What to do after Disney???

[eeubanks]

We are visiting Disney for 7 days in November, but will have 2 days after our trip in the Orlando area. I was trying to figure out something that would be fun to do with my 5 year old in these 2 days. I have thought about Universal and also Sea World, but the price seems high, especially after a week at Disney. I also thought my little boy may be tired of going to theme parks everyday. Just wandering what all you disers thought???? I know you would have some fab ideas!!!!! Is there anyhting I shouldn't miss while in the area???

 

[queendisney]

what about the new Legoland opening very soon? That looks fun

 

[disneysteve]

Depends. Are you looking for full day activities or shorter things? Will you have a car?

I haven't been but I bet Gatorland would be fun at that age.

A fun non-themepark thing to do is head over to the Gaylord Palms hotel for a couple of hours. You have to pay to park but their atrium lobby is quite entertaining and you can plan to have lunch while you're there. They have all kinds of landscaped paths, a lake with a big boat, sand sculptures, a fort, alligators (find out what time they feed them for an even better experience). My 14-year-old and I had a fun time there last summer and for a little kid who likes to wander and explore, I'm sure it would be fun.

The coach safari at Forever Florida might be good (http://www.floridaecosafaris.com/) though I'd check on any age limits.

 

[kathy884]

Seaworld has the second day free. Just mentioning this as this is our very favorite park out of all the wonderful world class parks in the area and wonderful for a five year old and all ages. Gatorland is more of an old time Florida attraction than a world class theme park, but really fun. We usually spend about three hours there. Mini golf depending on your five year old's interests might be fun too (Disney course or Pirates Cove) are ones we've done which were very good. The resort swimming pool is always good for that age too. He liked everything, but at five my son's very favorites were SeaWorld and the resort swimming pool.

 

[Upatnoon]

We are visiting Disney for 7 days in November, but will have 2 days after our trip in the Orlando area. I was trying to figure out something that would be fun to do with my 5 year old in these 2 days. I have thought about Universal and also Sea World, but the price seems high, especially after a week at Disney. I also thought my little boy may be tired of going to theme parks everyday. Just wandering what all you disers thought???? I know you would have some fab ideas!!!!! Is there anyhting I shouldn't miss while in the area???

Instead of going to the parks day after day, I suggest mixing in a couple of rest days instead of taking them at the end.

I'd hang out by the pool, visit a couple of other resorts, play some minigolf, go to the movies, hang out at fort wilderness, or some other more relaxing things.

 

[Orlando Vic]

Wekiwa Springs State park
http://www.floridastateparks.org/wekiwasprings/default.cfm
http://www.canoewekiva.com/
http://wekivaisland.com/

Blue Spring State Park
http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/default.cfm

Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour
http://www.scenicboattours.com/

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum Of American Art
http://www.morsemuseum.org/home.html

Leu Gardens in Orlando
http//:www.leugardens.org

The Orange County Regional History Center
http://www.thehistorycenter.org/

Orlando Science Center
http://www.osc.org/

Gatorland
http://www.gatorland.com/

Orlando Premium Outlets (2 locations)
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=17

More shopping: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...orida-shopping-orlando-profile,0,201112.story

Boggy Creek Airboat Rides
www.bcairboats.com

 

[Kat&Dom]

We are visiting Disney for 7 days in November, but will have 2 days after our trip in the Orlando area. I was trying to figure out something that would be fun to do with my 5 year old in these 2 days. I have thought about Universal and also Sea World, but the price seems high, especially after a week at Disney. I also thought my little boy may be tired of going to theme parks everyday. Just wandering what all you disers thought???? I know you would have some fab ideas!!!!! Is there anyhting I shouldn't miss while in the area???

We are going to Disney in November too. My son just turned 6 a couple of weeks ago. We booked tickets to a hockey game in Tampa Bay - we got them on Stubhub for $7 per ticket and if you arrive prior to game time, they have lots of great activities for children to do.

I was debating doing a park day in the morning then driving to Tampa in the afternoon but ended up booking my son and his best buddy for the Kid's Pirate Adventure from the Grand Floridian hotel - it runs from 9:30-11:30am - the kids go off with Disney staff on a pontoon boat and hunt for pirate treasure.

For us adults, I booked breakfast at the Grand Floridian Cafe so we can relax while the boys have fun then we will head down to Tampa.

Another option if you are willing to drive to Tampa is to check out Clearwater beach during the day then head to a hockey game in the evening. When we went in April 2011, we did a beach day then went to a ball game in St Petersburg in the evening - it was a fun day and something different.

I hope you have a great trip!

We are big SeaWorld fans - it is not a typical park day - the park is more relaxed then the Disney parks so it is a great option. My son loves to feed the dolphins, sharks, stingrays etc. The shows are great - we especially love the rescue animals show as it features so many different types of animals like pigs, skunks, cats, dogs, birds, etc. They really do have some incredible shows that are well worth the money.

 

[eeubanks]

Thanks all for the GREAT responses. I think I have narrowd it down to going to clearwater beach, or maybe seaworld. I like the idea of the hockey game and might even see if they are playing while we are going to be there. Thanks again

 

[jreed1920]

We really like the Orlando Science Center.