Describe an unexpected great day in Orlando, an unplanned gem you have found.

[kevin harrison]

Coming here every day, I've noticed many topics appearing constantly, so thought of a few question that may provoke conversation and throw up new ideas...

On all your trips to Orlando, what is the most unexpected great day you have had?

You know you have happened to visit somewhere on an off chance and it's turned out to be fantastic.

Two come to mind for me.

1 - We had a rest day and decided to visit Celebration for an hour and stayed all day and into the evening, when they had street entertainers and a car rally. Totally unexpected - will be spending time there this upcoming visit.

2 - Pier 60 at Clearwater - The nightly sunset celebration they hold. A fantastic laidback night.

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

We didn't rate Animal Kingdom until last year when we went,we absoutely enjoyed this day it was fantastic the girls just loved it,the animals..rides etc..Spent all day here.

Also Universal Curious George playarea,we didnt expect the girls to absoutely love there time here

I think the places you don't expect to enjoy you generally do.

Even simple things we have learned like days off where we spend the day around the pool,the girls just love.

 

[Dimplenose]

Not a whole day, but we had lunch at Fort Wilderness. The lunch wasn't brilliant but the boat from the Magic Kingdom was wonderful.

(On our first trip we loved the old Discovery Island, but unfortunately it isn't open any more.)

 

[wickesy]

I was looking through one of the coupon books and noticed that the Jim Henson exhibit was still on at the Orange County History Center in downtown Orlando. We had a drive up there and had a great morning wandering around and seeing how the Muppets evolved.

 

[Lizzybear]

In 2005 me, my mum and sister did a boat ride on Lake Toho which was lovely.. Nice break from the hustle and bustle of the parks and the chance to see some of the 'real' Florida Also, I never used to be one for AK but the bf loved it and I saw it in a different light.. We spent a lot of time taking in the details and though it's still not my favourite park it's definitely gone up in my estimations

 

[katiec]

On all your trips to Orlando, what is the most unexpected great day you have had?

2 - Pier 60 at Clearwater - The nightly sunset celebration they hold. A fantastic laidback night.

I absolutely agree about Clearwater - didnt do the sunset celebration, but the whole feeling is just so chilled - i'd happily spend the week here.

 

[jns]

we drove down to St Petes once and came across an air show

the stunt planes were just amazing

and another time the hour before closing we were at toontown and after all the Character had finished with the meet and greet they came out to the shop and played games with all the kids
what fun we all had

Great idea for a thread

 

[Cyrano]

What a great topic and uplifting thoughts going on here

 

[Pegasus928]

I can think of 2 off the top of my head.

Our very first day ever in Florida and we were in the car driving down the 192 (a bit lost if I am honest). We pull into what we now know is Old Town and have never looked back. We try to get a few trips there every holiday and love the weekend nights as well as the unique shops and gifts you van buy.
The other one for me is when we were at Epcot last year and decided to call into the Character Meet. We had never bothered before - seen all the pics and got the sigs from other parks. This turned out to be the best interaction we have ever had - both before and since - with the main characters. We have some pics and video to cherish for ever of everyone just having fun and putting everything into it.

 

[mumloveseeyore]

we were sitting at the Dawa bar in AK hoping to watch the parade when a lady with a clipboard approached us and asked if we were a party of four, when we said yes she said that someone who had been picked to ride in the parade hadnt turned up and would we like to do it. Even dh thought that was a good enough reason to leave a cold beer so we were rushed backstage and put in our places with minutes to spare!. Gill

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

On out last day after checking in at DTD we wandered across to The Marketplace. We got coffees & sat overlooking the lake - it was so nice we hired a boat (they said no rush to get it back) & spent about 1hr on the water.

It made our last day seem special as we all enjoyed it so much & it was so relaxing

 

[kevin harrison]

Another memory - the first time I took my then just short of two years old daughter for her first day to Magic Kingdom.

We were on the boat travelling across to the entrance, Hannah was at the front of the boat, suddenley she slowly tottered over to me put her arms around me and said "love" (obviously she was just leanring to speak) - it made my holiday....

 

[Lisash]

On our first trip to IOA DS was too small to ride Hulk so we went to look in the shops while DH & DD rode. It was just after opening and there was hardly anyone around when Spiderman came into the store. Completely unprompted he came over to DS and spent a good 5 minutes or more chatting to him like an old friend, telling him all about his latest crimefighting exploits. That CM put his heart and soul into it and by the end I believed he was Spiderman let alone DS who spent the whole time open mouthed in disbelief. Totally magical, we still talk about it now years later

 

[kevin harrison]

On our first trip to IOA DS was too small to ride Hulk so we went to look in the shops while DH & DD rode. It was just after opening and there was hardly anyone around when Spiderman came into the store. Completely unprompted he came over to DS and spent a good 5 minutes or more chatting to him like an old friend, telling him all about his latest crimefighting exploits. That CM put his heart and soul into it and by the end I believed he was Spiderman let alone DS who spent the whole time open mouthed in disbelief. Totally magical, we still talk about it now years later

Lol - that sounds fantastic !!

Last September we got into a lift at the HRH, and in the corner was Homer Simpson, my daughter who never stops talking was speechless...

 

[tezza_init]

I'd suggest a walk around Celebration. A beautiful and relaxing place walking around the lakes. You can hire bikes, have a meal, see some wildlife, fastastic houses. Its a relaxing place and almost another park in itself, although more realistic - no false plywood buildings here.

Tezza

 

[Pegasus928]

The first time ever we went to MK.
We went over on the ferry so got to see a bit of the castle from a distance - but when we walked into Main Street and looked down at the castle both DW and my Mum started to cry. There was a gentle breeze in the air and the castle was twinkling in the sun and the whole thing was just way and above what they both expected to see.
Soppy Sods

 

[karengr]

On our 2nd trip in 2003 it had been a very hot morning we had eaten a burger in cosmic rays and decided enough was enough, the kids were really tired especiaaly our daughter who was 8 months old and had decided to give up nap time during the daytime.
we got in the car and by the time we had driven out of the carpark the kids were both asleep.
We then drove all the way to Tampa which was lovely with the stereo on.
We got to see the football stadium and took photos( my husband is a big Buccs fan).
We then drove straight back with the kids still asleep in the back we did stop and get acouple of cans of coke woke the kids and washed their hands and faces changed their clothes and went into EPCOT for something to eat and watch the fireworks.
Lovely day so much so we now make the effort each time to go for a long drive somewhere.

 

[elkvideo]

We had a lovely day when we went to Boggy creek for an airboat ride and then went on to Gatorland. It was one of the best days we had. Gatorland was great and the alligators were amazing.They were making the loudest noise when we were there and it made the walkway shake. Boggy creek is great fun and we saw lots of alligators so a good day all round.

 

[karengr]

We had a lovely day when we went to Boggy creek for an airboat ride and then went on to Gatorland. It was one of the best days we had. Gatorland was great and the alligators were amazing.They were making the loudest noise when we were there and it made the walkway shake. Boggy creek is great fun and we saw lots of alligators so a good day all round.

OMG i forgot about Gatorland we also had a great day there in 2005. I am not sure if i fancy the airboat ride.

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

Our day at Epcot was lovely especially when the cast member in the shop let DD (9) till in her pins, bag them and put money in the till etc..he then awarded her a certificate in helping,and said she'd definately get a job Lovely man!