Christmas Without Disney (and Universal)

[roxannex]

Hi,
We are thinking about a Christmas trip to Orlando because we're looking for somewhere warm. Other choices are Miami and the Caribbean (which we know will be warmer). But we can always get such good hotel bang for the buck in Orlando and there are so many entertainment options, it's hard to pass up.

But since we want to go right at Christmastime (we're Jewish so this isn't a big deal for us), we know Disney and Universal are insane.

I saw a great TR about a Seaworld trip at X-mas, but I was wondering if anyone else had gone down at this time before. What was fun outside of the parks? I am looking at the Hilton Orlando right now, which has a good rate and lazy river, but I know I can't count on it being warm enough to swim.

Thanks!

 

[Darcy03231]

We're from New England and the last time we were in Orlando in December they had a cold snap. We were wearing jeans, sweatshirts, fleece jackets, hats and mittens. If you really want to go somewhere warm I would go to the Caribbean.

 

[roxannex]

Hi,
I know. Sometimes it's warm and sometimes not. I was just wondering if some other people had spent x-mas in Orlando without concentrating on the theme parks.

 

[E-P-C-O-T]

Last year we went on December 29, we had such an amazing time. Even though we had Disney APs, we decided to avoid the parks until January.

- We went to see the ICE exhibit at Gaylord Palms, while there we enjoyed seen their Christmas decorations and watched the Christmas show that they have in their atrium. The show was free and very entertaining.
- Visited the Florida aquarium in Tampa. They also had christmas activities and a play area for the kids to play with "snow"
- Visited Downtown Disney
- Had lunch at Sanaa. Went to the viewing area after lunch and even visited the arcade with DD
- Had dinner at Cape May. After dinner we visited the Boardwalk and enjoyed watching the performers.
- Played minigolf
- Shopped the Character Warehouse at the Outlets

We really had a wonderful time and enjoyed been in Orlando for part of the holidays. We also decided that we would return this year, except that this year we are arriving on the 27th

Oh and some days we were wearing coats, hats and gloves, but, some days we were wearing shorts and tshirts. It was unpredictable, but, it was part of our holidays in Orlando and it was fun swimming one day and wearing a coat the next one... I guess we are weird

 

[roxannex]

Thanks! That was exactly what I was looking for!

 

[roxannex]

Where did you stay?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We were there from December 23 to December 30, 2012. My trip report can be found here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3041415

or by clicking the link in my signature .

Our highlights were SeaWorld on Christmas Day (fabulous, and NOT packed like the Disney and Universal parks ), Wild Willy's airboat tour, Gatorland, mini golfing, ICE! at Gaylord Palms, and the Orlando Magic game.

The downsides? TRAFFIC . Getting anywhere took forever. Pack your patience, the Orlando holiday drivers are anything but spreading peace on earth and goodwill to men .

And offsite restaurants are BUSY. An hour or longer to get into Olive Garden busy.

But the decorations are fantastic and being in the warmth for the holiday season (as opposed to our frigid north) was amazing.