Suggestions for off-site things to do with my girls

[DisneyLvr55]

Hey all - This is a new disboard section for me!!!

I'm taking my girls down to Disney for 4 nights, 5 days, and staying on-site. However, we won't be going into the parks this trip, and though I have a lot of ideas for things to do in Disney (resort pool, campfires at the hotel, two character meals, get the kitchen sink at B&C, spend time in DtD and explore the resorts) I'm worried they may get bored, and would like a few ideas of things to do outside of Disney. My girls are 7 & 9, and I'm not looking to spend tons of cash on this, but we are open to anything!


Thoughts??


ETA - I'll have a car, so transportation isn't an issue

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Some things that we have done and enjoyed.....

- Gatorland

- An airboat ride (we love Wild Willy's)

- Showcase of Citrus (a monster truck ride through an orange grove....look for a deal on Groupon or Livingsocial to save some $$'s)

- Mini golf (we love Congo River because you can also feed the alligators and koi fish, but Pirates Cove is a close second.....Hawaiian Rumble, Volcano Island, Gator Golf on I-Drive, and Mighty Jungle in Kissimmee are a few others)

- A beach day (Cocoa Beach is only an hour away, and Ron Jon's Surf Shop is a fun place to visit while you are there)

- SeaWorld (I know you said no parks, but you can snag some pretty decent ticket deals these days, and they have their 50th anniversary celebration currently running)

A few other ideas are the Florida Aquarium in Tampa, Fun Spot, Wonderworks (get the combo that includes the Outta Control Dinner Show....its awesome and totally family friendly!), or maybe day passes to Coco Key?

 

[Woodview]

I agree with Gina in All of the above.... BUT .. as you have said your

time is limited.

So I would go to Gatorland ... which is only a short Taxi ride away.

It is on the OBT Hwy 1792 ( Turning LEFT off Osceola Hwy East )

& just past the Tupperware Convention Center .


Next if you have not been on an Airboat ride go to the one Gina has

mentioned .... ( No idea how to get there ) Or go to Boggy Creek

Airboats .


Show Case of Citrus is a good idea .... but a good 20 miles from Disney area.

( It is 14 miles North on Hwy 27 ... heading towards Clermont & just after

Tradds Landing )

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I agree with Gina in All of the above.... BUT .. as you have said your

time is limited.

So I would go to Gatorland ... which is only a short Taxi ride away.

It is on the OBT Hwy 1792 ( Turning LEFT off Osceola Hwy East )

& just past the Tupperware Convention Center .


Next if you have not been on an Airboat ride go to the one Gina has

mentioned .... ( No idea how to get there ) Or go to Boggy Creek

Airboats .


Show Case of Citrus is a good idea .... but a good 20 miles from Disney area.

( It is 14 miles North on Hwy 27 ... heading towards Clermont & just after

Tradds Landing )

The OP is staying at POP, so the difference in distance from POP to Gatorland and POP to Showcase of Citrus is minimal....one is about 12 miles per Google Maps, the other is 15. Both should be easy and relatively quick to get to .

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Also, just a thought....what about waterpark APs?

They are only about $100 pp, and good for unlimited visits for a full year. I think you are travelling in late August by your ticker? I would guess the girls would love to cool down at BB and TL, and then you get your Disney fix as well.

Just an idea I thought I'd pass along .

 

[Detailor]

A second on the mini-golf idea - don't forget that there are two Disney themed courses- Winter Summerland that's next to Blizzard Beach and Fantasia Gardens that's across the side road from the Swan and Dolphin hotel property.

Renting a surrey bike at BoardWalk and touring around the area can be fun (not sure how much a seven year old and a nine year old are going to be on those hills, though).

Dick Taylor

 

[Tramp68]

There is an indoor skydiving simulator near Universal.

The Titanic Experience is very cool and educational.

Wonderworks and Ripley Museum is entertaining.

Gatorland is great.

If religion is your thing, the HolyLand Experience was worth a visit.

Legoland (expensive and a park, but wish I had done it when my son was younger)

Make sure to spend time at AKV Jambo house. There is tons to do there. Plan your visit at night to see the animals with night vision goggles!

A dinner show - There is Medieval Times, a Pirate Adventure and a couple of other themes...

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

The Titanic Experience is very cool and educational.

I agree, but the content of the exhibit might be a bit mature for the OP's 7 & 9 year olds. Personally, I tell people its really not a place for kids under 10.

That said....we (even our teenager) thought it was well worth the visit. But expensive at full price. There is a buy one admission, get one free in the Entertainment Book which can make it much more reasonable.