Coming to Orland/Kissimmee this weekend

Joeaksa · 12-14-2010, 10:53 AM

Anything to see or do in this area besides Disney? Will have wheels so can get around.

Planning on being there on Friday and heading home on Monday or possibly Tuesday.

Been trying to get ahold of Byron but getting him to answer a email is worse than getting Obama to get off of television so thought I would post here for some ideas.

Joe A

Deschodt · 12-14-2010, 12:23 PM

Hell, with your background, Fantasy of flight in kissimee is a must ! Nice warbirds and older... Even a PBY and some weird luftwaffe prototype.

You can even book a flight in a P51 nearby with another organization ;-)

PS: bring a nice warm jacket ! It's cold this week.

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Hi Joe, how did I miss this???? So are you in FL now??

Joeaksa · 12-14-2010, 04:06 PM

Greg,

Believe that this is over in the Tampa/St. Pete area?

Byron,

Will get there Friday afternoon or so and stay until Monday or Tuesday. Would love to get together if possible.

Thx,

Joe

Normy · 05:28 PM

Joe, the best part of Orlando is the downtown area. The nightlife is very good, if you are into it. Along Colonial drive just east of downtown is a shopping center were all the gear-heads hang out and show off their machines on Friday and Saturday nights. This is just east of Bumby, north of executive airport. Another idea? Get on Colonial drive [Hwy 50], and drive out to the dragstrip in Bithlo for test and tune on Saturday afternoons.

Other than that, the usual theme parks in the southwest corner of the city. I lived there for 8 years, moved south in 2005. The "Fantasy of Flight" is at Kissimmee airport, and it is kind of small, but if you go in there and start speaking the language known as "aviation" you're sure to get a personal tour, if not wind up flying something really old!

Have fun, and dress warm-

N!

URY914 · URY914's Garage

I don't why you guys think that FOF is in Kississee. It is right off I-4 just north of Lakeland.

Fantasy of Flight, World's Greatest Aircraft Collection

Gogar · 12-14-2010, 07:05 PM

Send a PM to "bell." He's alright.

Joeaksa · 12-14-2010, 08:48 PM

Jeremy,

Is Bell in the Orlando area?

Normy, thanks for the heads up. I do speak aviation.

Hey Byron,

How far of a drive is it up to your neck of the woods? You give tours of your parts collection?

Joe

bell · bell's Garage

yes i'm in orlando (celebration), it's its own little bubble near disney......
colonial (50) isn't a part you'd want to visit after dark imo, except the immediate downtown area, but i don't spend much time downtown to give you any insight there....
friday/saturday nights at "oldtown" (on 192 just east of i-4) there is a giant car meet, lots of old school muscle.......has sort of a carnival type atmosphere, lots of little shops/tourist type crap.....but fun none the less......and free....we go there when we're bored and want to see some mullets LOL

there is also a mideval times and arabian nights which are large live dinner shows, a bit pricey though.

at the gaylord palms they are having their yearly "ICE" display, think awesome ice scupltures and a giant ice slide, dress warm LOL also it'll cost to park and like $20 per person to get in....check their website......pretty neat though.....it's right off i-4 on the oceola parkway......

the themeparks are always fun.....but it's peak season so expect large crowds no matter where you go.......
downtown disney is fun, and free, pm me for parking tips......can be a total pia on the weekends....goto "earl of sandwich" $6.00 for any sandwich and they are all delicious......lego store.....again check that website.....good info for whats there......

it's supposed to warm up by the weekend......70's......it'll still feel cold to me though LOL

Laneco · 12-15-2010, 04:53 AM

You ride bikes, don't you Joe? When I would work in Orlando, I always took my bike. There's some nice short trails in the area, I think my favorite in the area was Orange Blossom. For a bit of a drive, head to Inverness and ride the Withlacoochie rails to trail. Very lovely ride including a section thru a game refuge. At 46 miles end to end, you can get in a very decent round trip ride.

angela

Joeaksa · 12-15-2010, 07:05 AM

Bell, thanks for the info. We will be getting out a bit but frankly the night life is not a big thing with us. My copilot is married and am not into the club scene. Now a good sandwich is another thing as we both enjoy a good meal!

Angela, thanks and it will depend on the temps and weather. If it stays chilly will just stay indoors.

Joe

imcarthur · imcarthur's Garage

Joe

I have spent a lot of time touring FL & I am not a fan of Orlando. But . . . you can find some of the 'world's best' calamari at Antonio's on Sand Lake. Good steaks at Vito's (International) & Charley's (International area & the one on Orange Blossum). For seriously hokey old-timey Florida, check out Gatorland. I took a Brit there & he had a ball.

Ian

Joeaksa · 12-15-2010, 08:02 AM

Ian,

Thanks and my copilot is from Ontario so might be what he would like!

Deschodt · 12-15-2010, 11:01 AM

You are correct, FoF is in polk city technically... it's between lakeland and orlando... The P51 thing is in kissimmee, sorry about the confusion. And yes, it's a short drive from orlando Joe !
Worth seeing anyway.

vash · vash's Garage

i heard there are transplanted Peacock Bass in the canals surrounding the parks. you can book a guided trip to catch fish normally found in the Amazon.

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Hey Byron,

How far of a drive is it up to your neck of the woods? You give tours of your parts collection?

Joe

2 to 3 hours depending on traffic, sure, I give tours, parts & bars too

but this time of the year I am busy with work, but we might be able to work something out. BTW, the local Jaguar club has their X-mas party this Sat night. You might check out Gary Stratton (sonjay here) as his shop is down there & always has cool Porsches & VWs there..