What do you do outside Disney?

[amwhitaker]

We are planning a trip in October and I might go to one park this trip. We are looking for other things to do outside of the Disney bubble. Not interested in going to Outlets. What has everyone done?

 

[fla4fun]

We are planning a trip in October and I might go to one park this trip. We are looking for other things to do outside of the Disney bubble. Not interested in going to Outlets. What has everyone done?

What are your interests? That will help us to give you better suggestions for off site activities. Do you like the outdoors and nature? Do you like sports? Do you like to relax or be busy?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

It probably depends on how far outside of Disney you're looking. Nearby is obviously Universal and Sea World. You have Cape Canaveral, which is very interesting. If you're ok traveling a little farther, you have Tampa with the Lowry Zoo, Busch Gardens, and dining along their river walk. Giraffe Ranch is maybe an hour away and a favorite for our family. St Augustine is an interesting day. And those are just a few options......

 

[amwhitaker]

We don't want to go to any amusement parks. We like outdoorsy things and historical sites. We are going to St. Augustine later in the week, so looking for something new to do around the Orlando area. We plan on going to Mt. Dora also.

 

[fla4fun]

We don't want to go to any amusement parks. We like outdoorsy things and historical sites. We are going to St. Augustine later in the week, so looking for something new to do around the Orlando area. We plan on going to Mt. Dora also.

You might find this website interesting:

florida-backroads-travel.com

It discusses various small towns and historic sites that are off of the typical tourist’s itinerary. It is divided by geographic zones, so you can look at just central Florida or the entire state.

From the standpoint of historical significance, a visit to KSC should be under consideration. It’s not an amusement park, and the various bus tours you can sign up for take you to the very beginning of space exploration in Florida.

Airboat tours give you a glimpse of what Florida was like before it was so densely settled, and you will see alligators and other wildlife in their natural habitat.

 

[_19disnA]

I guess I'm still not clear. Are you wanting to stay @ Disney but do things other than the parks? I assume you chose to vacation in Orlando but what did you base that on? Usually we decide first what we went to do and then decide where to go. (If we don't like to gamble, then deciding to go to Vegas to do other things wouldn't be our preference.) Staying onsite is more expensive since Disney charges a premium to be closer to their amusement parks. If that isn't your main interest, you can find a lot cheaper places to stay and simply make a day trip to Disney.

 

[Schneewittchen37]

Gatorland
Black Hammock Airboat Tours on Lake Jesup
De Leon Springs State Park
Cape Canaveral
St. Pete Beach area
The Dali Museum
The Ringling Museum
American Victory Ship and Museum in Tampa
The Florida Aquarium in Tampa

 

[wabbott]

The last couple of trips to WDW, we made time for visits to these two places. Quite a bit of history there, and there is still an "Old Florida" vibe.

https://www.visitflorida.com/places-to-go/north-central/cedar-key/

https://www.discovercrystalriverfl.com/

This place has a significant Florida history and is, imo, worth the visit for that reason alone. Be aware that the touristy stuff has overtaken the historical, though.

https://www.visitflorida.com/places-to-go/central-west/tarpon-springs/

Now if you have a couple or three days to spend, the Overseas Highway through the Keys is a very beautiful drive.

https://fla-keys.com/the-highway-that-goes-to-sea/

 

[letsgo!]

We are planning on going to TopGolf because there isn't one near us at home. I don't golf, but find TopGolf quite entertaining

 

[Mouse Tracker]

We fly to Orlando, stay on property for the Disney transportation (no extra $). If we don't go to parks - we usually entertain ourselves with resort hopping or Disney Springs.

IF we wanted another non Disney experience - We'd stay home and drive somewhere.

 

[Skywalker3]

We keep saying we're going to go to Gatorland, and just never get there. Maybe on our next trip in October! We were going to go in 2022, but they were still closed/recovering from the recent hurricane there.

We have also looked into doing an airboat ride, those look fun.

Mt Dora is a wonderful little town to visit. That'll be a nice day.

Watched a vlogger do the Lake Apopka Wildlife trail. No personal experience, but might want to look into it.

We like to eat offsite sometime, even if it's just Bahama Breeze, or a chain we don't have at home.

We had a nice afternoon in March, visitng the Tri-Circle D Ranch, seeing the horses, and all of that. There's a bit to see/explore at Wilderness Lodge, Same for Animal Kingdom lodge. Just going over there and sitting out overlooking the savannah can be nice. THere are activities too. Port Orleans has some nice things to do too.

Our Oct 2022 trip, my DS and I only had 2 day WDW tickets, so we were looking for stuff to do too. We love Universal too though, so we also worked that in.

Hope you have wonderful trip!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

We don't want to go to any amusement parks. We like outdoorsy things and historical sites.

If you like outdoorsy things, you might like the Disney Wilderness Preserve. It's about 20 minutes from Disney World, with paths for walking, bird watching, and a nice main building with rocking chairs just for enjoying nature. It's run by the Nature Conservatory, and lots of people (including Disney Employees) aren't even aware of its existence or that it's open to the public-and FREE! They have a website.

 

[goofyernmost]

I have always found so many things to do both offsite and on that there is no end to them. Here is a list of mine.

ONSITE

Two mini golf courses
Three full golf courses
Two Water Parks
Disney Springs
Resort Hopping
Lounging by your resort pool

OFFSITE

Airboat Tours
Tampa Sunshine Bridge
Florida Aquarium in Tampa
St. Pete Beach area
Legoland with what has been preserved of Cyprus Gardens in Winter Haven, FL.
The Bok Garden "singing towers" in Lake Wales
Universal Studios
SeaWorld
Cocoa Beach
Cape Canaveral
Gatorland
Old Town in Kissimmee
Helicopter Tours also in Kissimmee on Rte 192
Literally hundreds of good Restaurants and attractions on International Drive, Orlando and Rte 192, in Kissimmee

If you don't mind a 1.75 hour drive north starting on Rte 27 to Silver Springs. Florida with the glass bottom boats.

All things and places I have gone with my Disney trips. I even ventured an overnight to Key West through the keys.

 

[ElizaDoesDisney]

These are little far-flung, but could be day trips from Orlando.

Weeki Wachee Mermaid Shows (https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/weeki-wachee-springs-state-park/mermaid-shows)

Ringling Museum - This was way better than I expected - circus museum, art museum, and Ca Dzan (the Ringling's winter home) were all fascinating. (https://www.ringling.org/)

 

[DisneyFive]

Cape Canaveral with the Kennedy Space Center is an awesome experience about an hour away. They really do a great job there at the space center. It feels very well organized and in great shape. Great to revisit that history (make sure to do the bus tour portion)

 

[Justrose]

If you like outdoorsy things, you might like the Disney Wilderness Preserve. It's about 20 minutes from Disney World, with paths for walking, bird watching, and a nice main building with rocking chairs just for enjoying nature. It's run by the Nature Conservatory, and lots of people (including Disney Employees) aren't even aware of its existence or that it's open to the public-and FREE! They have a website.

I have never heard of this - THANKS!

 

[h&D3]

We're planning on a day in Tampa/St. Pete. Our kids want to go the Florida aquarium and our daughter wants to go to the Dali museum.

Does anyone know of any coupon or discount codes for the Florida aquarium? I can't seem to find any active ones to use online.

Thanks!
~D

 

[anniemae]

We enjoyed Icon Park. You can do the Orlando Eye, Madame Tussaud's wax museum (we had a blast here), and a really cute aquarium. There are shops and restaurants too.

 

[ucf_knight]

We are planning a trip in October and I might go to one park this trip. We are looking for other things to do outside of the Disney bubble. Not interested in going to Outlets. What has everyone done?

Catch a UCF football game!