Other Orlando activity suggestions? (cost effective)

[AthenaBolina]

We have 5 days in Orlando, and we're trying to find something to do with the kids on our 3d day. I wasn't sure where else ask...

Our kids are 9, 12, 14 and 14, so nothing too babyish. We don't do Sea World, and we wont do manatee/dolphin tours. We've done a million and one zoos too. We do have unlimited tickets, so we can do Wet N Wild, but the reviews aren't so great for that. We could do Downtown disney and see a movie/dinner and shopping. Other options were an airboat swamp tour, but I can't find one that is going to be affordable for a family of 6.

We have already done Gatorland, WDW, Kennedy Space Center, and Cocoa Beach. We will be at Daytona Beach the day we arrive for the afternoon. This is our third trip to Orlando in 5 years haha. We've also done Madame Tussauds and Medieval Times (in CA). And the skeleton museum/orlando eye doesn't seem like something they'd enjoy, plus when we lived in Seattle, we did the Seattle eye thingy.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm really drawing a blank lol. I'm trying to appease my husband by finding something else for us to do as he doesn't want to spend 5 whole days in the park. Help! We're not totally opposed to driving a bit, but would prefer to stay in the Orlando area.

 

[macraven]

try the darkside parks and city walk.
hotel hop, blue man group, etc.

that could fill up 5 days of fun.

 

[CyndiLooWho]

We just got back, and had the same unlimited ticket. We spent 4 days in the parks. We spent arrival day shopping and resting, did one day at Kennedy (which you already did), and one day at the resort. It was a rainy day, so we spent it mostly napping and otherwise relaxing (and I did a lot of laundry), but on our down day in the past, we've spent time in the lazy river and pools at the resort, and rented movies for the dvd player. We almost always spend Wed just hanging out when we go someplace for a week. Of course, we were in a condo, so we had room to spread out. I don't know if I could stand a day in a hotel room with our teen boys (14 & 16).

 

[AthenaBolina]

try the darkside parks and city walk.
hotel hop, blue man group, etc.

that could fill up 5 days of fun.

We will be doing four days at the park and we are staying on site at RPR. I'll look into Blue Man group! Honestly I'd like to spend ALL five days in parks, but I have to appease the husband somewhat lol

 

[macraven]

We will be doing four days at the park and we are staying on site at RPR. I'll look into Blue Man group! Honestly I'd like to spend ALL five days in parks, but I have to appease the husband somewhat lol

maybe he will enjoy an evening out with the family for BMG.
the city walk mini golf is a great time killer too.
if you buy two rounds to do both sets, which are different, it is discounted.

go to the concierge desk at rpr once you check in and ask if they have any coupons for discounting BMG or the mini golf costs.

and check the BMG website as i did get a discount on my ticket from them by ordering it thru their booking site.
the dates they have special sales vary.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Fun Spot America is currently on Groupon for $35 pp.

CSI: The Experience is also on either Groupon or Livingsocial (or maybe both?) for $12 pp.

The Characters in Flight balloon ride at DTD is on Groupon for $11 pp.

Wild Florida might be an affordable option for your airboat tour. It comes with free admission to their animal park as well. The Entertainment Book has a coupon for 25% off admission (and the Entertainment Books are on for $8.99 plus free shipping).

What about Wonderworks and the Outta Control Dinner Show? (haven't done WW, but the dinner show is awesome)

Aquatica is fantastic, if you like water parks, and I think Undercover Tourist has weekday tickets for $29 pp tax included.

 

[AthenaBolina]

My price conscientious husband has now suggested we do a WDW water park we did Typhoon lagoon last year, so blizzard beach might work for us. I saw the hot air balloon ride, but the groupon was sold out when I looked a little bit ago.

I'll also look into the wild Florida airboat. Is that 25% off everyone?

 

[AthenaBolina]

Oooh wild Florida is cheap! I'll definitely mention that to him.

 

[illinidp]

If you have a car you could go over to Jetty Park Beach at Port Canaveral.

 

[AthenaBolina]

If you have a car you could go over to Jetty Park Beach at Port Canaveral.

We will, we are driving from Kansas.

 

[illinidp]

We will, we are driving from Kansas.

It's a nice public park daily fee beach next to the cruise ships and across an inlet from NASA. It's best if you can go the day of a launch, but that's just the luck of the draw. There is a nice clubhouse with food and rentals and other dining options nearby. The Grills tiki restaurant across from the cruise ship ports is pretty good. Obviously the Kennedy Space Center is nearby as is the Ron Jon Surf Shop. You can also watch the recent trip report podcast on the news side of this site that reviewed three other places to eat in the area.

 

[disney world dreamer]

titanic: the experience
ripley's believe it or not
weeki wachee springs (home of the mermaids)

 

[lschism]

Heading to Orlando 22-29th of June...we read the mixed reviews, but are going to give Wet n Wild a chance with a cabana and 1 time express passes. The actual slide reviews look pretty good and for $140 you could get the one time express passes for 6, ride everything and then hit the road after a few hours. I hear they have a lot of family and multi person slides. We are also thinking about going to the Orlando Ice Bar for fun drinks and bite to eat with the kids since we saw one on TV a while back (all ages welcome from 6-8). We also found out that by coincidence the Walker Stalker Zombie Convention is in town during our dates and since we are all Walking Dead fans we opted for that as our non-theme park entertainment. Ha ha...not suggesting that for you, but just that you never know what you might find going on!

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

One of my favorite cheap things to do is visit the natural springs in the area. Google pictures of Rock Springs at Kelly Park.. it's stunning! It's only a few dollars to get in and a few dollars per tube if you choose to rent them (which I recommend). It's a beautiful place and a ton of fun. Wekiva Springs and Blue Springs are also great choices.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

My price conscientious husband has now suggested we do a WDW water park we did Typhoon lagoon last year, so blizzard beach might work for us. I saw the hot air balloon ride, but the groupon was sold out when I looked a little bit ago.

I'll also look into the wild Florida airboat. Is that 25% off everyone?

Oooh wild Florida is cheap! I'll definitely mention that to him.

The Entertainment Book coupon is valid for 25% off "one or any size group". But you have to have the airboat/wildlife park combo (not just the wildlife park).

You can also buy online here, and get 20% off (no Entertainment Book coupon required):

http://www.destinationcoupons.com/F...lorida-wildlife-park-coupons.asp#.VX4mkvlViko

We have done Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and Aquatica, and honestly.....Blizzard Beach was our LEAST favorite of the 3.

 

[ladeedeb]

I don't know if you have stayed there before, but if not, how about doing a pool hop over to HRH pool for some time there. They have the underwater music, slide, and games to play. Then do BMG that evening? BMG is not cheap, but it doesn't cost anything to hop to HRH unless you purchase food or shop.

 

[AthenaBolina]

titanic: the experience
ripley's believe it or not
weeki wachee springs (home of the mermaids)

Ripley's is something our kids would probably enjoy, it's on our list!

Heading to Orlando 22-29th of June...we read the mixed reviews, but are going to give Wet n Wild a chance with a cabana and 1 time express passes. The actual slide reviews look pretty good and for $140 you could get the one time express passes for 6, ride everything and then hit the road after a few hours. I hear they have a lot of family and multi person slides. We are also thinking about going to the Orlando Ice Bar for fun drinks and bite to eat with the kids since we saw one on TV a while back (all ages welcome from 6-8). We also found out that by coincidence the Walker Stalker Zombie Convention is in town during our dates and since we are all Walking Dead fans we opted for that as our non-theme park entertainment. Ha ha...not suggesting that for you, but just that you never know what you might find going on!

We have tickets for WNW already included in our unlimited pass. We may or may not go there, as we're unsure of the reviews also. But a cabana was something we considered.
Never heard of the ice bar, but I will definitely google that. It sounds super awesome!!

One of my favorite cheap things to do is visit the natural springs in the area. Google pictures of Rock Springs at Kelly Park.. it's stunning! It's only a few dollars to get in and a few dollars per tube if you choose to rent them (which I recommend). It's a beautiful place and a ton of fun. Wekiva Springs and Blue Springs are also great choices.

That sounds like fun! Off to google I go.

The Entertainment Book coupon is valid for 25% off "one or any size group". But you have to have the airboat/wildlife park combo (not just the wildlife park).

You can also buy online here, and get 20% off (no Entertainment Book coupon required):

http://www.destinationcoupons.com/F...lorida-wildlife-park-coupons.asp#.VX4mkvlViko

We have done Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and Aquatica, and honestly.....Blizzard Beach was our LEAST favorite of the 3.

Why is blizzard beach your least favorite? We thought it might be fun to try something new. We did adore typhoon lagoon though!!

Thanks for the link too btw. And also, I read your entire trip report in a few hours. It was awesome and gave me some great ideas! But I never commented lol. I'm a fellow Canadian too, born and raised near Vancouver BC.

I don't know if you have stayed there before, but if not, how about doing a pool hop over to HRH pool for some time there. They have the underwater music, slide, and games to play. Then do BMG that evening? BMG is not cheap, but it doesn't cost anything to hop to HRH unless you purchase food or shop.

I want to pool hop. I think the kids would like it. We're used to WDW forbidding it

 

[AthenaBolina]

One of my favorite cheap things to do is visit the natural springs in the area. Google pictures of Rock Springs at Kelly Park.. it's stunning! It's only a few dollars to get in and a few dollars per tube if you choose to rent them (which I recommend). It's a beautiful place and a ton of fun. Wekiva Springs and Blue Springs are also great choices.

I googled. Oh my that is absolutely gorgeous!! Definitely showing my husband later on. I'd LOVE to do that!

 

[anorman]

Old Town is in Kissimmee and looks like it might have some interesting things going on. There are antique car, motorcycle, muscle car parades often in the evenings. They have bumper cars and some rides that look like fun. It doesn't look all that expensive to do. We're going to check out the haunted house and get an "old timey" photo done while we are there.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Why is blizzard beach your least favorite? We thought it might be fun to try something new. We did adore typhoon lagoon though!!

Thanks for the link too btw. And also, I read your entire trip report in a few hours. It was awesome and gave me some great ideas! But I never commented lol. I'm a fellow Canadian too, born and raised near Vancouver BC.

A big hello from a fellow Canuck!

Too much concrete at Blizzard Beach, underwhelming attractions (their bobbing wave pool was a huge disappointment) and we hated the "snow" theme. It was well executed and "cutesy" but it sure didn't appeal to us as Northerners (I guess we get too much of the real thing at home to find it novel at a Florida water park). Typhoon Lagoon and Aquatica both feel tropical and "fun". TL has that freakishly awesome wave pool, while Aquatica has the most incredible tubeless "lazy river" with a strong currrent that is just a BLAST (its my favourite water feature at any waterpark we've ever been to).

We have returned to TL and AQ multiple times, but BB was definitely a "one and done" park.

Thank you for the kind comments on my trip report! Next time, don't be so shy and add in your comments along the way .