free/cheap things to do in orlando

[GEM]

Try www.showcaseofcitrus.com

You can visit the groves and pick your own fruit, plus they have some other fun stuff - and it's really close to Disney World.


By the way, we love Gatorland! We've been several times. In December, it was probably the highlight of the trip for my son (2) and my cousin (8).

 

[kellymonaghan]

There's also this

Florida's Natural Growers Grove House
20160 U.S. Hwy. 27
Lake Wales, FL 33853

Local Phone: 863-679-4110
Toll Free U.S.: 800-237-7805 x4110
Toll Free U.S./Canada: 800-237-7805
Fax: 863-679-6330

E-mail: nblack@citrusworld.com
Website: http://www.floridasnatural.com

 

[TNKBELL]

Try www.showcaseofcitrus.com

You can visit the groves and pick your own fruit, plus they have some other fun stuff - and it's really close to Disney World.


By the way, we love Gatorland! We've been several times. In December, it was probably the highlight of the trip for my son (2) and my cousin (8).

Thank you GEM!!! That's exactly what I was looking for!!

 

[tednvon]

Hi...for the person who wanted to know about picking your own oranges and walking around in an orange grove, if you head out 192 west to highway 27 and go north a few miles you will see a "pick your own" place on the right side of the highway...

good luck..Ted

 

[TNKBELL]

Thank you Ted!! I'll check that out too!!

 

[disneyholic family]

I don't know if anyone else said, but walking around the Boardwalk area in the evening is nice..

There are free street performances, like jugglers and acrobats (and there are street vendors if you want to get an ice cream cone or something like that to enjoy as you walk)

 

[mickeymousefan]

Thanks for all the great suggestions!!!

 

[Ted and Holly]

Hi...for the person who wanted to know about picking your own oranges and walking around in an orange grove, if you head out 192 west to highway 27 and go north a few miles you will see a "pick your own" place on the right side of the highway...

good luck..Ted

Is this the place with the school bus coverted to a swamp buggy? I see that all the time. I never see anyone there though.

I think this is the same place that GEM referred to with the link.

EDIT: Most of the "real" orange groves in the area are juice oranges. You are not really going to find a visitor center or anyone who will take the time to give you a tour. I mean, the tour would be "This is a tree. Here is another. Here is where we had to cut down x-number of acres because of cancor. Here is where the hurricane knocked down some trees." The "pick your own" groves will have some trees growing with some decent eating varieties. I drive by the groves in Polk County all the time. The most I have seen is a trucker hauling out the oranges or the bus of pickers showing up. 90% of the time, there is no one near the groves.

Ted

 

[tednvon]

Ted, Hello,

I have driven by the place many many times and always see the swamp buggy...It really is the only place that advertises pick pick your own that I have seen...But for an inexpensive intertainment option, you never know...might be lots of fun...

One of things that was probably the most fascinating for me last year was to drive south to Haines City, take Rt. 544 East or left about 5 miles to Grenelefe resort and drive through. It is the apex of all 3 hurricanes last year and to see the hundreds of trees down and the power of the storm was really humbling.

take care ...Ted

 

[Ted and Holly]

Ted, Hello,

I have driven by the place many many times and always see the swamp buggy...It really is the only place that advertises pick pick your own that I have seen...But for an inexpensive intertainment option, you never know...might be lots of fun...

One of things that was probably the most fascinating for me last year was to drive south to Haines City, take Rt. 544 East or left about 5 miles to Grenelefe resort and drive through. It is the apex of all 3 hurricanes last year and to see the hundreds of trees down and the power of the storm was really humbling.

take care ...Ted

Yeah, that area, up to even Poinciana was pretty hard hit. It is pure luck, really, that WDW sustained fairly little damage compared to other area, not really that far away!

Want to see some really sad stuff? Drive a few hours south on 17 to Punta Gorda. The place is still pretty messy and honestly will make you sick to your stomach.

Not that these are fun side-trippy things to do.

Ted

 

[Pigsty333]

Check out this link to the Gaylord Palm Resort: http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylordpalms/things_to_do/festival.cfm

Here are highlights of it:
Best of Florida SummerFest
Weekends July 2 - September 4, 2005

Spend a cool weekend getaway in Orlando, and experience the state’s newest – and most unique – family festival.

Inside the soaring 4.5-acre atrium at Gaylord PalmsTM Resort, visit the Sunshine State’s only indoor summer festival… where it’s always a comfortable 72 degrees!

Every weekend, Best of Florida SummerFest celebrates all that makes Florida great… its legends, festivals, events, foods, history, music, landscapes and creatures.

Families will find activities around every corner.
Price is $10 per carload.

Wekiva Springs is a great way to do a day. Get a meal from Publix, they do a great chicken, bread, salad pack for $8.99 and spend a day here.


WEKIWA SPRINGS STATE PARK: http://www.abfla.com/parks/WekiwaSprings/wekiwa.html

Wekiwa Springs State Park comprises approximately 7,000 acres of wild scenery that offers an opportunity to see how areas of central Florida looked when the Timucuan Indians speared fish in the spring-fed creeks and stalked the uplands. They left a number of mounds that are still visible today. The main spring pumps approximately 42 million gallons of water each day. Wekiwa Springs State Park opened to the public in 1970. There is kayak rentals and a great water spring to swim in.

Check out www.ICflorida.com
http://www.go2orlando.com

 

[kbkids]

Try www.showcaseofcitrus.com

You can visit the groves and pick your own fruit, plus they have some other fun stuff - and it's really close to Disney World.

You may want to call ahead on this one. We tried to do this last May - drove out there - and they were closed. Honestly, to us, looked like it may have been permanently closed.

 

[Zipitydooda]

Hey,
Don't forget Cypress Gardens!! If you want to take the kids on great rides for their ages, Cypress Gardens is great! Very cheap! We stay at a very nice but cheap resort called Grenelefe and get a 900 sq ft condo with a "kids suite" for $45 a night. 18 mins to Cypress Gardens 30 to Disney--right off 27. Our kids are 6 & 3, so we do Cypress Gardens all day and do their water parks, amusements, and shows (for cheap) and then do all the above Disney/Universal stuff after a nap at night.
P.S. Did anyone mention the free fireworks at 9:00 on the bridge at Boardwalk or at 10:00 at the Contemporary? (Check your times)