Off-property favorite places to visit

[N4niner206]

Greetings,

My DW and I are regular visitors to The World. Our longest trip each year is in October... this year for 10 days. We spend the entire time on property at the Disney parks and resorts, except for one day. Our "tradition" is to rent a car for one day to head off property to do some sightseeing, shopping etc.

I'm looking for suggestions for places to visit. We always visit Themepark Connection , which we really enjoy. We've been to the outlets and it was okay, but aren't planning to return unless we can't find anything else to do. We aren't really interested in visiting other theme parks or shopping international drive. We're both kids at heart... we love toys (including non-disney stuff and antiques) and disney memorobilia, and LOVE unique shops. We also aren't looking to spend a lot of money on admission prices, though we may spend some money if we go shopping or buy souveniers.

So far our favorite thing we've come across has been Themepark Connection, if that gives you an idea. Even if we don't end up buying anything, we love looking at older items from the parks... a nice break from seeing the same things over and over inside the gates, and it gives us a nice little drive together Also, I'm a big fan of "Art of Disney" shops and we love Downtown Disney and D-Street. We've wanted to check out Mouse Surplus, but to my knowledge they no longer have a physical store you can visit... anyone know otherwise?

Anyway, I would love to hear your suggestions and little off-the-beaten-path gems you've found. Even if its not something that DW and I would be interested in, hopefuly someone here will find the information useful!

So, whatcha got?


Edit: Ooops... I called it Mouse Surplus by mistake, but I actually meant our favorite thing is Themepark Connection. We've been to both... but definitely prefer TC as it has older and less common things than MS.

 

[dromio42]

If you are a fan of driving, you might consider St Augustine. It is a sweet little town with some shopping areas including another 'Character Warehouse'

We also enjoy a meal at Cafe TuTu tango. All small plates to share; you can see their menu on the web - warning, it gets pretty loud!

 

[N4niner206]

Thanks, Dromio!

We will have to check out St. Augustine. Sounds great! I mistakenly said that we liked Mouse Surplus, but I actually was thinking of Themepark Connection. But the little town sounds like its worth checking out on its own!

 

[shalom]

o. We aren't really interested in visiting other theme parks or shopping international drive. We're both kids at heart... we love toys (including non-disney stuff and antiques) and disney memorobilia, and LOVE unique shops.

Heh -- the first time I read that, I thought you said you love antique shops, and I was going to suggest the Morse Museum in Winter Park, which has an incredible collection of Tiffany stuff, including the chapel Tiffany did for the 1893 World's Fair, and I enjoy poking around their gift shop. Then I went to cut it down for my post and realized you love antique TOYS.

Then again, Winter Park is known for unique shops, and there are a couple of toy stores on Park Avenue (where the Morse is), Fairy Tales and Lighten UP!, and there used to be two on N. Orlando Ave a few blocks away, however Uberbot has closed. Learning Express is still there, but I'm guessing that Uberbot was exactly the kind of place you were looking for; not so sure about the other three but if you decide you want an option closer than St. Augustine, you might give Winter Park a shot.

We love St. Augustine but have never really shopped there. We like the beach (on Anastasia Island) and touring the Fort, then wandering through "Old Town". Which is filled with shops but, as with Winter Park, we didn't really go into any of them. Hubby loves to shop alone, but hates shopping with the kids, so on vacation we do a lot of peering in windows with, "Hey, that store looks cool. Look at that. And that! Whoops, better catch up with dad. Did you see that orange whatever in the back? I'm getting one of those as soon as I find it in purple. Honey, do you always have to speed up when we pass places like that?"

 

[Chelley00]

We also enjoy a meal at Cafe TuTu tango. All small plates to share; you can see their menu on the web - warning, it gets pretty loud!

One of our favorite restaurants!


What about Old Town or Celebration?

 

[GrahamOrlando]

Wekiva Springs State Park is beautiful (tiny fee). There's also Old Town (free). You could take a trip to Cocoa Beach. Winter Park / Park Avenue is great for unique shops. The crossroads at Lake Buena Vista is a great place to eat and shop.

 

[N4niner206]

Fantastic options! Thanks for all of the great ideas! Actually we enjoy antiques, toys, AND antique toys, so many of these sound like fun! The main thing is we're wanting something that's not just "more of the same" so these suggestions have been really helpful!

 

[aquagreenpbc]

If you decide to check out St Augustine, Viator dot com has a sightseeing tour for about $57pp. It just includes RT transport from you hotel to St Augustine. There are also a couple of upgrades available.

If you'd rather not drive, it could be a good option.

Have an awesome trip!

 

[DCTooTall]

Something definately different than the "standard fare", if you are willing to drive a bit.... why not check out the Kennedy Space Center and the Space coast?

 

[Grumpy92]

Here are some of the places the locals suggest:

Winter Park - Morse museum, lake tour on a boat. Wonderful Park ave with little boutiques and cafes.

Lakeridge Winery - tours and wine tastings

Harry Leu Gardens in downtown Orlando

Have you done any of the WDW tours like the segway tour of Epcot?

If you dont mind a little drive, Kennedy Space Center is great. Perhaps you would like to see some Florida cracker cowboys at Lake Kissimmee state park, take an airboat ride.

 

[KodakFigment]

Greetings,

My DW and I are regular visitors to The World. Our longest trip each year is in October... this year for 10 days. We spend the entire time on property at the Disney parks and resorts, except for one day. Our "tradition" is to rent a car for one day to head off property to do some sightseeing, shopping etc.

I'm looking for suggestions for places to visit. We always visit Themepark Connection , which we really enjoy.

If you are already in Winter Garden for Theme Park Connection, try visiting the village of Winter Garden. It is charming with lots of little shops. There are a ton of good restaurants on the main st and live music in the square on Fridays. The West Orange bike trail runs through town and you can rent bikes at a trailhead just east of the village for a leisurely ride. If you like nature things, a little ways west of town is the Oakland Nature Preserve. A little bit of old FL wilderness on Lake Apopka.