Ideas out of theme parks - please help with your opinion

[bel2009]

We always go to Orlando and repeat the same places. This time I would like to try something different from just going to theme parks. We are a couple with no kids. Do you have suggestions?

For example: Have you ever had a flight in a hot ballon over Orlando? Do you recommend any company?

I also would like to have your opinion about dinner shows out of Disney properties (Capones, Pirate´s, Medieval Times, etc). Which one is better in your opinion?

Which are the best things to do out of the parks?

Thanks

 

[dougsmom98]

Since no one has responded to your questions, I will give you some advice based on what I have read on this forum over the years. I have heard good things about Wonderworks itself and the Outta Control Magic Show they have at night. I have heard the food is so-so at most of the dinner shows, but the horses are really cool at Arabian Knights. Just about everyone has give two thumbs up to Gatorland for a nice excursion outside the parks. It's still technically a theme park, but if you haven't been to Sea World, you have to go. The shows are AMAZING.
If you do something different, please come back and let us know how it went so we can let other people know in the future.

 

[gqchicago]

I like the CityWalk at Universal Orlando, there are great restaurants, shops, nightlife / clubs, and a huge movie theater. Last trip down we ate dinner at Cafe Tu Tu Tango near Universal, a fun place to eat. We also did Gatorland on our last trip, a smaller and older theme park, a little on the hokey side but everyone had a good time and the kids really enjoyed seeing the various critters and got to hold a snake and a lizard, not sure how adults would enjoy it though. Other possibilities include fishing, sailing, biking, golf, a guided fishing tour on the coast. One of the coolest things we've done in Orlando is actually go out and visit KSC - Kennedy Space Center. My wife thought I was crazy and laughed at me all the way to KSC, and once we were there said it was one of the coolest things we've ever done in Florida! They take you around the Canaveral space center on buses and you stop in different buildings and see all things related to NASA, including the space station center where they are building parts of it, we saw an Apollo 11 rocket, stood in the original mission control launch center, and there are 2 different IMAX movies, and more. KSC is a full, long day, we didn't allow nearly enough time there to even see all of it (we got there around 1pm, not enough time!).

Disney also has some world class spas if you want to indulge yourself. Cirque du Soleil at Downtown Disney was superb. Want to drive a real live Nascar race car? Then the Richard Petty driving experience is for you at Disney. There are airboat tours and rentals. Hot springs and boat tours and rentals. Rent a harley, go go carting, mini golfing, helicopter tours, places to pick your own fruit / oranges, local winery tours, horseback riding, surfing lessons, snorkeling, water skiing, parasailing, fitness centers, and probably a whole lot more ....

Here's a link to a ton of it.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

In December we took the 1hr boat tour at Winter Park You drive up the I4 past Orlando - take one of the Winter Park exits (get lost & ask a policeman!!!)

We had a lovely lunch there & then went on the boat trip - they were running every hour.

We also went to Celebration (off the 192) - a nice place to stroll around and eat, a few shops to look at too. There is also a 2 screen cinema there.

As others have mentioned SW is very good - and also Busch Gardens - we fed the giraffes there & it was good fun

 

[bel2009]

Thanks for your opinions.
I will really try to do something different this year if the crowds permit..
Yes I´ve been to SW but 11 years ago, so I will consider it again (it will be my husband´s first time there and also B.Gardens).
I was thinking about visiting other cities not so far..maybe it could be a good option too.
Anyway, It´s always great to have your help!

 

[HeatherC]

If you don't mind a drive you could check out St. Augustine which is very quaint and pretty. Or Clearwater Beach on the Gulf Coast. Both places are about 2 hours but in different directions.

I've heard Mt. Dora is a nice little town but have never been...yet. Also...I think it is Winter Garden that is also nice for a day.

Have a great trip!

 

[Detailor]

Thanks for your opinions.
I will really try to do something different this year if the crowds permit..
Yes I´ve been to SW but 11 years ago, so I will consider it again (it will be my husband´s first time there and also B.Gardens).
I was thinking about visiting other cities not so far..maybe it could be a good option too.
Anyway, It´s always great to have your help!

If you're going to Busch Gardens then a side trip into Tampa to visit historic Ybor City might be interesting and definitely a departure from other things you might be doing. The PP mentioned Clearwater and you might find St. Petersburg interesting - a city with some sections that are more like old Florida. Further down the gulf coast is Sarasota - if you go don't miss the Ringling estate with the circus museum, art museum, etc.

If you're interested at all in the natural Florida, think about the Winter Park Scenic Boat tour through the lakes as another poster mentioned. Or, further up I-4 in Orange City, go to Blue Springs State Park - a nice state park with manatees that migrate to the spring during the winter.

The town of Celebration is worth a visit if you're interested in visiting one of the restaurants or small shops. There's also an AMC movie theater and fairly extensive walking paths for residents and guests. We like to walk or drive through some of the neighborhood just to see the houses in this planned community.

On Disney property but not in the parks we like to visit the BoardWalk area for the restaurants there (a nice variety) and just to walk into the resort lobbies to see the Disneyfication of the hotels there.

Cocoa Beach is fairly close - an hour or less - if you want to visit an Atlantic Beach and go to the big Ron Jon's surf shop in town.

And, of course, there's lots of shopping off site, too. The Prime Outlets complex on the northern part of International Drive, the Premium Outlets on Vineland Road a couple of miles from Downtown Disney, The Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores outlet on SR 535 in Orlando going toward Kissimmee, The Mall at Millenia on the Conway Road north of downtown Orlando via I-4 and the Florida Mall on Orange Blossom Trail come to mind.

Have Fun!

Dick Taylor

 

[NotUrsula]

If you like art, the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of Art in Winter Park is worth a visit. It has the largest collection of Tiffany stained glass in the world, among other things.

http://www.morsemuseum.org/home.html

Also, I hear the antiqueing in Mount Dora is good.

 

[rhw]

We have done many things in the area.
1. Hot air balloon ride with Orange Blossom Balloons. Really fun. We helped get the balloon ready and put it away. The ride was an experience. We were right at the top of the evergreen trees and he said to reach out and grab a pinecone. My son did. Landing (the bounce) is the best. A toast and then in the van to be taken to a buffet and get our certificates.
2. Discovery Cove and swimming with the dolphins. Everything inclusive. My favorite picture of all time was taken there.
3. Parasailing at Boggy Creek. Also airboat ride.
4. Gatorland and wrestle an alligator.
5. Billies Swamp Safari...between Orlando and Miami. Swamp buggy ride.
6. Blueman Group at Universal. Went in May 2008. Have tickets again for this June.
7. The Titanic exibit..I think in the Mercantile Center? Went there the night before our 1st cruise.
8. Segway ride. I know there are several in the Orlando area.
Hope these give you some ideas. I can't think of all the other fun things right now. These were the best.

 

[bel2009]

Thanks for all your posts.
I will try some suggestions and post here when return.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Here some fun things we all enjoyed:

Kennedy Space Center w/"Up Close" Tour
Cirque du Soleil
Blue Man Group
City Walk
Sea World

We went to Medieval Times and Pirates Adventure Dinner and the kids liked these but I wouldn't bother if you're not traveling with kids unless you're really desperate for something to do.

I've never been to Discovery Cove but friends who are a family of 5 (ie. very expensive day!) said it was worth every penny.

We did an airboat ride and it was neat but after about 10 mins it was just a loud boat ride. Maybe I'm spoiled as my parents have boats at the Jersey shore but every time we'd try to "sneak up" on a nest of baby crocs, the stupid noise of the engine would scare them away. It's a jet engine and just as loud. After 15 mins. I was bored. jmho.

 

[spiceycat]

do you like oranges?
would you consider picking 'em?
http://www.showcaseofcitrus.com/

down US 27 a few miles.

here are some deals
http://www.orlandoinfo.com/smile/offers/listings.cfm?searchCategory=attractions

 

[natashag76]

In Tampa:
1)Ybor City - lots of history, great nightlife. It used to be a Cuban community with cigar factories. Now it has become the artsy area of town with lots of cafes and lots of clubs. Don't go on Thursday night if you want to avoid all the college kids.
2)Busch Gardens - always fun, but still a theme park.
3)MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry)
4)Yankees Spring Training - depending on the time of year, of course.

In Sarasota:
the Salvador Dali museum; gorgeous beaches, the art college also has a gallery.