Must-do's for a stay off-property?

[Asc341]

Hello all,

DH and I are staying at the Blue Heron for a wedding in Kissimmee. We're Disney veterans, and will go to the parks one day of our stay. The other days we have no plans, other than relaxing by the pool and in our condo. Is there anything in the area that you think is particularly great? We're open to anything - new experiences, restaurants, etc. Also, DH and I love to cook, and have a kitchen in our condo - are there any recommendations of where we should food shop?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Hello all,

DH and I are staying at the Blue Heron for a wedding in Kissimmee. We're Disney veterans, and will go to the parks one day of our stay. The other days we have no plans, other than relaxing by the pool and in our condo. Is there anything in the area that you think is particularly great? We're open to anything - new experiences, restaurants, etc. Also, DH and I love to cook, and have a kitchen in our condo - are there any recommendations of where we should food shop?

Thanks everyone!

What time of year?

 

[spiceycat]

here a list of things to do
http://www.visitorlando.com/things-to-do/

since i hate to shop at home - love to shop in Kissimmee, LBV, even Orlando

there were 2 Publix not far from you.

 

[robinb]

Are you up for driving? I would visit the gulf coast. Clearwater Beach is very nice. You might also look into swimming with the Manatees near Crystal River.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Some of our favourite non-Disney activities:

An airboat ride

Gatorland

SeaWorld

Aquatica

The Outta Control Dinner Show

Showcase of Citrus (monster truck ride through an orange grove)

Jet skiiing (highly recommend Makaio Watersports)

Mini golfing (Congo River is our favourite)

The Beach

Also....the new Orlando Eye, SEA LIFE Aquarium, and Tussauds are opening in May. 3-attraction passes are a very reasonable $35 each. Might be worth a look if your trip falls after that time.

 

[Kae]

Cafe Tu Tu Tango is one of our Favorite places to eat, Also Emerils Thoup Chop. I would like to see the Peabody Ducks.

Kae

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Cafe Tu Tu Tango is one of our Favorite places to eat, Also Emerils Thoup Chop. I would like to see the Peabody Ducks.

Kae

I don't think the Peabody Ducks are marching anymore, sadly:

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/story/23571008/orlando-peabody-ducks-have-their-final-march

 

[Asc341]

What time of year?

Oops! Sorry I didn't include that - we're going in the last week of April.

Thanks to everyone for these ideas - so far so great!

 

[Asc341]

Cafe Tu Tu Tango is one of our Favorite places to eat, Also Emerils Thoup Chop. I would like to see the Peabody Ducks.

Kae

Wow! What great looking restaurants - Emeril's is especially breathtaking!

 

[Kae]

Tchoup Chop is our Favorite Emeril place-It is a hidden gem-kinda hard to find. So Pretty and relaxing. Service is top notch and the Food is awesome.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

For food shopping, we like Publix best. Its a short drive from Blue Heron.

For a unique kind of restaurant, we really enjoyed Dick's Last Resort. Definitely leans toward the adult-ish type humour (and definitely most suited to those who can have a good laugh at themselves, and who can take the "service with sarcasm" in the spirit of fun) but the food was excellent and we found it to be a riot!

 

[Portugal1000]

For food shopping, we like Publix best. Its a short drive from Blue Heron.

For a unique kind of restaurant, we really enjoyed ****'s Last Resort. Definitely leans toward the adult-ish type humour (and definitely most suited to those who can have a good laugh at themselves, and who can take the "service with sarcasm" in the spirit of fun) but the food was excellent and we found it to be a riot!

We love Publix too and only discovered it on our 10th visit. We love the takeaway food, fried chicken is amazing and the sub rolls can feed a whole family. Last year we found canoli's. Omg, we were hooked.
I am always amazed at how empty US supermarkets are. We use to go to the big Target and never once have I had to wait. The ones in the UK are chaotic most of the time, although have to say they have great food. But my most favourite aisle of all is the ice cream one. I just walk up and down for ages trying to decide. Don't have that much choice here.

I am trying to work out what the **** stands for, seriously, no idea.

Back to original question. We always stay offsite now and my favourite restaurants are

Longhornes , never had a bad meal, steaks fantastic and the best I've had.

Cheesecake Factory. Been four times and never been able to bring myself to try something different because the bang bang chicken is so good. Also can combine with shopping at Mall of Millenia. This is the only Mall I would consider giving up vacation time to go to. Very nice. Sons bedroom now looks like a Pottery Barn advert. Just as well they are not in England.

For budget meals love Sweet Tomatoes. Only place I will risk being told off for taking food home. If you taste there chocolate brownies you will understand why. I managed to sneak three into my bag and were meant for breakfast next day. Needless to say they didn't make it out the car.

Also a great budget place if you like milkshakes is Steak and Shake. The have large selection of meals for $4 which is cheaper than MacDonalds and is served on a plate. Just so difficult to decide what shake to have.

We absolutely love Aquatica but favourites park definitely Discovery Cove, again only went for first time on our 10th trip but will be yearly from now on. I am dreaming about the lazy river.

 

[Portugal1000]

Oh and just remembered we went to Whole Foods for first time last year. Food was great, if a little pricey, but you're on holiday!!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We love Publix too and only discovered it on our 10th visit. We love the takeaway food, fried chicken is amazing and the sub rolls can feed a whole family. Last year we found canoli's. Omg, we were hooked.
I am always amazed at how empty US supermarkets are. We use to go to the big Target and never once have I had to wait. The ones in the UK are chaotic most of the time, although have to say they have great food. But my most favourite aisle of all is the ice cream one. I just walk up and down for ages trying to decide. Don't have that much choice here.

I am trying to work out what the **** stands for, seriously, no idea.

Back to original question. We always stay offsite now and my favourite restaurants are

Longhornes , never had a bad meal, steaks fantastic and the best I've had.

Cheesecake Factory. Been four times and never been able to bring myself to try something different because the bang bang chicken is so good. Also can combine with shopping at Mall of Millenia. This is the only Mall I would consider giving up vacation time to go to. Very nice. Sons bedroom now looks like a Pottery Barn advert. Just as well they are not in England.

For budget meals love Sweet Tomatoes. Only place I will risk being told off for taking food home. If you taste there chocolate brownies you will understand why. I managed to sneak three into my bag and were meant for breakfast next day. Needless to say they didn't make it out the car.

Also a great budget place if you like milkshakes is Steak and Shake. The have large selection of meals for $4 which is cheaper than MacDonalds and is served on a plate. Just so difficult to decide what shake to have.

We absolutely love Aquatica but favourites park definitely Discovery Cove, again only went for first time on our 10th trip but will be yearly from now on. I am dreaming about the lazy river.

Hmmmm......I didn't even realize the name had been starred out!

Apparently the filters don't like a common short form for Richard? Maybe the website link will work:

http://www.dickslastresort.com/

 

[shalom]

Is there anything in the area that you think is particularly great?

If you're into stained glass, Tiffany, or the 1893 World's Colombian Exposition (Chicago's "White City"), then the Morse Museum is a Must Do. It has one of the best Tiffany collections in the US, including the chapel interior he did for the 1893 Exposition.

http://www.morsemuseum.org/louis-comfort-tiffany/tiffany-chapel

 

[powellrj]

We loved the Blue Heron, the kids and DH rode jet skis one day behind the condo. There is also putt-putt in front.

 

[robinb]

If you're into stained glass, Tiffany, or the 1893 World's Colombian Exposition (Chicago's "White City"), then the Morse Museum is a Must Do. It has one of the best Tiffany collections in the US, including the chapel interior he did for the 1893 Exposition.

http://www.morsemuseum.org/louis-comfort-tiffany/tiffany-chapel

Thanks you! I'll visit next time I'm in Orlando.

 

[momof2n2]

we love Gatorland

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Some of our favourite non-Disney activities:

An airboat ride

Gatorland

SeaWorld

Aquatica

The Outta Control Dinner Show

Showcase of Citrus (monster truck ride through an orange grove)

Jet skiiing (highly recommend Makaio Watersports)

Mini golfing (Congo River is our favourite)

The Beach

Also....the new Orlando Eye, SEA LIFE Aquarium, and Tussauds are opening in May. 3-attraction passes are a very reasonable $35 each. Might be worth a look if your trip falls after that time.

What is showcase of citrus??

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

What is showcase of citrus??

Its a monster truck ride through a real, working orange grove.

We have been twice. You can check out our trip reports for lots of photos and a full write up of both experiences. The first visit can be found here, beginning on page 2 (post 23):

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ro...an-august-trip-report-complete.3167818/page-2

The second visit was part of our August trip.