Absolute Best Non-Disney Attraction???

[chloesmommi]

We plan on spending one afternoon at the pool. What would be your favorite half-day non-disney attraction for two adults and one five-year old? I've heard some great things about Titanic. Is it appropriate for young children? Come on Everybody, put your two cents in. THANKS!!

 

[gapere]

I'm assuming your request is also excluding Universal. Titanic, without a doubt for me. I go there everytime I visit Orlando. The inside of the building is designed to look like you are walking through the ship. Sometimes they admit guests without a guided tour but you should always go with a guided tour. Depending on how good your guide is, it could really enhance your experience. They also allow picture taking, which they didn't do before.

Gatorland is also one of my favorites. I believe they discount the admission price after 5:00PM. Your little one would get a real kick out of this.

Ripley's is also worth a visit IMO. Alot of interesting and interactive stuff to do on your visit.

One thing I've always wanted to do but have not had a chance was to go see the ducks at the Peabody(?) Hopefully, someone can post a schedule.

 

[GEM]

Islands of Adventure!

But, if you are just looking for something for a morning or afternoon - Gatorland! We loved it. The exhibits are so cool and they have more gators than I have ever seen in my life! Plus, it sort of gives you a taste of what Florida attractopms might have been like before the Mouse. I definately think your five year old would enjoy it more than the Titanic exhibit.

 

[Cindy B]

I would have to say either Universal Studios OR Islands of Adventure... they have thrills, fanstastic themeing, great hi tech rides/attractions.


In fact my seven year old says that Islands of Adventure is the best!

 

[jdm]

My two girls 9 & 11 loved this one. It's unusual and very low stress as compared to the theme parks. Definitely worth it.

Jenn

 

[Pixie_Dust]

Hi,

Gatorland ads say it is the best half day attraction and we agree! We haven't gone to the Titanic but have read reviews and think from what we read it might be boring for a 5 year old.
Here's the link to a pst I made about Gatorland after we visited:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=14251&highlight=gatorland

Cheers

 

[IowaGirl]

Thumbs down on Gatorland. It was expensive for a 1/2 day event, even with discount coupons of 20% off. I just went out of my gord looking at Gators in little ponds for three hours.
The really cool things are extra, like a picture with you 'wrestling' a gator ($10, not including pic, that's if you take your own) and other photo ops for cash.
I would relax at a beach for 1/2 an afternoon.
The coolest thing at gatorland was a fountain area the kids could play in, get that at your hotel for free.
It cost our family of four about $70 to get in, and I was ready to leave in 1/2 hour and my 10 and 5 yr old were done in two.
There is a train ride that you can pay extra for, just don't do it!!!
My 85 year old grandma walks faster, and the odor is the most noxious.

 

[BounceyOne]

How about mini golf outside of WDW? There are some nice courses around. Or one of those Go Cart tracks? Airboat rides can be fun also.
I haven't been to gatorland since I was a child, so I can't offer my opinion.

 

[Buschfan]

I have to say that the discounts that are given for a 1-day pass at Universal and Sea World are certainly worth giving those parks the business for a half-day. I have been to Gatorland and it is only worth it after you have been to Universal and Sea World. It is a great place to see the way Florida used to be and to eat some fried gator. You really need to see the other parks first though. Gatorland can only be appreciated after experiencing the corporate parks in Orlando. It is truly a change of pace. No fluff or phony stuff at Gatorland.

I have been to Titanic and it is nice also. Just not enough to be considered a half-day attraction. Not enough for your 5 year old interested compared to Universal and Sea World also.

 

[miko]

Sea World is a lot of fun and has undergone some expansion during the past few years. A few newer rides add some diversity to an already excellent park (Escape from Atlantis and Kraken are both fun rides although Kraken may not work for 5 year old). SW provides a change from WDW annimation and has different animals than Animal Kingdom. Don't even consider equating Living Seas to SW.

 

[kellymonaghan]

If you can afford the $200+ price tag, swimming with the dolphins at Discovery Cove is the experience of a lifetime for a lot of visitors.

 

[jgates]

Mini-golf options.

Nice Pirates Cove on International Drive near the Bahama Breeze. We enjoyed that one.

Another Pirates on the Disney side of I4 about 1 or 2 miles above DownTown Disney area. Not sure how you access - I believe there was an exit quite close.

Either of Disney's mini-golf facilities. We like the one by Swan/Dolphin - they have two courses at that one. One has sand traps, etc.

Another suggestion which is kind of non-disney is to go to Downtown Disney. Take the 5 year old to the new Toy Store, the big Disney store, ??Lego store??, Christmas store. I bet they'd love it!

 

[momofdbsdc]

My kids voted for Sea World! They had a great time there.

 

[Boots]

I have not been to the Titantic but I would love to go see this! I have also heard that Gatorland is wonderful for the younger ones. I have never been here either but I work at a day care and one parent said their children loved it. They also enjoyed Sea World.

 

[patgoofy]

I will vote for Gatorland , have not been in couple years but it wasn't very expensive and it is fun to watch the gators. I think your 5 year old will love it . you can buy food to feed the gators, and don't miss the Gator Jumparoo ,it is great