Has anyone been down there since the attacks? How are the crowds? the lines? Is Disney dealing on rooms? I remember seeing film of empty parks around 9/11-13. Please tell me how it went and what has changed.
This is more of an IMHO than a GQ, so I’ll move it.
bibliophage
moderator GQ
Yes it’s very, very, very slow.
BUT
This is the slow season to begin with
BUT
it’s still slower than usual
BUT
It’s coming around.
No lines at all. Fare told me the other day they rode a Universal Studios ride 4x in a row. I haven’t heard about any big special deals coming from The Rat. (They are laying people off though) Hotels outside might be making deals.
Come to Orlando. Take a cab. Leave a big tip.
The theme parks do not release their actual attendance figures, but will only say they are “ahead of” or “below” expecations.
THaving been to DisneyWorld a few times over the last couple of weeks, I can say the crowds are picking up, especially on the weekends. (former)Roommate and I have seasonal passes, and the longest wait was 30 minutes for TestTrack at EPCOT, although when we got to the ride at 2 pm, the FastPasses at that time were for a return time of 6:30-7:30.
Universal Studios has started their annual Halloween Horror Nights (XI, I think): no report yet on the attendance (I have friends who work there).
Hotel rooms are definitely on the cheap right now.
I am planning on cabbing a good bit. One of the things that was a bad experience at WDW the first time was the food inside the WDW hotels. Way expensive, way too long to wait, and not up to even buffet standards. We’re going to be “eating out”. I would much rather cab than drive in unfamiliar territory that is under construction.
I guess I’ll be getting a lot of weird looks from drivers when I ask “are you Furt?” 
What constitutes a decent tip? 20% is usually what I give.
Dangnation, when are you going to be here?
E-mail me or any of the other Orlando/Kissimmee dopers for suggestions (good places and where to avoid!).
And 20% is always good.
(furt - contact me)
I’ll be there last week of the month.
I’d like to hear your recommendations. Please post them.
You won’t see me at disney; I don’t work out of there. 
But if you’re in the International Drive/Universal Studios/Seaworld area, or definitely downtown, and your driver is a 31-yo white guy with glasses, go ahead and try it.
That is very decent. You would be amazed how many stiffs there are. I would say 15% is fine, but more if its a short trip. If its a $30 fare, the tip money just makes it even better. But if it’s a $3 fare, for god’s sake give 5. Espescially if you pick up a cab from a stand–that guy’s been sitting there an hour waiting for you.
Will try to do so later. Midterm in 3 hours.
You know what? I’ve lived in Orlando since February, and I have yet to go to one of the theme parks. Considering the weather (cooling off – highs are now in the mid-80s), and the lack of crowds, though, now would be a perfect time to go.
Check out the message boards at http://www.intercot.com . Anything you want to know about Walt Disney World can be found there.
Elmwood, I’m with ya. I’ve been here almost 2 years and have only been to the parks once. Halloween last year.
Speaking of which, recommendations for Chris–
–Halloween Horror Nights at Universal studios.
–Emeril’s restaurant, also at US. ($$)
–Roxy nightclub (downtown)
–US’ Islands of Adventure is, by consensus, the best park,
Disney’s Animal Kingdom the worst. (“Mommy, why don’t the lions sing and dance? They just lie there under the trees.”)
–MUST DO: Cirque De Soliel at Downtown Disney. It’s expensive ($50+), but it is unforgettable.
In all honesty, I can’t help a lot. In the touristy areas, its pretty much chains and only chains. My favorite place downtown just closed. Orlando is not a place with lots of unique spots. Imagine a giant, outdoor, live-in mall.