Tell me what to do in the "Other Orlando..."

[tinkerbeth]

Hi!

We're doing the Other Orlando this March break. I'm a bit Disney'd out, as is my VISA! We're hoping to spend a fair amount of time at the hotel (Radisson Worldgate) just hanging out by the pool. (Fingers crossed for warmer weather than last year! ) We thought we'd do SeaWorld since that looks fun and educational, and *maybe* Universal. I'm sure there are other cool things to do that I haven't even thought of. Any ideas?

Our Demographics are as follows:

Dh - totally disney'd out; science buff and jock
Ds4 - Would rather go to Disney but he doesn't get a say this time! Loves animals and swimming
ME - Pregnant so nothing too crazy, looking for some relaxing times and maybe some interesting attractions.

Thanks for your advice!

Beth

 

[spiceycat]

loves animal - oh boy!!!

www.gatorland.com
www.silversprings.com
http://www.amazingexotics.com/
http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/florida/preserves/art5523.html

http://www.orlandoinfo.com/attractions/attract_splash.cfm?ID=162306&cli_number=2291&sitearea=attract
http://www.greenmeadowsfarm.com/

http://www.osc.org/

http://www.jungleadventures.com/

this is a bit further away
http://www.brevardzoo.org/

http://www.theotherorlando.com/contents/chapters/15/jungleland.html

 

[spiceycat]

I can get some more on science if you want...

 

[VacationDad]

Seaworld is offering 7 days for the price of one admission, so if you wanted you could get Seaworld'd out after this next vacation.

Now if only the parking was free...

 

[tinkerbeth]

You guys!

I came back to the computer and found all this already! Gator land looks really fun. I know Gabe would love it. I think I remember going there as a kid myself. I'm still checking out the other stuff. I might buy the book...

There's nothing like the DIS to help you get excited about your trip!

Beth

 

[leila]

Lake Eola in dowtown Orlando is a GREAT place to have a picnic! Pretty park, great walking path around the lake & wonderful playground.

 

[JenniferW]

I also like Leu Gardens, not sure how much a 4 year old would, but my 2 year hung out and sniffed the flowers.

Jenn

 

[mfern4]

My kids (at the time 5 and 11) LOVED it and so did my husband. I was sick and had to stay behind. But I had been there many years before when we were on our honeymoon and I loved it then. They got their pics taken with a baby alligator (my youngest was THRILLED). DH bought them some fried alligator (taste like chicken...lol), amazingly my very picky children liked it.

It's a MUST see if you have not been there before!!

 

[Noonatic]

We went to the Orlando Science Center this February on a very rainy day. It was raining inside-roof leaked everywhere! The elevators were broken, had a lot of stair climbing and half the displays didn't work. One whole room was closed for a new display which may be open when you are there, and the planitarium show was not working right either. Since it was raining, we couldn't see out the telescope that evening. It's a beautiful building, but for a city which has Epcot, Amimal Kingdom and Sea World, we thought their science center would be cutting edge, very disappointed. It was also a little higher priced than would be expected.

 

[VacationDad]

My kids (at the time 5 and 11) LOVED it and so did my husband. I was sick and had to stay behind. But I had been there many years before when we were on our honeymoon and I loved it then. They got their pics taken with a baby alligator (my youngest was THRILLED). DH bought them some fried alligator (taste like chicken...lol), amazingly my very picky children liked it.

It's a MUST see if you have not been there before!!

Holy Cow! $19.95 each for adults, $12.95 for kids?! http://www.gatorland.com/park_info.html

I suppose compared to the theme parks that seems cheap, but wow.

 

[Vivianne]

DH and I enjoyed an attraction called Fantasy of Flight. It's very educational and you get to see a variety of planes and even get on some of them. They also do an aerial show.

 

[Noonatic]

Where is Fantasy of Flight?

 

[ducklite]

Lake Louisa State Park--I think it's $4 for a carload. Picnic area, lots of animal viewing, and lots of room to just run.

Just up the street from that is the Citrus Tower--you can go up about 20 stories and on a clear day see for about 30 miles or more. There's a small fee for it, if you are getting the Orlando Entertainment book there are coupons. Great restaurant in the base, Santiago's, cheap Mexican, hmmmm, sounds liek a plan for dinner tonight

Just up the road a bit more is the Lake Ridge Winery that offers free tours, and often has events going on over the weekend.

Anne

 

[Vivianne]

Where is Fantasy of Flight?

Their website is of course FantasyofFlight. Under contact you can get directions and a coupon.

Additionally, we went to the Audubon of Florida, at 1100 Audubon Way in Maitland. It's a rehabilitation center for injured birds of prey. They have eagles, owls, falcons etc. The bird handler asked us to pick a bird. We picked the barn owl. Got to see it way up close and talk to her for a while.

If you're a member of AAA call them for a Tourbook of Florida.

 

[spiceycat]

www.fantasylandofflight.com

since it didn't have animals I didn't post it.

www.skycoaster.cc

www.skydrivecity.com
www.thefloridacompanies.com

www.warbirdmuseum.com

there is still a bunch I haven't posted - what do you want...

you can also look for yourself on these sites

www.floridakiss.com
www.orlandoinfo.com