Special day out needed

[london75]

Hi all,

It's been a long time since I visited and longer since I posted but I need your help. We go pretty much every year and still love nothing more than just wandering around Epcot with a glass of wine or strolling up Main Street but every year we try and do something new. Normally that might be a show or attraction we've never seen, believe it or not last year was our first visit to Tom Sawyer island after 15 years of trips!

This year I'd like to do a day out, between 1 and 2 hour drive out. But first a bit about us, family of four with two girls 11 & 9 both firmly brought up in the age of iPads and the internet.

Youngest loves animals, eldest doesn't. Eldest likes rides, youngest not so much. Youngest hates heights (hot air balloon ride is out) etc.

So a location with something interesting to see or do and a nice place for a meal and stroll/explore would be good. Swimming with any type of animal is a non starter.

We like the beach, we went to Clearwater a few years ago but possibly went to the wrong bit so it was very quiet, not much to do and we struggled to find a nice restaurant ( definitely at the wrong bit I think).

Any ideas? I don't think we've done everything yet!

Oh, no queueing so Kennedy is out. My kids are rubbish, might just leave them at home!

 

[disneyholic family]

do you like to watch ships sailing away? like taking a drive to port canaveral...there's a beach nearby there....though i don't ever swim in the atlantic, so i wouldn't suggest doing that!!...
or is that too boring for young kids..
i was going to suggest kennedy, but you said that's out..
though i don't remember doing any queuing while we were there..

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

That's a tough one with so many competing likes and dislikes. Busch Gardens has animals and rides?

I was also going to say Cocoa Beach, we actually like the waves on the beach, not to swim in, just to jump about in. Ron Jons was also good to look round.

When we went to Clearwater we went to Honeymoon Island which was lovely for the beach, but certainly quieter than the main area, so I can't help you out there.

What about Deleon state park, you can cook your own pancakes at their restaurant. In December we visited Wekiwa Springs, where you can swim (plenty were) or hire a kayak or a canoe which was really popular. We called at the Cheesecake Factory on the way back. We also like Blue Springs state park and have taken the boat ride there, but that's probably too tame and boring

 

[london75]

Thanks, great ideas for a bit of research, I'll let you know what we end up doing! Like the idea of the boat trip.

 

[Woodview]

Here are 2 ideas for you

( 1 ) An Airboat Ride . www.airboatridesatmidway.com

28501 E.Colonial Drive, Christmas Fl. 32709 Phone 407 568 6790

On the road to Titusville . You can picnic at the Replica of Christmas army Fort .

( 2 ) A Boat tour on a Pontoon Boat at " Blue Heron River Tours " at Hontoon Landing

Blue Heron River Tours 2317 River Ridge Road Deland Florida 32720 Phone 386 873 4843

This is north of Orlando .......... well worth a visit .


Let the " Kids " use their I pads in the back while you enjoy the drive in the real Florida .

Then at ( 1 ) or ( 2 ) lock devices in car and let them see " Stuff " for an hour or so .

Wind in their hair as they zoom around in an airboat ( 1 ) or glide deep into jungle trees in ( 2 )

Eating places ...... Let the " kids " look up places on their equipment .... involve them in the planning