds!! Sales can be great that day though, so crowds are sometimes worth the bargains.

Disney is about 10 or so miles from the Universal property, so if you can hire a car to go there, it is advisable. Otherwise, the expense to hire a taxi could be prohibitive, especially for multiple days.

The weather should be terrific for you at that time with a chance of a cool spell, but nothing real extreme I would think.

Kat mentioned the after Thanksgiving sales. Two tips: Buy the local newspaper on Thursday. It will have inserts with all the sales and store hours. Then get to the stores you want to visit as early as they open on Friday. You%26#39;ll get the merchandise you want and finish before you%26#39;re worn out. One year, I did all my Christmas shopping before 9am on that Friday.

The Thanksgiving weekend itself is extremely busy, almost the same as Christmas. But the days before, and more important, the week after, are much better. If you can plan other activities, such as shopping, for that weekend, it would be best. Also, you need to make any restaurant reservations for Thanksgiving Day well in advance. Many restaurants are not even open on the holiday, and the ones that are will book up many weeks ahead.

Most hotels and theme parks will have their Christmas decorations in place by Thanksgiving Day. There will be some Christmas themed shows starting that weekend. Disney doesn%26#39;t do their Christmas parade until just before Christmas (except at their Mickey%26#39;s Very Merry Christmas Party, an after hours, special ticket event), but their Candlelight Processional and Holidays Around the World at Epcot and Christmas festivities at the other parks will start Thanksgiving weekend. Universal usually has the Macy%26#39;s Parade, which starts up a few days after Thanksgiving weekend. The theme parks usually post their holiday offerings on their calendars and under ';special events'; on their websites.

A person after my own heart.

Unluckly for me I had to pay for my holiday.

Christmas decorations and fridge magnets were high on my list of things to bring home.

You can buy these all over the place. I bought mine in the Christmas Shops in Downtown Disney and in the Walt Disney world Magic Kingdom park.

There is a massive Christmas shop in Downtown Disney and in magic Kingdom there is a Ye Olde Christmas Shop in America town.

If you dont have a car with the holiday, then hire one. Universal is only north on I-4. Litteraly a straight road and you only turn off for Universal and boom your there.

Your going to be sick when you have to come home. June was my first holiday in America and I was nearly crying leaving the place. Its amazing and cheap. I can imagine the Hard Rock wont be cheap but outside of Disney you will save a packet buying stuff.

Make sure to get to the Premium outlets across the I-4 to pick up some bargains.

Remember before you leave, Florida has a sales tax so everything you seen advertised on the Internet, It usually will not include the tax. What is it everybody, 7%. Im not sure.

Hey Celtic :

Hard Roack is awesome!!! Ask for a view of the pool/park when you book. It is cool! Also you are right next door to Universal Studios and you will get a front of the line pass for all of the rides because you are staying in an official hotel!

You should rent a car to get to and from the airport and to Disney. I would allow 2-3 days for Universal and 3-4 days for Disney. Universal is much smaller than Disney, but it is just as fun!

Have a ball!

The Thanksgiving holiday may be a black out date with this winning, so check that before you go. This is a big travel holiday here. Good luck and have a good time.

thanks everybody!