Posted on 04/18/2019 1:54:19 PM PDT by MplsSteve
next week, the wife and I are taking our 10-yr old great niece to Orlando. Yes (sigh), we are spending several days at Disneyworld. Due to someone on the inside, we were able to get great rates for admission and overnight.
One day, we're going to Canaveral National Seashore. Yes, we're gonna avoid the nude beaches. No one should ever see me naked and frankly if some weirdo even looks at my great niece...well, you get the idea.
So what else do Freepers like in the Orlando area? Is Gatorland worth it? Or maybe Discovery Cove? I'm not sure we're gonna have time for SeaWorld or to drive west to Busch Gardens in Tampa.
Would love to go to Kennedy Space Center - but with the reat-nice, I'm gonna have to take a pass on it this time.
Are there places I should avoid? I've heard that certain parts of Orlando are kinda scary.
Are there any good restaurants? Me? I love Bob Evans, Shoney's, Waffle House, etc. The wife and great-niece are pretty flexible too.
I'd appreciate any reasonable suggestions.
One thing that I like that you and your family may or may not like is the boat tour on the Winter Park chain of lakes. They put you into a boat that seats about 10 and tour about three of the lakes which are connected by canals in downtown Winter Park. It’s a leisurely tour, not as exciting as Disney, but cheaper and better than sitting around the hotel.
Another thing that is a little different about Orlando is that there is an area known as Little Vietnam near downtown. There are a lot of Vietnamese restaurants there. Also Chinese etc. From what you said it’s probably not your thing but I thought I would throw it out for what it’s worth.
Red shirts identify the homosexuals. . .so a warning to families and groups, avoid everyone wearing a red shirt/t-shirt.
Thank you. That was my first thought.
Busch Gardens is in Tampa.
Tony’s isn’t as great as it was 20 years ago, but, still a good meal. Cindy’s Place (Cinderella’s Royal Table In Cinderella Castle)on the other hand; Fine food and LOTS of fun. I’ve enjoyed myself ever time we’ve eaten there.
Just FYI. . .My son who worked there said evenings and dark corners of the park is when the homosexuals act up. . .Disney brings in additional light to help with illumination.
Gays days are scheduled (not by the park and the park will not tell you about homosexual week even if you ask).
13-18 August for 2019. . .according to Google.
Thanks for the Tony’s update. Wife and I were thinking about going to Disney when the grand-kid gets older and can enjoy the experience.
The Castle. . .agree. . .we’ve had the same experience and never were disappointed.
Does not! I wear red shirts in the park sometimes.
Mrs Conan would be one to never cross about that. She’s fierce. :D
I DID have to physically strike a guy once at the Animal Kingdom. Guy was drunk and climbed under a safety rail on Expedition Everest. Mrs C pointed it out to a cast member and drunk guy got very belligerent and very close to the Mrs. He was about 5 inches taller than her and I am 6 inches taller than him, but, I don’t think he noticed me until I backhanded him away from her. Then he became all pathetic.
We spent the rest of the evening having a great time. I think he was asked to leave.
I think my favorite place is Le Cellier at EPCOT. I MUST have the Cheese Soup and a Ribeye when there.
The Yachtsman is probably better, but, there is something special for us in Le Cellier.
Disney. I hope the 10-year-old is prepared to see homosexuals all over the place holding hands, kissing, and engaging in other PDAs. We saw that as a problem over 20 years ago and haven’t been back since. (What is it with homos and Disney?)
Just came back from Orlando last week.
If you stay in your tourist areas, you will be safe. Just like any other area. There are a ton of good eats. Download YELP to your phone and check out what is in your area. Most nights we ate in our condo. But there were some decent mid range, non-chain fast food places.
Not knowing where you are staying, it makes it tough to give recommendations. But you will find them.
Cocoa beach is fun. Take her to Ron Jon’s and buy her a cheap tee shit. It will make her feel like a surfer.
The parks are not horrible—I always liked Universal better than Disney. They are all expensive. I don’t know how families do it. .
Busch Gardens is good.
I’ll second the New Smyrna beach. My brother took me there, and later to Daytona. Much more “real” on NS. Daytona was full of South Americans.
Charley's Steak House in Kissimmee is a great steak house with reasonable prices for the area
Sonny’s Barbeque and the Cheesecake Factory are great places to eat. Don’t plan to eat a meal along with the cheesecake (too much food). We just go for the cheesecake.
The Winter Park Farmer’s Market on Saturdays is great event (free).
Also Wekiva Springs State Park is great for a visit.
Springs in Florida (especially North Florida) are a treat. The water at Wekiva flows out of two boils at a rate of 45 million gallons per day at a constant temperature of 72 degrees. It has a sandy bottom, is about 5 feet deep in areas, and is great for swimming. A visit to Wekiva will give you a taste of what Florida used to be, in that area, and what parts of North Florida is still like.
If any Freepers are interested, just contact me!
Damn. Never thought having fun could be so regimented. I don’t remember my trip in 76 that way. I guess things change. :-D
Not just restaurants. Any of the carts and kiosks that have soda fountains also have water and ice for the asking.
Gator land is awesome for boys of that age range. You’ll have to decide on the great niece.
Make sure you know how to use the line reservation system I assume still exists at Disney. It has been a while since I’ve been there. I’d get some of the Rick Steve’s Guides for the parks you’re going to to help plan your days.
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