Woodhaven Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 We are trying to find something fun for our family that is not Disney related. We were considering doing a houseboat vacation, but other than that, what is there? Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Discovery Cove is incredibly awesome. It's a very full day activity. SeaWorld (you get tickets to it for 14 days when you go to Discovery Cove for 1 day). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 We did Discovery Cove last year. Absolutely amazing!!! It's expensive, but we did the deal where you got 14 days to all Sea World owned parks and took full advantage. Busch Gardens, Sea World, and Aquatica. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plink Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 The highlight of our Florida vacation wasn't Disney, it was visiting Winter (the dolphin with a prosthetic tail from the movie "Dolphin Tale") and talking with the wonderful staff at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. We were able to prepare food for the animals, learn about their recent rescues, and so much more. It isn't an aquarium in the true sense of the word, but a rescue center with passionate staff and volunteers who love to teach you about what they know. Fantastic day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 We did Discovery Cove last year. Absolutely amazing!!! It's expensive, but we did the deal where you got 14 days to all Sea World owned parks and took full advantage. Busch Gardens, Sea World, and Aquatica. When we went this past summer, Sea World and Aquatica were part of the base ticket price. Only Busch Gardens was an add-on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 One note on Discovery Cove........... It includes breakfast and lunch, as well as unlimited snacks and beverages (water, soda, juice, beer, wine, and a couple of flavors of coladas). It also includes your sunscreen and water gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 How far from Orlando are you looking? Cape Canaveral is a couple of hours, St Augustine is a couple of hours, Blue Springs is a state park not far from Orlando that is really neat, Daytona Beach is not real far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 If you can swing it my kids loved Discovery Cove. That was my now 18dd's Make A Wish trip. We also loved Sea World. Not sure when you are going but we did early December and loved the decorations and Christmas stuff at Sea World---an evening Shamu show, etc. Another huge hit for my kids was the Arabian Nights dinner show. It is pricey and only a few hours long but we really enjoyed it--then of course my girls are horse lovers. We liked Arabian Nights much better than Medieval Times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Well, there's Harry Potter World. :leaving: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodhaven Posted October 31, 2013 Author Share Posted October 31, 2013 Wow! Great ideas here! Discovery Cove looks amazing! I'm going to research these places and talk to dh about them. Thanks for your suggestions!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 How far from Orlando are you looking? Cape Canaveral is a couple of hours, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, & Cape Kennedy are less than an hour away. Or rather, the beaches are just about an hour. KSC is a little less. If you'd rather stay in Orlando, there's Sea World and Universal Studios. There are little attractions along International Drive, such as Wonder Works and Ripley's Believe it or Not. There's the Orlando Science Museum, which is a fair drive from the Disney area, but still the metro Orlando area. It also has an art museum nearby. A little farther south and west is Legoland and Busch Gardens. Your older ones might be bored at Legoland unless they're big fans. When will you be here? Mama Geek mentioned Blue Springs. If you're here in winter, especially January, you can see manatees while there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 ds's girlfriend lives there. she says everything is about the mouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Is Weeki Wachie Springs near Orlando? It looks like fun. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Manatees!!! How could I forget!? We saw them one trip. I forget where it was - it was over on the east coast just north of Port Canaveral. In a state park, maybe? We watched manatees for HOURS!!!! Amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartosunshine Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Kennedy Space Center. My kids still talk about it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Oh - I almost forgot! We did a tour of Showcase of Citrus. (Don't judge - we had a Groupon!) It was SO.MUCH.FUN!!!!! Really! We got into a monster truck (think 12 feet off the ground) and toured a citrus farm. Our driver stopped and showed us all sorts of wildlife - banana spiders (ACK!), crocodiles (I'm not kidding - he jumped off the truck and caught one for us), etc, etc, etc. They have other animals there that our driver stopped and fed. Water buffalo, turtles, etc. He was a wealth of information. (A little insane, but VERY educated on the wildlife around his farm.) I HIGHLY recommend this tour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumto2 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Gatorland is fun. Ds has chosen it for a birthday trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Legoland has Homeschool days on Mondays. Kids get in for $8, parents for $25. You must sign up and pay 2 weeks in advance though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
three4me Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 There's a fun citrus orchard in Orlando that we had a lot of inexpensive fun at. Can't remember the name right now but I'm sure you can google it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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