other than disney

[kellie37]

other than disney parks, universal and discovery cove is ther any where else that people would recommend for a visit?

 

[disneyholic family]

other than disney parks, universal and discovery cove is ther any where else that people would recommend for a visit?

Busch Gardens - but it's quite far away - in Tampa....on the gulf coast of Florida - about an hour's drive each way...

oh wait, what about Sea World - right near Discovery Cove

 

[natalielongstaff]

boggy creek airboat rides is a fab afternoon out

http://www.bcairboats.com/

 

[PoppyAnna]

Don't forget water parks - we've some of our nicest days at water parks.
We are making a late booking this week for next month and are hoping to do Disney (concentrating more on water parks), Busch Gardens, Kennedy and Cypress Gardens. I know we won't go to Seaworld and probably not US and IOA.
I've never been to Cypress Gardens but maybe check out the website, it's Florida's original theme park and very old fashioned and has lovely gardens too. It has recently re-opened after being closed for a year or so, it has opened a mini waterpark for little un's too.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Sea World is definitely worth a visit and excellent value for money as they always have special offers on.
Last year we had 7 days access for the price of a 1 day ticket, and if you go to Discovery Cove you get the option of 7 days at SW free too.

Depending on when you are going the new Aquatica water park is due to open next March, personally looking forward to this as our son although he loves water has never taken to the Disney water parks.

Away from the parks, if you have a car I can highly recommend a trip to Clearwater or St. Petes beach, well worth a day out to the coast there.

 

[Jakey Rowling]

other than disney parks, universal and discovery cove is ther any where else that people would recommend for a visit?

If you like the Universal parks then for Busch Gardens.
Ditto as above for Seaworld, Discovery Cove and the waterparks.

Personally we found Clearwater a bit of a disappointment but still glad we went to see it for ourselves, maybe we didn't research it enough before we went.
We went 2005 BD, Before DIS.

 

[Callum]

The Gulf Coast is definately worth a day trip (or even longer). We head for Treasure Island (south of Clearwater and just North of St Pete's). Very quiet but not a lot to keep kids occupied other than a great beach.

If you are travelling with kids, Green Meadow Petting Farm on Ponciana is worth a half day visit. We went there with our 7yo niece earlier this year and she loved getting up close to all the animals. She even got to milk a cow

http://www.greenmeadowsfarm.com/

 

[Netty]

Try Silver Springs, its a lovely relaxing day out


http://www.silversprings.com/

 

[Netty]

I've never been to Cypress Gardens but maybe check out the website, it's Florida's original theme park and very old fashioned and has lovely gardens too. It has recently re-opened after being closed for a year or so, it has opened a mini waterpark for little un's too.

we went to cypress gardens a couple of weeks ago, and didnt think it was worth the money, it looked like it need more money ploughing into it and the gardens were a disappointment, the rose garden was just one bush and the herb garden was a pile of soil,, there was only 1 belle out as the others had gone back to college, and most of the shops were closed.
this is what we found when we went for the first time, and it may be different for you but somehow i doubt it!

 

[PoppyAnna]

we went to cypress gardens a couple of weeks ago, and didnt think it was worth the money, it looked like it need more money ploughing into it and the gardens were a disappointment, the rose garden was just one bush and the herb garden was a pile of soil,, there was only 1 belle out as the others had gone back to college, and most of the shops were closed.
this is what we found when we went for the first time, and it may be different for you but somehow i doubt it!

Thanks for that Netty, I shall show DH your post and see what he thinks, perhaps not worth the day out after all, as it is a toss up between there and Clearwater anyway! I may get my trip to the beach after all

 

[wayneg]

Personally we found Clearwater a bit of a disappointment but still glad we went to see it for ourselves, maybe we didn't research it enough before we went.

Same here, we spent a week in clearwater after 2 weeks doing the parks. Bored stiff for a week. Other poeple love the coast, its not our thing.

For an evening I can highly recommend seeing the Blue Man Group at Universal. Cost us £100 for 3 of us incl 10% AP discount. Its totally different to anything else. We don't usually do evening shows like Pirates, Dolly's etc but will be booking BMG again for next year.
Busch is as good as any of the other parks.
For something free Old Town car cruise Saturday eve 8:30pm, smaller one on Fri eve or Bike night Thurs eve. Great for a couple of hours. Also we enjoy a trip to Celebration for a couple of hours early eve, watch kids play in water fountain and chill.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We wouldn't stay at Clearwater or any beach location for a week or so - just find a day trip to the coast is a nice change from Orlando.
Guess it's because we used to travel around a lot more till Joshua was born that means I like a beach-day every now and again.

Old Town is good, especially at weekend's, although strangely we didn't enjoy it at all last year.

 

[daffy dill]

heres one thats different.
Cassadaga Spiritulists Camp is a 30 miles north of Orlando and the mediums there just bowled us over with the accuracy they had.Its to long a story but we were really sceptical when we first came across the place but thought we'd get a reading just for a laugh but soon got totally gob smacked with what we were told
Have a look www.cassadaga.org and make your own mind up if its your thing or not

 

[wayneg]

heres one thats different.
Cassadaga Spiritulists Camp is a 30 miles north of Orlando and the mediums there just bowled us over with the accuracy they had.Its to long a story but we were really sceptical when we first came across the place but thought we'd get a reading just for a laugh but soon got totally gob smacked with what we were told
Have a look www.cassadaga.org and make your own mind up if its your thing or not

Would probably not go to something like this on holiday but I did see one here a couple of years back just after my Mum passed away. He is very popular around here called Stephen Holbrook, he has a website and does Town halls and places. Cut a long story, I was a total none believer until I saw him. He picked me out, right at back of Batley town Hall of all places and gave me 15 pieces of info, 14 were spot on, not just random things but very accurate. Only 1 thing I could not relate to. I am still not 100% convinced and believe a lot do it to scam people but it was a good experience.