ideas for non park places to go with my MIL

[mackay_j]

Hi we are going soon on a family hoilday (14 of us paid for by my MIL for various family milestone b.days). She is only planning 3 days in the parks- others will have between 0- 12 days (9 and more being the 17-21 year olds only). I am looking for non park things to do with her so that she also gets the most out of this holiday. (she is a fairly active in her mid 70's). We have cars to get about


So far we have a few meals booked - Kona and cocktails on the beach watching wishes for 1st full day to kick holiday off and Raglan rd for last night. Also San Angelos inn for time out in Epcot and Mama Melrose for the fantasia package


Any Ideas for places to go see/do with her.

 

[chmurf]

Well ... how about a visit to the Tupperware world headquarters ? they have a self guided tour museum ...

 

[DisneyWitch]

My two cents:

If you're staying on Disney property, I would suggest a nice leisurely trip around the Boardwalk, complete with lunch and/or dinner. Can be done solo as well as with others.

Also, don't forget how much activity is at Downtown Disney - to include free street shows and such. Not to mention the unique shopping! There's no rush, and it's been definitely less crowded than any of the parks in my experience. There are a lot of things to do, and it can be done in a relaxed way.

If she's a little more whimsical, an afternoon at one of the miniature golf courses (Fantasia or Winter Summerland) is a nice way to spend time in a leisurely fashion. That is our first day tradition and really puts you in the Disney mood. If you're getting the Magic Your Way package, I believe you get two rounds free!

You can always go resort hopping - just to visit and see what all the resorts look like! I enjoy doing that on non-park days. If your budget can handle it, there are spas in most of the moderate and all of the deluxe resorts. I believe that the Magic Your Way package includes a discount coupon for spa treatments (exception: mani & pedi care). It is very nice to pamper oneself on vacation, y'know?

Heck, if you're wanting something REALLY relaxing, and free, the boat ride from Downtown Disney to Port Orleans is lovely, as is the boat ride from Epcot to the Boardwalk. I could just enjoy that for hours. It's a nice break from the heat, and the cast members are really nice. Beware that the boats can get crowded at certain times of the day.

Hope that gives you a few other options to consider.

 

[Aliceacc]

Would you consider a day trip to Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center? It's about an hour's drive, pretty much due East, and it's an amazing place!!

Also, FL has some pretty amazing beaches!

 

[pampat]

Winter Park is our favourite off site place. It is a small town, lots of beautiful independent shops, the railroad runs through the middle of the town and you can take guided pontoon boat rides which take you round the chain of lakes, past millionaire homes, Rollins College, canals under roads. It is a really lovely hour or so trip, just sitting and enjoying the scenery and houses. The town is full of great places to eat and drink and shop. A half day there is a complete getaway from the theme parks and madness.

Pam

 

[mackay_j]

Winter Park is our favourite off site place. It is a small town, lots of beautiful independent shops, the railroad runs through the middle of the town and you can take guided pontoon boat rides which take you round the chain of lakes, past millionaire homes, Rollins College, canals under roads. It is a really lovely hour or so trip, just sitting and enjoying the scenery and houses. The town is full of great places to eat and drink and shop. A half day there is a complete getaway from the theme parks and madness.

Pam

That sounds like just the sort of thing I am after - I need to get her away from crowds as she id not a fan of busy places.

 

[mackay_j]

Would you consider a day trip to Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center? It's about an hour's drive, pretty much due East, and it's an amazing place!!

Also, FL has some pretty amazing beaches!

Thanks for the reply
She doesn't fancy Cape Canaveral - but I think some of the others in group may go there one of the days- as we have never been even though we gone to florida about 8 times so glad you found it amazing.

The beaches may be on our list but not sure as 5 of the party are from the Cayman Islands and my MIL goes there quite a lot anyway.

 

[mackay_j]

My two cents:

If you're staying on Disney property, I would suggest a nice leisurely trip around the Boardwalk, complete with lunch and/or dinner. Can be done solo as well as with others.

Also, don't forget how much activity is at Downtown Disney - to include free street shows and such. Not to mention the unique shopping! There's no rush, and it's been definitely less crowded than any of the parks in my experience. There are a lot of things to do, and it can be done in a relaxed way.

If she's a little more whimsical, an afternoon at one of the miniature golf courses (Fantasia or Winter Summerland) is a nice way to spend time in a leisurely fashion. That is our first day tradition and really puts you in the Disney mood. If you're getting the Magic Your Way package, I believe you get two rounds free!

You can always go resort hopping - just to visit and see what all the resorts look like! I enjoy doing that on non-park days. If your budget can handle it, there are spas in most of the moderate and all of the deluxe resorts. I believe that the Magic Your Way package includes a discount coupon for spa treatments (exception: mani & pedi care). It is very nice to pamper oneself on vacation, y'know?

Heck, if you're wanting something REALLY relaxing, and free, the boat ride from Downtown Disney to Port Orleans is lovely, as is the boat ride from Epcot to the Boardwalk. I could just enjoy that for hours. It's a nice break from the heat, and the cast members are really nice. Beware that the boats can get crowded at certain times of the day.

Hope that gives you a few other options to consider.

We are in a villa this time but might take time out from one of the parks if she gets board to go on the boats to the board walk.

We have stayed in POR and in OKW in the past and loved the boat rides - so relaxing and a world away from chaos of the parks.


We have a meal planed in down town one evening - so I might use the idea of the boat to POR and back that night - thanks hadn't thought of adding that on.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Celebration would be nice to have a leisurely lunch, stroll round the lakes and then have an ice cream from Kilwins.

We enjoy the state parks, or there are a few gardens to visit such as Bok Tower gardens.

What does your MIL enjoy?

 

[disneyholic family]

yes, my mom and sister (80's and 60's) both enjoyed celebration, especially eating at Celebration Town Tavern - they enjoyed it so much, we went back a few evenings later...

 

[disneyholic family]

also, how about the malls?
especially the fancy mall - mall of millenia?

 

[SerpentQueenClaire]

I would second Winter Park-it's beautiful and so un-Orlando like. My parents (in their 60s) love it there. The boat trip is worth doing.

I will pick their brains and come back to you as my parents often go places other than the parks.

 

[clareyfairymouse]

I'd suggest Celebration as it's a really lovely place to walk around.
Pick your celebration house, have an ice cream or a coffee and chill out.

Also I'd suggest doing a resort tour to see some of the fab Disney resorts. Wilderness Lodge is beautiful and you could go and see the animals at dusk at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

 

[Hara40]

Not sure if it's something your MIL is into but how about a nice spa day???

Gaylord Palms is also worth an afternoons visit

 

[Elise79]

My suggestions would be Celebration and beaches.

Just a word of warning regarding your Poly plan - I did read a few weeks ago that they were restricting the access to the Poly beach to resort guests only because of the construction

 

[edinburghlass]

Another vote for an ice cream and wander the shops in Celebration.

Also the boat to Fort Wilderness, see the horses and sit on the beach there, so quiet and peaceful. We also had a lovely lunch at the CS at the Grand Floridian this year, again far removed from the frenzy of the parks.

 

[mackay_j]

My suggestions would be Celebration and beaches.

Just a word of warning regarding your Poly plan - I did read a few weeks ago that they were restricting the access to the Poly beach to resort guests only because of the construction

nooooo

 

[disneyholic family]

Another vote for an ice cream and wander the shops in Celebration.

Also the boat to Fort Wilderness, see the horses and sit on the beach there, so quiet and peaceful. We also had a lovely lunch at the CS at the Grand Floridian this year, again far removed from the frenzy of the parks.

or any of the boats to any of the places...
i love the boat to Wilderness Lodge from MK....very relaxing....and WL itself is worth a look around...

 

[MantaRay]

If you are there in colder months, visit the Manatees in Blue Springs State Park about an hour north of WDW. Manatees are also at Homosassa Springs year round on the golf coast of Florida.

 

[juliebro]

Bok Tower and gardens and the neighbouring Pinewood Estate are a peaceful and relaxing change from the parks. As others say, Celebration is nice to wander around and although we haven't been for a number of years, we did enjoy Winter Park and the boat trip too.


Mount Dora is also interesting to visit and Lakeridge Winery where you can have a tour and wine tastings.