Thoughts on off property day trip while at WDW?

[scottmel]

We have done US, Sea World, Gator Land, Cirq.....Looking for neat day trip idea for 2 adults and DD14. June 2013. Thought of Kennedy Space Center, town of Dora, CSI crime thing....nothing GRABBING me.....thoughts of a nice day trip off property? Will have rental car of course...thanks!

 

[partypa]

Have you visited the town of Celebration ? Or Winter Park ? Both are lovely for a lazy stroll around, have an Ice Cream and relax day

 

[kdog_1981]

What about going to the ocean?

 

[spiceycat]

wine fest
http://www.visitorlando.com/listings/index.cfm?action=display&listingID=31192&menuID=0&hit=1

the zoo?

how about some of the museums.

here a list
http://www.visitorlando.com/things-to-do/

 

[Cap'nJack'sMum]

We take a day and drive to Daytona Beach. It's fun to be able to drive on the beach, and you can visit the lighthouse at Ponce Inlet.

 

[swilshire]

Busch Gardens? About an hour west. Stop on the way back at Plant City for fresh veggies.

Sheila

 

[scottmel]

Thanks for the replies. I think I am amusement parked out...ie. Busch Gardens etc. But Celebration sounds interesting as does WInter park. Will have to look into that. Zoos and Museums - not so much, we are in a big city here and I guess I feel like I get "scienced out" all year here! Looking for more things that I can't do here - beach holds appeal too! Any other thoughts?

 

[softballmom3]

We have done US, Sea World, Gator Land, Cirq.....Looking for neat day trip idea for 2 adults and DD14. June 2013. Thought of Kennedy Space Center, town of Dora, CSI crime thing....nothing GRABBING me.....thoughts of a nice day trip off property? Will have rental car of course...thanks!

I know a lot of people like Kennedy Space Center but we thought it was somewhat of a let down. Especially for the cost. My dh wants to take an airboat ride so we will probably do that. I also want to see/visit orange groves. I know that probably sounds hokey but just something I want to do .

 

[Ennazus8810]

I was just going to suggest Orange Blossom, and I see you want to go to an orange grove. My DH loves it. He remembers it from when he was a kid and his family lived in Clearwater. We drive down from Disney, hit the beach and go to Orange Blossom. They have fresh orange juice and ice cream, along with orchards and gift shop.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/orange-blossom-groves-clearwater

 

[dstupper]

I was just going to suggest Orange Blossom, and I see you want to go to an orange grove. My DH loves it. He remembers it from when he was a kid and his family lived in Clearwater. We drive down from Disney, hit the beach and go to Orange Blossom. They have fresh orange juice and ice cream, along with orchards and gift shop.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/orange-blossom-groves-clearwater

This is Amazing advice!! As we are from Hawaii, we have Never seen an orange farm! That would be a fun day trip!

 

[scottmel]

You guys are a great help! Orange Grove sounds very neat, I see only one remains open. Good to know! I think I am ditching space center....So that leaves me with Celebration, Dora, Winter Park and Orange GRove.

Any special spot to eat or must explore store or things to do here? Would doing all in a day be feasible or too much zig zagging>

 

[sweet maxine]

I know a lot of people like Kennedy Space Center but we thought it was somewhat of a let down. Especially for the cost. My dh wants to take an airboat ride so we will probably do that. I also want to see/visit orange groves. I know that probably sounds hokey but just something I want to do .

I am interested to hear about your experience at Kennedy Space Center. Would you mind sharing why you felt it was a let down? I'm thinking of a side trip there, and am currently weighing options.

 

[wolf29]

We did KSC this year, and I felt it was a total waste of a day. I was excited about going because I grew up in the days of Apollo, and then the Shuttle missions. My kids grew up watching Star Wars, so they don't really realize the perils of space travel or the bravery it takes to get strapped 350 ft high on a fuel tank and have it ignited. We also found some of the bus drivers that take you around the grounds to be grumpy (some were great). Overall, a total waste of a day which could have been better spent in any number of spots. We have done Gatorland, Sea World, snorkeled with manatees, etc., but our favorite day trip was the Giraffe Ranch in Dade City. Just over an hour drive from WDW, it's one of our favorite days ever!

 

[pegrad1]

A few thoughts: My boyfriend & I went to Cocoa Beach, a very simple drive from DW a couple of years ago. We both loved it! You have the pier which has plenty to do in, on & around that area.
This April, the kids (teens) & I are going to DW & I'm taking one day to bring them to Cocoa Beach. We are from Nebraska so the ocean is a BIG deal! There are GREAT shops at rather reasonable prices all up & down the strip. Of course Ron Jon's is a must stop place for them being teenagers!
A few things we did last time we were there was an airboat gator sighting trip. It was maybe a small two hours out of our day but it was SO fun! Not at all boring! We also enjoyed the dolphin sighting trip. It seemed we had a school of them following our boat & even caught a couple quick glimpses of manatee.
I could see someone thinking that the Space Center was a bit high priced for what you get. HOWEVER! They have specific hours that I want to say was 3pm or after where the price of admission is deeply discounted! I imagine their website will tell you. We arrived shortly after that time & had more than enough time to explore & took loads of pics.
Whatever you choose, I hope you have a great time!

 

[softballmom3]

I am interested to hear about your experience at Kennedy Space Center. Would you mind sharing why you felt it was a let down? I'm thinking of a side trip there, and am currently weighing options.

Well I can tell you what I remember lol. Expensive admission. Employees not very friendly, kind of run down in my opinion, and just a waste of a day. None in my family wanted to wait for the Imax movie and really just wasn't much to do. It wasn't a busy time of year so not a ton of people and I believe since its so hard for me to remember specifics it really must not have been worth it. The best part we saw was when we took off in the tour bus and saw all the alligators in a ditch.

 

[SarahKate]

Cocoa Beach is a very easy drive. And for groves I totally suggest Showcase of Citrus. Neat place that we go to every trip and just about 20 minutes from WDW. Orange slushies, boiled peanuts and they have critters all over the place. Chickens, kittens, goats. We have a great time there and don't even always buy oranges! But we always always get a slushy and peanuts!!

 

[nepean]

Depending on how far you want to drive, there is St. Augustine. It is about an hour north of Daytona Beach. The old town is well kept, the Fountain of Youth, the fort, the lighthouse etc. are all great things to see and do. We have visited several times on our way down to WDW. Even the teens enjoy it!

Nepean