Need a low stress plan for presail day!

[andersw]

We are going on the Disney Magic leaving this coming Sat, July 3 and are arriving Thurs, July 1. The question is, what should we do on Friday? We are not excited about standing in long lines in the heat so the theme parks (other than water parks) aren't sounding like a great idea to us. Anybody have a feel for what water park might be least crowded (Disney or other)? What other fun things could my DD's 10 and 7, myself and DH do in the Orlando area for a day before we leave on the cruise?

 

[hydster]

Are you staying on Disney Property?? If so usually they have pools that are a LOT of fun for the kids right on property and some of them you use other pools like Port Orleans Riverside you can use their pool AND Port Orleans French Quarter's pool as well. We entertained ourselves for a few hours in the pool before it started raining! Also maybe going to DTD for awhile and even into Disney Quest where I have heard (never been there myself so this could be wrong) that it is all indoors and airconditioned. If you don't want to stand in long lines or deal with lots of heat and crowds I'd stay at your resort for most of the day and then maybe do DTD, Disney Quest, even one of the Cirque shows.

Heidi

 

[Tandyc]

See "How 'bout Ron Jons"

 

[izzinmac]

A totally off the wall idea, but one that avoids the tourist crowds and is very close to the Orlando area is a trip to Wekiva Springs near Altamont Springs. My kids have gone several times and said it is very peaceful and beautiful. Essentially it is a state park on the Wekiva River, where clear water springs feed the river. They have rented canoes and drifted down the river. They love it! The website below gives more info
http://www.abfla.com/parks/WekiwaSprings/wekiwa.html

 

[TheWog]

izzinmac - Won't the gator's get ya????

How about Sea World?

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

We flew in on Friday as well, and we rented a minivan and just drove to Cocoa Beach. We got ourselves a hotel withing 1 block of the beach with a pool. (Not a great hotel, so I won't reccommend one). The location, though was right next to RonJons store. We landed at about noon, by the time we got our luggage and our van rental, drove to Cocoa Beach and checked in, we just lounged around and then went to the beach, did some shopping and then had an absolutely fun/excellent dinner at the "Florida Seafood Grille" which ended up being the best dinner of the entire vacation. It's a great place for kids, with a baloon artist, loud atmosphere, aquariums and the ocear theme. It was terrific and the 9 yr old with us still talks about it.

It really was a nice day, no rushing, just getting acclamated to the "nice weather" (being from WI in March!). Then in the morning, we just drove the 2 miles to port and boarded! Simple, easy, enjoyable!

 

[snsfrady]

Here's something else to consider...not only is that going to be the start of a holiday weekend, but that is also the weekend of the night race in Daytona. The entire central Florida area is full of out-of-towners. I would go with the suggestion of relaxing by the pool. Good Luck.

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

My DS's (10) and (13) enjoyed spending the day before at the Kennedy Space Center. We stayed at the Radisson near the port. The Space Center is about 5-10 miles from there.

 

[Greysword]

I hear SeaWorld is a nice place for an easy one day, low stress amusment park, if you are in the Orlando area.

If you get in on Thursday semi-early, I have another possible option. You can stay on the east coast for the two nights. On Thursday, you can wave the Wonder off and out to sea!! She leaves about 5ish. On friday, there is Kennedy Space Center and the Astronaut memorial. You will need to visit the Cape Canaveral websites to see if there is a rocket launch then. Of course, there is the beach. It may be a nice relaxing way to start the trip!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I agree with the others--it will be a crowded weekend.

In the summertime--I would stick to the beach or the swimming pool. The parks are too hot, the water parks are too crowded, Sea World, though lower stress--still hot and outdoors for most of the shows.

If you need an activity:

DTD has fountains (shooting water type from the ground) to have fun in.

There are the museums on I-Drive--Ripley's, and that Wonderworks place is supposed to be cool.
http://www.wonderworksonline.com/

There is mini-golf next to Radisson at the Port--you can go to jetty park and walk along the pier to wave to the cruise ships leaving on Thursday.

You can come down to Melbourne (where I am--30 minute to 1 hour drive from the port, depending where you stay)--
We have Andretti Thrill park http://www.andrettithrillpark.com/
It has race cars, arcade, laser tag, et cetera.

Brevard Zoo is a nice little zoo down here. Not very big--but we have giraffes, so we are getting somewhere finally on the zoo scale

Hope this helps--enjoy your cruise!

 

[webray]

pre-sail day...we like to stay at Radisson at the port with all the other cruisers, enjoy the pool, sun and live music. Eat at Grills.

Just relax and kick back!

 

[BMURPHY02]

we are on the same july 3rd cruise and we get in at orlando airport @ 12 noon we have your ride picking us up and taking us to the raddision at the port we stayed their 2 years ago and relaxed and swam at the pool went to dinner next store and came back to our rooms and just relaxed until we went to bed,
the pool was great, the rooms are ok for the price it was hard getting to sleep that night hope to see you there

 

[jrabbit]

My vote is for Sea World. It's a big park that can hold lots and lots of people. I would plan on seeing the shows (Sea Lion, Dolphin, Killer Wale, Animal/Pet show (this is really fun!!). The stadiums are very big (Shamu stadium is huge!!). Lots of sitting and watching. Get your park map and schedule and plan your day. Leave about 1 hour between shows and arrive at the venue about 30 minutes before the starting time to get a reasonable seat (and the mime at the sea lion show is a riot!!)

SW also has a water ride (you don't get that wet) called Journey to Atlantis. It's a fun ride. Krakken is a GREAT roller coaster. Then there are all of the other "smaller exhibits"

Would make for a good day before leaving on the cruise.

 

[prymsu]

we like to go to Discovery Cove. It is awesome!