"Non-Disney" activities for teenagers?

[busy mom]

Can anyone recommend any activites for our family, which included 3 teenagers for our January trip? If the weather is too cold to swim, it would be great to have some alternate activities to try. We will have a car, but don't want to travel more than 30 minutes away from the parks. Any recommendations would be appreciated!

 

[ziggystardust]

i know you said non disney but is that b/c of the teenagers being teenagers or you're trying to get off property for a bit?

if its the teenager one, disney quest is awesome. tons of video games (old school and new school) virtual reality and internet access. And since its indoors, it would be ok rain or shine.

oh and you never know about the temp. I went down there a couple of years ago in dec, and i was in that pool every day. it is heated, but i think it was in the 80s while we were there.

 

[Teacher03]

How about parasailing? It is Disney, but it was alot of fun. It's at the Contemporary, Sammy Duvalls Water Sports if I am remembering correctly. You take off from a boat, but you don't get wet at all.

 

[ms1031]

Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are the best non-Disney alternatives in town, especially for teenagers!

There's also 2 mini golf courses on Disney property, the movie theater in Downtown Disney, lots of restaurants over at Universal's City Walk...

 

[busy mom]

We are really interested in activities in/around the Orlando area. Any must see attractions in the vacinity that may be fun??? We will be visiting IOA/US and are considering SeaWorld. Anything else?

 

[gasman61]

I'm taking my 2 19 yr old sons for a few nights. We have tickets to Universal, and are seeing La Nouba one evening. Any other suggestions.. I don't want to spend too much more money since we are flying, renting a car, staying in a hotel, seeing the show, and going to Universal!

 

[powellrj]

Dh and the kids rented jet skis on our last trip and had a great time. We also did Capones dinner show, it was cheesy, but it was lots of fun. There are lots of mini golf places and if you want a road trip, Cocoa Beach is only about an hour away and they like the Ron Jonn Shop and the beach.

 

[Anne34]

We did the sky-diving type attraction near Universal (Skyventure). It's like a big wind tunnel and you kindof float over the wind -- really cool. All 5 of us did it and it was a huge hit!! With the family group we also received a picture cd included.

It wasn't cheap, but was really fun. I think it is $45-45 per person. There are also coupons on the web for it.

 

[Planogirl]

I second Universal. We also had a blast playing mini-golf.

 

[dawnbu40]

My 18 yr old daughter loved the hot air balloon ride at Downtown Disney.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I must have strange kids... they like to go shopping when up in Orlando.. We hit the outlet malls & the Millenia Mall...sometimes the FL Mall.. that is after Universal

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Dh and the kids rented jet skis on our last trip and had a great time. We also did Capones dinner show, it was cheesy, but it was lots of fun. There are lots of mini golf places and if you want a road trip, Cocoa Beach is only about an hour away and they like the Ron Jonn Shop and the beach.

There is a Ron Jon in the Festival Bay Mall on the north end of I-Drive.. while it isn't as big as Cocoa's it is a Ron Jon's.. and you don't have to drive an hour. Here is their link..
http://www.ronjonsurfshop.com/Location/detail.aspx?LocationId=11