Things to do outside of disney

[notadisneyfan]

I am going to disney next winter with my wife and some other people. To be honest I have no desire to go to disney world. Maybe some of Epot. but that will probably last a whole day, and I plan on going to the Cape. Does anyone know of anyplace I can rent a rode bike for about 2 or 3 days just so I have something to do. I am not into the beach so don't even suggest it. Personally I'd rather go to Italy, or get some real history then play with a mouse

 

[Rella Bella]

Hummm..... a newbie who knows how to stir the pot....

Verrrrrrry Inter-esting!

 

[ahoff]

One year I took a road trip up to Gainesville to see the Gatornationals. Am contemplating doing it next march. Also Ocala is not very far away, and Don Gatlits has a museum there that is very cool if you are into drag racing.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Notadisneyfan, you're going to have to provide a bit of information about what interests you if we're to give you any real help. Since you seem to like world travel then EPCOT is pretty good because of the World Showcase area. You said you're traveling to the Cape which I take to mean Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center, then are you into science and other educational experiences? Also, when you say you're visiting "next winter" do you mean the winter coming up or winter at the end of 2007?

Help us out and we'll try to help you out.

BobK/Orlando

 

[notadisneyfan]

That's my problem. I Florida does not have much to interest me. I have been down there a few times and have hated it. I love to bike ride so if I can find a place in Orlando that rents high quality road bikes I'll be fine. Besides that history, plays (which I live in NY so I have Broadway), hiking, exercise, sports (baseball, football, hockey). I think we are going late 2007.
To be honest I rather just stay home. If I want to see Europe, I'll go to Europe I don't have to go to disney. I'm already bored.

I thought Epcot offered classes but I didn't see any.

 

[mecllap]

Sounds like staying home is a good option for you -- why put a damper on the fun the other folks are having? You could donate your part of the cost of the trip to charity and have lots of solo bike riding time.
I'm sure you can track down some places to rent bikes on the Internet that you can ride off-property. Several resorts have bikes to rent to ride around that resort.
It always seems a shame to see people at the parks who obviously are not enjoying themselves -- it's crowded enough as it is!
Sure, WDW is pretty frivolous entertainment, but you could look around and appreciate all the imagination and ingenuity that goes into making the place work -- there's an amazing amount of technical stuff going on. Lots of details to take interesting photos of. Challenge yourself to see what you could add to the enjoyment of the other people in the group -- and enjoy it through their eyes. (Do you have something against letting go and having fun?) Go on the Segway tour in Epcot. (Then there's "drinking your way around Epcot," if you're into alcohol! --not that I'd recommend that).
Also lots of other exercise opportunities -- watercraft, walking, golf (there may be more to golf than you realize). Maybe you could go during spring training and go to the baseball games.
Hope you work something out to make the trip enjoyable for all of you.
Google search on -- bike rentals Orlando -- and I'm sure you'll find plenty.

 

[Bbgrizzle]

If you don't want to go, why don't you just stay home?

 

[mackdaddyrocker]

St. Augustine is full of history as the Oldest City in the US. They have the Oldest House, Oldest School House, Colonial Spanish Quarter, Castillo San Marcos, Fountain of Youth, Ripley's Believe it or Not, and more. There are sightseeing trains that will take your from place to place (with on-off priviledges) and give you a presentation as you ride.

Daytona has tours of the speedway.

Kennedy Space Center has the Astronaut Hall of Fame and a historical tour of the older Cape Canaveral area, as well as the newer areas.

There are some treasure museums in the Sebastian area.

Ybor City in the Tampa area.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Bikes and Blades in Oakland rents bikes and has delivery to area hotels. They are located right along the West Orange Trail and this is the longest paved trail in the Orlando area....and it's excellent. Oakland is on SR50 west of town, right at the Orange/Lake County line where the trail begins its eastward trek through Oakland, Winter Garden, Ocoee and on up to Apopka. You can also head west from the trail head into Lake County where our version of mountains begin! Extremely scenic with many challenging hills for those with cycling experience, although this is on county roads, not bike trails. Their number is 407-877-0600 and 888-281-3341. I'd have to say that this is a great way to enjoy our winter weather and see some views you'd not have up north.

We do have baseball spring training and Magic basketball locally, Buc's football and Lightning hockey an hour away in Tampa. If you're here during bowl season we have two football bowl games. If you want to work out the RDV Sportsplex in Maitland (owned by the Magic) is excellent and has a temporary membership.


BobK/Orlando