What to do outside of theme parks

[cmsnyder77]

I will be attending a conference at a non-Disney Orlando resort in July for three days/nights. I'm looking for ways to get my Disney fix while I'm there! I will only have free time in the evenings, so I don't think I can justify buying a theme park ticket even though I would love to. I plan to spend an evening at Disney Springs. My husband may go with me, and if so I have an ADR for us at Ohana, one of our favorite restaurants.
Any other suggestions on things to do to get us in the Disney spirit, or even other fun non-Disney restaurants or things to do in the area? Whenever we go to Disney, we stay on property and don't venture out anywhere else.

 

[staceyrhood]

The Boardwalk is always nice for dinner also.
Celebration is great, really good (and non-chain) restaurants here...our favorites are Columbia and D'antonios.

 

[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/

Rivership Barbara Lee
http://stjohnsrivershipco.com/

Audubon Center for Birds of Prey
http://fl.audubon.org/audubon-center-birds-prey

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum Of American Art
http://www.morsemuseum.org/home.html Leu Gardens in Orlandohttp//:www.leugardens.org Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden
http://www.polasek.org/

Bok Tower Gardens
http://boktowergardens.org/

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

Orlando Museum of Art
http://www.omart.org/
Mennello Museum of American Art
http://www.mennellomuseum.com/Orlando Science Center
http://www.osc.org/

Gatorland
http://www.gatorland.com/

Central Florida Zoo
http://www.centralfloridazoo.org/

Orlando Premium Outlets (2 locations)
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=94
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=17

More shopping: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...-shopping-orlando-profile,0,201112.storyBoggy Creek Airboat Rideswww.bcairboats.com

Black Hammock Adventures
http://www.theblackhammock.com/

 

[DianeV]

What do you think of the zoo? I have read mixed reviews on it

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/

Rivership Barbara Lee
http://stjohnsrivershipco.com/

Audubon Center for Birds of Prey
http://fl.audubon.org/audubon-center-birds-prey

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum Of American Art
http://www.morsemuseum.org/home.html Leu Gardens in Orlandohttp//:www.leugardens.org Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden
http://www.polasek.org/

Bok Tower Gardens
http://boktowergardens.org/

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

Orlando Museum of Art
http://www.omart.org/
Mennello Museum of American Art
http://www.mennellomuseum.com/Orlando Science Center
http://www.osc.org/

Gatorland
http://www.gatorland.com/

Central Florida Zoo
http://www.centralfloridazoo.org/

Orlando Premium Outlets (2 locations)
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=94
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=17

More shopping: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...-shopping-orlando-profile,0,201112.storyBoggy Creek Airboat Rideswww.bcairboats.com

Black Hammock Adventures
http://www.theblackhammock.com/

 

[disneysteve]

Any other suggestions on things to do to get us in the Disney spirit

Resort hopping is always fun. Have you been to Trader Sam's? A couple of the resorts (not sure which ones offhand) have campfires and roast marshmallows at night. Some show movies. You can watch MK fireworks from the outside concourse at the Contemporary. The loop around the Boardwalk/Yacht and Beach Club/Swan and Dolphin is a nice stroll.

As for non-Disney, loads to do depending on what you're into. Many fine restaurants on Sand Lake Road. Lots of touristy things to do, some better than others, on I Drive. Have you done the Orlando Eye yet? Madame Tussaud's? The list is nearly endless.

 

[bearzabout]

Head over to the Grand Floridian and watch Wishes from the deck at Narcoossees. The music is piped there and the view of them is great. Stop in the hotel beforehand and listen to the orchestra play.

Remember that you can now get dole whip from the Polynesian.

Walk the pathway to the studios from the Boardwalk and watch the new fireworks show, Symphony in the Stars from there.

Our favorite place to hang out for the evening is Animal Kingdom Lodge (Jambo House). Make a reservation for Jiko for a treat, or just enjoy a quick service meal from Mara. Head out to both savannah viewing areas to see the wildlife. The cast members at the savannah by the pool often have night vision that you can look through. Its a cool experience.

We find that hanging out at the resorts is a relaxing treat that we seldom take the time for if we have park tickets.

You must see the boat collection at the Boathouse in Disney Springs. Stop at the Hanger Bar for a drink.

We enjoy watching the movies on the beach at the Polynesian or Beach Club. There are so many Disney movies we have never seen.

 

[disneysteve]

Remember that you can now get dole whip from the Polynesian.

Actually, you could always get Dole Whip at the Poly. They used to have it (and it was self-serve, too) in Captain Cook's. Now it is served to you at the Pineapple Lanai just outside of the lobby heading toward the pool.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

A couple of the resorts (not sure which ones offhand) have campfires and roast marshmallows at night. Some show movies.

Although most of the resorts show a free movie at night, the only one where I found marshmallow roasting or singing along is the Fort Wilderness Campfire Singalong. I'd be interested to know if they do this at any other resorts, or if the rest just show movies, without roasting marshmallows or singing.

I like the variety of great ideas on this thread.

You could visit Jellyrolls or the Yehaa Bob show.

Maybe it's not so for your conference, but I thought I once read for some other conference (based onsite) that the "conventionears" got special theme park tickets for the evenings. I don't know if they got them at a convention discount, or if it was included in the cost of their event.

 

[disneysteve]

the only one where I found marshmallow roasting or singing along is the Fort Wilderness Campfire Singalong. I'd be interested to know if they do this at any other resorts,

My sources tell me that they do it at the Poly, Beach Club, and Boardwalk as well. I don't know if there's a sing along or just marshmallows/smores.

 

[bearzabout]

I did a quick search for Disney campfires and all moderate and deluxe resorts offer marshmallow toasting for free before the movie starts. They don't mention singing except at Chip & Dale's campfire and singalong at the campground. Ask at the resort to find out the location of the fire pit and time. Only a few people are there at the beginning and more people join in until they run out of supplies.

I've toasted marshmallows at the Beach Club and Wilderness Lodge. The kids are really cute and it definitely takes me back to my childhood.

The orchestra at the Grand Floridian is great. They have a pianist that plays in the center of the lobby when the orchestra is on break. One time, this little kid no more than 8 wanted to play. The piano player, to our amazement, let him, and the kid played two extremely complicated classical pieces and got a standing ovation from the guests in the lobby. We were blown away. It was another unexpected Disney magical moment we will never forget.

The Polynesian used to offer Dole Whip but now offers Dole Whip floats and other options from an area separate from the casual dining place. I am so happy to be able to get a pineapple float without going to the park!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

My sources tell me that they do it at the Poly, Beach Club, and Boardwalk as well. I don't know if there's a sing along or just marshmallows/smores.

It must be just the marshmallows. I've been to the Beach Club one twice, and they didn't sing either time. When I asked about it, they said they don't do sing-alongs there.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

The orchestra at the Grand Floridian is great. They have a pianist that plays in the center of the lobby when the orchestra is on break. One time, this little kid no more than 8 wanted to play. The piano player, to our amazement, let him, and the kid played two extremely complicated classical pieces and got a standing ovation from the guests in the lobby. We were blown away. It was another unexpected Disney magical moment we will never forget.

Great story!

 

[disneysteve]

For non-Disney dining, I haven't actually been here yet but I've heard nothing but good things about Rocco's Tacos. It is at the top of our list of places to try on a future trip. We love Sweet Tomatoes - the one at Crossroads is better than the one on 192. Flipper's has respectable pizza for Florida. The Florida Mall has a lot of good shopping and a very good food court with unique and healthy options, not just the usual mall crap.

If you are at all into Disney collectibles, plan a trip to Themepark Connection (which is not far from Florida Mall). It is like stepping into Disney's attic except everything is for sale. Even if you aren't a collector, you'll appreciate seeing the stuff they have from a fan's perspective.

 

[msdroz]

These are all wonderful and creative ideas! We will be coming to Orlando 4 days prior to our disney on property stay due to my husband's work convention. With that said, if my son and I wanted to resort hop in the evening just to check out disney resorts, can we do so (may or may not have our magic bands yet, will need them at some point for waterparks and more option)? If so, where would I park I'm thinking I will have a rental car, or maybe I can just cab it back to our off site resort? I've never had time to explore other resorts and this might be a fun time to do so, as long as my son doesn't mind not jumping in the pool!

 

[disneysteve]

With that said, if my son and I wanted to resort hop in the evening just to check out disney resorts, can we do so? If so, where would I park ?

You can definitely visit the resorts. We do it all the time. Just tell the guard at the booth that you are just visiting, or coming to eat, and they'll let you in. They used to give a parking pass to put on the dash but I haven't seen them do that for a while. They've been testing out charging for parking for non-resort guests. I'm not sure what the current status of that is.

I wouldn't try and park at the Contemporary as parking is really limited there. For visiting the monorail resorts, you're better off parking at the Poly or Grand Floridian. Everywhere else is not generally a problem in my experience.

 

[Minniesgal]

Head over to the Grand Floridian and watch Wishes from the deck at Narcoossees. The music is piped there and the view of them is great. Stop in the hotel beforehand and listen to the orchestra play.

Narcooses has now limited their viewing deck to restaurants guests only

 

[powellrj]

You could head over to City Walk one evening, lots to see and do over there.

 

[msdroz]

You could head over to City Walk one evening, lots to see and do over there.

Didn't even know about that place, looks fun!! thank you for the recommendation

 

[msdroz]

You can definitely visit the resorts. We do it all the time. Just tell the guard at the booth that you are just visiting, or coming to eat, and they'll let you in. They used to give a parking pass to put on the dash but I haven't seen them do that for a while. They've been testing out charging for parking for non-resort guests. I'm not sure what the current status of that is.

I wouldn't try and park at the Contemporary as parking is really limited there. For visiting the monorail resorts, you're better off parking at the Poly or Grand Floridian. Everywhere else is not generally a problem in my experience.

Thank you, I wasn't aware that you could park at the resorts, that would work out perfect!

 

[disneysteve]

Another thing we like to do now and then is to visit Gaylord Palms. You do have to pay to park over there but it's a neat place to spend a couple of hours especially if you've never seen it. You could also plan to have lunch or dinner over there to help make the parking free more worth it.