Beyond Disney-what else is there? Dixie Stampede, Gatorland, & Boggy Creek Air rides

[cruisnfamily]

Any feedback on these 3 activities?

We'll be doing Orlando this summer and other than Disney Quest and a water park, we won't be doing the parks. Looking for something new and exciting. How are these activities?

Can you suggest other things to do in Orlando?

 

[jlovesee]

I highly recommend Cypress Gardens Adventure Park its about 30 west on I-4. We had a chance to visit last week when we visited orlando for a week (disney, universal, etc) Its beautifully landscaped, easily the most beautiful park out there, some sections make you feel like you have landed in your own personal tropical paradise, its absolutly amazing. they also have a section including basic rides but they have selected some of the best including the new Disk-O, Rockin' Tug, (Rockin Tug is so MUCH fun!) these are GREAT basic amusement rides, plus they have a good classic wooden coaster, and a few good family steel coasters. No big theming, but its affordable ($34.95 or $29.95 from their website) and plus its a great success story, it was the first Florida Theme Park, which was saved by the state of Florida.

No I dont work for Cypress Gardens, just was very impressed having visited a lot of amusement parks out there... (the bad, the ugly, the Six Flags parks in that order, you get the idea)

Dixie Stampede is a transplant from just a few hours south of where I live, Branson MO. If you dont mind eating a whole meal with just your hands, its a lot of fun. Never been to Gatorland so can't speak for that.

Jennifer

 

[26555]

If your kids aren't too old for it, the Orlando Science Center can be a nice change of pace on a hot or rainy day. If you get a family membership to your local science museum, they likely have a reciprical program to get you in to the Orlando one for free.

http://www.osc.org/

Can't say yet about Gatorland but we plan on trying it in a few months.

 

[kilee]

My son did Gatorland last year w/ my parents (DH & I skipped it). However, my parents and DS came back thinking it was cute. My parents said it was very "tourist-y", DS (who's 12) still talks about all the Gators.

 

[Figment22]

Here's a link to a thread where we've been discussing Dixie Stampede:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=727967

I'm not sure if it was Boggy Creek or not, but several years back we did an airboat ride on 192. It was very enjoyable. Something quite different from the theme parks. We still tease DH who managed to beach our boat and we all had to push!

This is just my opinion but I think Gatorland is OK for an afternoon but is not really worth the money.