orange groves

[wdwfan_1]

Are there any orange groves left near Disney World? If possible, I'd like to take my kids orange picking. Is there any such thing? Otherwise, at least show them what an orange tree looks like. We'd be in the area late October. Thanks in advance.

 

[disneysteve]

We have friends who live in Winter Haven, south of Disney. I know we drive through orange groves to get to their house. Go west on I-4 and then south on 27 to get to that area. I'm not sure if you can go orange picking but you can definitely see groves.

 

['Canes Fan]

there is one not too far from WDW. it's west off of 192 and 27. not too hard to find. October begins the season, so you're looking good.

http://www.showcaseofcitrus.com/

have fun, we like to pick the strawberry crop in late February.

 

[isla bonita]

Sounds great, you all are a wealth of information. I would love to take my kids.

 

['Canes Fan]

we've only been to that grove once, we've got other groves a lot closer. but it was 5.00 for a 1/4 bushel and 10.00 for a 1/2 bushel. very inexpensive.

 

[Ted and Holly]

I have never been tot he Showcase of Fruit, but I drive by it fairly often.

It is on US 27, north of 192. The easiest way to get there from WDW would be to get on 192 and head west. It eventually "ends" on US27, head North. It is pretty much immediately on the right. Right near Wal mart.

Just a note to anyone who drives on US 27. Heading south of 192 is not as "fun". There are a lot of accidents (less now with some new traffic lights) and further south there is significant construction. Just be careful.

Ted

 

[cinamin27]

there are orange trees not too far from DTD, take hotel plaza blvd to 535, turn left at light instead of crossing over to Crossroads Shopping Center, take a right on to Palm Parkway (you will see a sign to get to the post office), then follow it back past the hotels & condos, it will then change names to Turkey Lake Rd, you will run parrallel to I4 part of the time, there are some orange trees/small grove on Turkey Lake Rd (I always wanted to get out of the car & check them out myself) - this is maybe 5 miles or so from DTD, just a quick drive. The trees are not fenced in & your kids can at least see them, but I doubt they can be picked with out tresspassing. also, not sure if all orange groves are in season at the same time of year - I live too far north in FL for orange groves.

 

[Ted and Holly]

By November, the early crop should be starting.

It is important to note that it is illegal to go into any grove and pick oranges (unless it is a "pick your own" place, obviously). In fact, they don't like people to even go nerar them for fear of citrus canker spreading.

Ted

 

[wdwfan_1]

I printed out all these tips. Thanks alot! I tried looking in the phone book and travel brochures when we went last time and the one place that seemed close wasn't answering their phone- maybe because it was March.

I didn't even think about picking oranges from the tree's on the side of the road. But I am glad you warned me, as I am sure we would have been tempted. We will be very happy with photo's.

Bob

 

[Ted and Holly]

One note. The Showcase of Citrus is past WalMart on US 27. There is a smaller fruit stand before Wal Mart. That is what I was confusing it with.

I would imagine it is a down time to try to call many of these places. Not much going on right now. But, then again, they should at least have an answering machine.

Ted

 

[disneymom3]

Check out this site--all kinds of pick your own places in the area. Lists some costs and season/hours of operation too. Be sure to scroll down a ways to get to the orange stuff.
http://www.pickyourown.org/FLeastcentral.htm

 

[PhotobearSam]

I liked this place when we went...

http://www.citrustower.com/main.html


We liked the tower and the area was surrounded with Orange Groves.

It was 30 minutes from WDW and a nice side trip.