Orlando ISNT just theme parks???

[Racey]

My fiance and I are getting wed in the world in a couple of years, however when we tell his parents and ask them to come the first words are "Were not going because we dont do theme parks" ... which is fair enough, except Orlando and its surrounding counties arent just theme parks ..... RIGHT?

I know of the Big Cat Rescue (which they will love and is our 1st stop when we go), GatorLand and shopping .... but thats it!

CAN YOU HELP?

I want to get a pack together with information on things to do EXCEPT the theme parks in Orlando and within sensible driving distance outside of Orlando. I want to get as much diversity as possible, i'll put any suggestions in there (even if i dont think they will like it)

Are there any bird sanctuaries? (they love all wildlife, especially birds)

Thank You

 

[disneygirl 17]

It seems a little harsh to miss their sons wedding because they don't do theme parks.

It is a shame you will have to convince them to come.

Airboat rides are something in FL. Not sure how far from the parks they are...but I have done them (when I was a teenager) and they are fun!

 

[SamSam]

Here's a couple of things that they might find to their liking:

Segway Tours in Celebration
http://www.zetours.com/

Nature Preserve with EcoSafaris
http://www.floridaeco-safaris.com/ZiplineSafaris/

 

[DSNY4ever]

The hotels are amazing enough that they could just go stay at a place like the Animal Kingdom Lodge and enjoy days by the pool, dinners at Jiko, watching animals from their balcony... remind them these are RESORTS not just hotels.

Or they could stay over at the Boardwalk where there is a ton to do- water activities, the whole boardwalk area, they can go over to Downtown Disney in the evenings. Maybe your Dad likes golf?

And there is so much to do nearby. Maybe the Space Center? They could even head down to Key West after your wedding or something.

But I would think your wedding would be enough to get them there... I hope they change their mind. Good Luck!

 

[jacstangler]

Hi: 1 hr. to the beach. Celebration is great for eating and shopping and just looking around. Check out the resorts at Disney and others close by.
Disney has a nature preserve south of parks. Downtown Disney is nothing like the parks. They would enjoy. golf, golf and more golf including mineature golf. Water parks. Universal's City Walk. There is much more than the parks and great places to eat around the city..

John

 

[paulasillars]

We did the Boggy Creek Airboats last trip and it was a wonderful half day away from the touristy stuff.
http://www.bcairboats.com/

For our trip in October, we have 10 days at Kidani and don't plan to step foot into the parks. We are deliberately going to do all the stuff we usually want to do but never get around to because we are going commando in the parks.

What is the Big Cat Rescue?

 

[kaligal]

A person who skips their child's wedding and says the reason they're skipping it is that they don't care for the place it is being held is lying.

Something else is going on there.

 

[Racey]

Thank you all for your suggestions - im going to put them ALL to his parents even if I think its not them. Keep them coming if you can.

PAULASILLARS - the Big Cat Rescue is in Tampa - here is the link. www.bigcatrescue.org

kaligal - I think your reading too much into it. They think the only thing to do round orlando is Disney because they have never looked into going to the US, most people who havent been there think that (from my experience "Disney" is the first thing out of peoples mouths when you talk Florida). I think the flight puts them off a little too, but they both fly so for such a special occasion I think they can make the acception of a long haul flight.

Im not too worried if they still decide not to go and niether is my fiance (he will have his sister and her family as they are disney mad). At least they can make a fully informed decision when I give them all this info

 

[disneyholic family]

WDW is a resort, not a theme park....there are theme parks there, but it is perfectly possible to have an amazing time there without ever setting foot in the theme parks...

just lying by the pool, in the florida sun,.
boating...
fishing..
golf - several championship courses (the quality is right up there with st andrews)...
biking
riding
spas

and on and on..

no need to ever leave WDW property and no need to be in any of the theme parks to have a wonderfully magical time at WDW...

 

[mel&me]

A person who skips their child's wedding and says the reason they're skipping it is that they don't care for the place it is being held is lying.

Something else is going on there.

That was the first thing that popped into me head.


I thing suggesting anything with the word disney or universal is going to shy them away. Have them stay offsite, there are a ton of excellent resorts.
Do some research on the Florida and orlando tourist information center websites. there are lots of other things to do and places to visit not park related.