Options with 5 and 6 year old?

[WiscoMom]

Quick decision to take a spring break trip with the family March 15-20. We will be driving. Family of 4 (with DS 5.5 years and DS 6.5 years). We've done Disney on-property before. But nothing on-property left that fits the budget. Hubby would like to see something other than Disney again. We're open to trying Universal, SeaWorld or going to Busch in Tampa. I just don't know much about the non-Disney and what would keep our kids entertained. DS5.5 is more timid when it comes to the rides, but he does enjoy Thunder Mountain and 7 Dwarves, if that gives an idea. I think it's the dark rides that scare him most. Both kids enjoy Disney characters. They also like Transformers, dinosaurs, super heroes, animals, science/space. They also love water parks or pools.

I guess I'm mainly trying to figure out what non-Disney attractions would be best fit for my kids. But also open to any hotel/accomodation ideas. Sorry this is vague. I'm all over the place trying to narrow it all down.

PS - We'll be back to FL in the future, so I don't think this would be a "must do or we'll never get the chance again" kind of trip.

 

[mjhtvchick]

Quick decision to take a spring break trip with the family March 15-20. We will be driving. Family of 4 (with DS 5.5 years and DS 6.5 years). We've done Disney on-property before. But nothing on-property left that fits the budget. Hubby would like to see something other than Disney again. We're open to trying Universal, SeaWorld or going to Busch in Tampa. I just don't know much about the non-Disney and what would keep our kids entertained. DS5.5 is more timid when it comes to the rides, but he does enjoy Thunder Mountain and 7 Dwarves, if that gives an idea. I think it's the dark rides that scare him most. Both kids enjoy Disney characters. They also like Transformers, dinosaurs, super heroes, animals, science/space. They also love water parks or pools.

I guess I'm mainly trying to figure out what non-Disney attractions would be best fit for my kids. But also open to any hotel/accomodation ideas. Sorry this is vague. I'm all over the place trying to narrow it all down.

PS - We'll be back to FL in the future, so I don't think this would be a "must do or we'll never get the chance again" kind of trip.

You would have fun at Universal but I don't know that it would be the best "bang for your buck"

What about staying off-site in the SeaWorld area and visiting:
- SeaWorld (has Sesame Street area now as well as the other rides and wildlife)
- Aquatica (water park)
- Orlando Science Center (my daughter loved it here!)
- Kennedy Space Center
- Fun Spot (if you want some rides)
- Legoland (a bit of a drive but if your kids are into Lego, they are the perfect age for this park; there is also an attached water park and adjacent hotel)

We have done all of these with my daughter over the years - lots of fun things in the Orlando area outside of Disney & Universal!

 

[WiscoMom]

You would have fun at Universal but I don't know that it would be the best "bang for your buck"

What about staying off-site in the SeaWorld area and visiting:
- SeaWorld (has Sesame Street area now as well as the other rides and wildlife)
- Aquatica (water park)
- Orlando Science Center (my daughter loved it here!)
- Kennedy Space Center
- Fun Spot (if you want some rides)
- Legoland (a bit of a drive but if your kids are into Lego, they are the perfect age for this park; there is also an attached water park and adjacent hotel)

We have done all of these with my daughter over the years - lots of fun things in the Orlando area outside of Disney & Universal!

Thank you for the great suggestions! I'll look into those.

 

[Upatnoon]

I would stay at Marriott Harbour Lake and take them to Legoland and Seaworld.

You can throw in some side trips to Disney Spring or some of the I-Drive attractions.

 

[Anchored]

I wouldn't go to Orlando if I wasn't going to Disney or Universal

I recommend taking a trip to the Gulf Coast. Clearwater Beach is consistently rated in the top 10 beaches. It is 20 minutes from Tampa. Tampa has:
Busch Gardens
Adventure Island water park
Lowry Park Zoo
The Florida Aquarium
The Museum of Science and Industry

Back on the Clearwater side there is the Clearwater Aquarium, Great Explorations childrens museum. Plenty of art museums.

I would prefer a beach vacation over the traffic nightmare that is Orlando.

 

[WiscoMom]

I would stay at Marriott Harbour Lake and take them to Legoland and Seaworld.

You can throw in some side trips to Disney Spring or some of the I-Drive attractions.

Thank you!

 

[WiscoMom]

I wouldn't go to Orlando if I wasn't going to Disney or Universal

I recommend taking a trip to the Gulf Coast. Clearwater Beach is consistently rated in the top 10 beaches. It is 20 minutes from Tampa. Tampa has:
Busch Gardens
Adventure Island water park
Lowry Park Zoo
The Florida Aquarium
The Museum of Science and Industry

Back on the Clearwater side there is the Clearwater Aquarium, Great Explorations childrens museum. Plenty of art museums.

I would prefer a beach vacation over the traffic nightmare that is Orlando.

Thanks for your reply! Do you think it would be warm enough for us to swim in the Gulf in the middle of March?

 

[Anchored]

Thanks for your reply! Do you think it would be warm enough for us to swim in the Gulf in the middle of March?

Yes. It is 80 degrees here today

 

[HopperFan]

Good suggestions above.

If you are not doing Disney, and I wouldn't take kids that age to Universal that don't go regularly ....

then this is the perfect opportunity to avoid Orlando all together.

I agree with the Tampa/Clearwater trip kicked off or finished off with a short side trip to Legoland while they are young.

 

[PollyannaMom]

They also like Transformers, dinosaurs, super heroes, animals, science/space. They also love water parks or pools.

You could go two ways with this one:

"Transformers, dinosaurs, super heroes...water parks" all scream Universal to me. Check the height requirements (my DS is older, so I don't remember) but US has a transformer ride (a Spiderman one too) and IOA has 3 different Jurassic Park-related things. We also loved the new Volcano Bay water park!

On the other hand, "animals, science/space" makes me think of staying outside of either big theme park complex and piecing together your own activities. In that case, I'd do Kennedy Space Center (about an hour from Orlando, I think??) as well as Gatorland and the Orlando Science Center.

I don't think you could go wrong either way!

 

[mjhtvchick]

I disagree with those who have said to avoid Orlando - we have really enjoyed our "non-Disney & Universal" vacations there.

We have thought about going to the Tampa area a couple of times (and we will probably do a 1-2 day "side trip" at some point) but there doesn't seem like there is as much to do there...but we are not really beach people so...