|
|
Post by barbarac on Apr 15, 2016 16:30:53 GMT
Hi all -
We've been to Orlando several times but have only hit up the major amusement parks. Now we have an opportunity to stay in Orlando in June but DH will only go if we do something different - no major parks. Any suggestions? I'm thinking we can drive to Daytona one day and maybe the Kennedy Space center another.
Is there anything else you recommend? If it helps, we have 2 twelve year olds and 1 ten year old.
Thanks!!
|
|
|
|
Post by kellybelly77 on Apr 15, 2016 16:37:00 GMT
I have never been to anywhere outside of WDW when I visit Orlando! But, on my recent flight there we flew over the Orlando Eye. I was chatting with the gal sitting next to me and she said that it's a super popular destination in Orlando. But I have never been so I don't know first hand!!
|
|
|
|
Post by carolynhasacat on Apr 15, 2016 16:43:43 GMT
Have you done Busch Gardens? That's on my list next time we go. There are a lot of water parks in Orlando as well.
|
|
Belle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,309 
|
Post by Belle on Apr 15, 2016 16:53:16 GMT
Kennedy Space Center is awesome!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by mimi3566 on Apr 15, 2016 16:53:27 GMT
I live just north of WDW in a town called Winter Garden. It has a very quaint downtown with little boutique shops, outdoor, sidewalk dining, an indoor Market Place and right through the center of the main street downtown there is a bike trail. You can rent bikes and take a beautiful bike ride through a very tree canopied, picturesque trail. There is a nice Nature trail along the way that you can stop, lock the bikes up and walk on a board walk out the Lake Apopka observing lots of birds along the way...and if you get lucky spot an alligator or 2 in the lake. You could rent your bikes, stop in town for a lunch outdoors, take a nice ride to the Killarney Station...about 5 miles, stop at the Nature Trail on the way back, then ride back to town and get some ice cream at the old fashion ice cream, soda fountain parlor before returning the bikes. It's a nice way to see the real Florida vs. WDW. www.ocfl.net/CultureParks/Parks.aspx?m=dtlvw&d=44#.VxEcJxzD-UkHere is a link to the bike trail. There is also a nice splash pad downtown Winter Garden too so the kids can cool off. www.wintergardenpost.com/winter-garden-downtown-business.html |
|
|
|
Post by barbarac on Apr 15, 2016 16:56:30 GMT
I live just north of WDW in a town called Winter Garden. It has a very quaint downtown with little boutique shops, outdoor, sidewalk dining, an indoor Market Place and right through the center of the main street downtown there is a bike trail. You can rent bikes and take a beautiful bike ride through a very tree canopied, picturesque trail. There is a nice Nature trail along the way that you can stop, lock the bikes up and walk on a board walk out the Lake Apopka observing lots of birds along the way...and if you get lucky spot an alligator or 2 in the lake. You could rent your bikes, stop in town for a lunch outdoors, take a nice ride to the Killarney Station...about 5 miles, stop at the Nature Trail on the way back, then ride back to town and get some ice cream at the old fashion ice cream, soda fountain parlor before returning the bikes. It's a nice way to see the real Florida vs. WDW. www.ocfl.net/CultureParks/Parks.aspx?m=dtlvw&d=44#.VxEcJxzD-UkHere is a link to the bike trail. This sounds amazing - thanks! |
|
christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,129
Location: New York, NY
|
Post by christinec68 on Apr 15, 2016 16:56:45 GMT
We're going to Orlando in June for a few days just to unwind. Our hotel has a beautiful pool area and that' pretty much where we intend to park ourselves most of the time. But there's LegoLand, Gator World (which DH refuses to go to no matter how many times I bring it up..ha!), water parks. Discovery Cove is supposed to be amazing!! This should help you give lots of ideas www.visitorlando.com/things-to-do/ |
|
|
|
Post by barbarac on Apr 15, 2016 16:57:05 GMT
I would love to go see the manatees! Does anyone have any suggestions for that? Thanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by barbarac on Apr 15, 2016 16:58:00 GMT
We're going to Orlando in June for a few days just to unwind. Our hotel has a beautiful pool area and that' pretty much where we intend to park ourselves most of the time. But there's LegoLand, Gator World (which DH refuses to go to no matter how many times I bring it up..ha!), water parks. Discovery Cove is supposed to be amazing!! This should help you give lots of ideas www.visitorlando.com/things-to-do/I was thinking about Gatorland! Yelp actually has some good reviews. Do you know why your DH refuses to go? |
|
|
|
Post by littlefish on Apr 15, 2016 17:04:02 GMT
We love Winter Garden! The bigger stations have bike rentals available. DD and I will often go up there for a bike ride and lunch.
Our state parks are nice. Blue Springs in Orange City is one of the main places to see manatees, but they are warm-water animals, so they are mostly in the springs in the winter (because the water temperature stays constant).
DeLeon Springs is nice too. They have a "make your own" pancake house, swimming area, and you can rent canoes/kayaks/paddle boats.
Discovery Cove is spendy but amazing. They cap admission at 1500 people a day and it is all inclusive--meals, drinks, equipment, etc. Special experiences like swimming with the dolphins is extra.
|
|
|
|
Post by mimi3566 on Apr 15, 2016 17:06:37 GMT
I would love to go see the manatees! Does anyone have any suggestions for that? Thanks. There is really no place to see them at this time of the year. There is a very nice State Park www.floridastateparks.org/park/Blue-Spring to see the manatees, but unfortunately, the only time they come into the springs is when it's cold out so for central Florida, that would be anytime between December and March. We like to go as soon as we hear the weather forecast calls for cold temps because they will all come into the springs where the water is always warm. It really is a beautiful site to see....hundreds of manatees....families of them all huddling together to stay warm. The water is crystal clear in the springs making it an amazing viewing experience. You could spend the day at the springs though as the water is open to the public for swimming that time of year. |
|
|
|
Post by anxiousmom on Apr 15, 2016 17:10:49 GMT
We're going to Orlando in June for a few days just to unwind. Our hotel has a beautiful pool area and that' pretty much where we intend to park ourselves most of the time. But there's LegoLand, Gator World (which DH refuses to go to no matter how many times I bring it up..ha!), water parks. Discovery Cove is supposed to be amazing!! This should help you give lots of ideas www.visitorlando.com/things-to-do/I was thinking about Gatorland! Yelp actually has some good reviews. Do you know why your DH refuses to go? One of my boys had his birthday party at Gatorland. He still talks about it as one of his favorites. You are going to have a harder time finding manatees in groups in June. They head to warmer waters in the cooler months which is why you find them in quantities in the winter months, but when the rest of the gulf warms up then they tend to disperse. But you might want to check in with one of the tour groups in Crystal River. If you aren't opposed to driving, you should head over to the other coast too. Entirely different kind of beaches than Daytona-as in night and day. If you want to see real Florida, there are all kinds of state parks within driving distance or go to some place like Bok Tower Gardens (about 45 minutes away) which was originally designed by the same man who designed Central Park in NYC. But with a good deal of native to Florida plants. What do you guys enjoy doing? Hiking? Shopping? Outdoors? Indoors? How are you with the humidity? |
|
|
|
Post by mimi3566 on Apr 15, 2016 17:12:00 GMT
We're going to Orlando in June for a few days just to unwind. Our hotel has a beautiful pool area and that' pretty much where we intend to park ourselves most of the time. But there's LegoLand, Gator World (which DH refuses to go to no matter how many times I bring it up..ha!), water parks. Discovery Cove is supposed to be amazing!! This should help you give lots of ideas www.visitorlando.com/things-to-do/I was thinking about Gatorland! Yelp actually has some good reviews. Do you know why your DH refuses to go? My 3 year old grandson LOVES Gatorland.... |
|
|
|
Post by barbarac on Apr 15, 2016 17:16:14 GMT
I was thinking about Gatorland! Yelp actually has some good reviews. Do you know why your DH refuses to go? One of my boys had his birthday party at Gatorland. He still talks about it as one of his favorites. You are going to have a harder time finding manatees in groups in June. They head to warmer waters in the cooler months which is why you find them in quantities in the winter months, but when the rest of the gulf warms up then they tend to disperse. But you might want to check in with one of the tour groups in Crystal River. If you aren't opposed to driving, you should head over to the other coast too. Entirely different kind of beaches than Daytona-as in night and day. If you want to see real Florida, there are all kinds of state parks within driving distance or go to some place like Bok Tower Gardens (about 45 minutes away) which was originally designed by the same man who designed Central Park in NYC. But with a good deal of native to Florida plants. What do you guys enjoy doing? Hiking? Shopping? Outdoors? Indoors? How are you with the humidity? thanks for these suggestions. I think we are pretty much open to anything (with the exception of too much shopping - but I'm sure I'll squeeze in a little!). I'm hoping we can balance a little bit of culture with a little but of fun to keep everyone happy. We realize it will be extremely hot and humid which will be an adjustment but we'll stay hydrated and we'll be fine. Which beaches would you recommend on the west coast? I've been to Daytona Beach as a kid but never to the west coast! |
|
|
|
Post by mimi3566 on Apr 15, 2016 17:17:33 GMT
There is also a really cute Petting Farm www.greenmeadowsfarm.com/ that we like to visit also. We always bring a picnic lunch/cooler, spend the day walking around the farm, take the train ride and hay ride and enjoy a family picnic under one of several pavilions they offer on the grounds. It's not too far from the WDW resorts..again...another way to experience the real Florida. |
|
christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,129
Location: New York, NY
|
Post by christinec68 on Apr 15, 2016 17:18:39 GMT
We're going to Orlando in June for a few days just to unwind. Our hotel has a beautiful pool area and that' pretty much where we intend to park ourselves most of the time. But there's LegoLand, Gator World (which DH refuses to go to no matter how many times I bring it up..ha!), water parks. Discovery Cove is supposed to be amazing!! This should help you give lots of ideas www.visitorlando.com/things-to-do/I was thinking about Gatorland! Yelp actually has some good reviews. Do you know why your DH refuses to go? I am not really sure why...I don't know if he thinks I am joking or he just doesn't like alligators. I never really pursued it other than saying "We should go there" as we drive by the bill board on the way to Disney. This trip coming up is the first time we aren't going to Disney while being in the area. |
|
|
|
Post by mimi3566 on Apr 15, 2016 17:19:32 GMT
One of my boys had his birthday party at Gatorland. He still talks about it as one of his favorites. You are going to have a harder time finding manatees in groups in June. They head to warmer waters in the cooler months which is why you find them in quantities in the winter months, but when the rest of the gulf warms up then they tend to disperse. But you might want to check in with one of the tour groups in Crystal River. If you aren't opposed to driving, you should head over to the other coast too. Entirely different kind of beaches than Daytona-as in night and day. If you want to see real Florida, there are all kinds of state parks within driving distance or go to some place like Bok Tower Gardens (about 45 minutes away) which was originally designed by the same man who designed Central Park in NYC. But with a good deal of native to Florida plants. What do you guys enjoy doing? Hiking? Shopping? Outdoors? Indoors? How are you with the humidity? thanks for these suggestions. I think we are pretty much open to anything (with the exception of too much shopping - but I'm sure I'll squeeze in a little!). I'm hoping we can balance a little bit of culture with a little but of fun to keep everyone happy. We realize it will be extremely hot and humid which will be an adjustment but we'll stay hydrated and we'll be fine. Which beaches would you recommend on the west coast? I've been to Daytona Beach as a kid but never to the west coast! I would suggest St. Pete Beach for the west coast. |
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 15:55:12 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2016 17:48:09 GMT
Wonderworks was fun. Very interesting.
Dinner theaters were also fun. We went to the Capone's Dinner and Show. Food was good, the show was excellent. There are different types of these in Orlando.
And yes, another vote for Gator World.
Check out things in Kissimmee too. My kids enjoyed Extreme Jetski, and the Boggy Creek Airboat rides.
|
|
|
|
Post by barbarac on Apr 15, 2016 18:06:29 GMT
Wonderworks was fun. Very interesting. Dinner theaters were also fun. We went to the Capone's Dinner and Show. Food was good, the show was excellent. There are different types of these in Orlando. And yes, another vote for Gator World. Check out things in Kissimmee too. My kids enjoyed Extreme Jetski, and the Boggy Creek Airboat rides. Thanks for these suggestions - we are actually staying in Kissimmee! |
|
Country Ham
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,313
Jun 25, 2014 19:32:08 GMT
|
Post by Country Ham on Apr 15, 2016 18:25:29 GMT
I loved Gator World and the Kennedy Space Center. I prefer other beaches over Daytona. Hubby loved the Star Trek Museum but I think it's closed now. They actually let him sit in Capt Kirk's chair. Kids loved Medieval Times dinner show. We go every year and did WDW once, Universal once and no other big parks.
|
|
|
|
Post by freecharlie on Apr 15, 2016 18:29:24 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by barbarac on Apr 15, 2016 18:36:48 GMT
I missed that one! Thanks for sharing this. |
|
|
|
Post by FLA SummerBaby on Apr 15, 2016 18:59:29 GMT
Lots of beaches withing close driving distance -- Cocoa has great surfing. There is also Ormond and New Smyrna (which are not tourist-y like Daytona). You could go to the other coast and enjoy the Gulf too.
Definitely recommend Kennedy Space Center for one of your day visits.
What types of activities would your hubby like to do since he wants to avoid the major parks? There are lots of things to do-- just depends on what you like.
|
|
|
|
Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 15, 2016 19:12:25 GMT
We're going to Orlando in June for a few days just to unwind. Our hotel has a beautiful pool area and that' pretty much where we intend to park ourselves most of the time. But there's LegoLand, Gator World (which DH refuses to go to no matter how many times I bring it up..ha!), water parks. Discovery Cove is supposed to be amazing!! This should help you give lots of ideas www.visitorlando.com/things-to-do/I was thinking about Gatorland! Yelp actually has some good reviews. Do you know why your DH refuses to go? Gatorland was actually really fun! DH and I went in 1999 because we only had part of a day free before going back to the airport and we liked it a lot. There were all kinds of observation areas, you could watch feedings and shows, etc. We went with pretty low expectations and were pleasantly surprised.  |
|
keithurbanlovinpea
Pearl Clutcher
Flowing with the go...
Posts: 4,273
|
Post by keithurbanlovinpea on Apr 15, 2016 19:31:40 GMT
I have been to Orlando numerous times with my elderly parents who simply cannot do amusement parks. While super cheesy, we went to a lot of dinner theater (Dixie Stampede, Medieval Times, etc.) but one of them was so much fun, high energy and entertaining: Al Capone's Dinner Show The food was actually quite tasty too! |
|
