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Post by freecharlie on Mar 25, 2016 23:22:49 GMT
surrounding area. We are looking for things that aren't Disney or Universal to fill in some time. We will spend the first couple of days at the beach in St. Augestine and then going to Orlarndo for a week. I can't imagine doing theme parks the whole time, so other options would be appreciated.
The boys will be 12 and 15 at time of travel.
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Post by its me mg on Mar 25, 2016 23:24:00 GMT
gatorland?
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Post by littlemama on Mar 25, 2016 23:28:41 GMT
You could easily spend a week at the parks-universal for kids your age could easily take 3 days. I'm not sure what else there is.
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smginaz Suzy
Pearl Clutcher
Je suis desole.
Posts: 2,606
Jun 26, 2014 17:27:30 GMT
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Post by smginaz Suzy on Mar 25, 2016 23:33:51 GMT
WonderWorks?
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Mar 25, 2016 23:36:22 GMT
I'm the wrong one to ask, I'd totally do theme parks for at least a week. Infact we always go a week and never leave Disney property. What about SeaWorld or Aquatica? Shopping? I think there's an outlet or two plus DisneySprings (Downtown Disney). Waterpark?
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Post by walkerdill on Mar 25, 2016 23:58:26 GMT
Escape the room is fun if you have several people going. Gatorland has ziplining over the Gators & is always on Groupon. You also have Sea World or water parks for a change of pace.
Wonder works is really fun if u haven't been before & it's always on Groupon too. There are lots of dinner theatre shows (pirates, Arabian nights etc..). Old town if you wanna walk around...shops & rides.
Check Groupon!! You will find lots of stuff cheaper there that's not theme parks.
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Post by freecharlie on Mar 26, 2016 0:31:19 GMT
I'm the wrong one to ask, I'd totally do theme parks for at least a week. Infact we always go a week and never leave Disney property. What about SeaWorld or Aquatica? Shopping? I think there's an outlet or two plus DisneySprings (Downtown Disney). Waterpark? me too, but dh and his parents aren't that kind |
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Post by Miss Lerins Momma on Mar 26, 2016 0:33:10 GMT
Orlando Eye & Medieval Times
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Post by honeyb on Mar 26, 2016 0:35:02 GMT
Kissimee swamp tours or further away- Kennedy Space Center
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marimoose
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,282 
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Post by marimoose on Mar 26, 2016 0:43:01 GMT
Take an airboat ride. There are several and the booklets all have coupons them. We loved goign to Sea World and we also did Discovery Cove. My daughtre was not a huge fan of Blizzard Beach, prefered Aquatica and she said neither measure up to our own Colorado Water World.
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lesley
Drama Llama
My best friend Turriff, desperately missed.
Posts: 7,179
Location: Scotland, Scotland, Scotland
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Post by lesley on Mar 26, 2016 0:45:53 GMT
On a couple of occasions we have driven down to Bok Tower and Gardens. They are beautiful, and very peaceful. It's about a 40 minute drive away. We love to visit Disney's Boardwalk in the evening, and also enjoy wandering around Animal Kingdom Lodge. The first time we stayed there, DD and DS were so excited because 'Zach and Cody' from 'The Sweet Life of' were staying on the same floor!  You can do indoor skydiving on International Drive, and also helicopter flights across the parks. Celebration is nice to wander around, and we loved doing a Segway Tour of the town with Z-Tours. If you like old cars, Old Town Kissimee has events on Friday and Saturday evenings where lots of vintage autos take part in a parade. |
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Post by peano on Mar 26, 2016 1:38:56 GMT
We've done Gatorland and the Kennedy Space Center and saw Blue Man Group at Universal. Any of the Disney water parks are a nice break. There's a cute bowling alley in Downtown Disney that's good for a rainy day.
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Post by anxiousmom on Mar 26, 2016 1:42:49 GMT
On a couple of occasions we have driven down to Bok Tower and Gardens. They are beautiful, and very peaceful. It's about a 40 minute drive away. We love to visit Disney's Boardwalk in the evening, and also enjoy wandering around Animal Kingdom Lodge. The first time we stayed there, DD and DS were so excited because 'Zach and Cody' from 'The Sweet Life of' were staying on the same floor! You can do indoor skydiving on International Drive, and also helicopter flights across the parks. Celebration is nice to wander around, and we loved doing a Segway Tour of the town with Z-Tours. If you like old cars, Old Town Kissimee has events on Friday and Saturday evenings where lots of vintage autos take part in a parade. The Friends of Bok Tower/Gardens will love you for the vote.  It is absolutely beautiful there-the original gardens were designed and started by Frederick Olmstead, the landscape designer of Central Park. If you want a day that shows you what Florida, outside the theme parks and tourist centers, can look like-you couldn't do better. There is a little cafe there that is pretty darn good too. We go all the time and it was one of those places that my boys still like to go to. |
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Post by CarolT on Mar 26, 2016 2:21:51 GMT
What are the boys interested in? If they are outdoorsy, there are some great places to go canoeing or kayaking. There are some great places to go fishing, too. Kennedy Space Center is great. Gatorland is unique and very "old Florida". There's Lego Land if your boys would like that. There are 2 big outlet malls, Outdoor World, Disney Springs, and "regular" malls if you're interested in shopping. Between 4 Disney parks, 2 Universal parks, and Sea World, it's not hard to do 7 days in the parks, but there's also plenty to do if you want something other than theme parks  |
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Post by betty on Mar 26, 2016 2:30:27 GMT
If you decide to do Bok Tower gardens you could check out Spook Hill. It is an "anti-gravity" hill near there that appeals to my kids. Totally cheesy & free fun!
Boggy Creek airboat rides down in Poinciana. Even if you don't want to ride the boats it is a nice drive out there. We often see bald eagles and they have baby gators out back in a pen. Also a big stuffed real gator inside to pose for a photo with. They run a night time airboat ride too. I've done that one and it was fun.
Disney has a large conservation area/park down in Poinciana too that not many people know about. It is also free to hike around out there.
In Kissimmee on route 192 is Shingle creek park. You can rent kayaks or take a little boat ride or throw out your fishing in in historic Shingle creek, headwaters of the Everglades.
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
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Post by melissa on Mar 26, 2016 2:42:13 GMT
We had a blast at the indoor skydiving. I am afraid of heights and, after a few seconds, handled it without any issue. It was actually fun for me!
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Grom Pea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,944
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Post by Grom Pea on Mar 26, 2016 4:06:19 GMT
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Post by lumo on Mar 26, 2016 4:19:35 GMT
Holy Land Experience? Crucifixions daily at 10, 1, and 4!
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Post by grammadee on Mar 26, 2016 4:41:38 GMT
All of these are great suggestions. A week is not a long time to experience Orlando.
Most hotels/resorts have tons of pamphlets and usually a concierge who can help you with acquiring tickets and booking tours.
You are also within driving distance of Daytona Beach, where you can tour the racing facility and for a fee get a chance to ride with a professional driver around the track.
Busch Gardens is the only other one I didn't see above.
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Post by dewryce on Mar 26, 2016 6:46:00 GMT
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Post by buddysmom on Mar 26, 2016 17:08:40 GMT
Orlando actually has great shopping-all different "levels"
There are the two giant outlets, Premier and Prime. They are always jammed packed. If you are a shopper you can easily spend a day there.
Then there is the "Mainstream" Mall--Florida Mall. Most of the regular stores but giant--again you could spend a day there.
Also Millenia Mall. It's smaller but has some of the super expensive stores there. You can spend alot of $$$ at this one.
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It is absolutely beautiful there-the original gardens were designed and started by Frederick Olmstead, the landscape designer of Central Park. If you want a day that shows you what Florida, outside the theme parks and tourist centers, can look like-you couldn't do better. There is a little cafe there that is pretty darn good too. We go all the time and it was one of those places that my boys still like to go to.
