What to do with EXTRA DAY?

[Nora94]

We are going to Disney April 22 - May 1. We got a 7 day park hopper plus for us (Me, husband, 2 1/2 dd, and almost 6 dd). That gives us an arrival and departure day on either end and a day in the middle. (We're flying, arrive mid afternoon, leave after lunch on the last day). Now, when thinking of our choices, remember this - we will never return to Florida. Ok, we might return after both kids are 18, but that would be the soonest. Our goal is to see all 50 states by the time each child is 18, and with that kind of goal, you can't waste time or money re-visiting a state! (btw, older dd has 19 states, younger dd has 15) We will do DisneyLand in CA when younger dd is 5 1/2.

Now, with that age of kids, we are trying to think of what to do on our free day.
Choice 1 - go canoeing with relatives who live an hour away from there. Kinda scarey honestly cause of the no fear 2 1/2 yr old dd who may jump in or tip the canoe.

Choice 2 - Go to Kennedy Space Center. We would have to rent a car for that day, not a big deal, except the carseat issues. My older dd saw pics of us there from a trip in the 90's and she said she wanted to go see the BIG ROCKETS. DH thinks that the kids won't enjoy or understand this.

Choice 3 - SeaWorld. Wish they were old enough to swim with the dolphins! But guess we will do that in Hawaii They should like this as they love aquariums and dolphin shows and stuff like that. Again would have to rent a car, but again, no big deal (DW resorts won't shuttle you to SeaWorld will they?)

Choice 4 - ?? What have I not thought of ?? that would be perfect for those ages, knowing that they will not return to the state for long long time?

I know, some of you are having to pick up your jaws that we are only going ONCE! LOL. But we are giving us lots of time to enjoy and do it at a fun pace, and since we are only going once we are willing to splurge more than normal I think. We live up our vacations.

Nora, Rich, Tara and Elise - can't wait to meet Mickey in person!

 

[minmate]

I would say either Sea World or Kennedy Space Center. KSC is something 'unique' to Florida which seems to fit well with your goal of trying to visit each state and having a specific memory of it. SW... if you plan to go from Anaheim to San Diego, you can see Sea World out there... although the drive from Disneyland to SW is longer than from WDW to SW.

By the way, what states have dd's already been to?

 

[Aidensmom]

If you don't think you will be returning to Florida, a beach may be a good option. Cocoa Beach is not too far from Disney and is a beautiful beach. Also, it is near Kennedy Space Center.

There are also a lot of theme parks outside of Disney....Seaworld, Busch Gardens, Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure. All of them are great parks. Seaworld has wonderful shows, Busch Gardens has thrilling rides and good animal attractions, Universal Studios is great for movie buffs, and Islands of Adventure is also good for thrill rides and has some good children's areas.

 

[Nora94]

By the way, what states have dd's already been to?

Tara has been to IL, WI, MO, CO, NE, WY, CA, IN, OH, NJ, PA, Connecticut, RI, Mass, Maine, NH, Vermont, NY, and MI plus Niagra Falls Canada.

Elise has been to IL, WI, MO, IN, OH, NJ, PA, Connecticut, RI, Mass, Maine, NH, Vermont, NY, and MI plus Niagra Falls Canada.

We have a rule that in each state we have to DO something unique and interesting. Plus I do one scrapbook page for each state for each girl in the order they visit them. We won't do the CO, NE, WY with Elise until Tara is over 18 unless we finish up early. Well, actually, we didn't do Yellowstone yet so that will be WY, so Tara will redo that one when they are old enough to remember it.

Nora

 

[TXTink]

I would vote for the Kennedy Space Center .... Unless you plan on visiting NASA (right down the road from me!) when you come to the great state of Texas!!

 

[Minerva]

I vote for Kennedy since you won't be back especially since one of your children have expressed an interest in it. You can go to beaches and Seaworld in other states.

 

[vicb]

Wow, all 50 states is quite a goal! I wish you the best of luck, what an education you will give your children! We go to WDW about everyother year or so. Our kids would love it every year but we want them to see other parts of our beautiful country too!

A few thoughts on Sea World and KSC: both are great but people are right about being able to go to Sea World in other states too. Sea World is a cool park, more than just a ride oriented theme park and my kids have always enjoyed and learned from our trips there. We have been to the ones in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio! As for the KSC, it is pretty cool and combined with a day on the beach at Cocoa Beach it is a good destination (you might throw in a visit to RonJon Surf Shop too!). You also have the choice of the Houston Space Center when you do Texas.

We took our kids to San Antonio and it was a great trip, they enjoyed the Riverwalk, Alamo, Tower of Americas, Mexican Mercado area etc... The only thing there we were disappointed in was the zoo! We have a much nicer zoo right here in the Detroit Zoo or the Toledo Zoo. But overall the San Diego Zoo is tough to match, our fav zoo so far!

 

[glencoe]

We were dissappointed w/ Sea World, be aware, no dolphin show, no exciting show w/ the boats and jet skis (my boys were bummed!) and the tower thing was closed. I love sea world, but like I said I left there that day wondering why we wasted the money. Go to kennedy or if you are at a great hotel spend the day relaxing, shopping and hanging out. We did that mid trip and we were all ready for the next half of the trip! have fun!!

 

[seashoreCM]

Not to keep you leashed to the mouse but, if you use just the plusses (visit water parks, Pleasure Island) on the "free" day (and/or arrival day and departure day), you do not use up any theme park days on your hopper plus pass.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Kennedy Space Center would be my choice. There is something really amazing about seeing the rockets up close, coming from someone who saw it as a girl. The other Florida things that left a big impression on me were the old fort in St.Augustine, the Florida Keys, the port near Ft. Lauderdale, and the Serpentarium, but I think any of those things would be more than a day trip. I applaud your goal, but do feel strongly that Florida is a LOT more than what you can see in Orlando. Having said that, once you go to Disney, you might just want to return. One thing to consider is that you could always do a combo vacation, and drive through a couple of states...with all due respect, I think there are more than a few states out there that you could 'do' in just a couple of days....

 

[vicb]

Kennedy Space Center would be my choice. There is something really amazing about seeing the rockets up close, coming from someone who saw it as a girl. The other Florida things that left a big impression on me were the old fort in St.Augustine, the Florida Keys, the port near Ft. Lauderdale, and the Serpentarium, but I think any of those things would be more than a day trip. I applaud your goal, but do feel strongly that Florida is a LOT more than what you can see in Orlando. Having said that, once you go to Disney, you might just want to return. One thing to consider is that you could always do a combo vacation, and drive through a couple of states...with all due respect, I think there are more than a few states out there that you could 'do' in just a couple of days....

Just curious what state you hail from mickeyluv'r ?

 

[Nora94]

Not to keep you leashed to the mouse but, if you use just the plusses (visit water parks, Pleasure Island) on the "free" day (and/or arrival day and departure day), you do not use up any theme park days on your hopper plus pass.

So, if I have a 7 day park hopper plus, we can do 7 days in the theme parks, and use the pass on the 8th day at the water parks w/o using up a theme park day? So, in reality the plus gives you more days worth? OH!! That would be our day then!!

Well, still thinking Kennedy, but knowing that I can go to the one in TX is good, cause than we can wait till Elise is older and will remember and enjoy it more. Hmm... Agree about Sea World being in CA and other places too, that was MY thought on it, but DH was thinking it would be cool.

ARGH still up in the air. If it's true about being able to do the water parks on that extra day w/o using up a theme park day than I think that is the best.

Keep those opinions coming!
Nora

 

[TXTink]

Yep! With the Park Hopper Plus you can go to any water park on your "off" day!

 

[gigi1313]

you could do my favorite thing... rest, relax and enjoy! maybe take in the pool for awhile... then head over to the campground and check out the petting zoo and pony rides... followed by dinner at the Hoop Dee Doo Revue and a hay ride... maybe some shopping at downtown disney w/a stop at legoland for the kids... breakfast at the grand floridian or contemporary and a monorail ride (if you are not staying at a monorail hotel)... a water park (at Typhoon Lagoon dd 6 will be able to swim w/the sharks... almost as much fun as dolphins!)... disneyquest... there are tons of things to do and see and enjoy w/out going thru a park turnstile! LOL!

 

[3xthecharm]

My grandparents lived in fl so we have seen it all. I think KSC is a little old for your age children. I recommend Gatorland! My kids loved it.
Search google: "gatorland"

They also loved going on an airboat ride. The kids loved it, although their aunt was a little nervous about the wild life we saw.
You can find a company for this by searching google: "airboat ride fl"

 

[berkshire mike]

Nothing to do with your extra day off but.......

We exchanged are Hopper passes for MYW tickets and saved $350.

That is the OLD hopper tickets.

 

[Nora94]

Nothing to do with your extra day off but.......

We exchanged are Hopper passes for MYW tickets and saved $350.

That is the OLD hopper tickets.

We have the MYW park hopper plus tickets, not the old ones. This is our first and only trip, remember...

Thank you all for your ideas!! My relatives did mention feeding the gators... might look into that... and knowing I can use the plus part of the tickets on that day would be good to do.

Yes, relaxing is going to be built in, we have 2 kids that still nap every day! (yes, my almost 6 yr old still takes nice long naps almost every day she can) We are flying instead of driving so we don't "waste" 4 days of our trip. We wanted to be able to take it slow and easy. Knowing I can do a water park that first night, that is cool!!

Nora