Adult Orlando Vacation. ideas?

[Beaniesmg]

I have taken my grandkids to Disney World several times over the past few years. Always stayed on site, used Disney transportation, etc.

The first week of March just my hubby and I are flying into Orlando. I had thought about staying at the Grand Floridian but even with the discount I got it's almost $3k.

So if we fly in, rent a car, go to Disney a few days, then head to Clearwater beach or something non-Disney..where to stay, what to do? I'm afraid it won't be the same without the kids.

Any adult trip ideas, disney and non disney is appreciated!

 

[MEK]

My DH and I are doing a similar trip, but we are starting in tampa and ending in Orlando. I rented through VRBO for our tampa stay (3 nights). Actually staying in Tarpon Springs. We are going to do a segway tour, visit the sunken gardens, tour the sponge docks, do a kayak tour, and hopefully a dolphin cruise as well as try to explore the beach areas at bit.

Back in Orlando we still have an AP in effect so we will stay at SSR and hit up the parks for a few days.

I think you can have tons of fun as adult. I recommend trying the Flights of Wonder. It was such a cool experience. There are plenty of signature restaurants to choose from. How about a quick trip over to Celebration.

If you are looking for an off site place I would recommend VRBO. Last June I also scored an excellent rate on the Polynesia Isles resort.

Enjoy your planning.

 

[cammie810]

My husband and I have done several adult trips to Orlando and enjoyed it immensely! Have done the Segway tour at Fort Wilderness, Behind the Seeds at Epcot. Done a monorail pub crawl.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

There are TONS of things to do as adults in Orlando. Some are certainly family-friendly as well, but many can be done with no kids and you definitely won't feel out of place. Our first trip was with our DS at age 13, and he's now 18.....even with no "little kids" travelling with us, we've enjoyed each of these attractions:

Discovery Cove
SeaWorld
Aquatica
Universal Studios
Islands of Adventure
CityWalk
Gatorland
Wild Willy's Airboat Tour
ICE! at Gaylord Palms
Shrek Feast
Outta Control Dinner Show
Mini golf (at Congo River, Pirates Cove, Gator Golf & Adventure Park, Volcano Island, and Hawaiian Rumble)
Showcase of Citrus
Cocoa Beach
Kissimmee Go Karts
Titanic Experience

We've shopped at both Premium Outlet Mall locations, the Florida Mall, the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores, and various locations in Kissimmee and International Drive. Shopping days can be very grown up and fun.

I would stay at a nice non-Disney resort that would offer you more space and more amenities than Disney. We like the Sheraton Vistana Resort, but there are also great options with Marriott, Wyndham and Hilton. Have a rental car at your disposal so you can explore the area.

Do you enjoy the outdoors? Animals? Are you coaster lovers? Like history or museums? All of those things will help narrow down suggestions for your adults-only trip .

 

[gdrj]

I have taken my grandkids to Disney World several times over the past few years. Always stayed on site, used Disney transportation, etc. The first week of March just my hubby and I are flying into Orlando. I had thought about staying at the Grand Floridian but even with the discount I got it's almost $3k. So if we fly in, rent a car, go to Disney a few days, then head to Clearwater beach or something non-Disney..where to stay, what to do? I'm afraid it won't be the same without the kids. Any adult trip ideas, disney and non disney is appreciated!

I would recommend on site at Epcot resorts. Boardwalk, beach beach club, or even swan or dolphin (check for deals). We have gone multiple times without kids and enjoy walking to Epcot for dinner, as well as boat or walk to studios. As others quoted the tours can be fun, we did a behind the scenes at MK and fully enjoyed.

 

[bankr63]

When do Orlando without kids, we like to take more time to just lounge around the pool. With two teen kids we tend to program every minute; without kids we only plan to "do something" about half the time.

Epcot is much better as an adult only experience, it's fun to experience a few "international" cocktails around world showcase (the Grand Marnier slush at France is a favorite).

For nature we like to do Blue Springs State Park (about an hour North of Orlando). This is better in mid-winter when the manatee are in the springs; the Florida State parks site will fill you in on the season.

Offsite is probably a better option for an adult trip as well. The "magic" on site is really aimed at the kids; I'm with Gina in suggesting a stay at one of the better timeshare resorts. You'll get a ton more space and comfort than a Disney resort hotel room, and your options really open up for shopping and dining.

Another suggestion for dining is to check out the food section of the Orlando Sentinel site to see what the hot new restaurants are. Orlando actually has a very good dining scene outside of the parks; try something new and different.

Try a Spa experience as well. There are many spas on or near Disney property offering massage and other treatments. I've yet to find what I think of as a "spa" in Florida; I think most canucks expect a Nordic hot/cold day spa. If anyone knows of such a place in Orlando I'd love to know for our next trip. Actually I guess such a spa would be tough to do in Florida as the water down there is alway tepid; here we just cut a hole in the ice and jump in for the plunge bath.