Going Off Disney Property????

[DisneyAddict_M]

In all my trips, I've yet to stay completely onsite the entire time.

 

[rie'smom]

We always allow a few days onsite at Universal-our family loves it!!!!!!

 

[Nancy]

You guys should all be ashamed of yourselves! How dare you go anywhere but WDW?

Really, I don't even stay on-site when we go...I've stayed on site a whole 3 times and 1 of those times we split the time between an off site for a week and on site for 3 nights. With 5 of us it is hard to stay onsite.

International Drive has all kinds of stuff on it...I love looking in all the cheesy souvineer stores!

 

[BLBCB]

There is so much to do in Orlando, you will never have enough time to do it all. Just to name a few things outside of Disney: Universal/IOA, SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Busch Gardens, Gatorland, Wonder Works, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Titanic - The Experience, Skydiving Wind Tunnel, Flea Markets, Airboat Rides & Eco Tours, Train Land (Model trains), Various Themed Mini-Golf, Hot Air Balloon Rides, actually fly a war bird or other types of planes, or the many dinner theatre productions such as Arabian Nights, Pirates, Dixie Stampede just to name a few. The I-Ride Trolley is a great and cheap way to travel around the I-drive area. The bus stops have a map to show you where they go and which "line" you should be on, and the drivers are very nice and helpful because they cater mostly to tourists. Check out their website, it's got great information on the area as well.

If you have a long way to travel down to Orlando, it would be a shame to miss out on all the things it has to offer. Although, first-timers can be overwhelmed with so much to choose from. If they haven't been to WDW before and they haven't got much time, it might be best to just stay at WDW for the week or just a day or two at Universal/IOA. When my sister first went years ago, they tried to put too much into their trip and only spent 2 days at WDW, including a water park! They can't understand why we keep going back because they didn't like WDW. I can't believe they saw anything in that amount of time. I've been trying to get her to come with us, but the expense of having to travel that far is just too much (family of 6) to overcome her memories of "last time". I won't give up though!! Did I mention that at the time her husband had pnemonia (sp?) and a broken foot? You can imagine he wasn't a "happy camper"!

 

[Eric95403]

When we went to WDW last summer, we spent all 2 weeks offsite. We traded in part of our one week timeshare and got 2 WEEKS!!!! in a 3br unit . We were a 2-3 min drive to WDW. The space was wonderful and honestly, I don't think we lost any of the magic. There are some great restaurants outside WDW and a whole other world out there. It was a nice change.

 

[LisaL]

We split one trip between WDW and Sanibel Island. It was great! We've also done day trips to go shark tooth "hunting." That was a lot of fun and we met some great locals.

 

[DisneyDreamingAubrey]

WOW!! I didn't realize how many people here are so into the things outside the "world." I'm glad to hear about all the other fun things to try out there. I think we will 'venture off to IOA. We've been to Sea World a few times, and who knows maybe one trip I'll be brave enough to rent a car and go to the Ocean!! Thanks for all your help!

 

[FloraFauna]

Disney and Universal are both first-class parks. My family and I love them both.

 

[Robinrs]

I go to Orlando 3 to 4 times a year and haven't been on property Disney since about 2002. I love the city and love running around without feeling "imprisoned" in one place. There is a lot that you can do outside.

I personally hate the idea that going off property is blasphemy. They're just parks.

 

[tinaluis]

We make a point of visiting both WDW and US/IOA everytime we visit Orlando. Just wouldn't be the same without doing both!!! Go, and have a great time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lindalinda]

I'm heading back to Universal in 2 months (see siggie) and staying at the Portofino Bay Hotel. This is my 6th stay onsite at universal. First time at Portofino Bay and I am thrilled to be going ! Definitely try Universal, and take it slow and easy, its a great place! This is actually the first time that we are ONLY doing universal, no disney or seaworld this time.