Things to do outher than disney

[paulh]

We will be going for three weeks we are loking for things to do outher than disney any ideas we are planing on Boggey creek tours one day a day at the beach with picknic (no beers as after last time dident realise the beach is dry cop was behind me when i was geting stuff out of car told me to put beers back in)Thought about a Balloon flight dont want any shopping ideas as we do that anyway we have anuals for water parks with disney quest and hopper days left on passes and this is if we dont get into HH on the wait list
Paulh

 

[juliebro]

You probably know already about the following - but I've included them anyway....

Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure
Sea World
Busch Gardens

Then there's other different things like

Winter Park boat trip
Orlando Magic basketball
Silver Springs
Skull Kingdom
Fantasy of Flight
Daytona USA
Historic Bok Sanctuary
Celebration
Gatorland
Kennedy Space Center

If you haven't already got it, I recommend the Brit's Guide, which has details of all the above, and more besides.

Julie

 

[paulh]

as we went 3 times last year trying to avoid parks we did universal as we stayed a few nights at hard rockand had annuals for bush and seaworld. Skull kingdom is sut down done KSC years ago done gatorland been round celebration (we thought of buying there)We are thinking of going Cypress gardens as well and doing boats at poly again
Paulh

 

[vernon]

Cypress Gardens is looking pretty good these days, new rides and an excellent deal on entry.

The Wilderness Preserve in Poinciana (20 miles south of WDW ) is a pleasant ( and cheap) afternoon trip. You can take a walk along one of the hiking trails there, they also do "swamp buggy" tours and a guide will explain to you how they are trying to preserve the Florida wilderness as well as some of the animals and birds they have on the preserve. We spent about 4 hours there I'd guess, if we'd taken the longer hike that could easily stretch out to 5 or 6. We saw deer, a coyote, a racoon, gators and plenty of birds. We saw tracks from foxes, a bobcat, wild piggies, gopher tortoises and armadillo. It's perfect possible you could run into any of these when out on the hike ( as well as a number of different snakes that live there so do be aware of what lives there). The guide also told us that for the last few years a female Florida panther had been bringing her cubs into the preserve for a couple of months each year as they grew up. You could easily couple this visit with a trail ride at "horse world" also in Poinciana, they run trail rides through the woodlands/nature areas around Poinciana. I think the rides vary from 1-3 hours. Also in that area is Green Meadows petting zoo/farm, again it's probably not more than a morning/afternoon's entertainment, but if the kids like animals etc it's a workable option to dovetail with either the horseworld ride or the Wilderness preserve for a whole (busy) day's activities or all could be used as a half days entertainment to go with a lazy half day round the pool.

Crystal River would be another option for an overnight trip ( depending on time of year) , the manatee swims are best in January/Feb/march I believe.

I would also consider a couple of days at St Augustine, if you go to Hilton Head, it's an option on the way up/down if you don't go to HH it's an option instead and spend a couple of days there. Plenty of history there and some great beaches.

 

[tartangirl]

3 times a year - wow

How about the cinema?

Last year was the first time we had gone to the cinema (after all you can do on a wet summers afternoon over here) but we enjoyed did and will be doing it again this year.

 

[magicgirl]

We went and spent a couple of nights on Treasure Island just down from Clearwater. We stayed in a small hotel in an efficiency which had a small kitchenette. We were right on the beach and it was lovely.

We have not done the Boggy Creek experience but have gone out on the St John's River on an airboat with Captain John from Christmas. He advertises in the small coupon books you pick up and also advertises on the internet but I can nor remember the address. We have always found this to be the highlight of the holiday.

Silver Springs is nice for a quiet day out.

 

[paulh]

Thanks for info we dont go 3 times every year that was ont last yaer been twice a few times been going for the last 12 years now visited 15 plus times allways seamed to do parks mainly never got tired of it yet
Paul

 

[UKDEB]

After years of almost getting around to the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, we eventually managed it in January '04. We loved it and will probably do it again in April (which will be our third trip since we did it last). You need to be a bit flexible with your plans, though, because you need a glorious day.

 

[SimonV]

Paul, what makes you think Skull Kingdom has shut down? It was certainly open the last time I drove past a few weeks ago, and I have heard nothing to the contrary. Are you confusing it with Terror on Church Street (which closed in the late 90s) or the Haunted Mansion, a short-lived attraction on Highway 192?

regards,

Simon

 

[paulh]

skull kingdom on i drive near wet an wild and on the juntion to universal we read it in the paper over there as we were planing on going that stay DW thinks she has got some days sorted after watching holiday progrme we might do the cruise again 3 nights only this time if we are booking will do it friday as DW dosent rush into things
Paulh

 

[CharleyUK]

If you like some action try warbird adventures. You get to fly a ww2 harvard jet and can even pay to do aerobatics. Its trully amazing. We went in november and there was still lots of damage to the hanger from Hurricaine Charley but the planes and a mash helicopter are flying .

Charley

 

[trevorsem]

Simon,

I thought Cypress Gardens had closed down???

 

[lagunn]

cypress gardens has reopened recently
www.cypressgardens.com

 

[paulh]

Cypress gardens has reopened a bit smaller as they have sold some off and have put in some new rides dont know about the water shows but gardens are open
Paulh

 

[Night-train]

You get to fly a ww2 harvard jet. Charley

Just a minor point, the Harvard is a propellor-driven 2-seat trainer, not a jet!

 

[fg_in_training]

Also a good place to visit other than Disney: Discovery Cove (across the street from Sea World, also owned by Anheiser Busch) It's something you need to plan a couple weeks in advance for but you can swim with the dolphins and do lots of things with animals. It's actually relaxing and there are no lines because they don't let people just walk in. They have to have plans ahead of time but it's a great experience.

 

[UKDEB]

Not quite sure how you came across a thread almost 2 years old, fg_in_training, but no matter - what a fab job! Lucky you .

 

[paulh]

been 2 more times since this post
Paulh

 

[tashasmum]

Forever Florida is a nice afternoon but try to miss out the preview.

 

[jdybnsn]

Here are a couple of places we intend to visit (but still haven't got round to it !);

Mount Dora (railway, boat trip and /or looking around the town)
The Old Spanish Sugar Mill at DeLeon Springs Park - for pancake making on a griddle, at your table