Other than WDW & Universal - where else could we visit in Florida??

[KELLY'S]

Husband and I were just chatting and wondered as Florida is so huge where else is worth a visit aswell as the parks?

I know the everglades is supposed to be good as well as gatorland but is there any suggestions you have that may be different??

Thanks xxx

 

[wayneg]

We have done these:
Clearwater
Cape Canaveral for the afternoon waving the cruise ships off, theres a bar with live misic, a good Sunday afternoon out.
Busch Gardens (my Fave park in Florida)
Celebration for a couple of hours
Old town Car parade, Bike parade or just a look around the shops.
A cruise, Done Disney and Royal Carribean both excellent.
Daytona (I don't like but some do, especially if you are into car racing)
Airboat ride

 

[KELLY'S]

Oh lovely - I'll get looking into those - what is Celebration - excuse my ignorance I need to read up more I'm sure! And the Old Town where is that please??

Thanks again xx

 

[wayneg]

Both are just off Hwy192, 10 mins from Disney.

Celebration is the town Disney built, A lake in the town centre with nice places to eat around it, plus a few shops, Post office etc. When DS was smaller he used to enjoy playing in the fountain. I have a folder here with a few pics from Xmas in, they do a similar thing for Autumn(fall) with leaves are falling.
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/wayneg1/Xmas Celebration/
http://www.celebration.fl.us/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebration,_Florida
http://celebrationtowncenter.com/
http://www.google.co.uk/images?hl=e...tle&resnum=5&ved=0CEcQsAQwBA&biw=1419&bih=699

Old Town
I don't have many pics uploaded http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/wayneg1/Old Town/
http://www.old-town.com/

 

[scottishgirl87]

Have you been to Discovery Cove?! Absolutely amazing place!

 

[KELLY'S]

Thanks - that's great - more to add to my 'planning list'!!!

Many thanks - could I just ask have you done the everglades at all or gator land? If so are they recommended??

Thanks sorry to keep asking questions it kind of gets like that when you start thinking doesn't it! xx

 

[KELLY'S]

Have you been to Discovery Cove?! Absolutely amazing place!

Hi - I'd love to go but with finances and job insecurity we're really tightening our belts for the trip as it is - think that'll just be too expensive. However should things change - I'm sure that'll be on our list!!!! Thanks xx

 

[kieras nana]

we are doing,spirit of the swamp airboat trip,this time.it is getting really good reviews,on other sites.
you will be sorry,you asked this question,as you will realise,it will be impossible,to fit it all in
happy planning
tracy

 

[wayneg]

you will be sorry,you asked this question,as you will realise,it will be impossible,to fit it all in

As Tracy says you can't fit everything into 1 trip, we have been 24 times totalling over a year there and still do something different every trip.

The Everglades Nation Park is right down in the South of Florida, not somewhere I would travel to to see some Marshland, plenty of Airboat trips around Disney.
Gatorland is not our sort of place, prefer to see Gators in the wild, had one in lake at side of hotel(Best Western Lakside HWY 192) a few years back, i believe its still there. I have nothing against animals in captivity just a gator park has never atrtracted me.

Forgot about DC if you can afford it then go, some good deals on depending on time of year you go, http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/wayneg1/Discovery Cove/

 

[KELLY'S]

we are doing,spirit of the swamp airboat trip,this time.it is getting really good reviews,on other sites.
you will be sorry,you asked this question,as you will realise,it will be impossible,to fit it all in
happy planning
tracy

Ha I know you kind of have to narrow down the most important things don't you - which when written down appear to be everything!!!! We kind of focused on the parks and shopping last time so this time we do want to do some other different things - I'll take a look at the spirit of the swamp airboat sounds good!

Thanks xx

 

[wayneg]

http://www.orlandoinfo.com/magicard/

We did Boggy Creek airboats which were great. Coupon on this site 3 for price of 2. Also coupons for other airboat companies.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

There's also the Space Centre and St Augustines.

 

[j9000]

the Kennedy Space Centre if you haven't been is brilliant, really interesting and a good full day out

in the local area, Gatorland is my non disney/universal fave

 

[Boodle]

Husband and I were just chatting and wondered as Florida is so huge where else is worth a visit aswell as the parks?

I know the everglades is supposed to be good as well as gatorland but is there any suggestions you have that may be different??

Thanks xxx

Have a day at the beach - New Smyrna is great and just over an hour to the east. Take your rental car on the beach at Daytona!

 

[dixonsontour]

If it's your first trip i'd recommend the Brit's guide to orlando by simon and susan veness - will help you narrow down your options.

 

[Muse]

We did the everglades last time we went (2000). Booked a coach trip. It was pre kids!! Would have been a nightmare with kids as it is long trip down. However, it was a great day out. We went to see some alligator farms, did a mini 'jungle' adventure and of course the Air Boat ride.

Also went north to St Augustine. Another fab day out and worth the trek. A lovely town with no sign of Mickey!! You do get a bit Mickey'd out over there! Visited Castillo de san Marcos a fab castle/fort in St Augustine, and still have the fridge magnet to prove it!!

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

We like the scenic boat ride at Winter Park, Celebration, Sea World and Busch Gardens.

We have also visited the beacha couple of times and this year plan to visit one of the state parks - saying that we planned this before but never got round to it somehow

 

[KELLY'S]

Wow Thanx everybody so much to look into!!! You're all wonderful x x x

 

[Lisa x]

You do get a bit Mickey'd out over there!

I could never get Mickey'd out!

But maybe thats just me!

 

[KELLY'S]

I must now being the planning I think - so much to do! And only 9 months!!!! xxx