Planning a trip for anniversary

[dizneygirl123]

We are heading to Orlando for our 20th anniversary - we have never been without our 3 kids. Any suggestions for places to go / eat outside Disney
Thanks

 

[tednvon]

Oh my goodness, the trip dreamed about and now what do we do without the kids??
Congrats on 20 years!

Since I do not know how long you will be in the area, what your interests are, or your budget there are few ideas I will throw out and maybe others on the boards can add on.

Fun things to do if never done before:

Hot Air Balloon ride...spectacular early morning views. They only go up on days that weather is pretty calm and clear. Can be chilly in winter months.

A true Flea Market...only on Saturday or Sunday...best in class in my opinion is Renninger's in Mt. Dora... http://www.renningers.com/dora/dorahome.htm ...50 minute drive from Disney area
Of course there is the one and only Webster's (king of em all) on Monday
http://www.wftv.com/travelgetaways/17324371/detail.html ...the only one in Florida on Monday...get up at 6:30am, be there by 8am as it closes by 2-3PM...a true early bird flea market and in 5 hours you will not see it all!!!...50 minute drive from Disney area

Honeymoon Island beach...http://floridastateparks.org/honeymoonisland/default.cfm
Go there for about 3-4 hours in the morning (about 90 minutes from Disney) and then short drive over to Clearwater Beach. Find a little out of the way restaurant a block or two off the beach for seafood.

Golfing...do a Mt. Dora golf day...Play www.deerislandgolf.com in the morning (about 50 minutes from Disney) and then go over to downtown Mt. Dora for artsy shopping and food. Mt. Dora is "little art capitol of Florida" and has great shops. Deer Island is golf on an island with gators and lots of wildlife about a 15 minute drive from downtown Mt. Dora...

So those are few ideas...good luck with what you choose and have a great time...Ted

 

[dizneygirl123]

Thanks so much for the ideas - My hubby will love the flea market - I will love the beach. Any suggested places to eat in Orlando.
You are right - what do we do without the kids!!

 

[Orlando Vic]

Thanks so much for the ideas - My hubby will love the flea market - I will love the beach. Any suggested places to eat in Orlando.
You are right - what do we do without the kids!!

Victoria & Albert's (caution: $$$$$) http://victoria-alberts.com
Season's 52 http://www.seasons52.com
The Venetian Room http://thevenetianroom.com
Norman's (at the Ritz-Carlton) http://www.normans.com/home.php

 

[tednvon]

WOW, so many places to eat and again depending on time, budget, and what your tastes are.
We tend to stay away from the really high end places where you drop a ton of money and walk away thinking we should have donated half the money to a good cause.
If you really like good snow crab, and don't mind a nice but not super fancy place we go to Crabby Joes in the Clarion on 192 between Old Lake Wilson and Formosa Garden Blvd. About $25 for all you can eat crab. They have a nice little buffet with other choices including all you can eat oysters on the half shell. But it is the crab that you just feast on and is obviously the hit of the buffet.

We also love eating in downtown Celebration. The Town Tavern has great onion rings and everything from beans and wienes to flown in Maine Lobster..and very good prices. Meat Loaf is to die for.

DeAntonios is very good for Italian in Celebration. Take 192 to Celebration entrance by the old water tower and follow the signs to Town Center...If you like British food there is a small pub across from Town Tavern toward the hotel that has great fish and chips and shepherd's pie.

Now, if you want a local favorite dive for great sea food it has to be Gary's Oyster Bar in Lake Alfred (not the one in Winter Haven) http://maps.google.com/maps/place?c...WTez6KoK8Nuf-sbAE&sig2=2HTNLYrk67DYgKfdIE0RKQ
Now this place is really basic but the parking lot is always full and you will be on the youngest folks in there...a real local favorite. About 25 minute from Disney down I-4 to Lake Alfred exit and then turn right on 92 in Lake Alfred and it is just out of town on the right...this is old Florida...lots of lakes and

And finally we love breakfast at Kona cafe in Polynesian Hotel. I know it is kind of in Disney but love it anyway. Tonga toast is to die for also...
My wife votes for Taste of Florida...http://www.langsuncountry.com/shop/taste-of-florida-cafe.php OPEN ONLY OCT TO MAY ...great little family orchard and restaurant for lunch...about 25 minute from Disney...take 27 south just past Haines City and then watch close just over the bridge for 92 west...It is about 5 miles west on 192 on the right...again old florida lakes and lot of mobile homes!!

That should give some ideas along with a fun meal in downtown Mt. Dora. If you do the flea Market head on into Mt. Dora for a fun dinner....

Ted

 

[vicki_c]

We wanted to go to the Columbia restaurant in Celebration last trip, but ended up cancelling our reservation. So that's a place I wanted to try.

 

[dizneygirl123]

Thanks so much for all of your great ideas!! I am sure we will have a great time!! Sounds like we will eat good too

 

[tednvon]

Have a great time...if you get a chance, let us know what you chose and what you enjoyed...Ted