Annual Offsite Florida Vacations

[Lisa P.]

Just wondering how many people here enjoy visiting Florida just about every year? Do you mostly just visit Orlando or other parts of Florida too? Where? Do you split your trips between Orlando and the beach or alternate them?

We like to vacation in timeshare resorts and usually spend a week in Orlando, offsite. There are some really great resorts in the area. Sometimes we spend a week at a nice FL or SC beach instead. We have combined the two in one trip but we usually don't. What about you?

 

[deena]

Whenever we visit Orlando to go to Disney we always stay offsite/have rental car because our family enjoys going other places too. At the point when we started back going to Disney some years back, our vacation always consisted of doing other things around town also. One of our favorites was to do a split trip over to 'Daytona Beach' and see the ocean as well as visit the boardwalk along with shops there.

Also, when in Orlando we visit other parks during every stay like 'Universal Studios' and 'Sea World' too, so staying offsite works quite perfectly in this way. We like the feel of having an 'all-around Florida' vacation instead of just limiting to Disney (even though of course we enjoy it immensely and it is nothing wrong with just doing Disney).

In addition we like to venture out to see what the entire area has to offer in alternative attractions such as 'Gatorland' or 'Old Town'; last year we enjoyed 'The Titanic exhibit' and in years past have gone over to 'Ripley's' also. Shopping excursions have included 'Belz'/other similar places and the 'Florida Mall' and 'Osceola Mall' as well. Also, we like experiencing many restaurants right outside the parks and get a taste (no pun intended) of what they have to offer.

In our next trip down, we are going to make a trek down to the 'Orlando Science Center' because it sounds interesting and check out the 'Guiness Book of World Records Museum' along with visiting 'Wonderworks'. Also, plan on making drives on over to see Bush Gardens, Sliver Springs again, and Cypress Gardens, as well as the Kennedy Space Center which are not too far away. In addition, trips to the Salvador Dali Museum in Tampa/St.Petersburg.

Not too long, ago we visited the Gulf Coast for a week in 'Pensacola Beach' and it was just fabulous. It was during October and the weather was perfect and the aqua blue green water was spectacular along with the sugary texture of the sand. We are definitely planning a return trip there too pretty soon.

This is a great topic!

 

[SimonV]

There is so much to do in central Florida apart from the main theme parks, I always think it is a bit of a shame to miss them out. Airboat rides, horse rides, canoeing, hiking, biking and nature activities abound, while some of the smaller attractions in Orlando - Guinness, Titanic, Fantasy of Flight, Splendid China - are also worth a visit, and the Kennedy Space Center is an absolute must-see, IMHO. Then, head out to the beaches in the St Petersburg/Clearwater area and there are some more wonderful opportunities (other than just lazing on the beach!). The Salvador Dali museum, Tarpon Springs, fishing, boating, shopping, etc. In fact, look up www.stpete-clearwater.com and you will be amazed at just how much there is to do and see here.

simon.veness@virgin.net

 

[erinch]

for resorts/timeshare,etc. which might offer a good rate for the last week of August "somewhere on the beach"--as my kids put it?

Would like to do one week beach and one week WDW
thanx