HELPFUL HINTS: What's your absolute MUST-DO for non-WDW ativities when you visit Fla?

[kimmar067]

My DB-i-L and his family will be heading down to Orlando (actually Winter Springs - or maybe, Winter Garden... ) TOMORROW! They only plan on 2, or even 3, days of WDW. What non-Diz stuff do you guys like to do?? (of course, OTHER than Sea World and I o A...)

PS ~ my B-i-L and his DS love to fish....any ideas?? Please help - they leave tomorrow at 8AM via Amtrak......


EDIT:
Originally, I had started this thread to get some ideas for my in-laws while they visited Fla. However, if anyone wants to add any of their own information/recommendations from their OWN experiences, feel free to post here: [pix would be nice, too! ]

 

[Joann]

shop shop shop !!

 

[kimmar067]

shop shop shop !!

.... we-e-e-e-e-lll, that takes care of my DS-i-L...what about for EVERYBODY ELSE????!?! (my DB-i-L, 3 adult females, and children ages 4 to 17) I know my B-i-L and 17-y-o will like to fish AT LEAST a day or two....any ideas where they can do that??

 

[dylansmom1]

OUTLET MALLS!!! Even though I have some close to me. I can't get the Disney Outlet. I can get Souveniers for half the price. Shoes, bathing suits are also cheaper. If I fly, I leave room in the suitcase or pack a fold up duffel bag for shopping goodies. If we drive , I bring bungee cord (hee hee).

We also do Mini-golf. My DS7 loves it. I hate it, but do it anyway. We try to do one water park too.

I also try to do either Medieval Times or Arabian Knights. Cheesy, but fun and the kid likes it.

Jane

 

[kimmar067]

Great!! (I'm a mom of a Dylan, too !) More ideas.....

 

[isla bonita]

Last time we picked fruit and it was toward the end of our trip but I think it will be a first day thing to do so we have fresh fruit our whole stay. I think a Margharita will do the trick while there.
http://www.showcaseofcitrus.com/
fresh lemonade sounds pretty good also.

 

[spiceycat]

don't knock the shopping.

I hate to shop at home. I try to avoid it at all costs.

but there the outlet malls make it so easy and cheap.....

do to foot problems I must wear 'new balance'. well here these things here are just plain expensive....

for less than the price of one pair I can get two pairs in Orlando....

that is not the only bargin I have found.

You know I need to try that fruit picking - I love Florida Oranges - there is nothing better. I don't like California or the ones from central america or south america.... there is nothing that taste like a Florida orange....

I am going in May - my next trip is Sept and it will be closed.... so it is May!!!

 

[MagicLovinMama]

My guys love to go to a go-kart place for a whole afternoon/evening when we go to Disney. Their favorite is Fun Spot Action Park off of I-4, near Wet-n-Wild.

 

[spiceycat]

my kissimmee vistor guides mentions about 30 fishing places..

WDW even has fishing and has since at least 1972....

get the booklet it is full of stuff

http://www.floridakiss.com/tools/requestinfo/index.php

 

[riu girl]

non WDW activities:
did you mean non-WDW THEME parks?

If so:
1) downtown Disney and visit the Lego area (if there are children interested in Lego)
2) visit the POLY in the evening and watch both wishes and the electrical water pageant from the POLY beach
3) vist fort wilderness and take part in the camp fire singalong and movie afterwards
4) if anyone is interested in animals, visit animal kingdon lodge one morning to view the animals on the savannah
5) visit Tiki Liki water park for an afternoon: price varies but it is as low as $20/car load for the afternoon

 

[MaMa3Princess]

don't knock the shopping.

I hate to shop at home. I try to avoid it at all costs.

but there the outlet malls make it so easy and cheap.....

do to foot problems I must wear 'new balance'. well here these things here are just plain expensive....

for less than the price of one pair I can get two pairs in Orlando....

that is not the only bargin I have found.



Where do you find the New Balance. They are so expensive here, I would love to find a good bargain on these

 

[kimmar067]

non WDW activities:
did you mean non-WDW THEME parks?

If so:
1) downtown Disney and visit the Lego area (if there are children interested in Lego)
2) visit the POLY in the evening and watch both wishes and the electrical water pageant from the POLY beach
3) vist fort wilderness and take part in the camp fire singalong and movie afterwards
4) if anyone is interested in animals, visit animal kingdon lodge one morning to view the animals on the savannah
5) visit Tiki Liki water park for an afternoon: price varies but it is as low as $20/car load for the afternoon

..this is good...but I AM talking about a NON-WDW PERIOD, non-US, non-I o A, non-Sea World stuff....like that Tiki Liki thing.....

more, guys, MORE.....keep 'em coming.....

 

[crazelion]

don't knock the shopping.

I hate to shop at home. I try to avoid it at all costs.

but there the outlet malls make it so easy and cheap.....

do to foot problems I must wear 'new balance'. well here these things here are just plain expensive....

for less than the price of one pair I can get two pairs in Orlando....

that is not the only bargin I have found.

You know I need to try that fruit picking - I love Florida Oranges - there is nothing better. I don't like California or the ones from central america or south america.... there is nothing that taste like a Florida orange....

I am going in May - my next trip is Sept and it will be closed.... so it is May!!!

I know what mean spicycat ndew balance outlet has dirt cheap new balance. The last time I was there I bought 5 pair of shoes.

The Outlet mall shopping is out this world plus it's dirt cheap to shop tp.

 

[Hannathy]

Gatorland it is a must every trip ! Campy but my kids and Dh love it.

 

[shelemm]

Rock Spring at Kelly Park is a natural spring where you can go swimming. It is one of the great central florida springs (there are about a dozen), among the most beautiful destinations anywhere.

However, it is cold water swiming. 72 degrees. Takes some bravery to get in, but everyone does it, and once you are in you're fine. You can rent inner tubes just before the park entrance, but I found these unnecessary. Just bring goggles and snorkels. Excellent snorkeling. Despite the shallowness of the water, you can float with the fishes down the entire length of the spring.

Rhis is a couny park, so entrance fee is minimal.

 

[mickeyloverx2]

this is a great post! We are going down 1 day early and I was wondering what we could do besides hang out at the pool... THanks so much

 

[poohmomof3]

The natural spring sounds neat. However, I must admit that alligators and such scare me. Wont they be there too??

 

[keishashadow]

hi kimmar, check out my shiny new tag - finally .

Don't know if you've done NASA yet. I thought I'd hate it (didn't want to give up a Disney day) but, they had to drag me out of there.

You could drive over to the beach.

Lastly, I hear great things about the Dis wilderness preserve (south of WDW) but, hear it's closed during the summer months. Think they have air-buggy rides on Sundays.

 

[kimmar067]

hi kimmar, check out my shiny new tag - finally .

Don't know if you've done NASA yet. I thought I'd hate it (didn't want to give up a Disney day) but, they had to drag me out of there.

You could drive over to the beach.

Lastly, I hear great things about the Dis wilderness preserve (south of WDW) but, hear it's closed during the summer months. Think they have air-buggy rides on Sundays.

...first of all, WOW!!! Congrats on yer NEW tag - FINALLY!!....

Guys, there are some great ideas here...I really appreciate the ones which tell you how much that activity is, where it's located, etc.

More, more, MORE!!

 

[MichelleChell]

We are planning a day at Coco Beach. I hear it is not a far drive.