No theme parks!!!

[Jonell]

We will be in Orlando the March 1st-8th, 2014. We are staying at OKW but not visiting any WDW parks. We plan on golfing, going to some outlet malls, and doing a day trip to Cocoa Beach if the weather is nice. Can anyone tell me some other Orlando must-do's besides theme parks???

 

[jmasgat]

Sounds like you have a car, so that's good. A few suggestions (I'm more the outdoor, non-tourist type):

--Take in a Spring Training game at WWoS--the Atlanta Braves play there.
--Head to Winter Park, FL The Hosmer Museum has a gorgeous Tiffany glass collection. The town has nice shops and restaurants.
--Go to Bok Tower/Gardens. I haven't been here yet, but it's on my list.
--If you head east to Cocoa Beach, consider going to Merritt Island to see great birds and possibly manatees (Haulover canal)

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You could go pick oranges at Showcase of Citrus which is 20 minutes from WDW. Very easy to get to! We did this and brought home a 10lb bag of oranges.
http://www.showcaseofcitrus.com/

We have taken lots of no park trips and found lots of things to do at Disney. There is a nice paved path -No cars are allowed only bikes and golf carts- that goes between OKW and SSR we usually rent a bike and ride from SSR to OKW and have lunch and walk around the resort.
You can do the same thing at VWL. There is a really nice paved path over to Fort Wildrness. Along this path we always see a few deer. The path ends at the stables at the campground where we park our bikes and visit the animals. Or you can keep riding and ride around to look at how the camper decorate their campsites. You can have lunch at Trails End.

We have done the Fort Wildreness segway tour which is very fun and informative.

Go over to Cocoa Beach on a late Sunday afternoon (3:30p.m) and eat at FishLips which is on the edge of the port where the Disney ship is docked. You can then watch the Disney ship, and two other cruise ships set sail. Here is the Sunday sailing schedule
PC | CARNIVAL SENSATION | 16:00
PC | FREEDOM OF THE SEAS | 16:30 (Pink Boa Wave-Wendy)
PC | DISNEY DREAM | 17:00



http://fishlipswaterfront.com/
Here is the link to watch the ship set sail live on the webcam. http://www.portcanaveralwebcam.com/

 

[spiceycat]

you have to decide if you want theme parks (they do have some that are inexpensive), attractions, Arts, Culture or History, Shopping

http://www.visitorlando.com/things-to-do/

this is the website for the visitor center in Orlando. There is also one is Kissimmee - that can be a little closer to WDW - but both have some of the same things.

 

[nono]

How 'bout taking in La Nouba? Ferry ride to and from...ahhhhh. And it won't cut into your golfing time.

Also, if you are Catholic, there's Mary Queen of the Universe Shrine. Pretty neat that the priest basically started by having collections at the old mass at the Luau Cove...(and from Trip Advisor reviews, the "collecting" continues today during Sunday Mass.)

BTW, we periodically go to WDW and skip the big 4 parks. Our family finds that taking a break makes them more special the next time we go back. So, have fun!!!

 

[Art 1]

We will be in Orlando the March 1st-8th, 2014. We are staying at OKW but not visiting any WDW parks. We plan on golfing, going to some outlet malls, and doing a day trip to Cocoa Beach if the weather is nice. Can anyone tell me some other Orlando must-do's besides theme parks???

I would recommend driving just a little bit further and visiting the Sarasota area beaches. Much, much nicer than Cocoa. St. Armands for example, there is a public beach within walking distance of there.