Downtime/Half day/Evening ideas- shopping?

[Mamato2cutekiddos]

Hello

We are staying off resort in a house as we will be a big group. We will have a car. We are staying for 2 weeks.

I am looking for things to do in Orlando that are not theme parks (we are packed to the gills with those between WDW and USF). I am looking for fun things to do that are either half days or maybe evening type activities that would be fun with a 7 and 5yo? We have 4 unplaned days as rest/recouperation days. I know that 99% of the time the kids will be in the private pool in the backyard, but I'd like to have some other fun things planned.

I know my Dad wants to do some sort of car show/cruise they do in old towne? Does that sound familiar? LOL My parents said there is a mini amusement park there.

Last time we were there I remember International Drive looking interesting- would that be worth the time to check out?

And of course we will have a day of shopping. Last time we went to the outlet mall but I wasn't impressed- so I feel like maybe we weren't at a good one.

Thanks!

 

[DrivenByDisney]

Hello

We are staying off resort in a house as we will be a big group. We will have a car. We are staying for 2 weeks.

I am looking for things to do in Orlando that are not theme parks (we are packed to the gills with those between WDW and USF). I am looking for fun things to do that are either half days or maybe evening type activities that would be fun with a 7 and 5yo? We have 4 unplaned days as rest/recouperation days. I know that 99% of the time the kids will be in the private pool in the backyard, but I'd like to have some other fun things planned.

I know my Dad wants to do some sort of car show/cruise they do in old towne? Does that sound familiar? LOL My parents said there is a mini amusement park there.

Last time we were there I remember International Drive looking interesting- would that be worth the time to check out?

And of course we will have a day of shopping. Last time we went to the outlet mall but I wasn't impressed- so I feel like maybe we weren't at a good one.

Thanks!

There is a car cruise in Old Town. They are on throughout the weekend. Check out this website for more details http://www.myoldtownusa.com/public/car_cruise/details/index.cfm

And the mini park would most likely be Fun Spot or My Old Town. There is one (Fun Spot) on International Drive as well. I-Drive does have a lot of things to see & do, though mostly restaurants and touristy shops. The Orlando Eye is there as well.

Millenia Mall is a short trip of the four to go shopping. There are other outlets as well called Prime Outlets on Vineland that seem to attract loads of people for shopping as well. Downtown Orlando is just like any other city downtown. There really isn't much going on to speak of from where I stand. Clubs, bars, restaurants, etc.

 

[staceyrhood]

You could come for an evening in Celebration. We have great restaurants here and a few shops, a nice lake to walk around and a great ice cream shop

 

[spiceycat]

you can do the orlando eye and other things

https://www.officialorlandoeye.com/tickets-prices/

here is the list from orlando visitors site
http://www.visitorlando.com/things-to-do/

 

[Upatnoon]

Hello

We are staying off resort in a house as we will be a big group. We will have a car. We are staying for 2 weeks.

I am looking for things to do in Orlando that are not theme parks (we are packed to the gills with those between WDW and USF). I am looking for fun things to do that are either half days or maybe evening type activities that would be fun with a 7 and 5yo? We have 4 unplaned days as rest/recouperation days. I know that 99% of the time the kids will be in the private pool in the backyard, but I'd like to have some other fun things planned.

I know my Dad wants to do some sort of car show/cruise they do in old towne? Does that sound familiar? LOL My parents said there is a mini amusement park there.

Last time we were there I remember International Drive looking interesting- would that be worth the time to check out?

And of course we will have a day of shopping. Last time we went to the outlet mall but I wasn't impressed- so I feel like maybe we weren't at a good one.

Thanks!

We just took our girls to the American Girl store in the Florida mall. It's very nice. The Florida mall isn't "dead" like most malls these days, and they also have the new Crayola store, M&M World, etc.

We also enjoy going to Ikea near the Mall of Millenia. You kids can get very inexpensive toys and art supplies for those afternoon thunderstorms. It's fun to look at all the displays. You can eat Swedish meatballs in their restaurant, or If you really want to save, you can eat hot dogs for 50 cents on the way out.

Fort Wilderness is one of our favorite places to visit. Eat breakfast at Trail's End, take a boat ride to the Wilderness Lodge. They have nice playground and beach there and almost no crowds.

You can visit Celebration, a cute planned community with stores, shops and restaurants.

Visiting Disney resorts for lunch or dinner is fun. Take lots of photos wandering around Art of Animation. See the animals at the Animal Kingdom resort. Go for a Dole whip at the Poly.

Have fun!

 

[danielleburns]

I know winter park has a scenic boat tour and there is always the camp firer at Fort Wildness
at Lake Eola park in a orlando you can rent paddle boats and lots of places around to play mini gulf
There is green meadows petting farm in Kissimmee.

 

[powellrj]

If you do decide to go to Old Town, I would go in the daytime. Its not the best area anymore. There is Gator Land and Showcase of Citrus. If you don't mind the drive, you could do a beach day or a state park day and see the manatees.

 

[glassslippergirl]

Crayola Experience in the Florida Mall was amazing! Lots of fun and creative activities and an indoor playground.

 

[vacation_junkie]

Hello

We are staying off resort in a house as we will be a big group. We will have a car. We are staying for 2 weeks.

I am looking for things to do in Orlando that are not theme parks (we are packed to the gills with those between WDW and USF). I am looking for fun things to do that are either half days or maybe evening type activities that would be fun with a 7 and 5yo? We have 4 unplaned days as rest/recouperation days. I know that 99% of the time the kids will be in the private pool in the backyard, but I'd like to have some other fun things planned.

I know my Dad wants to do some sort of car show/cruise they do in old towne? Does that sound familiar? LOL My parents said there is a mini amusement park there.

Last time we were there I remember International Drive looking interesting- would that be worth the time to check out?

And of course we will have a day of shopping. Last time we went to the outlet mall but I wasn't impressed- so I feel like maybe we weren't at a good one.

Thanks!

take the 45 min drive down to Cocoa Beach and play in the sand for a few hours.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Playground and beach are closed at WL due to construction.

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

Well, I don't know if I would call it a theme park, but it is a park of sorts "Gatorland". It's in the Orlando area. We spent about half a day there on our last visit. It's something the whole family enjoys to get such a close up view of these animals swimming, eating, jumping and so on. We enjoyed it.

 

[disneysteve]

Take them on an airboat ride on Lake Toho. We did this one: http://bcairboats.com/. It was fun and something different. Definitely family friendly.