I need new ideas please

[FRANTIC FROG]

OK, I have just checked my calender and I have 13 weeks to go until it's my turn.
Reading these boards have made me realise that I haven't even touched the tip of the iceburg even though this is my 5th visit to Florida.
I have 5 day hopper pluses, 5 days for 2 days US/IOA,
2 days for Seaworld.
I intend to go to Boggy Creek airboat rides and hopefully, we get to take the boys to KSC ( space-crazy kids).
The thing is that we are taking a whole load of newbies with us and we really want to help make it their " holiday of a lifetime".
You know what I mean, just the little touches can make all the difference to bringing home great memories.
Has anyone some suggestions for relaxing times?
I have never visited Boardwalk and thought it sounded a lovely place to stroll around in the evenings, it's things like this I'm after and maybe some tips on cheap and cheerful things to do.
We have a wide age range to cater for.
ages 46, 44,43, 36, 26, 22,23,21,17,13,8,6 and 15 months
( 4 of them are doing Discovery Cove as well)
We are staying at Emerald Island Resort.
Come on everyone, help me out here I have a big burden on my little shoulders!!!!
Lin xxxxxxxx

 

[floridalol]

We always have a morning at Winter Park now. It's an upmarket suburb of Orlando with some exclusive individual shops. They run a boat trip round the lakes which is very relaxing and you get to see some multi-million dollar houses etc. Recommend lunch at 310 Park Avenue a lovely restaurant. You can stroll through the parks and there are museums and art galleries as well.

Best wishes

FloridaLol

 

[Mike Jones]

.. try a visit to Celebration (town built by Disney in early 90s).. 'traditional'(?) American architecture (board-built houses), upmarket shops (small selection) nice Cafe's and restaurants (Market Street cafe and Antonio's Italian both very good).. all set around a lovely lake with level paths and walks. Oak rocking chairs on the 'promenade'.. the Celebration Hotel is aesthetically very pleasing. There is also a (2 screen, I think) cinema. We love Celebration, although we understand why some correspondents think it's a bit 'spooky'!! Easy to find, off the 192 near Disney main entrances.

Boardwalk is certainly worth the effort, although I must admit we were slightly underwhelmed... I think we'd expected an alternative Downtown Disney, but it's not that big or well supplied with shops etc, but it's great to wander at night or escape from Epcot for an hour or two via the 'back door' near France/Canada.

Try not to take the newbies to MK as their first park, as the others can seem a bit tame by contrast.

Definitely do a character breakfast.

 

[Peebee]

The Boardwalk is definitely worth a visit, but you can get very different experiences from it depending on the time of the week / year, and how busy the place is.

Friday and Saturday nights tend to have things going on for longer to handle the weekend crowds, whereas for the rest of the week the place pretty much shuts down around 10-10.30pm.

My favourite is to have a meal at Big River Grille and sit outside on the Boardwalk (weather permitting). There is usually something to see, even it's just the boats and people going about their business. We did this last week and could hear the British Invasion (Beatles tribute band from Epcot) playing at someone's private party at the Beach Club)

Paul

 

[dmd]

On your Kennedy day, aim to get there early, 9.30ish (also check their web site to see if any "launches" are planned and arrange accordingly). It took approx half a day to see (only 2 of us) but it may of changed. You can then spend the rest of the day at the beach, also go to Ron Jon's - a trendy surf shop.

Only 4 of you are going to Discovery Cove? Although it is very expensive, it is worth every penny, even if you do not want to do the dolphin swim. It is a very relaxed and tranquil day especially after the hustle and bustle of parks. (we have just returned and due to my constant nagging we did the Cove - much to DH moaning about the cost and saying it was a waste of money. When we got back to the villa Mike informed me this was the best day he had in Orlando for a long time (our 7th visit) and "maybe we should see if there was space to go again, but this time not do the swim" unfortunately our itinery did not allow, but this will be the first thing we book next year. Get people to re-think - but this is only my opinion!!

Silver Springs has always been recommended to me as being a more relaxed day out, with nature being more its theme. We have not visited this park due to our schedules so can not make a personal recommendation.

Being in a group that is as large as yours,the best suggestion I can make is do an honest itinery of what people want to do. People who have not been before will probably say "you've been there what do you think? this will put unfair pressure you. You don't want people saying well you said we should do this....

Failing all of the above, take time to relax and enjoy the house at Emerald Island, (its free or has been pre-paid and will probably outshine all of your houses at home and make you envious) BBQ / Pool days - People make happy memories, just as much - if not more than places.

Have a great time
Debbie

 

[FRANTIC FROG]

Thanks everyone for all the great advice.
Boardwalk is for certain as is Celebration ( spent a lot of time at the hospital last year!!).
Winter Gardens sounds really nice, away from the hustle & bustle of the parks.
I'll be sure to get to KSC early. We intend to drop off at DC for 8.00am and then shoot off for the day there and maybe go to the beach if we can drag my 8 yr old away from the space memorabilia.
We would really love to do DC ourselves but my nearly 7 yr old is quite developmentally delayed due to neglect as a baby ( He's adopted) and so is really like a 3 yr old and I think we need to wait a little longer until he is able to get more confidence in the water and then he will really love it. He gets very excited and loud!!. He loves Seaworld and he's the only person I know that got bit by a dolphin!!!

We will be taking both boys to DC Christmas 04. Thanks again and keep 'em coming
Lin xxxxxxxxxx

 

[susie2]

hi we have been told to try fort wilderness, they have lots of different thing there, petting animals and pony rides, and a hayride, havent done any off this but other people have said its nice to visit, we are also going christmas 04 what dates are you going?

 

[FRANTIC FROG]

Hi Susie
I have onlt ever eaten at Fort Wilderness and thought it was lovely. This is a great idea for the kids.
We will be there for 10 days -27th Dec until 6th January
( couldn't afford to go a few days earlier!!)
Lin xxxxxx

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

For a long list of "off the beaten track" things to do, buy Simon's book (see here) - more ideas than you can shake a stick at!

Regards

Rob

 

[Beejayjay]

Kissimmee's Old Town on the US192 is a good place to spend an afternoon/evening - lots of interesting shops, some good places to eat, and quite often some kind of event going on.

For example, it's either the first or last weekend of every month that they have a custom car cruise there - you see some absolutely gorgeous cars, either untouched but mint classic American cars from the 50's, 60's and 70's, or wildly customised beasts of all sorts.

For the brave/foolhardy, there is also the Skyride, one of those plunge then swing things for people who like to be scared. I think there are a few other rides, such as a carousel, that might interest the younger party members too.

I also enjoyed my 2 visits to Ripley's Believe It Or Not on I-Drive. Lots of interesting/bizarre facts and artefacts, mixed in with some truly stupid/unbelievable, yet still fun, stuff. Watch out for the tongue curling practice mirror as you go in - you'll understand why as you leave...

If you like a fright, then the adults might wanna try Terror on Church St (if it's still there) - A true brown undies experience ! If I hadnt been with two male friends when I did it, I'd have gone out the chicken escape door for sure - or thru it or under it......

The Church St Mall (?) itself is worth a look, though it's not to everyone's taste.

If I think of anything else that might suit, I'll post again...

 

[mike230652]

Lin

Try


Winter Park....... lovely area. Nice museums ( for kids too ), take a boat trip around the lake and see some fabulously expensive homes.Great commentary from your local "captain"....perhaps the only person in Florida who doesn't expect a tip from you ! Marvel at the highest density of Mercs & BMWs' you'll ever see in your life....Winter Park is VERY desirable.

Altamonte Mall..........Much more American than tourist based, great shops and eateries. Loads more laid back/relaxed than the usual malls ( and we love ALL malls ! )

mike 230652

 

[susie2]

hi lin, we will be there 16 dec till 3 jan, we are also trying new things this time, have managed to talk them into parasailing never done that before, and illuminations and the hayride also, lets hope the weather is good for us susie