Posted on 07/16/2012 7:20:14 PM PDT by enduserindy
There are lots of water parks. Disney has Typhoon Lagoon, but there are others. Why only 2 days at Disney? There’s the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, MGM Studios, and so much more. Disney is in Central Florida, so I don’t know how long a drive it is to the nearest beach.
Go on a cruise to the Bahamas!! Catch a boat at Cape Canaveral. Will be cheaper than a hotel and a lot more fun! There are 3 night cruises that go to Bahamas and private island for a big party!
I just googled St Augustine, and there is a wealth of attractions!
There are places you can dive and see manatees up close. Your kids would definitely remember that for life.
We were down there about three years ago and rented a houseboat for two days. Wasn’t real expensive, kids loved it and caught lots of fish.
From Orland, it's at least 4 hours to go to Key Largo, south of Miami. It's another 4 hours from there to get to Key West.
-PJ
Many great suggestions....I live in Orlando area and here are mine:
Beach: Cocoa Beach. A “no cars” beach that is nice for the family...and close to Kennedy Space Center
Swamp Boat Rides: On State Rd 50 and also State Rd 520....along the St Johns River you can take swamp boat rides...the one along SR 50 before Titusville has more options. Its near Space Center and Cocoa Bch...and save a drive to the Everglades
Cross Creek/Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings homestead...between Ocala and Gainesville. If the kids are readers, and if they read The Yearling or Cross Creek....you have a good half-day of wandering around...and a break from the theme park crowds
Gatorland: On Orange Blossom Trail near Kissimmee...up close with Floridas #1 reptiles. There is also a smaller Gator type park along SR 50 on the way to Titusville, but Gatorland is better
Blue Springs State Park: Orange City...just south of DeLand....on French St. These springs are cool (72 F) year round...and one of the best spots to see Manatees....although winter is usually the best time to see them...they love this park
Hope this helps
I live in the Ft. Lauderdale burbs. Don’t waste your time with the bahamas.
Key west is a LONG drive even from where I live. I think kids would enjoy central Fl better than the keys.
I found a little county park near Mount Dora once that had a natural spring. The water was in the 60s, you could see down 200 ft. Man did that feel good on a hot day. Wish I knew the name.
I just googled St Augustine, and there is a wealth of attractions, historical and otherwise!
Oooh! A houseboat would be fun! Didn’t even know you could do that!
If you visit the space center (on Merritt Island just east of Titusville) you could drive south and then east on one of the causeways to Cape Canaveral or Cocoa beach which are on the ocean.
My place is almost an hour closer to these locations than you will be, if you are staying on or near the Disney resorts. From those, Tampa/St Pete are almost as close as the Atlantic coast.
One Disney tip: Decide which two parks to visit, and spend a day at each one. You can buy a one-park ticket for each day, which is cheaper than a multipark day pass (assuming you don’t already have the tix, of course).
Reason: You will otherwise chew up big chunks of your day just travelling from park to park.
Someone on here dissed Epcot. But here are three reasons to go there:
1. Ethnic restaurants, staffed by international students. But do get reservations at least a day ahead.
2. Fireworks display each night, more impressive to my eyes than the one over Fantasyland.
3. Rides. GM test track. Also the one where you “fly” over the countryside (forget the title: “Cruising?”). But lines can be long.
Come to Citrus County. All natural old Florida, very inexpensive to take the kids to see the manatees play in the springs, visit a beach and much more. The Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park is one of Florida’s best attractions and very affordable.
One great thing to recommend the Disney Hollywood Studios park for: The Tower of Terror.
The kids would like relaxing on the beach after the Disney World lines. Take a picnic lunch.
God Bless you guys and keep you safe and close on your vacation.
Seems to me like it was about $300.00 a day - may have gone up a bit since then. Slept 8 and we could have taken another family and split the cost. Bigger one sleeps 10. Had a grill on deck, complete kitchen and bath with a shower. Just Google Houseboat Vacations - Florida Keys. Think it was in Islamorada. Really fun and totally different thing to do. Even had some dolphins join us one day.
Make good and sure its not fag week or you may have to explain why two guys or its are swapping spit in public.
Since you have the kids, may I suggest a day at Wet & Wild, a water theme park on International Drive in orlando.
A good time for all and guaranteed to tire the entire crew out for the evening.
REally about the best water park you can find,
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