The neighborhood isn’t that bad. You don’t find Ray’s Priceless BBQ near Disney!
Orlando things to do
- Thread starter Cycsk
- Start date
Marching Band left Ames on 8 busses and a big truck at 730 am. Nice 30 hr "bus time" to Orlando. Go Cyclones.
In terms of safety in the neighborhood, the big multiple story building in the background of our tailgate lot is the Orlando Police Department!
Kind of late in the game here, but my wife and I had a lot of fun here --
https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/theme-parks/volcano-bay
Massive, new, modern waterpark with heated water. Very refreshing compared to the Iowa winter.
It was definitely more fun than that drilling Notre Dame gave us.
Adults on their own or a family could easily chew up an entire day there. I think it is less crowded in the winter, too, because Floridians think it is too cold and might be slightly discounted.
https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/theme-parks/volcano-bay
Massive, new, modern waterpark with heated water. Very refreshing compared to the Iowa winter.
It was definitely more fun than that drilling Notre Dame gave us.
Adults on their own or a family could easily chew up an entire day there. I think it is less crowded in the winter, too, because Floridians think it is too cold and might be slightly discounted.
Exactly.
I stayed at an Airbnb last time a few blocks from the stadium. Walked to the local convenience store multiple times. Walked to the downtown for the magic game and back. Never once felt unsafe. In fact everyone was really nice.
Iowans thinking the area around the stadium is dangerous, crack me up every time.
Not doubting you. Just thinking that people might think twice about jumping someone your size...
I'm not a fan of Orlando, but I've been several times. Instead of telling you what to do, I'll tell you what NOT to do--walk near the water's edge. Yeah, you are from Iowa, and being eaten alive by an alligator is probably something you scoff at, but there are tons of little lakes and ponds in Orlando, many with cat tail plants by the water's edge.
Now, you may be telling yourself as you walk down to the water, what are the chances there's an alligator in the friggin pond right by my hotel? Well, the chances are actually much better than you would like. Alligators are a protected species in Florida, and while not common, they have killed humans who walked to close to the water's edge.
a-z-animals.com
you may want to avoid gay bars as well.
en.wikipedia.org
A loaded gun could be helpful if you encounter the wildlife on a nature trail.
https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/i...ter-wreaking-havoc-on-south-florida-ecosystem
Now, you may be telling yourself as you walk down to the water, what are the chances there's an alligator in the friggin pond right by my hotel? Well, the chances are actually much better than you would like. Alligators are a protected species in Florida, and while not common, they have killed humans who walked to close to the water's edge.
Alligators in Orlando: Are You Safe to Go in the Water?
Alligators in Orlando are a lot more common than you'd think, so is it safe to go in the water and take a swim?
you may want to avoid gay bars as well.
Pulse nightclub shooting - Wikipedia
A loaded gun could be helpful if you encounter the wildlife on a nature trail.
https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/i...ter-wreaking-havoc-on-south-florida-ecosystem
Last edited:
I've visited Orlando a dozen times in the last 25 years, often around the holidays. Biggest thing I can say is that it's just REALLY BUSY and crowded this time of year, especially around Disney. If you go to theme parks, expect tons of traffic and long wait times. A day trip to a beach is well worth it: Clearwater, Daytona, and Cocoa Beach within driving distance. Dolphin watching tours at Clearwater are a blast. Airboat rides at Kissimmee Swamp Tours is a must-do.
Regarding alligators, there have been 30 fatalities since 1948. Yes use common sense, but they are not just lurking in the weeds waiting to pounce.I'm not a fan of Orlando, but I've been several times. Instead of telling you what to do, I'll tell you what NOT to do--walk near the water's edge. Yeah, you are from Iowa, and being eaten alive by an alligator is probably something you scoff at, but there are tons of little lakes and ponds in Orlando, many with cat tail plants by the water's edge.
Now, you may be telling yourself as you walk down to the water, what are the chances there's an alligator in the friggin pond right by my hotel? Well, the chances are actually much better than you would like. Alligators are a protected species in Florida, and while not common, they have killed humans who walked to close to the water's edge.
Alligators in Orlando: Are You Safe to Go in the Water?
Alligators in Orlando are a lot more common than you'd think, so is it safe to go in the water and take a swim?
you may want to avoid gay bars as well.
Pulse nightclub shooting - Wikipedia
A loaded gun could be helpful if you encounter the wildlife on a nature trail.
https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/i...ter-wreaking-havoc-on-south-florida-ecosystem
If you go to Everglades or similar places where they are prevalent and encouraged as part of the ecosystem, they will tell you to keep a 15 foot distance and you will be fine.
You are much more likely to be killed by lightning or driving to the game than by an alligator.
There are some decent sized ponds near Camping World Stadium. It would be awesome to have an alligator trot by our tailgate!
There is a high chance those ponds have alligators, but less that they'll wander by. If it's a sunny day you could easily see some sunning themselves though. There are a LOT of alligators in Florida. They just generally are not waiting to pounce on people.There are some decent sized ponds near Camping World Stadium. It would be awesome to have an alligator trot by our tailgate!
I have a little place in Southwest Florida with a small pond behind it. There are alligators that go into it from time to time (generally young ones looking for new territory). The HOA keeps the weeds trimmed and I don't let my kids go to the edge without me scoping it out first.
We had a three-foot one that decided to sun itself about 20 feet from the back patio this summer. A couple years ago I caught an 18-inch juvenile on my fishing pole. It swallowed everything up to the bobber. It eventually spat everything out but took the bait. That one had to be removed because it had learned that people with fishing poles had delicious bait.
Basically, it's super easy to co-exist with them as long as you give them respect and don't do dumb (or drunken) things.
We all know why they think it's "dangerous". Like I said everyone I encountered last time were nice. Had numerous conversations with locals as I walked to the Magic's Arena and others hanging out at the convenience store.
