Orlando other than Disney ????

[my2kidslvdisney]

My kids are getting out of school for Christmas at a different time this year and we are having to go to Orlando during the 1st week of 2008 - 12/30 to 1/6/08. At least we are getting to go We'll be staying at Star Island (wanted Bonnett Creek) and we'll do a couple of days at Disney. Any low price suggestions for other days or hidden secrets?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Wow! I'd be jumping for joy! Why the sad face? I would love for my kids to get that week off. All the holiday crowds have gone. You will have such a great time. Sure it may be too cold for water parks but the rates and crowds are both super low.
How old are your kids? Have you ever been to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure? Right now they're selling tickets $85 pp for 7 consecutive days at both parks. (Can walk from one park to the other.) My boys are 10 and 6 and LOVE it. So much more than roller coasters.
Also Kennedy Space Center is truly awesome and even tho dh almost dragged me there, I'm so glad I went.
There's also Ripley's Believe It or Not museum if your kids are a little older. Mine were 8 and 5 when we went and they didn't "get it" at all.
If your kids would be into gators there's Gatorland too. Tons of gators and can even hold a baby. (2 ft long! mouth taped)

East coast beaches are only 1 hr away. Never did since we can get that just as easy at home but many say Cocoa Beach is really nice.

 

[my2kidslvdisney]

More info...kids are (will be) 10 and 6. We like doing disney the week before Christmas, it puts the whole family in the Christmas spirit. So is Gatorland all I've heard?

 

[Darcy03231]

There's also Sea World in Orlando and Busch Gardens (which my kids love) in Tampa. While we rent a car, there is a bus service that goes from some of the hotels in Orlando to BG. As I recall its about $10/pp roundtrip.

 

[spiceycat]

don't go to the parks until after new year - if you can.

then the crowds won't be so bad.

here is a list of things to do in Orlando - some are as expensive as WDW - but others are pretty cheap
http://www.orlandoinfo.com/articles.cfm?content=-<+&S7U)"N52WY!@9W

 

[HopperFan]

Been there the last two years that week and Disney will still be crowded. Many like us don't go back to school until the 7/8th and lots of folks from UK, Euro and SA are still on holiday and love to go to Disney. Your best bet is to go to WDW parks at the end of your trip. We did Universal both trips and found their parks to be much less crowded. Agree on ordering the $85 tickets. Check now because I think you have to order by a certain date. May want to check ICE at Gaylord Palms if it returns. Went this year and beautiful and really has that holiday spirit. You can bundle the ticket with ice skating there. Walking around the Gaylord is really nice, and it is all decorated with holiday activity. Was done after the 2nd I think, so you would need to go early (prepurchase your tickets online). Sea World may also be a good choice for your group. If you want to do something really special and the weather is okay for you, Discovery Cove. Do you think they would like Indoor Sky Diving ? We've gone twice and plenty of young kids doing it. Sky Venture, right by Universal. Register online to get emails and they sent us a $10 off each. We found that that week is a great time to try lots of other things outside of Disney.

 

[my2kidslvdisney]

Wow, thanks for some really great ideas...keep them coming. So the crowds at Sea World and Universal aren't that bad. Does anyone know about kid friendly New Year's Eve events (fireworks, etc.)?

 

[Eganclan]

Thinking of the same week. Seems to be the only dates that will work with kids high school/college and sports schedules. Not looking forward to the crowds and I heard the weather can be very unpredictable but can't seem to come up with anything else. I was thining of using ME and just concentrating on Disney and then whenever we can get down there again going to Universal and Sea World (oldest DD not as interested as the rest of the kids). Looks like the Osborne lights will still be lit how about the decorations and parades? Almost booked it the other day now I am second guessing myself.