What to do after cruise for one day?

[drcpn7]

I am trying to find something fun to do with all of my family--two adults and 6 kids. We are taking the three day cruise and due to flight costs it is cheaper to fly out on Monday instead of Sunday. I thought about Universal but we didn't like it last trip. We are doing four park days at Disney prior to the cruise and one day at Seaworld. Has anyone visited the space center? Does anyone have any other suggestions? I know you all are great planners so any help would be appreicaited!!!

 

[NYDisneyMom]

Originally posted by drcpn7
I am trying to find something fun to do with all of my family--two adults and 6 kids. We are taking the three day cruise and due to flight costs it is cheaper to fly out on Monday instead of Sunday. I thought about Universal but we didn't like it last trip. We are doing four park days at Disney prior to the cruise and one day at Seaworld. Has anyone visited the space center? Does anyone have any other suggestions? I know you all are great planners so any help would be appreicaited!!!

We're also flying home the day after our cruise. I think that Saturday we may just drive to our hotel in Orlando, relax by their pool and then hit Downtown Disney in the afternoon/evening.
The space center sounds like a great idea...or you can stay at the new Ron Jon's resort and just stay there and enjoy their facilities. Don't overdo it...you'll lose all that relaxation you just had on the cruise!

 

[***tink386]

You could get a room right on Cocoa Beach and have one last day of relaxation there before you go home. Cocoa Beach was great! The water was so warm and calm. We spent a lot of time at the ocean and the hotel pool. Whatever you decide, you'll have a great time since you're still on vacation!!

 

[jrabbit]

Kennedy Space Center is good. My teenager loved it and we ended up spending the entire day there and were pooped after that visit (but we had been to WDW for 9 days, 4 night cruise - non stop fun for us - so we were tired when we got off of the ship )

To bad you're doing Sea World before the cruise, I would think that it would be a great place to spend the day after the cruise. Lots of sitting and watching the shows (don't miss the animal show (not marine mamals) that's inside a building near the lake) and the crowds are manageable and if you like some thrils, there's the big rollercoaster (it's great) and the Atlantis ride (it's ok).

We don't care for Universal Studios either, but what about Islands of Adventure. If you like roller coasters, water rides and Dr. Seuss - it's a great place!!

If you don't mind driving over to Tampa (about 2 1/2 hours from the port) theres Busch Gardens. Some great rides and a lot of neat animals and some pretty good shows.

 

[gottaluvdis]

We're also flying back on Monday after disembarking on Sunday. We booked a hotel in Orlando, so we plan to relax by the pool (because I have a feeling we won't be doing too much pool time on the ship) and enjoy the hotel's waterslide as well as going to Downtown Disney. I never feel I get enough time to see and do everything at Downtown Disney, so it will be nice not to have to rush around. There's also Disney Quest and Cirque de Soleil.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Hum, let me think now - a day free in central Florida - what can I do? You know there is a place I've heard of called Walt Disney World, you might drop by there and see if it's worth a day of your time . Just kidding, I see you're going to WDW before your cruise.

 

[mickey minder]

The space center is awesome. We have gone twice and would love to go again before our cruise in January if we get a flight that will get us to the port at a reasonable time. :space:

 

[drcpn7]

I am really leaning towards the space center. Is the space ride there like the spaceship earth thing at Epcot? I am just wondering so I can tell the kids.
I looked at Islands of Adventure too but only three of our eight would ride coasters so I don't think that is good.
I am going to start with that thought of the center...and maybe if I have any cash left, I can go by downtown disney!!
Thanks again!!

 

[Red71]

There is the Holiday Inn Family Suites near WDW. You would all fit in one room and the pool area looks large and like a lot of fun. You cold head over to DTD in the evening for one last goodbye. Or if you want to spend all of the money you saved on your plane tickets then go to Chef Mickeys for dinner

Would you be tired of beaches? Coco beach.

About Kennedy Space Center How old is the youngest? I don't think toddlers would hold up well. If I remember correctly there is an IMAX theater there I think the movie was educational, not just big.

 

[feiste]

Just stay anywhere on international Drive, enjoy some pool time, go to the world's largest Mcdonald's Playland (depending on your kids ages), there is a huge putt putt course, maybe a stop by Ripley's Believe it or Not, a little shopping, and a ton of great restaurants to choose from for the evening! I agree with the others that by this time of your trip you will probably be ready for a mellow day! Have a great time!

Oh yeah, depending on the group that you are travelling with you could always make the treck to "Gatorworld". My DH made me go there on our first Florida vacation. We get quite a laugh out of it now, but I'm sure most kids would be very intrigued with this place.

 

[mickey minder]

The attractions at KSC are nothing compared to the new ride at Epcot. (did that, it was great). However, there are lots of opportunities to learn about space in a way that is fun and educational for children (even us 40 year old children). The web site is not very friendly, but tells about some of the attractions. There are many that are not listed there.

 

[dbond]

Kennedy Space Center is awesome if your kids are old enough to
be interested in planes & rockets. I agree with the toddler issue mentioned above. We've been to KSC many times, our first time our youngest was about 3. He was a challenge at that age. We took him again at about age 6 and he had an interest. KSC has lots of really cool stuff to see, some virtual reality things to experience, IMAX movies, bus tours that take you out to the areas where the action takes place, but if there is any real action taking place that day, the buses don't go. It is most interesting to kids 5-6 and up that understand about rockets & planes. I recommend it highly for age appropriate kids & families.

 

[EmmasGrammy]

How old are the children?

We went there for a week one day!!! Ha Ha Ha!!! My kids were B~O~R~E~D stiff!! DH absolutely loved the place. He is very into the space program. We did the bus tour which was a little intresting to me, but the girls feel asleep! They were ages 7, 9 and 11 at the time. The biggest problem for us was DH wanted to see KSC and there is nothing around it for miles to take the kids to see. Make sure this is something the kids are intrested in or it will be the longest day of touring in your life!! BTDT and won't go back!!

 

[drcpn7]

The kids ages are 10,12,15,15,17 and 17 but they oldest kid is surely dear hubby at 46!!
What is gatorland? Maybe mini golf...love the idea of chef mickeys!!
Great ideas everyone!!

 

[sitchu2]

I just did exactly what you are talking about. We booked a night at the hard rock and walked citiwalk after enjoying their pool for the day, had a great dinner at jimmy buffets margaritaville.

You did say you did not want to do universal, I would have even more enjoyed checking into the animal kingdom lodge, relaxing there , enjoying the pool, having a nice dinner, then browsing a park or downtown for one last night, kind of like the iceing on your disney cruise cake.