Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with orlando

Custom jewelry in Orlando, FL

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:45:53 -0800

I'm looking for advice on getting a custom engagement ring made in Orlando on a budget. So I'm starting with next to no knowledge of jewelry shopping, but I want to work with a jeweler to make a custom engagement ring. I'd like to make a narrow band of white gold, with a particular engraved or molded design which I can roughly sketch, and set with a round-cut sapphire of about 1ct/6mm (I'm happy to go lab-created to save money). I want it to be similar in feel to a particular one she's pointed out online that she really likes, but obviously not the same as it.

Is one to two thousand dollars a reasonable price range for this project? Is 6 weeks a reasonable time span to get this done in? Assume I'll be able to visit the shop conveniently. I'd also appreciate general advice/experiences with custom jewelry shopping on a budget. And most importantly (since I'm feeling adrift), does anyone have a recommendation for an independent jeweler around the Orlando/Central Florida area or advice on finding one?

Send private responses to mefiengagement@gmail.com.

Fun in the sun

crewshell — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:04:42 -0800

My buddy and I (25,23) are hitting Kissimmee up today and staying through sunday afternoon. We know we can go to Disney world or Orlando or even a long drive to the beach but does anyone have any really cool fun suggestions for activities for us to get into? We are both crazy busy young professionals and are looking to cut loose and have a good time... we both want to try something new and hey, if we meet a few beautiful girls while doing it, even better!

Any suggestions? We will have a rental car, are open to spending a little cash and pretty adventurous! (on that note I am already considering sky diving)

Inspire us hive mind!

We are looking for non-chain restaurants in Orlando & Miami for a family with young kids (2 & 4)

rdurbin — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:09:21 -0800

We are looking for non-chain restaurants in Orlando & Miami for a family with young kids We are traveling to Florida soon and are looking for recommendations for dining out with kids (2 year old and 4 year old).

Most of our meals will probably be lunches (if that matters). Assume that they both aren't too picky of eaters (so we don't need to do the diner/mac cheese/corndog route).

Cuisine - We would be most interested in non chain type restaurants. examples: authentic cuban food, fresh seafood, italian, mexican

Price - not too expensive since we are with younger kids although we would be willing to splurge a couple of times.

Location - Orlando/Miami although we have a rental so we will be all over the state really.

Thanks!

Where to find airport passenger data?

dunderwood — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:48:52 -0800

Looking for airport passenger data. More specifically, monthly deplaned (inbound) passenger data for Miami, Orlando and Tampa from 1975 to 2008. I've tried most government websites including the BTS as well as the airport sites themselves. Quarterly data is acceptable but yearly data is not. All I have been able to find so far is yearly data. Thanks in advance.

Orlando Meal Prep and Delivery

pearlybob — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 06:54:24 -0800

I have close family in Orlando (near downtown) that have suffered a major loss. I want to have a nice meal delivered to them tomorrow night. Not just regular take-out or delivery. I'm looking for the kind of meal delivery that some catering companies and personal chefs do. They aren't up to anyone in the house yet so I'm looking for off site preparation and delivery. Google has lots of choices so I need personal recommendations. Meal for four, good, fresh ingredients, something special. Thanks in advance..

Its a necessity dammit!

QUHZK — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:33:28 -0800

Is there any place to purchase sunscreen at the Orlando International Airport? My wife and I are flying into Orlando and have about an hour between our flight and our chartered bus to Port Canaveral (woo! long weekend cruise!). We've limited ourselves to just carry-on luggage, so we've been able to figure out how to limit our liquids to the bare essentials. However, we are both pasty white and desperately need way more than 3.4 ounces of sunscreen. Is there someplace in the airport itself that sells sunscreen? If not, is there someplace within quick walking distance that would?

Orlando with a toddler

brozek — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:34:15 -0800

Low-cost suggestions for my daughter (16 months) and I to entertain ourselves in Orlando next week while my wife is at a trade show? My wife will be at the Craft & Hobby Association trade show next week, and my daughter and I need to find ways to entertain ourselves for about four hours at a time, Sunday through Friday. If you have suggestions for family things to do when my wife can join us in the evenings, that would also be great.

I don't know Orlando well enough to say which section of the city we'll be in, but we're staying at the Westgate Palace (where my wife's boss has a timeshare), but we'll have a rental car and carseat, so some travel (say, 30-45 minutes each way) is OK. Unless we rent one, though, we won't have a stroller.

Inexpensive and/or free things are best. We've already ruled out anything related to Disney as too expensive - plus, our daughter's probably too little to really enjoy it yet. For what it's worth, I don't want to limit us to toddler-focused things (kids' museums, parks, etc). Those are great too, but suggestions for grown-up things are absolutely welcome. Thanks much!

Surviving the weekend with my cranky right-wing grandparents.

desjardins — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:14:31 -0800

My elderly grandparents live 45 minutes south of Orlando. My husband and I are visiting them next weekend. What do we do while we're there to minimize drama and maybe have a bit of fun? First of all, I am not close to them at all, and am really only visiting them because my grandfather is seriously ill and this may be the last opportunity to see him. I honestly do not enjoy spending time with them. Their political and religious views are 180 degrees from mine and 145 degrees from my husband's, so those are topics to avoid. They're extremely racist, and while I've learned to keep my mouth shut (given that it won't change anything), my (white) husband reacts strongly to racial slurs. Neither of them understand our (technical) career fields, so we can't talk about that. They don't have hobbies besides watching TV so nothing to talk about there. There is all kinds of family drama that my grandmother just loves to bring up, and I don't want to discuss that, especially since their treatment of my cousin before his suicide is an extremely sore point with me.

The drama has started before we're even there - they're insisting on picking us up at the airport (orlando) even though they're extremely dangerous drivers and I've already booked a rental car. They want me to cancel the rental car - at this point I'd be eating the fee since it's through Priceline and there's no-cancellation policy. My mother has written me emails on how to tiptoe around their preferences and eccentricities.

My husband and I are extremely stressed by a recent move and job/economic insecurity, and this trip just feels like a burden at this point. Yet I want to make it somewhat enjoyable if at all possible. My grandfather can barely leave the house, not only because he's physically ill but because he's bipolar and frequently severely depressed. My grandmother likes to go shopping, etc., but tires very quickly. What the heck can we do for 4 days? I don't mind driving to Orlando or Tampa or points in between.

Aside: I would really prefer air-conditioned activities as I get heatstroke easily (and I can't imagine the heat would be good for 80-somethings either).

Where to propose in Orlando, Fl

dervish — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:06:05 -0800

Can anyone suggest a restaurant in the Orlando, Fl area that would make a good place to take a woman before proposing? I have never expected to propose to anyone, so am largely ignorant on some of the particulars. Is it tacky to propose to a woman in a restaurant? If not, can anyone suggest any good ones in Florida (preferably around Orlando) that are on the higher end of the scale (without getting too ridiculous--probably without having to spend more than $200 for the entire meal).

Also, is it tacky to propose on her birthday? I'm probably not going to, but am just wondering.

Insert Clever Title Here

wittgenstein — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:01:11 -0800

Mrs. W and I would like to buy some modern looking furniture, but there do not seem to be available venues in Jacksonville, FL. Mefites in or near Orlando, are there stores there you can recommend that would stock modern looking couches and chairs?

We heard that you were feeling ill, headache, fever, and a chill

c:\awesome — Mon, 18 May 2009 23:23:02 -0800

I want to send someone a singing telegram, but they're too expensive. What's a gift that is equally as corny that I can have delivered to a hotel conference room in Orlando?

Orlando in 4 days...

lizbunny — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:58:37 -0800

Two girls in Orlando, Florida for four days - when to go, what to do? So my sister has booked a trip where we get 4 days in Orlando, Florida, and then a 2-day cruise to the Bahamas. We have to book our official travel dates 6 weeks in advance... We're both in our mid-20's, just us two girls going, we're staying at some Ramada hotel in Orlando and we have a rental car.

So when's a good time to visit Orlando, Florida? Should we book asap and enjoy a mid-May visit, or what? We want nice-ish weather when it's not super busy... This is my main concern, I realize there are lots of Orlando and Disney World questions on AskMeFi and I'm going through them slowly.

But 4 days is not enough to do it all, so we need help prioritizing here (tips? highlights?) -- most people are going with kids or as a couple and we're just looking to relive our childhoods and be amused. My sister wants to see SeaWorld, she doesn't like roller-coaster rides (but i love 'em), and she doesn't like to drink or go dancing. I suppose the Epcot center and the Magic Kingdom are sounding pretty good according to previous posts and the main disneyworld website. I've also been checking out allears.net and a few other sites out there, slowly figuring it out. Just to be clear, when you get those expensive admission tickets for Disney World, are the rides free or are they still more on top of it?

What about the rest of Orlando, though? I don't know exactly where we're staying at the moment, but what's scenic in the city to go see? Any favorite places outside the parks? we have a car and we're adventurous :)

What to do in Orlando, FL?

thekiltedwonder — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:30:33 -0800

What to do in Orlando, besides the obvious? My SO and I are driving down to Orlando tomorrow to visit my SO's friend. We're visiting my family in Tallahassee & her friend recently moved to Melbourne from Germany so we're splitting the difference & meeting in Orlando. We're looking for suggestions for things to occupy us for the day. We've ruled out going to any of the parks, since they are too expensive for my SO's friend. Any suggestions for free (or really cheap) things to do in Orlando?

We already know where we are going to eat, so we do not need any food related advice. We have cars but don't really plan to drive anywhere too far from Orlando, as our drive down there will be 3 hours long.

In addition, we need suggestions for things to do during the day as we will be leaving Orlando around 6PM.

Need towncar service at Orlando International Airport

Lizc — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:36:23 -0800

Looking for reliable, cheap towncar/taxi/vehicle-for-hire to get from Orlando International to the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. Arranging travel for an elderly couple, one of which is blind, the other hard of hearing from the airport to the Omni at ChampionsGate (which looks to be about 40 min south on the 4).

The Orlando International website lists a ton of vehicle-for-hire services - is anyone familiar with one or can recommend their favorite?

Thanks in advance!

Four buses closed the northbound I-4 in Orlando on Wed. - why?

nothingsconstant — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:53:04 -0800

My parents are curious why the police had the northbound I-4 + on ramps closed in Orlando (until the turnoff for the airport) for 4 Mears buses on Dec. 31 at 2pm or so? Who was in them?

Affordable rental cars in Orlando for New Years?

indyz — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:15:55 -0800

Is it possible to get a reasonably priced rental car at or near Orlando International Airport around New Years? The best rates I can find are about $500 for December 31st through January 5th. Needless to say, I'm not excited about paying $90+ a day to rent a Chevy Aveo. At those prices it would be cheaper for me to take an extra day or two off work and drive my own car from Chicago to Florida and back, and that's not even factoring in the cost of plane tickets.

Am I just out of luck due to the timing of my trip? Or do any of you more seasoned travelers know where to find deals?

Looking for Orlando tourism commercial - Can I get "Whatever I want"?

steeb2er — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:09:02 -0800

Can you find video online of the Orlando FL tourism TV commercial featuring little kids giving testimonials? One boy says "You can do whatever you want". There was a TV commercial for Orlando FL tourism that aired within the last year. It featured a few (4-5?) kids who were 5 or 6 years old explaining what they liked about Orlando and all the fun things to do. One boy was a little chunky, wearing a Hawaiian-style shirt and he had an accent. He said, "You can eat what you want. You can go to bed when you want. You can do whatevuh you want!"

I'd REALLY like to find this video because my wife and her co-workers quote that kid all the time.

I've looked (unsuccessfully) on Google and YouTube and at the Orlando tourism website.

Help us avoid Mickey on our mini vacay, please!

citystalk — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 07:27:32 -0800

In Orlando sunrise Friday Aug 15th to sunrise Sat. What to do? If you had only one day in Orlando, what would you do?

Hubby and I have accommodations and complimentary transport to the theme parks, but were wondering what else there was to do?! What restaurants to try?! Any nostalgia/Americana/kewl stuff and/or places?

We aren't really theme park people but are very silly (so maybe there's a can't miss theme park?) and were hoping for some unique and interesting options for two noobs to Orlando. :)

What to do and where to stay in Gainesville, Florida?

stackhaus23 — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:48:26 -0800

What to do and where to stay in Gainesville, Florida? I'm traveling over to Gainesville, FL from the UK for The Fest over the last weekend of October. I'm arriving there a few days early so I was seeing firstly if there is anything I have to do while I'm there and secondly if anyone could recommend me somewhere dirt cheap, like a hostel where I can get a private room or a reasonable hotel. Thanks guys!

Any other travel advice is also welcome, don't put hands in Alligator's mouths etc...

I'm seeing the Mouse, so I'll need a House.

aristan — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 14:30:58 -0800

At least 9 of my closest friends & I are planning a vacation to Florida in early 2010. We were thinking of renting a vacation house for at least a week. Have you ever dealt with Vacation rental companies? Good Experiences, Bad? Any recommendations on who to deal with in the Orlando area? - There will be at least 10 of us.
- All of us are adults
- One of us uses a wheelchair
- We're going in February 2010 to miss most of the crowds, plus quiet a few of us work in Retail, so Feb is "off season" for us too.

We're currently leaning toward renting from these guys.

If you have ever rented a vacation home for a week, let me know how it worked out for you. Any nasty surprises? Did you like it better than a hotel?

Lost in Orlando

ig — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:10:41 -0800

I have a relative who will be in Orlando from december 8 to 18. I'd like to order some (photo) products online and have them sent to a safe/reliable address where he can pick them up. Many places, like B&H, will not ship to a hotel. Is there any way around this? I don't know anyone in the city.

Looking for car rental & villa rental in orlando

spinko — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 13:58:28 -0800

Does anybody know the best car hire rental and also villa rental companies to use in Florida, Orlando? We are going away in September and require a good, cheap, reliable company to use for car rental and also for villas.
Thanks

Books-beer-beach-bum foodie in Florida.

kmennie — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 10:27:39 -0800

Florida questions: going to Leesburg (nearish Orlando). Want not usual Florida tourist things but instead books, beach, beer, food. And what can I do on a lay-over in Ft Lauderdale? (Previous Orlando threads noted. Do I want to visit the Space Center, or...?)

I want to hit some good used bookstores, interesting food shops, and worthwhile non-chain restaurants. Mr Kmennie would probably really enjoy a good pub -- faux British would be okay so long as it's pub, not bar.

"Good used bookstores" is a bit "I'll take what I can get, seeing as how I don't know that it's really the area for it." Ditto with the food shops...I grocery shop when travelling for entertainment and even a big-boxy market will satisfy my yen since it'll be excitingly "foreign," but can I do better? Local restaurants look to be chain-or-crap...am I wrong there? It need not be posh, but it should have a few respectable non-tofu vegetarian options.

We'd also like to hit a beach; the in-laws I'm going to visit have suggested Cocoa Beach. Comments on that? Is there anything less crowded/big/touristy that's still in reasonable day-trip distance?

And, finally, we have 3 1/2 hours in Fort Lauderdale on the way there around lunchtime -- is there a restaurant (or swell attraction) within reasonable distance of the airport?

I realise "I'm going to Leesburg; please point me to the things Leesburg is not noted for" is a bit silly. I'll be happy if I get to one good beach and one decent new bookstore. But I'm still crossing my fingers that there's a MeFite who can Google-map me to foodie booklover beach bum nirvana...

Central Florida with a two year old. What to do?

Merdryn — Mon, 28 May 2007 08:11:55 -0800

My wife and I are going to central Florida (Orlando to Daytona area) with a 2 year old boy in a few weeks. We are looking for some ideas on what to see/do with the little tyke. Can be free, cheap, or expensive, as long as its worthwhile. We're looking to fill up one or two days. Bonus points if we can include the grandmother (active 63 year old) along. I used to live in the area, and we've already made some decisions: 1) We might do Magic Kingdom, there's a lot that a 2 year old will enjoy here. We don't have hopes of killing a whole day there, so we'd probably plan to go back to the hotel and nap, then return to finish the day.

2) The Central Florida Zoo is pretty much just caged animals. We're used to big open habitats like Brookfield Zoo in the Chicago 'burbs, so this would be a big let down.

3) Kennedy Space Center is too far, and not exciting enough for a two year old.

Ratfilter: getting around

Geckwoistmeinauto — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 08:56:49 -0800

FamilyVacationTime! I'm arriving in Orlando via air on Easter Sunday to meet up with my family. What's the Taxi situation like on holidays at the airport? Also, I am departing via Amtrak on the following Friday. What's the area around the train station like? What's the best way to get to the Downtown Amtrak station from the Kissimee area? As we all know, Amtrak can be less than punctual. Is the area around the Orlando station an OK place to hang out on a Friday afternoon while waiting for a delayed train? Any particular recommendations? I'm open to renting a car from the airport, but it might be a pain to drop the car off when I depart.

Any tips or tricks for navigating the Orlando area would be much appreciated!