Other Activites besides Theme Parks

[Gibbshunter]

Hello this is my first post.
We went last year to WDW and had a blast. We would like to return this summer, but not do any theme parks.

I have seen the brochures, travel guides, etc, but I was wondering what other families had actually done and what they enjoyed/did not enjoy. We have two girls ages 6 & 9. We are not much into malls/shopping but everything else is okay. Thanks for any replies.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Hello this is my first post.
We went last year to WDW and had a blast. We would like to return this summer, but not do any theme parks.

I have seen the brochures, travel guides, etc, but I was wondering what other families had actually done and what they enjoyed/did not enjoy. We have two girls ages 6 & 9. We are not much into malls/shopping but everything else is okay. Thanks for any replies.

to the Dis!

Here are some of the non-park things that we have done and enjoyed:

 Showcase of Citrus (monster truck tour of a real, working orange grove)
 Gatorland
 Wild Willy’s Airboats
 Titanic: The Experience
 Outta Control Dinner Show
 Cocoa Beach
 Gator Golf
 Volcano Island Mini Golf
 Hawaiian Rumble Mini Golf
 Pirates Cove Mini Golf
 Congo River Mini Golf
 Mighty Jungle Mini Golf
 Kissimmee Go-Karts
 Jet skiing on Lake Minneola (Makaio Watersports)
 Daytona Beach
 Hollywood Drive-In Golf
 Mighty Jungle Mini Golf

Some other ideas.....

- The new Sea Life Aquarium and Orlando Eye that are opening this summer on International Drive.

- Florida Aquarium in Tampa or Clearwater Aquarium.

- Kennedy Space Center.

- I know you said no parks, but SeaWorld is offering their AP's for buy one, get one free (same with the SeaWorld & Aquatica combo AP's....BOGO until the end of February, and a whole year to activate). Aquatica in particular would be fabulous for a summer trip...its such a wonderful waterpark!

- Along the same line as above, a Disney waterpark AP is only about $100 for a whole year. Both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are great places to beat the heat in the summer.

We do LOTS of non-park activities, and the only "dud" we've encountered was Ripley's Believe it or Not. Its not worth the cost.

I would also try to stay at a timeshare resort with lots of great amenities (multiple pools, dive-in movies, karaoke, kids crafts and activities, etc.). That way you have lots to do without even leaving your resort.

 

[coastgirl]

Welcome!

We have done Kennedy Space centre when the kids were that age. We also enjoyed some of the animal-oriented spots in the Tampa area--Clearwater Marine Science centre, and there was a seabird rescue, and there's a really neat state park at Fort DeSoto. We did Gatorland, and a citrus you-pick. A little further south, we really enjoyed beach combing on Sanibel.

 

[old lady]

It was the second attraction made only for the parks and it started today in 1975.

 

[Woodview]

See my reply to post Airboats

Your Family will enjoy All 3 items

 

[Grumpy92]

As a native we like to think outside the tourist traps sometimes. See the Real Florida.

Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards
Orange Co Regional History Center (Highwaymen, WDW history with Orlando, History of the area, cowboys, citrus, aviation & tourism)
Morse Museum and Park Avenue in Winter Park
Leu Gardens
Lake Kissimmee State Park (love the Cowboy camp there)
Orlando Science Center

Beaches - I also like Fort DeSoto on the Gulf and Cocoa has nice beaches on the Atlantic side. Maybe a day at Kennedy Space Center.
If you are willing to go to Tampa, Fla Acquirium, Cracker Country and Ybor City. See flaminco dancers at the Columbia Restaurant.

 

[cey]

We took my then 1 year old GD last year and the whole family had a blast! It is right in Kissimmee and has a cute train ride, hay ride and lots of animals to pet. You can even milk a cow! The day we went, it was a little busy due to a school group, but the property is so large that it didn't seem too crowded. You join a group which has a tour guide, so it is fun and educational! Gets great reviews on Trip Advisor as well!

 

[ParkHopperFan]

We visit often and would recommend:

Ifly Orlando
Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park - just opened in Kissimmee

 

[bankr63]

Blue Spring State Park. Enjoy a tubing and swimming in the spring, walk along the boardwalk for wildlife viewing. Take the boat tour ($$) through the back waters of the St John river with a VERY knowledgeable guide for some really good spotting of local flora and fauna - the gators got bigger around every bend! They also have rental kayaks canoes with self or guided tours.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/

 

[sandieb]

We have enjoyed the Harry P. Leu gardens in Orlando, Clearwater Beach where we took the kids to see Winter from Dolphin Tales, Kennedy Space Center - lunch with the astonauts, and Ft. Desoto Park for swimming and walking. We always go to the water parks a couple times. We go to the main parks in the morning and then to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach in the later part of the day. It is not so crowded and a lot of fun.