New Fantasyland review in the New York Times

B

Bolna

Well-Known Member
Kuhio said:
Continuing with its recent focus on Disney and Disney-related travel, the New York Times published a piece on "Going Beyond Disney in Orlando," written by "Frugal Traveler" Seth Kugel.

The article takes a look at alternative and inexpensive food and attractions in central Florida -- and refers in passing to the FLE overview by Rosenbloom, whom Kugel characterizes as a "deeper-pocketed traveler[]."*

Kugel only discusses a couple of sights, but his piece is a nice reminder that there is far more to the Orlando area than what you glimpse in passing through the windows of Disney's Magical Express. As with any metropolitan area, real people live here... many of whom have no connection to or interest in any theme park whatsoever.

http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/27/going-beyond-disney-in-orlando/

*BTW, according to Kugel's website, he's an Ivy League grad... I'm a bit amused that even some among the supposed "top 1%" have an interest in frugal dining and travel!
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Thanks for that link! I am not sure that his taste in things to do really equals mine, but I think he makes a great point: Most places offer a life besides the big attractions and if you can find the smaller things that fit to your tastes, those can be the things that make the vacation memorable - whether in Orlando, Beijing or Helsinki. My tip for Orlando would be the Blue Spring State Park - in the winter they have lots of manatees visiting and it is a very charming place - a very different Florida from Disney.
 
K

Kuhio

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Bolna said:
Thanks for that link! I am not sure that his taste in things to do really equals mine, but I think he makes a great point: Most places offer a life besides the big attractions and if you can find the smaller things that fit to your tastes, those can be the things that make the vacation memorable - whether in Orlando, Beijing or Helsinki. My tip for Orlando would be the Blue Spring State Park - in the winter they have lots of manatees visiting and it is a very charming place - a very different Florida from Disney.
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You're welcome. I enjoyed seeing manatees in Crystal River, but didn't know that they could be found in the wild in central Florida. I try to visit the ones in the Seas whenever I'm in EPCOT, but they always look so forlorn paddling around their little lettuce-strewn pool. I'll have to check out Blue Spring the next time I'm in town.

Other than the fact that I like to eat and to save money, I don't think Seth Kugel and I have too much in common either. But I appreciate the general spirit of his articles, which encourage me to venture off the beaten path when I have some free time in my own travels. Local gardens and parks, even in smaller metropolitan areas, often provide a lot of enjoyment for very little cost.
 
steve2wdw

steve2wdw

WDW Fan Since 1973
The Times could have really helped out in the fight to save WDW, but alas, they really didn't say anything really negative. On the other hand, while watching the Rose Parade today, a military wife (who won the trip to the parade AND who's husband ends up surprising her later in the parade) is asked what she's seen while in SoCal. She mentions Universal Studios Hollywood and the great time her son had on the new Transformer ride. This was all just minutes after Disney's Carsland float had gone by (and all the Disney PR that went with it). Just what we need to light some fires under Disney managements butts.....Jane Q Public singing the praises of Universal-and on ABC at that! Comcast must be lovin' it!
 
Darth Sidious

Darth Sidious

Authentically Disney Distinctly Chinese
steve2wdw said:
The Times could have really helped out in the fight to save WDW, but alas, they really didn't say anything really negative. On the other hand, while watching the Rose Parade today, a military wife (who won the trip to the parade AND who's husband ends up surprising her later in the parade) is asked what she's seen while in SoCal. She mentions Universal Studios Hollywood and the great time her son had on the new Transformer ride. This was all just minutes after Disney's Carsland float had gone by (and all the Disney PR that went with it). Just what we need to light some fires under Disney managements butts.....Jane Q Public singing the praises of Universal-and on ABC at that! Comcast must be lovin' it!
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I would imagine it stung.
 
B

Bolna

Well-Known Member
Kuhio said:
You're welcome. I enjoyed seeing manatees in Crystal River, but didn't know that they could be found in the wild in central Florida. I try to visit the ones in the Seas whenever I'm in EPCOT, but they always look so forlorn paddling around their little lettuce-strewn pool. I'll have to check out Blue Spring the next time I'm in town.

Other than the fact that I like to eat and to save money, I don't think Seth Kugel and I have too much in common either. But I appreciate the general spirit of his articles, which encourage me to venture off the beaten path when I have some free time in my own travels. Local gardens and parks, even in smaller metropolitan areas, often provide a lot of enjoyment for very little cost.
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I visited Crystal River once, too. Even went on a very early morning "Swim with the manatees" tour that was absolutely fascinating. As far as I understand it, the manatees come into the river system that originates from Blue Spring during the winter as they have a constant water temperature there. So, it is very much a seasonal thing. We went there too early to see them, we went to see the spring pool as the friend I travelled with loved those. She also insisted that we visit Silver Springs in Ocala which felt like we were travelling back in time.
 
bethymouse

bethymouse

Well-Known Member
All of the New FL articles I've read have been rather :confused: blah to say the least! I think it just won't be complete w/o the mine train! Construction still takes away from the entire experience IMHO.:(
 
TalkingHead

TalkingHead

Well-Known Member
Bolna said:
I visited Crystal River once, too. Even went on a very early morning "Swim with the manatees" tour that was absolutely fascinating. As far as I understand it, the manatees come into the river system that originates from Blue Spring during the winter as they have a constant water temperature there. So, it is very much a seasonal thing. We went there too early to see them, we went to see the spring pool as the friend I travelled with loved those. She also insisted that we visit Silver Springs in Ocala which felt like we were travelling back in time.
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Yep, it's definitely a seasonal thing. Manatees can be found in some of the rivers and springs during winter when the ocean temperature is colder than it is in summer. Glad you've enjoyed some of the "natural" Florida -- it's great to explore it in those ever-vanishing places where you can still find it.
 
WDW1974

WDW1974

Well-Known Member
Bolna said:
I visited Crystal River once, too. Even went on a very early morning "Swim with the manatees" tour that was absolutely fascinating. As far as I understand it, the manatees come into the river system that originates from Blue Spring during the winter as they have a constant water temperature there. So, it is very much a seasonal thing. We went there too early to see them, we went to see the spring pool as the friend I travelled with loved those. She also insisted that we visit Silver Springs in Ocala which felt like we were travelling back in time.
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Ah, yes, Florida ... back before all those damn theme parks ruined it!

Every once in a while when I'm down at the marina looking at the $65 million yachts I'm thinking of buying (one day ... especially like the ones with heli-pads on them), I'll see one or two of them suddenly surface close to the dock and it is a bit surprising. They are as large as a typical WDW guest.
 

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