Tell Me About The "Real" Orlando!

[tarheelmjfan]

Our DS has a 4 day weekend from school, & we're looking for a getaway. We've considered the possibilities & yep we're probably going back to Orlando. What can I say, it's close & convenient. We would be staying Fri. to Mon., & may add Thur. too.

We spent 5 nights at HRH a couple weeks ago, & are going back for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Haven't decided which. We've been to all the parks too many times to count, & know all about I-drive. We're looking for something new.

We don't have many plans so far. Our DS(14) wants go to Ripley's Odditorium again. We're going to surprise him with SkyVenture. Saks Comedy Lab is also on the list. We're considering the Outta Control Magic Show at Wonder Works, but pizza for dinner doesn't really sound appealing to us. Here's where you guys come in.

What else should we do, see, & eat? We want more of a locals experience this time & want to avoid most of the touristy stuff. We're not really into nature. We like being entertained, & all enjoy great food. We enjoy dressing for the evening. Our DS is fairly mature for his age, & is up for anything adults normally enjoy. Of course, it needs to be age appropriate. Although, he probably wouldn't say so.

Last question...... Considering what we want to do, which area should I be looking for a hotel in? We like to drive as little as possible on vacation. When we go to WDW & UO, we never move our van. A hotel within close proximity to most things we do would be great. We have a pet that travels with us, & are limited as to where we can to stay. I really just need to know which area to look in.

Any suggestions you have will be very much appreciated.

 

[Cindy B]

Skyventure and Saks Comedy Lab sounds like great fun.

We've observed skyventure and it looks very interesting. DH is a former skydiving instructor and was impressed wtih the facility and was able to observe for quite a while.

We watched as they went in with an older child (maybe 10-12) and the wind really whoosed her up. She looked terrified, because it is sudden! She was actually crying. Its very sudden, very fast and extremely loud.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I hope it isn't too much for our DS(14). I may have to make my DH do it too, so our son can use him as a guinea pig.

 

[tednvon]

How about a hot air balloon ride?

 

[tarheelmjfan]

How about a hot air balloon ride?

My DH & DS would probably love it. I have an extreme case of acrophobia. Forget sedation. I would have to be anesthetized to a point of total unconsciousness, before they could get me in the basket.

 

[isla bonita]

We picked our own fruit here.

http://www.showcaseofcitrus.com/

We had a ball. You should see what it takes to pull a grapefruit off the tree. The rewards were yummy and the oj smoothies were great. I on the other hand am looking forward to the great margaritas this next trip.
Deb

This might be interesting we have done it yet but plan on it at some time in the future.

 

[Jason71]

SAK puts on a good show, but FYI, they have had budget problems lately and it is a real possibility they will no longer be around come November. If they are, will probably not be in the same space downtown. You might want to double-check come October.

For good restaurants where you will not feel out-of-place dressed up, look to Sand Lake Road, near Dr. Phillips. Too many to mention, but I personally can recommend Bonefish Grill, Amura, and Anelle & Hugo (sure I misspelled the last).

 

[tarheelmjfan]

SAK puts on a good show, but FYI, they have had budget problems lately and it is a real possibility they will no longer be around come November. If they are, will probably not be in the same space downtown. You might want to double-check come October.

For good restaurants where you will not feel out-of-place dressed up, look to Sand Lake Road, near Dr. Phillips. Too many to mention, but I personally can recommend Bonefish Grill, Amura, and Anelle & Hugo (sure I misspelled the last).

That's a bummer about SAK. We were really looking forward to going one evening. FYI, this would be during an Oct. 12th/13th (not sure which) to 16th trip. I'll check the site closer to our stay.

Could you give me more info on the downtown area? We've been to Church St. Station, & TD Waterhouse Centre. That's it! All our other trips have been concentrated in the SW to WDW area. What is there to do in the downtown area? (Keep in mind that we don't like shopping. ) How about evening entertainment? Also, is there an area that we should avoid? I seem to be having a hard time finding info on the downtown area. Articles I've read about the supposed "other" Orlando are about Universal, SW, etc. Hello, there's a big city there. Not to mention the fact that WDW isn't even in Orlando. It seems very few people have noticed.

 

[Jason71]

Could you give me more info on the downtown area? We've been to Church St. Station, & TD Waterhouse Centre.

Some restaurants, mostly bars ("meet markets" if you catch my drift). Church St. Station is gone, some of the old buildings are being re-used--the old Rosie O'Gradys is now a comedy club. For the most part, a younger crowd, but not so young that a teenager is going to be allowed in.

The Orlando History Museum on Central is worth a visit. A friend of mine used to do ghost tours downtown but he quit a year or two ago; his competitor might still be in business if you do a Google search. As I said before, SAK is very good if they are still around. Honestly, I am hard pressed to come up with anything else--without the theme parks, Orlando is just a typical small city. A lot of drinking, not a whole lot else.

"Paramore," the area around Paramore Avenue, is generally considered "the wrong side of the tracks" (or, in this case, the wrong side of I-4), but to be honest, you have to keep your guard up anywhere downtown, as in any other city.

 

[kennancat]

I've done Skyventure. It was really neat, although boy did my back hurt afterwards If you can get an Entertainment book ahead of time, they have a "buy one, get one" coupon for them

I also enjoyed the Orange County History Museum, and it's another one with a discount coupon in the entertainment book. Depending on what time of year you come (right after Thanksgiving, I think), the Festival of Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art is good. They may have the Broadway shows in, but the Bob Carr is a lousy theater. Other things locals do: Magic games, ballet, opera. I liked the Orlando Science Center, but the last time I went there, I wasn't very happy with the condition. They do have a nice IMAX theater still. The Winter Park boat rides are one of those things that I've been meaning to do, but haven't gotten around to yet.

And last, I can't believe I'm going to suggest this one, but if you come around Thanksgiving, look to see if they still do the school bus races at the Bithlo track. Your 14YO DS will probably love it.

 

[ohiomom28]

We looked into SkyVenture but decided on the Sling Shot on I-drive instead. My boyfriend and our 6 year old son went on it. They had alot of fun and it was alot cheaper.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks again for all your help. Unfortunately, the 2006 Orlando Entertainment books are sold out. I wish I would have ordered one earlier. We will be sure to avoid the areas you've suggested. That's very helpful info for anyone visiting a city. I'm sure we can find enough things to do to more than fill our time there.

 

[MinnieMom]

Thanks again for all your help. Unfortunately, the 2006 Orlando Entertainment books are sold out. I wish I would have ordered one earlier. We will be sure to avoid the areas you've suggested. That's very helpful info for anyone visiting a city. I'm sure we can find enough things to do to more than fill our time there.

I have a 2006 entertainment book that we bought for our trip in March. We only used a few of the coupons . . . definitely didn't use the Skyventure one! If you're interested, I'd ship it to you if you wanted to cover the shipping costs. Just let me know!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

 

[kennancat]

Unfortunately, the 2006 Orlando Entertainment books are sold out.

Check the dates for when you'll be here - you may need to order the 2007 one anyway. I just checked my card and it expires Nov 1, so you will need to purchase the 2007 book if you'll be here during the Thanksgiving/Xmas season.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Check the dates for when you'll be here - you may need to order the 2007 one anyway. I just checked my card and it expires Nov 1, so you will need to purchase the 2007 book if you'll be here during the Thanksgiving/Xmas season.

Thanks for the tip. We're looking at Oct. 13th to 16th for the Orlando getaway. I think we're going to spend Thanksgiving in St. Augustine.

 

[scarboroughmom]

I know it's not a new idea but the dinner shows like Medievil Times and Dixie Stampede are fun.