Californian's first trip to Florida and WDW...

[CaliforniaGal]

Hello, I've lived in California all my life and have been to Disneyland many times during my childhood and as an adult but now I'm taking my first trip to Florida and Disneyworld from October 7 through October 17.

This is what I have planned:

I read that Magic Kingdom is very similar to Disneyland so I'll probably plan on spending more time at Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kindgom. I also want to do Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach Do you still recommend the park hopper pass or is one park a day a good plan since I'm gonna have 9 full days and one half day in Florida

One day at Universal Studios and one day at the Island of Adventures.

Day trip to the Discovery Cove to hang out with Dolphins.

Day trip to Kennedy Space Center

Day trip to Cocoa Beach.

I also want to experience at least one Florida thunderstorm. I've never experienced a thunderstorm up close or warm rain in my life since it only rains in winter in California and it's thunderless. Someone told me that the average Californian would freak out upon being caught up in a typical gulf coast thunderstorm so that made me curious enough to want to experience one. I've heard thunder from a distance maybe 5-10 times in my entire life and I like how it sounded. I bet the thunderstorm will put more adrenalin in me than all the rides put together. Is early October too late to guarantee this experience? I was planning to walk around in a swimsuit, shorts, and crocs to experience the thunderstorm. I may think of it as a thrill ride but I do know there are some dangers with lightning so would like some tips on how to know when to come in from the rain. Also, how risky is it to go swimming in the hotel pool during a thunderstorm? Do they close the pools when there's lightning nearby?

I chose early October because I wanted to avoid the crowds that come during school vacations and the oppressive humidity of summer and still have a guarantee that it would be warm enough enjoy the water parks and swim in the pool at night.

Hotel has a full shuttle service to the theme parks but I plan on renting a car for the day trips to Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach. I have a friend joining me from the 7th through the 13th and I'm on my own from the 14th through the 17th.

 

[real mad hatter]

Well congrats on making a trip to the east..I had my first taste of Disney in 2001 when we visited my wife's sister in L.A...To be honest DL didn't do anything for me..It was ok but I just wasn't hooked..Now turn the clock 3 years later..WDW in 2004.....Hook..Line..& Sinker...Loved it..We spent 21 days in California so 10 days in Florida is a lot to cram in..The thing that struck me about Disney World compared to Disney Land was the size of WDW..47 square miles..Anyway..I hope you have a magical vacation..

 

[donaldtoo]

Gongrats on your first WDW trip!!!
Speaking as someone who's been to both resorts (DL/DLR 5 times, WDW 7 times) I LOVE them both! But, if I was forced to make a choice , it'd be WDW...!

As far as the t-storms, we've never been to WDW in Oct., so not sure. But, when we're there in the summer (usually July) they're like clockwork EVERY day. We just poncho up and commando on...!!!
Also, except for our recent drought, we're quite used to nasty t-storms here in Texas. I remember one year (I think it was in '04?) bein' at Epcot when one particularly nasty one came through...
We took shelter in Innoventions East, as did a lot of others, to wait for it to pass. Thunder, lightning, and rain like the dickens, and every time the doors opened, rain was just blowing into the place. You could tell the people that weren't used to it...they were visibly shaken, and some were even (mostly children, but some adults, too) crying.
BTW...
Florida has more lightning strikes than any other state in the union.
DO NOT play around in a pool with millions of volts of electricity flying all around you.....

Anyway, congrats again, and have a FABULOUS trip...!!!

 

[real mad hatter]

Hello, I've lived in California all my life and have been to Disneyland many times during my childhood and as an adult but now I'm taking my first trip to Florida and Disneyworld from October 7 through October 17.

This is what I have planned:

I read that Magic Kingdom is very similar to Disneyland so I'll probably plan on spending more time at Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kindgom. I also want to do Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach Do you still recommend the park hopper pass or is one park a day a good plan since I'm gonna have 9 full days and one half day in Florida

One day at Universal Studios and one day at the Island of Adventures.

Day trip to the Discovery Cove to hang out with Dolphins.

Day trip to Kennedy Space Center

Day trip to Cocoa Beach.

I also want to experience at least one Florida thunderstorm. I've never experienced a thunderstorm up close or warm rain in my life since it only rains in winter in California and it's thunderless. Someone told me that the average Californian would freak out upon being caught up in a typical gulf coast thunderstorm so that made me curious enough to want to experience one. I've heard thunder from a distance maybe 5-10 times in my entire life and I like how it sounded. I bet the thunderstorm will put more adrenalin in me than all the rides put together. Is early October too late to guarantee this experience? I was planning to walk around in a swimsuit, shorts, and crocs to experience the thunderstorm. I may think of it as a thrill ride but I do know there are some dangers with lightning so would like some tips on how to know when to come in from the rain. Also, how risky is it to go swimming in the hotel pool during a thunderstorm? Do they close the pools when there's lightning nearby?

I chose early October because I wanted to avoid the crowds that come during school vacations and the oppressive humidity of summer and still have a guarantee that it would be warm enough enjoy the water parks and swim in the pool at night.

Hotel has a full shuttle service to the theme parks but I plan on renting a car for the day trips to Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach. I have a friend joining me from the 7th through the 13th and I'm on my own from the 14th through the 17th.

..Iam seeing double..On another thread.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Wise to stay out of the pools. The storms can come on fast and hard, fun to watch but not wise to play in.

Precipitation
The probability that precipitation will be observed at this location (Orlando) varies throughout the month. Precipitation is most likely around October 1, occurring in 42% of days. Precipitation is least likely aroundOctober 31, occurring in 30% of days.
Probability of Precipitation at Some Point in the Day in October

The fraction of days in which various types of precipitation are observed. If more than one type of precipitation is reported in a given day, the more severe precipitation is counted. For example, if light rain is observed in the same day as a thunderstorm, that day counts towards the thunderstorm totals. The order of severity is from the top down in this graph, with the most severe at the bottom.
Throughout October, the most common forms of precipitation are light rain, thunderstorms, and moderate rain.
Light rain is the most severe precipitation observed during 36% of those days with precipitation. It is most likely around October 29, when it is observed during 14% of all days.
Thunderstorms are the most severe precipitation observed during 30% of those days with precipitation. They are most likely around October 1, when it is observed during 19% of all days.
Moderate rain is the most severe precipitation observed during 24% of those days with precipitation. It is most likely around October 14, when it is observed during 9% of all days.
Types of Precipitation Throughout October

Relative frequency of various types of precipitation over the course of a typical October.

 

[CaliforniaGal]

Wise to stay out of the pools. The storms can come on fast and hard, fun to watch but not wise to play in.

Precipitation
The probability that precipitation will be observed at this location (Orlando) varies throughout the month. Precipitation is most likely around October 1, occurring in 42% of days. Precipitation is least likely aroundOctober 31, occurring in 30% of days.
Probability of Precipitation at Some Point in the Day in October

The fraction of days in which various types of precipitation are observed. If more than one type of precipitation is reported in a given day, the more severe precipitation is counted. For example, if light rain is observed in the same day as a thunderstorm, that day counts towards the thunderstorm totals. The order of severity is from the top down in this graph, with the most severe at the bottom.
Throughout October, the most common forms of precipitation are light rain, thunderstorms, and moderate rain.
Light rain is the most severe precipitation observed during 36% of those days with precipitation. It is most likely around October 29, when it is observed during 14% of all days.
Thunderstorms are the most severe precipitation observed during 30% of those days with precipitation. They are most likely around October 1, when it is observed during 19% of all days.
Moderate rain is the most severe precipitation observed during 24% of those days with precipitation. It is most likely around October 14, when it is observed during 9% of all days.
Types of Precipitation Throughout October

Relative frequency of various types of precipitation over the course of a typical October.

Thanks for the specifics of the day by day stats. I had only wikipedia data to go on for the entire month of October as a whole. It looks more likely than not that I'll get to experience at least one Florida thunderstorm but it's by no means guaranteed.

 

[tare]

..Iam seeing double..On another thread.

Yep I think you're correct.

 

[real mad hatter]

Yep I think you're correct.

Thank heavens....

 

[sgtmgd]

I'd do the park hopper with water parks..that way.you have.maximum.flexibility..you find you want.to.spend more.time at.the Magic Kingdom than you think...

Good luck with the thunderstorms..lol might be a first in these forums...someone wanting the rain to.come.

 

[Gabe1]

It is great to experience another Disney Park. When I was real small there wasn't a WDW. My Mom took me each year to DL from N. Illinois, my first DL trip at 17 months. Once WDW opened it was mostly WDW. When it came time for our Honeymoon it was DL, wanted my DH first experience with Disney to be my first memories of Disney. I am fond of both coasts but the miles and miles of WDW is a big draw for us, so I'm sure you will have an excellent trip.

I wouldn't sell the MK short on time. It is big in comparison to Disneyland and the versions of attractions are different, you will see that as you approach attractions like SW and HM. Aside from the attractions the feel of the MK and Disneyland is very different and you will experience that right off on Main Street.

As far as thunderstorms you could get your wish as it is tropical storm season then and if a hurricane is anywhere around they make for some nasty thunderstorms and rain. On one trip I was on a bus back from the MK and it was a horrible, pouring storm. Lightening hit the trees that had seen a drought, fire engulfed those trees and our bus driver reported the fire by radio on our trip back to our resort. Memories.

Have a great trip!

 

[CaliforniaGal]

I'd do the park hopper with water parks..that way.you have.maximum.flexibility..you find you want.to.spend more.time at.the Magic Kingdom than you think...

Good luck with the thunderstorms..lol might be a first in these forums...someone wanting the rain to.come.

Where I live, some ppl FREAK out when it sprinkles and don't go out at all if any water is falling from the sky. A Florida thunderstorm would probably give me a bigger adrenalin rush than going down Plummet Summit.

However, I don't want a hurricane to trap me indoors for days or even have heavy rain for hours every day. Best would be 1-5 short-lived thunderstorms with one being intense enough to cause sideways rain/wind and thunder and lightning within two seconds of each other and close strikes.

 

[sgtmgd]

Where I live, some ppl FREAK out when it sprinkles and don't go out at all if any water is falling from the sky. A Florida thunderstorm would probably give me a bigger adrenalin rush than going down Plummet Summit.

However, I don't want a hurricane to trap me indoors for days or even have heavy rain for hours every day. Best would be 1-5 short-lived thunderstorms with one being intense enough to cause sideways rain/wind and thunder and lightning within two seconds of each other and close strikes.

Well October is the end of Hurricane season..so chances are that wont be an issue..lol Ill be there in a few weeks...I will do my best to try and convince the weather to NOT rain on us...but wait for our left coast Disney friends!