What to do with one "extra" day - Away from the parks

[knik]

We're taking a winter escape for 12 days in Jan/Feb and after all the planning, we have one day with nothing to do. We will be staying at POP Century, visiting all of the Disney parks and both Universal parks so we are not keen on adding another park. But, what are some suggestions to do, places to go for an extra day? We are a family of 6, us, grandparents, and DS10, DD7. Help?

 

[HopperFan]

In May we took a day off and got the combo ticket to Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds and Sea Life. We also purchased discount tickets to Skeletons. All are in same complex with no parking fee. We had lunch out, lots of places all around there but we opted to head back down to Freddy's Steakburgers (now addicted). We did a lot, it didn't cost too much and it was relaxing.

 

[Woodview]

Chill out .... relax by the pool...... Play a game of Mini Golf....... Take a trip to Disney Springs.

Use the free boats for another side of Disney ( Watch the entertainment in the evening )

Now if you have a car then use it ... for an airboat ride etc.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Another vote for the Orlando Eye, Sea Life Aquarium, and Madame Tussauds . Add on Skeletons: Animals Unveiled (all of which are located in the IDrive 360 complex, with a lovely free parking garage adjacent) and you have a full day in one central location.

An airboat ride is also an awesome idea. We visited Wild Florida on our Christmas week trip and would highly recommend it. Its a very easy drive from Disney and they have a lovely exotic animal park that is free with your airboat tour. Well worth the trip and an excellent value.

Gatorland is a fun, old Florida attraction.

Showcase of Citrus is worth a visit (take their Monster Truck tour through the orange grove, visit their petting zoo, and have a real orange slushie).

Mini golf. We love Congo River, but Pirates Cove is also a good choice.

 

[CyndiLooWho]

We took our boys to the Kennedy Space Center this last trip, and they got mad b/c we only went 1 day. Seriously, it was a super day trip if you have a car and don't mind the drive (about 1 hr away). Dh and I enjoyed it, too, and I know both sets of grandparents would have loved it as well.

But if you are doing all day parks the rest of your trip, I'd honestly plan to do a lot of nothing. Play mini-golf, rent a movie, float in the pool or lazy river at your resort. My dh has to have at least one of those days -or- only half days at the parks, so he can relax.

 

[TwoMisfits]

How about a date night for you and your hubby? Spend the day lounging at the pool and then grab the kids some dinner and DVDs from Redbox and have the grandparents watch the kids while you and your DH have a fancy dinner and try an adult activity (wine bar, mystery room, jazz club, comedy club, etc). I always do this at least one time per trip and it is awesome (we go during Magical Dining Month, so we have a lot of options that don't break the bank...

 

[kohlby]

Are you doing the parks on all the other days? If so, I'd take it easy and not plan a lot of activities. I'd plan that day for the pool and Disney Springs - and that's it. When our kids were younger, it was very helpful to have a day just for that - they knew we would have a day focused on the stores and swimming and it meant they focused on the parks more the other days. Plus, they needed a day with zero schedule.

 

[knik]

In May we took a day off and got the combo ticket to Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds and Sea Life. We also purchased discount tickets to Skeletons. All are in same complex with no parking fee. We had lunch out, lots of places all around there but we opted to head back down to Freddy's Steakburgers (now addicted). We did a lot, it didn't cost too much and it was relaxing.

Awesome to hear! I was looking at this one

Another vote for the Orlando Eye, Sea Life Aquarium, and Madame Tussauds . Add on Skeletons: Animals Unveiled (all of which are located in the IDrive 360 complex, with a lovely free parking garage adjacent) and you have a full day in one central location.

An airboat ride is also an awesome idea. We visited Wild Florida on our Christmas week trip and would highly recommend it. Its a very easy drive from Disney and they have a lovely exotic animal park that is free with your airboat tour. Well worth the trip and an excellent value.

Gatorland is a fun, old Florida attraction.

Showcase of Citrus is worth a visit (take their Monster Truck tour through the orange grove, visit their petting zoo, and have a real orange slushie).

Mini golf. We love Congo River, but Pirates Cove is also a good choice.

Thanks so much for this!!

 

[knik]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions

 

[figmentfan423]

We took our boys to the Kennedy Space Center this last trip, and they got mad b/c we only went 1 day. Seriously, it was a super day trip if you have a car and don't mind the drive (about 1 hr away). Dh and I enjoyed it, too, and I know both sets of grandparents would have loved it as well.

But if you are doing all day parks the rest of your trip, I'd honestly plan to do a lot of nothing. Play mini-golf, rent a movie, float in the pool or lazy river at your resort. My dh has to have at least one of those days -or- only half days at the parks, so he can relax.

^^^THIS we do that every trip usually on the drive in. If you don't have a car a lazy day at the pool and late lunch or early dinner in DTD and early to bed would also be a good idea you might need the rest

 

[nacho113]

We never try to do more than 2 days in the parks in a row, take some time to rest and relax.
If I were you, I'd definitely take this time to have an easy relaxing day. Sleep in, see what your resort has to offer, chillax! Recharge the batteries for the rest of the park days.

If you have a vehicle available and the weather is nice, Cocoa Beach is about an hour away or Daytona Beach is about 90 minutes. Cocoa is quieter, Daytona has lots to do and see (our personal favorite). There's nothing like paddling in the ocean in January and your Facebook posts and photos will make the folks back home really jealous

 

[kwdw]

Showcase of Citrus. Go pick an orange!

Or just hang out at the resort. Sleep. Do laundry. Play video games. Straighten up the room. Have a pizza by the pool as a family. For a 12 day trip, a do nothing day in the middle is needed. Or, and sleep. Go to bed early. Get up late. Take a nap. Fall asleep by the pool.

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

GATORLAND. It's not far and it's a pretty neat place to go. Tons of gators. Gators everywhere. They have a website if you want to check it out. We went there on our "Non-park day last year".

 

[ruby33]

Pack a lunch and check out the manatees at Blue Springs State Park. It is an hour north of where you are staying.

 

[Accident]

Depending on traffic getting to tampa for Busch Gardens, the Zoo or other things over there usually doesn't take much more time than getting to certain areas of orlando.

 

[LizGirl]

We have a great time hopping to some of the other resorts and trying out the casual restaurants. Riding the monorail and boats is very relaxing and fun

 

[halfpintpeggy]

I'd head to Cocoa Beach & just totally relax for the day.