Going to Daytona Beach

[marcmuff Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close marcmuff]

We’re going to Daytona Beach, Tropic Shores Resort, December 5-12. Two couples ages 60 to 70 plus. We will probably skip Disney World but thinking about going to Epcot Center and Kennedy Space Center.

We got the rental cars (at the Orlando Airport) through Hotwire so we got Hertz and they got Alamo. Are they near each other so we can get together to drive to Daytona Beach? Suggestions?

We have never been to Orlando or Daytona Beach. I had to use my Continental Credit from the flight to South Padre Island for the vacation last New Years which RCI cancelled at the last minute so we are flying into Orlando. I got both tickets for the $705 credit for my ticket alone.

[mdurette Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mdurette]

At Orlando Airport Alamo is in the terminal - Hertz is off site. The couple with Hertz will need to take the Hertz shuttle to the Hertz lot. I would suggest that the couple with Alamo get their car and then find the Hertz lot and meet from there. (Know that you might not be able to get into the Hertz lot easily - most lots are set up for car return only).

Another suggestion is most airports have cell phone lots. A lot that people can use to wait for incoming flight pickups. You could both meet there.

Epcot (which is part of Disneyworld) is a great place to go in December. The holiday decorations are incredible. They also have a very moving candelight processional which I would highly recommend.

With that said....the cost will not be cheap. One day ticket is $79 each just to get into Epcot. This is also a time of free dining (for people staying at Disney) - so dinner reservations will be hard to get - not impossible because there are always cancellations.

If you do decide to do this and money is not an issue. I would definately go to Epcot as adults for the Holiday decorations alone. Then call Disney Dining 407-wdw-dine and see if you can get the Candelight processional package which includes dinner, reserved seating at both the Processional and Illuminations (night time firework, laser show). Since this ressie will be hard. Ask for any restaurant for 4 adults for the most number of days you are available.

If you would like to keep the cost down and would still like to see some holiday decorations. Go to lunch at Disney's grand floridian hotel.

[marcmuff Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close marcmuff]

Thanks so much mdurette! I really appreciate your suggestions.

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

The cell phone lot is just about 1 mile south of the B terminal on the right going south. It is easy to find and has had plenty space when I used it twice in the last week.

You can google the airport and print a copy of the map, it helps.

Also, there are several toll roads around Orlando, so you might want to bring some $1.00 bills and quarters along.

[marcmuff Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close marcmuff]

Thanks, everyone, for your input. After a 6 hour delay getting out of Sacramento, we had pretty good luck on the trip. Tropic Shores was really great. We loved the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse (I did climb to the top), went to Kennedy Space Center, Daytona Experience, and really liked the flea market. We took a short boat tour with "A tiny Cruise Line" on the Halifax River.

We saw the manatees at Blue Spring State Park and went on a boat tour on the St. John's River on the way to Orlando to catch our flight on the last day. Amazing.

I'll have pictures on webshots soon.

Again, thanks!

[1950bing Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 1950bing]

Love the Kitty !!!!