2 weeks in orlando (no Disney) - What to do? Beaches, state parks, other attractions?

[GEM]

Hi all! We are going to be in Orlando for two weeks (June 21st-July 5th) staying in a 3 bedroom villa at Cypress Pointe.

We aren't interested in doing the Disney or Universal parks on this trip. We've done them many times and have no interest in fighting the summer crowds. We are thinking about a day at Sea World, though, since our little guy is fascinated by fish.

We would love to know what other things you enjoy in the Orlando area! We don't mind driving a bit for day trips and things like that.

We would especially be interested in state parks, beaches, unusual "roadside attaction" type places, etc. We've done Gatorland and loved it! What esle should we check out?

Thanks!

 

[yecats]

Well you may want to do Busch Gardens in Tampa. There is the dolphin swimming adventure next to Sea World (this is expensive). There is the NASA facility on the coast (day tour). There are also plenty of other tours that you could probably pick up pamplets for from the main CP office. I've had friends do snorkeling/snuba tours in natural springs area (some with natural wildlife such as manatees) and hot air balooning in that area. Then theres the beach both Gulf and Atlantic sides. I would visit St. Augustine if your willing to travel as it is one of the oldest Fl. towns which an interesting history to it. Also take in a few of the dinner shows around Orlando or mini golf on Disney property. Best part about a vacation where you don't hit the theme parks is you get to enjoy the pool at your own vacation home and just chill out. Enjoy.

 

[sweet maxine]

I have two books that I've read through and I've found them both to be very informative about things to do in that area. Our trips are always never long enough to try to get to all of them, so I'm always hoping for another opportunity to try!

The books are--

Orlando, Central & North Florida (Includes St. Augustine, Pensacola,Jacksonville an Explorer's Guide & by Sandra Friend & Kathy Wolf

Around Orlando with Kids--60 Great Things To Do Together a Fodor's book by Jennie Hess

I bought both of these at Barnes & Noble, but I'm sure you could find them elsewhere as well. I think they're both well worth the money. The first book is very thick, and contains lots of information about Florida. On the cover is a picture of the entrance to Gatorland. The second book is very small, and gives nice descriptions of child-friendly things to do in the Orlando area. I think you can find what you're looking for in either of these books. They both call attention to some off-the-beaten-path kind of activities.

Hope that helps!

 

[RobinMarie]

Discovery Cove is a nice full day experience and can be purchased with 7 days of Seaworld and/or Bush Gardens for very little add-on expense.

A leisurely day at Celebration is always nice.

Lots of folks seem to enjoy Old Town (never been there myself, though drove by it countless times)

http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/florida/preserves/art5523.html
Why You Should Visit
The Nature Conservancy's Disney Wilderness Preserve is a remarkable place for nature lovers of all ages and interests. The preserve is home to hundreds of wildlife species and is bordered by one of the last remaining undeveloped lakes in central Florida.

A 3-mile hiking trail and off-road buggy tours are available to visitors who want to learn about the preserve’s resident plants and animals and the Conservancy’s efforts to restore and protect them.

Location
Just south of Orlando at the headwaters of the Everglades ecosystem.

Hours
The preserve is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., October through May. Buggy tours are held on Sundays at 1:30 p.m., October through May. (From June through September the preserve is open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

Size
12,000 acres

 

[Gillian]

It's a bit of a pain to get to, and a little expensive, but our kids (then 3 & almost 1) loved Caladesi Island state park! You have to drive to Honeymoon island park ($5 per car I think) & then take a boat to Caladesi ($8 per adult, kids are less). The water there is very calm (like you bahamas pic) and it was great for the kids. It's not a really exciting place, but we had a great time!

Caladesi

Honeymoon island

We also liked Pass-a-grille public beach, on the southern end of St Pete beach.

 

[SplshMtn99]

In December, MIL took us to Blue Springs State Park to see the manatees in the wild. Only $5 for the carload of people. It was a great treat to see the REAL Florida & get away from commercialized Orlando.

Pack a picnic lunch & make a day of it.
You can even swim in the spring. The water is crystal clear & 72 degrees.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/default.asp

 

[kikipug]

Daytona Beach; park your rental car right on the beach, enjoy the sun, sand and surf for a few hours; pack up and head over to DAYTONA USA at Daytona International Speedway; great interactive museum featuring all kinds of neat racing memorabilia and IMAX movie, plus a tour of the track.

Ponce Inlet, just a few miles south of Daytona Beach, has the Ponce Inlet lighthouse, (which is beautiful), and the Marine Science Center- a neat little educational place! Hit "Inlet Harbor" for lunch or dinner- eat outside on the deck- live music day and night, and porpoises that swim right up to greet you on occasion. Beautiful sunsets there.... one of my favorite 'simple pleasure' places on earth! Little guy can feed the fish there, too!

If you have a little $ to spare... sneak away alone for a few hours to check out the Day Spa at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando... Heaven on Earth... (need to book your appt's in advance, though.)

The Villa's are beautiful- I stayed there last year for a few days! Enjoy!

 

[vernon]

I think SeaWorld would be a great choice,don't forget they usually run a 2nd day free promo as long as you return within 7 days of your visit. With a little one it often slows you down getting about the parks, so the 2nd day free really helps you to cover all the attractions at the park. If you're going in summer the waterparks will be a popular choice.

Here are a couple of other more unusual days out that you might like to try. Taking a trip on an airboat ride into the wetlands is a lot of fun. Boggy Creek airboat rides was the one I went on. In the real HEAT of summer it may be better to try an evening ride as this is the best time to see gators, but we had fun during the day anyway. Other choices are

Disney's Wilderness Preserve. This is about 20 miles from WDW in the Poinciana area http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/florida/preserves/art5523.html

The Bok sanctuary about an hour south of WDW in Lake Wales http://www.boktower.org/

The sunken gardens at St Petersburg. I'd double this up with a couple of hours at the Salvador Dali art museum, but with a little one that may not fly. http://www.stpetersburg.com/attractions/index.shtml

If you've not been to Busch Gardens at Tampa that may be a good option as well. They have a great kiddies play area, some good animal exibits, a few shows and a number of areas with rides just for toddlers. Again they usually run a 2nd day free program.

 

[spiceycat]

www.cypressgardens.com
has reopened.

www.silversprings.com
is also state owned these days.

both are around an hour to 90 minutes from Kissimmee.

if you several weeks then order a free guide from
www.floridakiss.com

this the Kissimmee/St cloud visitors and convention center guide.

 

[spiceycat]

if you have the money (this is expensive) I would go on a ballon ride - well I won't I have a problem with heights - but even so they look fun~!!

 

[mis099dlm]

First, I'm not a new member, just lost my password and I have a new email address so I can't recover. I used to be RonnieM.

If you have a zoo, museum, or COSI membership, check their reciprocal agreements with institutions in FLA. COSI has agreements with the space museum in Orlando and most other space museums in FLA. Admission is often free or greatly reduced.

I second St. Augustine. The Castillo is unique to the USA. Very cool if you're into that kinda stuff. The town is interesting with open air trolley's you can hop on (with paid ticket) and off throughout the historic section. This makes touring very easy.

Fort Desoto park about 2 hours south near Sarasota is a great beach park. Playground equipment, clean restrooms, and miles and miles of nice beach.

Wekiva Springs park about 45 minutes north of Orlando is a good place to swim and canoe very inexpensively. It's a fresh water spring (clear, cold, but refreshing) so no bacteria concerns. We saw dozens of turtles, birds, and huge gar (fishes). We also saw a fox (maybe coyote, but I'm pretty sure it was a fox) and as we drove around the park. It's an easy canoe, just bring bug spray. We didn't get bit, but the potential is there.

 

[kikipug]

just bring bug spray

That's our state motto here in FL!!! Especially in the summer!!! Remember that wherever your travels take you!

 

[magicmouse2]

We are thinking of doing a simlar thing -2 weeks, no Disney. I can only take my vacation in July or August this year , and I dont think I would enjoy WDW as much then. We normally go to WDW in April/may. I have thought about visiting the everglades and Sarasota Area. I also wanted to visit Key West but I think the drive may be too tiring. I would like to visit Busch gardens though as we havent been there for years.

 

[buzz2400]

Last year we went to amazing exotics which was a little over an hour north of orlando. My ds and I still talk about the cute little cappuchian monkeys that we played with. The tour was so so but the interaction with the monkeys was a memory for lifetime. We also played with a bigger monkey and a lemur and we got to touch a leopard.
http://www.amazingexotics.com/tours.html#SAFARI

 

[ducklite]

Try this link for a TON of day trips, many with minimal to no cost, and most winthin a 30-45 minute drive of Cypress Pointe.

http://www.lakegovernment.com/visitors/

Anne

 

[floridagirrl2]

St Augustine is beautiful and historic and FUN. There's lots to do for people of any age--there is the beach where you can swim, bike, rent windsurfers, etc., you can go for boat rides on the Matanzas River, visit the fort, the Alligator Farm, go on trolley tours& ghost tours (even a haunted pub tour! ), plus there are a zillion restaurants, art galleries, a historic downtown, a lighthouse to climb, an enormous outlet center a few miles away, etc., etc.

To DH and I, St Augustine is like Disney just in the sense that you never run out of things to do!

 

[GEM]

Thanks so much for all the great information!!

There is tons of wonderful stuff listed here and I'm going to check out all the suggestions. I'm especially interested in the chance to get out and see some of the "real" Florida, so the state parks and beaches sound really neat!

If anyone else has any other suggestions, I would love to hear them!

 

[kikipug]

Whatever you decide to do, it sure looks like Paul will need gallons of sunscreen for his fair, fair skin!!!

 

[GEM]

Oh, yeah. He is one pale skinned, blond haired, blue eyed little dude. We pretty much keep him totally coated at all times.

So far, he's been to Disney World (twice), the Bahamas, and Williamsburg in the heat of summer - all without ever even getting the slightest bit pink!

 

[kikipug]

Oh, yeah. He is one pale skinned, blond haired, blue eyed little dude.

And a beautiful one, at that! Enjoy him!!!!