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

[kimmar067]

...for more replies!! I'm really looking for stuff that DIS'ers have ACTUALLY done while visiting the Orlando area.....all suggestions welcome.....and, YES, I already know about the SHOPPING.... !

 

[MNmom2]

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

We did that last time we were there and LOVED it!! We are leaving in 12 days and will for sure have another beach day and then shopping at the Ron Juan Surf Shop.

 

[HappyLawyer]

hmmmm, everything in my signature is a must for us.

Have fun and enjoy

 

[kimmar067]

hmmmm, everything in my signature is a must for us.

Have fun and enjoy

..... ....sorry, ..I just HAD to laught at the "Walmart" notation... But, seriously, can ya tell me a little bit more about that Makahiki Luau??

 

[ttfn3]

Check out the activity guide for the Orlando area. We were fortunate to attend the Winter Park Arts Festival last March. It was wonderful - and I LOVED Winter Park. Very nice downtown with a mix of local shops and upscale retailers.

I would also like to make it to Mount Dora sometime. Do a google search. I hear it's a very nice city with lots of cool shops.

We have done the Space Center and it was really cool. I'd like to go back to there again.

We have spent a lot of time offsite just hanging out at our resort. We like a resort that has activities for everyone. Makes it fun to participate and meet people.

The Premium Outlet Malls is a must do. Love those stores. The end of July, Florida has a tax free week on clothing purchases for items under $50. Its pretty cool to buy something and not pay tax!

We have also visited the Disney resorts for dinner - and have used the child care at the Neverland Club for an adult dinner - while we have stayed offsite. We have done this on trips that we haven't stepped foot in a Disney Park.

 

[kimmar067]

Check out the activity guide for the Orlando area. We were fortunate to attend the Winter Park Arts Festival last March. It was wonderful - and I LOVED Winter Park. Very nice downtown with a mix of local shops and upscale retailers.

I would also like to make it to Mount Dora sometime. Do a google search. I hear it's a very nice city with lots of cool shops.

We have done the Space Center and it was really cool. I'd like to go back to there again.

We have spent a lot of time offsite just hanging out at our resort. We like a resort that has activities for everyone. Makes it fun to participate and meet people.

The Premium Outlet Malls is a must do. Love those stores. The end of July, Florida has a tax free week on clothing purchases for items under $50. Its pretty cool to buy something and not pay tax!

We have also visited the Disney resorts for dinner - and have used the child care at the Neverland Club for an adult dinner - while we have stayed offsite. We have done this on trips that we haven't stepped foot in a Disney Park.

...is Winter Park a little bit north [mebbe northwest] of Orlando??? I think THAT'S where my B-i-L and his family is stayng....

 

[kimmar067]

Seriously, guys, my DB-in-L leaves TOMORROW, so help me out..... !

 

[java]

We have not done this yet but it is on our list as soon as everybody is old enough- other on the DIS have done it and loved it!
http://www.skyventureorlando.com/

 

[kimmar067]

Thanks ....can anybody recommend a specific place where they have gone bass fishing???

 

[spiceycat]

start another post - but only bass fishing as your title.

there were about 5 regulars who posted - but I just can't remember which one they say was great.

they all agreed - but I just can't remember it.

It was not WDW.

 

[rejobako]

Some suggestions from me would be:

1) Medieval Times. Typically mediocre "dinner show" food but the performance itself is a lot of fun -- they do a lot by encouraging audience participation in "cheering for your knight" etc.. Excellent horsemanship, pyrotechnics, and light show, and the falcon that flies from corner to corner of the arena is amazing. Don't go if anyone in your party is prone to asthma, however. It's an indoor arena and the horses kick up a lot of dust. It gets pretty wheezy in there sometimes.

2) Green Valley Petting Farm. Great if you have kids and if it's not too hot outside. It's a very well done petting farm/zoo with a lot of fun animals, a train ride, a hayride, cow-milking, etc. Perfect for a low-key attraction when you need a break from the glitz of the parks.

3) Wikiwa Springs State Park. For those who want to see some of what inland Florida was like before the Disney exodus, check out this park in Apopka (just north of Orlando), which features a swimming in a large natural springs upwelling, canoeing in the Wekiwa river, and a lot of great nature trails.

4) For golfers, take a group lesson at the first-class Faldo training facility at the Marriott Grande Vista. The rates are reasonable if you participate as part of a group, and if you take a full-swing lesson they'll videotape your swing and critique it, and then you get to keep the tape. It can be embarrassing, though, because one of the features on the tape is a split screen with you swinging in slow motion on one side, and Nick Faldo on the other. In my case, it wasn't pretty. (But it was instructive.) Your lesson includes a free half-day of golf on the training course that surrounds the resort -- just nine holes, but interesting and well-maintained.

5) This is way off the beaten path, but my children found it fascinating. If you're going to be travelling to Tampa for any reason during your visit, and if you have kids, I think they might enjoy a detour about 25 miles south of I-4 to Lake Wales. There's a place there called "Spook Hill", which looks like an ordinary small-town side road set on a hill. There's no "attraction" feel to it at all -- to my knowledge the only thing that announces you've found the place is a small sign on the side of the road. Anyway, if you park your car at what looks like the bottom of the incline and take it out of gear, your car will start rolling uphill. It's just a topographical anomaly, but it is disorienting. (The giveaway is a drainage culvert that is set at what looks like the top of the hill. On rainy days the water will run "uphill" along with the cars.) OK, it's just a minor thrill, and there's precious little else to do in Lake Wales or anywhere else in the area unless you're into camping or bass fishing, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend going way out of your way for this one. My wife grumbled during the detour, and was less than impressed with the "spookiness" effect. My kids, however, loved it.

 

[kimmar067]

rejobako ~

Thanks for the suggestions....BTW, LOVE yer siggie pic!

 

[packetminnie]

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse up near Daytona.

 

[lindakmonty]

OK I have to admit... my ex and I went bass fishing on our trip. We got married at Disney and my dad couldn't believe we were going FISHING on our honeymoon...it would have been perfectly fine if we went golfing...but FISHING??? Anyway... he had actually just grabbed a brochure for it at the hotel and called. It was a good time. There are several great places for bass fishing around WDW... Medevil times was pretty cool... maybe Dixie Stampede?

 

[kimmar067]

Wow! There are some REALLY GREAT suggestions here....why don't we keep this going so ANYBODY can use these ideas....??

 

[jme829]

Occasionally we fly into Tampa instead of Orlando (we use free tix from NWA and sometimes the times are better from Tampa),,,,anyways when we do that we will make sure we get a later flight so that we can hit the Tampa Zoo. If you have a zoo pass from your local zoo (as we do), you get in free . They have a really nice zoo.. We have done the one in Central Florida but personally thought it was kinda dumpy. The Tampa zoo has a little water playground..great on a hot steamy day!!

Its about an hour and half drive to Tampa so could be a nice off site day trip...Busch Gardens is there also and I think MOSI (science center) but we have never been to those.

I also know there are places in the area (Crystal Springs I think is the name of the place I am thinking ?? about 30 miles or so? ) to go see the manatees in their natural environment and at some you can even swim with them . My sister had looked into this and it was cheap!! like $30-40 a person!!

We have also checked out the beaches along the gulf in Clearwater...If you've never seen the ocean, its a nice trip..(My kids have fun doing just about anything... )

OOps...I think its Crystal River...do a search for florida manatee swims, there will be a bunch of places that come up..

 

[ttfn3]

rejobako LOL at the MGV Faldo lesson. My DH did that activity on one trip when we stayed at the Grand Vista. He had a ball. He was the only person working with the pro. My DH doesn't really golf - just goes to the driving range with DS. He actually learned some pointers - and we have a video tape of his "performance" along side Faldo. It was a hoot - and not very expensive. Well worth according to DH.

kimmar Sorry I didn't see your message earlier. Winter Park is a suburb North of Downtown Orlando. I would say it's an upscale area - and a bit artsy. The arts festival in March is fabulous! The shops are a real mix. DS enjoyed watching a guy roll cigars the old fashioned way at the cigar shop.

If you fly into Tampa and drive to Orlando - a stop at the Branch Ranch to eat lunch is worth a stop. http://www.branchranchdiningroom.com/ The food is yummy and it's a real taste of Florida. While you are in Plant City, you can also stop at Dinosaur World. http://www.dinoworld.net/ When my son was young, he enjoyed a pit stop at this place.

 

[kimmar067]

....[kimmar Sorry I didn't see your message earlier. Winter Park is a suburb North of Downtown Orlando. I would say it's an upscale area - and a bit artsy. The arts festival in March is fabulous! The shops are a real mix. DS enjoyed watching a guy roll cigars the old fashioned way at the cigar shop...

...I stand corrected. Actually, they stayed in Davenport....

However, I don't see any reason WHY we can't continue to post some great tips and ideas here on this thread.....THANKS!!

 

[KelnRon]

We just HAVE to eat at Rainforest Cafe and Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville!

 

[kimmar067]

We just HAVE to eat at Rainforest Cafe and Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville!

...How IS Margaritaville's??? My DSis-i-L bought magarita mix and stuff the last time we visited WDW together, but we never actually ate there....