What to do non-Disney (gasp) in Orlando for one day with family???

[alaskanmommy]

Yo, everybody!! Any experienced non-Disney Orlando adventurers around? My family and I are doing 10 days at WDW late November, then hopping on the Magic for 7 days. When we get back we will have one day and night to spend in Orlando before we head back to frigid Alaska. What should we do? It will be my family and one other, with kids 4, 6 and 8 years of age. We would like to do something fun and family-oriented and maybe a special dinner that evening!! We do have a few foodies in our bunch. Any info would be greatly appreciated as we have only ever done Disney in Orlando!! Thanks pre-maturely as I'm sure I will get a bunch of great advice from the Dis!!

 

[JB2K]

Visit "Gatorland"!!

As I spent some of my growing-up in Central Florida (when WDW was only a few years old), and long before everyone from everywhere else started declaring themselves an "Orlando expert", little places like Gatorland were all over the state.

IMO, it's very much a piece of "classic" Florida!

More at http://www.gatorland.com/

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Sea World is great as well we have really enjoyed it the times we have visited there not as fast pacesd and overwhelming as WDW can be ( check your times schedule and decide on the shows that will be must do for your family but if you are looking for something smaller Gatorland is fun. There is SO MUCH to do in and around Orlando have you thought of ordering some Orlando area brochures that would give you some good idea of what options there are that would fit your family's preferences.

 

[alaskanmommy]

Visit "Gatorland"!!

As I spent some of my growing-up in Central Florida (when WDW was only a few years old), and long before everyone from everywhere else started declaring themselves an "Orlando expert", little places like Gatorland were all over the state.

IMO, it's very much a piece of "classic" Florida!


More at http://www.gatorland.com/

thanks JB2K Gatorland looks right up our alley. My DD, 6 is a big lizard fan, that definitely will go on our list of options.

Sea World is great as well we have really enjoyed it the times we have visited there not as fast pacesd and overwhelming as WDW can be ( check your times schedule and decide on the shows that will be must do for your family but if you are looking for something smaller Gatorland is fun. There is SO MUCH to do in and around Orlando have you thought of ordering some Orlando area brochures that would give you some good idea of what options there are that would fit your family's preferences.

Sea World sounds good also. This may be a tough choice. Thanks alot eeyorethegreat.

 

[CruisinEars]

My co-worker who used to live in Florida suggested taking an airboat ride. That sure sounds like fun and you get to learn about nature and see gators.

 

[alaskanmommy]

My co-worker who used to live in Florida suggested taking an airboat ride. That sure sounds like fun and you get to learn about nature and see gators.

Thanks CruisinEars! My hubby might be totally into an airboat ride!! Great suggestion.

 

[Mrs. Jumbo]

Wow, 10 days WDW and 7 on the Magic....you're so lucky!!

My family wants a beach day on our next trip, so thinking about going to Daytona Beach, hope we won't be disappointed. A few years ago, we stopped at Kennedy Space Center after getting off the Magic, the kids loved it.

 

[conniehar90]

We always take day and go to Daytona Beach. I am a Disney freak, but this day is always one of the best of our vacation. It's a great day away from "parks" and the kids really enjoy the sand and hunting for shells, etc.

 

[spiceycat]

on the orlando visitors information site
208 (for 2008) things to do in orlando

http://www.orlandoinfo.com/articles/things-to-do-in-orlando.cfm

now some are the Disney stuff - but you can ignore those.

also pick your own fruit - think there is still one on US 27. This is not in Orlando.

this is not far
http://www.showcaseofcitrus.com/

 

[disneymd33]

Wow, 10 days WDW and 7 on the Magic....you're so lucky!!

My family wants a beach day on our next trip, so thinking about going to Daytona Beach, hope we won't be disappointed. A few years ago, we stopped at Kennedy Space Center after getting off the Magic, the kids loved it.

I never liked Daytona because it was always too trashy for me. I always preferred the Gulf Coast. But something you might want to consider for a beach day along the Atlantic is taking a little drive along Rt. A1A. There are some incredible "private" beaches that most people don't even know about or pass up for the more popular stops. One place I liked was New Smyrna Beach. I went in October once and I couldn't believe the size of the shells laying along the beach! But then again, some people like Daytona. And that's why they make so many different flavors of ice cream.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Personally, I would stay onsite at Universal Studios. The Hard Rock Hotel is our favorite UnDisney place. It's within a 5 minute walk to the parks and all onsite guests can just show their room key to bypass the regular lines. It's like an unlimited fast pass but you don't have to run around like a nut to fetch them. Just leisurely walk on to every ride.

If you're not into the HRH theme, there's also the Royal Pacific (South Pacific island theme) or Portofino Bay (Italian village theme.) All are 4* hotels and on par with Disney deluxe resorts. They offer AAA and Florida resident discounts.

Since you don't have time to do both parks, I'd pick Islands of Adventure. There is so much your kids would love: Spiderman, Poseidon's Fury, Jurassic Park, Camp Jurassic, Ripsaw Falls (Like Splash Mountain) Flying Unicorn, Pteranodon Flyers, Sinbad stunt show, and a whole section of Dr. Seuss themed area. My boys love it so much we bought APs.

There are lots of food places at City Walk (equiv. to DTD)
It is between the 2 parks.

Have a great trip whatever you decide!!

I'm just thinking, you may want to skip the above and just relax a little as you will be needing a vacation after your vacation.

 

[alaskanmommy]

We always take day and go to Daytona Beach. I am a Disney freak, but this day is always one of the best of our vacation. It's a great day away from "parks" and the kids really enjoy the sand and hunting for shells, etc.

Wow, 10 days WDW and 7 on the Magic....you're so lucky!!

My family wants a beach day on our next trip, so thinking about going to Daytona Beach, hope we won't be disappointed. A few years ago, we stopped at Kennedy Space Center after getting off the Magic, the kids loved it.

on the orlando visitors information site
208 (for 2008) things to do in orlando

http://www.orlandoinfo.com/articles/things-to-do-in-orlando.cfm

now some are the Disney stuff - but you can ignore those.

also pick your own fruit - think there is still one on US 27. This is not in Orlando.

this is not far
http://www.showcaseofcitrus.com/

I never liked Daytona because it was always too trashy for me. I always preferred the Gulf Coast. But something you might want to consider for a beach day along the Atlantic is taking a little drive along Rt. A1A. There are some incredible "private" beaches that most people don't even know about or pass up for the more popular stops. One place I liked was New Smyrna Beach. I went in October once and I couldn't believe the size of the shells laying along the beach! But then again, some people like Daytona. And that's why they make so many different flavors of ice cream.

Personally, I would stay onsite at Universal Studios. The Hard Rock Hotel is our favorite UnDisney place. It's within a 5 minute walk to the parks and all onsite guests can just show their room key to bypass the regular lines. It's like an unlimited fast pass but you don't have to run around like a nut to fetch them. Just leisurely walk on to every ride.

If you're not into the HRH theme, there's also the Royal Pacific (South Pacific island theme) or Portofino Bay (Italian village theme.) All are 4* hotels and on par with Disney deluxe resorts. They offer AAA and Florida resident discounts.

Since you don't have time to do both parks, I'd pick Islands of Adventure. There is so much your kids would love: Spiderman, Poseidon's Fury, Jurassic Park, Camp Jurassic, Ripsaw Falls (Like Splash Mountain) Flying Unicorn, Pteranodon Flyers, Sinbad stunt show, and a whole section of Dr. Seuss themed area. My boys love it so much we bought APs.

There are lots of food places at City Walk (equiv. to DTD)
It is between the 2 parks.

Have a great trip whatever you decide!!

I'm just thinking, you may want to skip the above and just relax a little as you will be needing a vacation after your vacation.

Thanks everybody for all the great advice! There's so much to choose from!! ruadisneyfan2, the relaxing part sounds like a great idea. Is there a great hotel/resort we could stay at and play by the pool and walk around and then eat a great dinner there, or near by?? Anybody have any recommendations??

 

[gjw007]

There are a ton of activities to do including:

Universal Studios
SeaWorld
Balloon rides
Airboat Rides
Trip to Cape Canaveral
Trip to Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens
Gatorland
Horseback riding
Deep Sea Fishing (Gulf or Atlantic)
Cypress Gardens
Kayaking
Professional sports in Tampa Bay
Discovery Cove
Orlando Magic basketball game
Drive a stockcar at Richard Petty experience

At the end of the day, what would you like to do? It is probably available as Orlando has a ton of activities for all.

 

[spiceycat]

Thanks everybody for all the great advice! There's so much to choose from!! ruadisneyfan2, the relaxing part sounds like a great idea. Is there a great hotel/resort we could stay at and play by the pool and walk around and then eat a great dinner there, or near by?? Anybody have any recommendations??

orlando has several great hotel

the Universal are Loews -
http://loewshotels.com/en/Cities/Orlando.aspx

there is also a JW marriott
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mcojw-jw-marriott-orlando-grande-lakes/

a Ritz-Carlton
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Orlando/Default.htm

a Hyatt - now this is one is old. It has been there since Disney
http://grandcypress.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp?icamp=hyattgrandcypressredirect

a gaylord.
http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylordpalms/

now I do love the Disney hotels - but the above hotels have that little something that Disney does not.

 

[Darcy03231]

My kids really enjoyed the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum. It isn't an all day thing. That leaves plenty of time for relaxing by the pool and a nice dinner.

 

[alaskanmommy]

orlando has several great hotel

the Universal are Loews -
http://loewshotels.com/en/Cities/Orlando.aspx

there is also a JW marriott
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mcojw-jw-marriott-orlando-grande-lakes/

a Ritz-Carlton
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Orlando/Default.htm

a Hyatt - now this is one is old. It has been there since Disney
http://grandcypress.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp?icamp=hyattgrandcypressredirect

a gaylord.
http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylordpalms/

now I do love the Disney hotels - but the above hotels have that little something that Disney does not.

Thanks alot for the info spiceycat! I think I will check out one of these. I have heard great things about some, especially the Gaylord Palms.

My kids really enjoyed the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum. It isn't an all day thing. That leaves plenty of time for relaxing by the pool and a nice dinner.

That might be fun too, thanks Darcy03231!

 

[alaskanmommy]

Has anybody ever stayed at the Gaylord Palms?? I looked on their website and it looks really nice. I have a few questions though. How kid-friendly is it? I was thinking a relaxing day at the pool and a nice dinner would top off our grand Disney vacation nicerly before heading back to Alaska. Anyway, any info about the Gaylord Palms would be great!

 

[ntz4disney]

Not sure if someone already posted this idea, but at Galylord Palms last year they had a display called ICE, an indoor Ice Sculpture and big slide made of ice. They give you parka's to wear during the visit since they keep it near freezing in the sculpture area. Knowing youa re from Alaska you may be looking for something to do in warmer climate ... but its really cool to see and they have shows and things too!

I also second the trip to SeaWorld ... our trips are not complete unless we head over to SeaWorld and catch a Shamu show, plus it gets decorated for the holiday's too!

There are so many neat things to see and do in the Orlando area, whatever you choose I am sure you will NOT be disappointed!

I am so jealous that you get such a long vacation and then add the cruise ! Have a great trip

 

[spiceycat]

if you go with gaylord - remember DU (sponsor here) will give you a nice discount on it.

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/gaylord/reservations.cfm

so far I have seem no complaints on Gaylord.

of course, the best is the Ritz-carlton - the few people who have stayed there say it was wonderful. but it is definitely too expensive for me.

 

[nurseboy]

Not exactly non-disney, but Celebration is a good spot to wind down for half a day. I believe "Now Snowing" begins December 1. Cap it off with dinner at Columbia House or Cafe D'Antonio both are wonderful.