Fun things in Orlando Area

[XxDisneyMagicXx]

Hello,
We are going to Orlando again soon and I am looking for some ideas of other things to do. My daughter is 18 and has been to disney numerous numerous times and isnt really interested in spending alot of times at the parks and my son who is 8 hates rides and characters and disliked the parks tons last may when we went. So, where looking for some other things to do in Orlando? My son loves water parks so we will be visiting one or two of those and we may go to cocoa beach for a day. We are owners at Vistana Resort so we spend alot of time there, in their pools and doing their activities.

We are thinking of going to Wonderworks because that looked interesting?
Anybody else have any ideas or anything you love to do in Orlando?
We will deffinatly be doing mini golf as well and shopping for the dd

Thanks!

 

[tink2dw]

Have you been to Sea World to see the animal shows?

What about the glass bottom boats??

Air-boat rides through the Everglades?

Kennedy Space Center?

The Orlando Science Museum?

This one is DIS Board OK'ed - Outta Control Magic-Comedy Dinner Show

Have you seen the Pirates Dinner Theater Show?

What about Disney's World of Sports?

What about Epcot's front area is it Innovations East and West they have some really neat things there, espcial for kids, one section has computers.

What about the shows in MK like The Tiki Room.

What about the New Nemo show at Animal Kingdom and the Bone Yard play area?

There are many shows at MGM?

Get a couple of Orlando Guide book including a kids one with color pics from your library. Show the Kids Guide to your child, let him pick out what he wants to do. You may have to slow down for the 8 yr old.

Your 18 yr old would probably like Univeral Studios and Islands of Adventure it is edgier than WDW and more hair raising rides!! Althouth they have stuff for kids too and many shows.

 

[tiggermei]

Did WonderWorks last summer. Your son would enjoy that if he has any interest at all in science. If not, I can't promise. It's so hands-on and exciting. I even laid on a bed of nails.

Another option is something we have done the past two summers. Go to Sky Ventures and go indoor skydiving. It's the biggest rush I've ever had! DD7 even loves it!

 

[Luthien_Rei]

Your son is 8 and hates all the WDW theme parks? There's a huge selection of things to do in Metro Orlando and around Central Fl without going to a theme park. Here's some ideas off the top off my head (just firing some off, you or others might have mentioned some already):

-Gatorland
-FunSpot (GoKarts, Arcades, Bumperboats, etc)
-Boggy Creek Airboat rides
-International Drive Helicoptor rides
-Haunted Grimm House
-Ripley's Beleive It Or Not Odditorium
-Titanic Exhibit
-Wonderworks
-Trainland
-Winter Park Boat Tours
-Numerous themed mini golfs
-Far too many Themed Dinner Shows and restaurants to name individualy
-Cypress Gardens
-Silver Springs
-Kennedy Space Center
-Daytona USA
-The Orlando Museum of Fine Art
-The Orlando Science Center
-Downtown Orlando's numerous restaurants, clubs, shops, Lake Eola, etc
-Park Ave, Winter Park's numerous restaurants, bistros, shops, museums, etc
-Millennia Plaza's Millenia Mall & numerous surrounding restaurants, shops, etc
-Discovery Cove
-Downtown Disney
-CityWalk
-Hot air balloon rides
-Cirque Du Soleil
-Numerous Water Parks
-Big Sreen Imax theaters & state-of-the-art movie complexes
-485+ Designer, Brand-Name & Outlet Stores, & 150+ Restaurants, and more quirky-fun-wacky places than are needed, all on International Drive alone
-Pointe Orlando
-The Mercado
-World Class 18 Hole Golf Courses
-The World Bowling Center
-Van's Skateboard Park
-Indoor and Outdoor Skydiving

 

[5mins2disney]

I have a page full of activities listed here:

www.5mins2disney.com/thingstodo.htm

 

[XxDisneyMagicXx]

FYI- My son has Aspergers and thats why he hates the parks. He hates characters and it just over stimulates him way to much. He wont go on any inside rides that he cant fully see before he gets on so alot of the rides at WDW are out and hes scared of animals so that rules out Animal Kingdom. He does however love water parks, mini golf, go karts, etc.

I think we are going to get the 5 day pass to Universal/IOA/Wet and Wild
I think he will enjoy the shows at Universal and spend probably 3 of the days at wet and wild.

 

[bscs]

Want to know the ideas also.
Also my DD just found out there is a zoo in Sanford is this worth it?

 

[shelemm]

The first two times we went to Orlando we didn't step one foot inside a theme park or family amusement situation. We went to the real parks, Florida State Parks, National Forests, and County parks. The Springs of Central Florida are one of the great natural attractions in the US, and they make for great swimming and snorkeling. Think of a natural tropical paradise, these are theose swimming holes that only the locals know about. If you google Springs Fever, you will probabley come upon a web page devoted tothese springs. Closest to Orlando is Rock Spring at Kelly Park, Blue Spring State Park, and Wekiva Spring.