Have I Lead A Sheltered Life??

[harry the spider]

I HAVE BEEN TO FLORIDA 4 TIMES AND AM RETURNING IN JANUARY 04.
I THOUGHT THAT I LED AN EXCITING LIFE BUT WHEN I LOOK AT HOW OTHER PEOPLE SPEND THEIR TIME IN ORLANDO, I FEEL THAT I MISS OUT AN AWFUL LOT.
HAS ANYONE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR DOING SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT, ESPECIALLY IN THE EVENINGS.
I QUITE FANCY GOING ON THE BOATS AT BOGGY CREEK, HAS ANYONE DONE THAT?
MAYBE A SPECIAL KIND OF EATING EXPERIENCE?
( MY NO-1 HOBBY!!)
EVERY TIME WE GO TO FLORIDA, SOMETHING ALWAYS HAPPENS (LIKE ILLNESS AND HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS ) AND OUR TIME GETS EATEN AWAY.
WE ARE QUITE UNLUCKY WHEN WE GO TO FLORIDA, BUT WE WILL KEEP GOING AS MUCH AS WE CAN UNTIL WE GET IT RIGHT!!!!
IF ANYONE HAS ANY STORIES OF GREAT PLACES TO VISIT OR DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES, I'D REALLY LIKE TO HEAR THEM
THANX
LIN

 

[allie5]

Hi Lin

We have done the airboat rides at Boggy Creek and they are a blast! Last time we saw some really big `gators as well as eagles and racoons. Definately a nice way to spend a morning or afternoon.

The Adventure Golf is quite good fun (and I usually hate that kind of thing!!)..but I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. Have you taken the boat out on the lake at Winter Park? Thats a nice trip. Also, you can hire pontoon boats at Downtown Disney and take a slow cruise up to Port Orleans and Old Key West. If you have small children then there is a petting zoo, pony rides and Hay rides at Fort Wilderness. Green Meadows petting farm is about 15 mins from Disney.

Things we havent tried are Hot Air Ballooning, helicopter ride over Disney, SkyCoaster (NO WAY EVER!!)...one at Kissimmee, one on I-Drive, Mickeys Backyard BBQ, Hoop de Doo revue.

We have been quite a few times as well, and seem to stick to tried at tested things. I am also going to try something new this time, so I will be following this thread closely!

Allie.

 

[vernon]

Probably the best answer is to buy Simon's excellent "Brit's guide to Orlando" it really is the best guide for ideas outside of the theme parks IMHO. Once you have some idea of what your family would like, then ask away

 

[we*luv*orlando!!]

We have been three times now and things we must do each time(that don't involve using a day of our disney tickets!) include:

* Going to the Peabody Hotel on International Drive and eating burgers and shakes plus delicious desserts in the 24 hour 50's style B-Line diner, we think its worth the cost as it is pricy- around $70 for four adults and a child for the above meals.

* A round of mini golf, Winter Summerland is our current fav.

*Going to Celebration and walking around the shops and the lake.

*Shopping and more shopping, Mall at Millenia here we come!

*Going to Disneys Wide World of Sports to eat in the All Star cafe.

we are not adventurous enough to travel to far from where we know as we got lost on our first holiday and ended up in a really scary looking part of Florida!! So we stay close to what we know and love!

 

[SidB]

Originally posted by vernon
Probably the best answer is to buy Simon's excellent "Brit's guide to Orlando" it really is the best guide for ideas outside of the theme parks

Can't argue with this. We got much more out of our second trip because we had it. The 2004 edition is out months before you go (this is where I'm told that incorrect).

Places to eat ? There are loads of messages here. My personal favourites are Cafe Tutu Tango and 50's Prime Time Cafe at MGM.

 

[Fantasia Sam]

B-Line Diner and Cafe Tu Tu Tangos are 2 of my favourite off-site restaurants

 

[jwhiting]

If you find yourselves on I-Drive or 192, make sure you go to a Darryls Restaurant.

We've been to Orlando twice and both times it has been our favourite place to eat (and that's some accolade given the choice in Orlando).

Their twice smashed baked potato is fantastic and the service is second to none.

Once I waited 30secs longer for my starter than my Wife did and got it knocked off the bill by the manager. I didn't even complain, I mean it was only 30secs !!!!!

Pirates Cove is a good laugh if you like mini-golf as well. This year we are going to try one of the Disney efforts at Fantasia Gardens.

Also going to try the airboat ride for the first time !!!

Can't wait.

Julian

 

[harry the spider]

THANKS EVERYBODY AND KEEP 'EM COMING!!
HOW CAN I BUY ONE OF SIMON'S BOOKS??
I THINK I'M GOING TO NEED IT.!!
I REALLY NEED TO PLAN AHEAD THIS TIME, I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT HATE STICKING TO A SCHEDULE BUT I THINK I MAY HAVE TO RELENT THIS TIME.
LIN

 

[SidB]

Like they say on TV...... It's in the shops now. Any decent bookshop will either have a copy or be able to order one in. You might want to think about which version you want, ie 2003 or 2004. I don't know how much it will change and I'm sure Simon would say get both !

 

[kipper]

Somthing else you might want to try is skydiving but without ever getting into a plane. you are lifted up and kept up by a huge fan. its opposite wet and wild on I drive.

 

[kazzie]

Kipper,

My DH and boys went to do this last October and got turned away.Although on the website it says it is for tourists as well as professionals,when he went he said it was very much professionals doing it and novices wern't welcome.The website is www.skyventure.com

 

[harry the spider]

Thanks for all the ideas
We are going to give the Airboat rides at Boggy Creek a go for sure.
The men's eyes lit up when they saw the info on fishing nearby.
$50 to hire a boat for 12 hours, bargain!!!!!
Karen- I was watching the Escape to the Sun TV programme and they had a welsh family doing that skydiving thing on there.
I don't understand why you were turned away.
I don't think we will be doing that !! some of us are a bit large and we wouldn't like to bung the hole up!!!
My sister suggested that it would be a hell of a landing if the wind machine broke down!!! HAHAHA
It was suggested that it was a great thing to do while you are in Florida, no mention of "not for the average tourist!"
I like the sound of Darryl's as well.
I have done the Pirates Cove a few years back and it was great fun, I'll try and squeeze that in.
Allie- what are pontoon boats? That sounds good, Is it safe with a 1 year old?
I'm getting really excited now and I still have 9 months to go!!
The rest of my group are amazed at my wealth of knowledge about all the best tips etc I have come up with, I guess I'll have to come clean that it's all down to you guys helping me out but in the meantime, I'll just bask in the glory!!!!!
Lin

 

[Olaf]

Kazzie, thanks for the website. We'll have to check that out. I don't understand why your DH and son were turned away. My DH has his Jump Wings so this is something he'd really get into.