Other area attractions

[fine-lee-goin]

We are planning our first disney trip for August. I know it will be hot. We plan to go to disney parks 3 or 4 days... what other attractions are there... that don't cost very much. I know there is Kennedy Space, and Downtown disney, and splendid China, but what else is there. The kids are ages 13, 10, 6, and infant.

 

[SimonV]

Hi there, fine-lee!

There is an awful lot of non-Disney stuff out there! To start with, Universal have two great parks and Sea World is another fine day out (especially for children). Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Guinness World Records Experience and WonderWorks all offer different family-oriented attractions, while there are two water parks (Wet 'n Wild and Water Mania) and a good amusement park called Fun Spot. Younger children will enjoy Green Meadows Petting Farm (although not when its really hot) and airboat rides are another area highlight.

Let us know what kind of thing interests you and we can provide some more details!

 

[kellymonaghan]

There's another thread on this topic, fine-lee-goin. Here's the link (I think):

http://www.disboards.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16614

 

[desianne]

If you want some great bargains go to the 192 Flea Market. We always try to go there
first before Disney. We've got things like a backpacks, luggage, towels, watches, all kinds
of things. I think my best buy was my Mickey phone for $69 that was $99 at the theme
parks! It is the best flea market.
I wouldn't waste my time on WonderWorks. We went and were disappointed. After the
theme parks it was very basic. The best thing about it is how it looks outside.
If you can take in a dinner show. Arabian Nights or Mystery Sleuth are great. Of course,
Hoop de doo Revue at Disney is the best.

 

[JAYNED]

BE CAREFUL OF KENNEDY - WE WENT A FEW YEARS AGO AND ALL YOU PAID FOR WAS THE IMAX CINEMA IF YOU WANTED TO GO FOR A FEW $ AND THE BUS TOUR WHICH WAS ABOUT $5

BUT WHEN WE WENT THERE LAST YEAR YOU ARE TALKING LOTS OF $$$

THEY NOW CHARGE ADMISSION TO GET IN AND FOR A FAMILY OF 4 ME, DH DD DS IT COSTS A LOT! AND ALSOO NOT A LOT THAT IS DIFFERENT

!!!inkbounc inkbounc inkbounc inkbounc inkbounc inkbounc

 

[Georgia Mickey Fans]

Thanks Jayned for the KSC info! I have been there about 10 times but never had to pay to get in.

So they are now charging just to look at the exhibits also. That is a shame, as I grew up during the beginning of the space program and always enjoyed going there. Today's kids & teenagers may never get to see it. I may have to skip it this year!

I have just contacted the PR dept of the company that is managing KSC concerning my extreme displeasure with this news. http://www.delawarenorth.com/listOut.cgi?company=parkserv

 

[ncbyrne]

You mentioned Splendid China as a possible place to visit. Although it is "ok" for adults (that's my opinion, my DH thought it was awful), it is definitely not a place to take kids. Nothing of interest to the younger set. The premise for this park was a good idea, but it's not been taken care of and it is in run down condition. The day we were there, we saw only three other visitors! Even though I am a world history buff, I'd still never go back.

 

[kellymonaghan]

There is one terrific thing to see at Splendid China. That's the "Mysterious Kingdom of the Orient" show which has a single performance daily (except Monday) at 6 pm.

It's an acrobatic and dance spectacular, which changes about every 6 months or so. The shows I've seen have ranged from the truly astonishing to the merely wonderful.

The best part is, you don't have to pay for admission to the park and the show admission of about $16 makes it one of Orlando's best entertainment values.

 

[mainey-mouse]

We did quite a few non-Disney things. We just got back yesterday.

My two favourite parks ended up being SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. Not nearly as crowded as Disney's Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom. Both SW and BG have great playgrounds for kids, good adult rides and free beer. I have a 4 and 7 year old, and both enjoyed the play grounds. I think kids up to 10 would probably like them. Great big 3 story tall play structures, water areas etc. I liked the coasters. My husband liked the free beer. But while not quite as expensive as Disney, these places are hardly cheap alternatives.

We also went to Old Town. OK, we spent thousands of dollars for big name Florida theme parks, and the kids were clammering to go back to Old Town nightly. Go Figure. Its a little amusement park type place with fair-ground type rides and alot of tacky cheap stores with nonetheless interesting merchandise in them. Admission is free. There is an ice cream store and a coffee shop and a couple restaurants. The ride ticket books are $10 for 20 tickets, which will get you 2 big rides, or 3 or 4 kiddie rides. Its not glitzy but its kind of a nice change to the
mega parks - and as I said, the kids loved it.

Disney also has 3 water parks. We tried out Typhoon Lagoon, and loved it. Its kind of laid back, with lots of sand areas and not too crowded. A nice break from the MK and AK days.

We also found we needed a few days to just do nothing - or close to it. The kids got tired of being dragged around day after day after day. If you're staying somewhere with a half decent pool area, you could consider planning a day or two just around the pool.

 

[fine-lee-goin]

Thanks everyone for all the great tips. We are renting a pool home, and I look forward to spending some down time around the pool... alone... while hubby and kids go do something!

 

[cdntowdw]

How about showing the kids the REAL Florida? Perhaps a day-trip to a State Park for a picnic, swimming or canoeing. I think we will be making a side trip to Blue Springs State Park, northeast of Orlando, to view the manatee in November. Day admission is only about $6. Check out the information on the State website, I used www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/popup.htm
My parents used to take us to Florida every couple of years through the 60's and 70's before it was so commercialized and we always camped at the State Parks. If they are half as beautiful now, it will be a not-to-be-missed experience for my family.
Silver Springs may be another option for a true look at the nature of Florida, although admission again is about $20. Check out their website, I think there is a coupon available.

 

[100percentDisney]

Another interesting place is Fantasy of Flight near Lakeland, FL about 25 miles (30 minutes) West of DisneyWorld on I-4. Their website is www.fantasyofflight.com/

We fly down and usually arrive around 10am by the time we get to our hotel it is around Noon. We are usually too tired (can't sleep the night before) to go to the parks and can't check in until 3pm (only once did we get our rooms early). This place is air-conditioned and is a slower pace setting than the parks so it works great as our first stop. The flight simulator is my DH & DS favorite. We have now added it to our last stop before the airport since our flight is always late afternoon/early evening.

 

[thefatman]

Something different and getting a lot of praise on the UK boards is Boggy Creek Airboats rides.

http://www.bcairboats.com

about 20mins from WDW.

The restaurant is said to be excellent value for money,
I can't wait till Christams to find out

 

[Planogirl]

If you need to get away from the congestion for a while, you could try Bok Tower Gardens. I drove out to them once by myself and spent a nice few hours wandering around and just soaking up the atmosphere. I would NOT recommend it when it's real hot however.

Cypress Gardens is nice too but pricey. We enjoyed the grounds and the simplicity of the attractions.