What else besides Theme Parks can we do?

[RachaelRol]

We've rented a villa for an 8 day trip in Orlando for July. We love Disney, but do not want to deal with the crowds and the heat simultaneously. We always go in the off season, but since we're goign with extended family had to do the July, crowded and hot trip. Where are some cool places to go where the whole family, adults teens and a five year old can have fun, without too many crowds. I know, this might be impossible, but one can wish...

 

[grammynelliebelle]

Check out the thread further down on this board entitled Helpful Hints. There is some mention of state parks with natural springs where you can tube, snorkel etc. That might be really nice in the summer. I would think you would need a car but the parks are probably free or low cost.

 

[vellamint]

Back in the 80's I took my oldest to Gatorland.....it was a real fun time.

This summer I plan on taking my younger kids.....

This is a half day park and when I went it was not crowded - I also plan on using the other part of the day to take an Airboat Ride. Have not done that yet but looks cool.

 

[Future Guy]

I don't know if the 5 year old will like improv comedy, but I like Sak Comedy Lab in downtown Orlando:

www.sak.com

you can also visit the Orlando Science Center:

www.osc.org

 

[luvdisney14]

I can't find the thread helpful hints. Where exactly is it. My family would like to snorkel and tube.

 

[NCRedding]

I wish I were computer saavy enough to post a link. The thread is at the very bottom of this page, or on page two by now. It was posted by kimmer067 and is entitled "helpful hints: youre favorite non-WDW things to do. It has about 4 pages of replies.

 

[alite]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1068965

 

[tinaluis]

Another vote for the Orlando Science Center. My DDs (9, 7 and 5) love it and we do too! We have a membership to a local science museum here and get in free at OSC, so it's a great deal for us. If you have a local museum membership, don't forget to bring your card.

 

[scarboroughmom]

Gatorland is fun. It's a quieter day than Disney, but that can be kind of relief. We enjoyed Medieval Times. Check out their website at www.medievaltimes.com. We have heard good things about Dolly Parton Dixie Stampede, and Arabian Nights. All three are in Orlando.

 

[luvdisney14]

Thank you very much I found the thread.

 

[baileybelle]

These links have lots of info http://www.orlandoinfo.com/ and http://www.orlandotouristinformationbureau.com/ and http://www.orlandoinfo.com/articles.cfm?content=-<+&S7U)"N52WY!T9W0

 

[riu girl]

Non-theme park ideas:
1. Go to AKL and view the animals
2. Go to the Poly and watch Wishes and the EWP from the beach
3. Go to FW and take part in the camp fire, visit with Chip and Dale, and watch the movie

 

[heatherbelle]

Go to the beach, the ones at clearwater are lovely.

You can also take a dolphin boat trip.

Or how about doing a balloon ride? One of my favourite past times is going round the Disney hotels, and looking at all the small details. My son loves riding on the monorail too, so we usually combine the two.

 

[RachaelRol]

Thanks!!! Some really good ideas here. We'll have cars with us. I'm definitely going to look at the science center and the state park. Gatorland seems cool too.

Thanks again

 

[Future Guy]

Since it will be hot in July, you might want to visit a water park to cool off. Disney has two water parks. Orlando has Wet N Wild. You can also splish and splash around your hotel pool!