Honeymoon couple with empty pockets..Ideas?

[mckelvey72]

if you know some of the family and friends I would suggest talking to them and trying to collect some "honeymoon" money. If 10 people give 10.00 then you would have 100.00 very quickly. And if this couple has given to much to their community I bet you could easily get some money for them.

Now I get the "no money" portion of this post but just wanted to suggest this in case you can gather some money or she gets more at her wedding then she anticipates........Discovery Cove (NO dolphin swim) would be about 440.00 for the 2 of them. It in includes your breakfast and lunch and all your snacks plus you get unlimited access to SeaWorld and Acquatica for 14 days. Discovery cove would be an amazing way to spend a day in my opinion.

 

[EMode]

I agree. If they cannot do Orlando correctly they should just go to a local Motel 6 and consider themselves lucky.

So what is correctly, spending thousands of dollars hitting all the theme parks?
I'd be happy lounging around a pool in Orlando on my honeymoon. Its a honeymoon after all, I think the correct way is to spend most of it in bed

OP, are they willing to drive. What about a gulf coast beach, there was one we want to go to at some point where you can find shark teeth all over. I can't remember the name of it.
How about Blue Spring State Park?

 

[skylizard]

I agree. If they cannot do Orlando correctly they should just go to a local Motel 6 and consider themselves lucky.

Seriously?
As someone who lived in Orlando for a few years, I can honestly say that there is so much more to do than just the parks.

 

[Planogirl]

Seriously?
As someone who lived in Orlando for a few years, I can honestly say that there is so much more to do than just the parks.

I agree. We've done a lot in the area and have only scratched the surface. Check out any Orlando website and it's mind-boggling how many free or inexpensive things you can do.

 

[CandleontheWater]

y'all are cracking me up, there is SO much more to central Florida than just Disney. Here are some non-Disney things for them to consider

Florida is a BEAUTIFUL state, and there are some gorgeous parks really close to Orlando. If they are going to be in Orlando in the winter they should check out Blue Springs state park and see the manatees in their natural environment http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/

Rainbow Springs isn't far from Orlando and they have awesome tubing, which is so much fun! http://www.floridastateparks.org/rainbowsprings/default.cfm

Deleon Springs is also a great state park (and one of the rumored locations of the fountain of youth). It has swimming, canoeing, and one of my favorite restaurants on earth, the Old Spanish Sugar Mill. All of the tables have griddles and you cook your own pancakes. Its not fancy or expensive, but it is SO much fun! http://www.planetdeland.com/sugarmill/index.htm http://www.floridastateparks.org/deleonsprings/

Daytona beach- its fun, its kitchy, and its close. They could drive over for the day, take in some beach time, walk along the boardwalk, ride the ferris wheel, visit the speedway, tour the lighthouse, there is so much to do!

Kennedy Space Center is really fun, even for those who aren't big space fans. The history is so interesting!

St Augustine is about an hour and a half from Orlando and well worth the drive! The Castillo is amazing and St. Augustine is such a fun city to walk around and explore. It has an almost European feel to it. The ghost tours are really fun and not very expensive, and there are great restaurants. If they are looking for something delicious but not fancy or expensive, they should try out Osteens (my other favorite restaurant on earth!). They have the greatest fried shrimp in the world, nowhere even comes close. I still taste it in my dreams, its that good! http://www.osteensrestaurant.com/

The Bok Tower gardens are right outside of Orlando and are beautiful and romantic, the "singing tower" is amazing, its a really unique and special place, perfect for honeymooners http://boktowergardens.org/

The Central Florida zoo is fun, its a smaller zoo, but it has some nice animal exhibits. http://www.centralfloridazoo.org/

If they are looking for something fun and a little cheesy, they should check out Medieval Times. Its a little over the top, but its memorable. http://www.medievaltimes.com/

I'll keep thinking and I'll let you know if I come up with anything else, but there is so much to do in Central Florida, they don't have to feel like they are missing out on anything by skipping the parks. Heck, the vacation I just outlined sounds pretty awesome to me!

 

[Burnedout]

Doesn't sea world have a buy one get one 1/2 price sale right now? That would be fun.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Tampa is a short drive and they could have a great day. First - beach. After that here are some free - low cost places.

Favorite Breakfast: http://www.firstwatch.com/menu.htm

http://www.tampaelectric.com/company/mvc/

http://www.pinellascounty.org/Heritage/exhibits_collections.htm

http://www.lowryparkzoo.com/calendar_events.php

http://www.flbg.org/

http://www.tampagov.net/appl_tampa_announcements/ViewRelease.asp?ReleaseID=9227

http://www.yuengling.com/breweries/tampa/ (free samples - I recommend the black and tan)

http://events.tbo.com/tampa_fl/events/tampa+bay+free+events (this is date based so they can check which day would be best for their day trip)

http://www.eddieandsamspizza.com/ - cheap pizza


For the nighttime: http://www.ybor.org/


Their day will be filled with fun, sun, beer, and a great nightlife for not much money. Maybe a gas card would be nice so they don't feel bad driving around and paying for the tolls. Other than that this can be a great day or even two, very inexpensive.

 

[thedonduck]

I agree. If they cannot do Orlando correctly they should just go to a local Motel 6 and consider themselves lucky.

Didn't realize there was a correct way to do a vacation in Orlando. We are locals as in live in Orlando locals and I promise you we don't spend every waking free moment at the parks. There are a ton of festivals, little cities to explore, the beaches, etc that we enjoy. Before we moved here we loved to use our DVC points to stay at Saratoga and enjoy fun evenings at DTD because we didn't have the money to go to the parks.

Op... Have them Google Orlando weekly. Sometimes you can find some fun free events to go to!

 

[Burnedout]

I suspect that poster was being facetious.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Forgot: also in Tampa there is a casino. If they have not been, you get something like $20.00 each in freeplay when you sign up for a card. This can easily be used for a few hours on penny machines. Plus free drinks when you are playing.

 

[kmb584]

I agree. If they cannot do Orlando correctly they should just go to a local Motel 6 and consider themselves lucky.

Seriously? There is no "correct" way to do Orlando, anyway.

OP, there's a great list of free activities in the Orlando area here. I haven't read through all of the responses here but DTD and a resort tour are good options to consider. I-Drive has a ton of touristy things to see and do. SeaWorld usually runs good discounts on their tickets.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Hey, OP, from your latest post it sounds like they are not like huge 'park people'.

So, going to Orlando without doing some if the big parks and activities might not be like going to the most fabulous steakhouse, without being able to order that steak!

For me, at that time in my life, a few days at a nice condo-resort would be a real treat.

Perhaps you could manage to do something to get them a nice resort-credit. I don't remember if you mentioned which place they are staying... but if it is at all possible, a resort credit might be just wonderful.

 

[DisDance]

Celebration is fun to walk around lots of little shops and resturants

 

[aprilgail2]

.Discovery Cove (NO dolphin swim) would be about 440.00 for the 2 of them. It in includes your breakfast and lunch and all your snacks plus you get unlimited access to SeaWorld and Acquatica for 14 days. Discovery cove would be an amazing way to spend a day in my opinion.

Not even 440- they can get it weekdays in May many days for 179.00 so 380.00 with tax gets them a full day at discovery cove plus the 14 days at Sea world and aquatic- that is a major deal!

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

there are plenty of things to do!

Downtown Disney has a lot to do, splitsville luxury lanes has cool bowling there.
It's also just a fun place to look around. The tethered hot air balloon ride there is only around $15/pp I think and it is very cool. Also I believe there is a movie theater.

Disney's Boardwalk can be fun to walk around.

Universal Citywalk is also very fun to go walk around.

Gatorland if they are into that (scares me!)

There is also Old Town in Kissimmee, which is a cute place to kill time.

Aside from that, you can spend a lot of time just relaxing at the resort pool!

 

[Shutterbug]

Haha, I know...a bit old fashioned but lordy, those were the days indeed!

yes, it sounds like this is going to be a keep to themselves type honeymoon
Though I guess you would need a break at some point lol

Suggest a few free low key things to do. Then let them go an explore on their own. There have been times when I was with a gf and we found a place on our own and it made it that more enjoyable because we "discovered" it as opposed to going off a list. If that makes sense.

 

[Hisgirl]

These are all such awesome ideas! They're getting married in two weeks so I'll get all these ideas in a document and print it off. I also like the ideas of asking friends who know them if they'd like to contribute to a honeymoon help gift. I sent out an email and am hoping something comes from that.

They are both mid twenties and I would imagine they would love doing most all the things listed here. Hopefully we can pull something together. DH and I are going down on Monday and we could get them some travel brochures and hopefully a gift card.

 

[NewRVLady]

Why would the spend $350 to stay in Orlando if they aren't doing any of the parks? that isn't that cheap for 2 people. Why wouldn't they take that $350 and stay somewhere that you don't need an amusement park as the reason you go to that locale? And they have to eat for a week.

.

I agree-go to the Smokies for a few days

Orlando isn't a place I would go to and not be able to do any attractions...its not exactly a place to do other things

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

There's plenty to do in Orlando for a week that isn't expensive. I'm around the same age as the honeymooners and I'm always looking out for inexpensive things to do... here are some of my favorites:

I love the natural springs... Rock Springs at Kelly Park is my favorite. It's something like $5 to park, and then inner tube rentals are $2-3 each (and you don't need a tube). But it's a natural lazy river and it's beautiful!! There's also DeLeon Springs up near DeLand. It's probably around the same price to get in, and then they can swim and then eat at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill.. you get to make your own pancakes at a griddle at your table and it's only $5 a person!

Winter Park is a small town right outside of downtown Orlando. It's really lovely just to walk around, tons of little shops and cafes. I don't think I've ever bought something but I enjoy walking around the boutiques. They could get an ice cream and sit in the park. There's also the Morse Museum of Art that has the largest collection of Tiffany artwork in the world. It's only $5/person. There are also some other art museums around town that are about the same price.

On Sundays there's the Lake Eola Farmer's Market in downtown Orlando. I haven't been yet but I've heard it's great. My favorite little market is called the Audubon Park Community Market.. it's pretty close to Winter Park but it's only on Mondays.

I love exploring the Disney resorts. There's always something to see or hear- the live band at the GF, the geyser at WL, the animals at AKL.. Ft. Wilderness has the free movies at night and for $10 they could split the smores package (or bring their own!). They can watch the fireworks from one of the resorts around the lagoon where they pipe the music in.

Fun Spot is actually free admission and parking... so they could walk around and then spend a few bucks to ride something or other.

 

[PelletierBears]

y'all are cracking me up, there is SO much more to central Florida than just Disney. Here are some non-Disney things for them to consider

Florida is a BEAUTIFUL state, and there are some gorgeous parks really close to Orlando. If they are going to be in Orlando in the winter they should check out Blue Springs state park and see the manatees in their natural environment http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/

Rainbow Springs isn't far from Orlando and they have awesome tubing, which is so much fun! http://www.floridastateparks.org/rainbowsprings/default.cfm

Deleon Springs is also a great state park (and one of the rumored locations of the fountain of youth). It has swimming, canoeing, and one of my favorite restaurants on earth, the Old Spanish Sugar Mill. All of the tables have griddles and you cook your own pancakes. Its not fancy or expensive, but it is SO much fun! http://www.planetdeland.com/sugarmill/index.htm http://www.floridastateparks.org/deleonsprings/

Daytona beach- its fun, its kitchy, and its close. They could drive over for the day, take in some beach time, walk along the boardwalk, ride the ferris wheel, visit the speedway, tour the lighthouse, there is so much to do!

Kennedy Space Center is really fun, even for those who aren't big space fans. The history is so interesting!

St Augustine is about an hour and a half from Orlando and well worth the drive! The Castillo is amazing and St. Augustine is such a fun city to walk around and explore. It has an almost European feel to it. The ghost tours are really fun and not very expensive, and there are great restaurants. If they are looking for something delicious but not fancy or expensive, they should try out Osteens (my other favorite restaurant on earth!). They have the greatest fried shrimp in the world, nowhere even comes close. I still taste it in my dreams, its that good! http://www.osteensrestaurant.com/

The Bok Tower gardens are right outside of Orlando and are beautiful and romantic, the "singing tower" is amazing, its a really unique and special place, perfect for honeymooners http://boktowergardens.org/

The Central Florida zoo is fun, its a smaller zoo, but it has some nice animal exhibits. http://www.centralfloridazoo.org/

If they are looking for something fun and a little cheesy, they should check out Medieval Times. Its a little over the top, but its memorable. http://www.medievaltimes.com/

I'll keep thinking and I'll let you know if I come up with anything else, but there is so much to do in Central Florida, they don't have to feel like they are missing out on anything by skipping the parks. Heck, the vacation I just outlined sounds pretty awesome to me!

I second several of these ideas. My in-laws live outside of Daytona Beach and there are lot of things to do there that won't cost a lot.


Blessings to them both as they start their lives together.