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OK - I'm super excited to hit CHA, but I've added one day of downtime into my trip. I'm thinking that I want to see Epcot (read: walk around and look at the things I want to see, not sit on a bench outside of Mission Space waiting for my crazy hubby and kids.) but I want to keep my options open, as well.
If you know the Orlando area - what is your favorite non-Disney just-for-fun recommendation?
Hi Lori (so funny typing my name to someone else, ha!!)!!! My sister lives in Tampa and she suggested we do this when I am down there, looks fun!!! http://www.silversprings.com/cruises
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni VSN Go to Girl Pretty, Pretty Princess
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ummm.................SHOP :mrgreen:
and eat at Cafe Tu Tu Tango, one of my favorite places where you can write on the wall in the bathroom....hope my signature is still there from my last trip;)
This website has some cool stuff on it and discounts for attractions, hotels, etc: http://www.orlandoinfo.com/
ummm.................SHOP :mrgreen:
and eat at Cafe Tu Tu Tango, one of my favorite places where you can write on the wall in the bathroom....hope my signature is still there from my last trip;)
This website has some cool stuff on it and discounts for attractions, hotels, etc: http://www.orlandoinfo.com/
OK - I'm super excited to hit CHA, but I've added one day of downtime into my trip. I'm thinking that I want to see Epcot (read: walk around and look at the things I want to see, not sit on a bench outside of Mission Space waiting for my crazy hubby and kids.) but I want to keep my options open, as well.
If you know the Orlando area - what is your favorite non-Disney just-for-fun recommendation?
Did you want to stay local or see some non-touristy things...or get off the beaten path? Of course, you're also near Kennedy Space Center and the beaches.
ummm.................SHOP :mrgreen:
and eat at Cafe Tu Tu Tango, one of my favorite places where you can write on the wall in the bathroom....hope my signature is still there from my last trip;)
This website has some cool stuff on it and discounts for attractions, hotels, etc: http://www.orlandoinfo.com/
Oh, I heard *good* things about this restaurant! There was a Splitcoast dinner there many moons ago!
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni VSN Go to Girl Pretty, Pretty Princess
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jbalcer
Oh, I heard *good* things about this restaurant! There was a Splitcoast dinner there many moons ago!
Well, I hope I get to go back with some SCS friends
It's such a fun place. There are artists there painting stuff and the food is tapas style so you get a bunch of different things to munch on, it's just a good time.
My childhood friend is a manager of sorts at the Orlando Science Center. If you have kids with you who are into scientific stuff, it's a very cool place.
Yes, the IKEA is right next to Mall at Millenia...one of my fav malls there. Oh and something different and fun to try might be Discovery Cove where you swim with the dolphins. Nice thing is they limit the # of people into the park so it's not supposed to be crowded. With it, you get a 7-day admission to Sea World or Busch Gardens (in Tampa - also a fun thing to do if you venture over that way!).
Other non-amusement park favs for us in Orlando is to visit Gaylord Palms hotel (gorgeous hotel!) for lunch or dinner. We also like dining at Rainforest Cafe (one in Animal Kingdom and one in Downtown Disney). Speaking of Downtown Disney, there's lots of shops/dining there and Lego Land. There's also Disney Quest and a Cirque du Soleil show there as well. Orlando also has an abundance of dinner shows such as Medieval Times and Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. If you happen to run out of things to do...you could always do the tourist thing and walk up and down International drive...tons of places to eat and things to do. Or, of course just lay out by one of Disney's resort pools...they're great! I love Orlando, I grew up in Tampa but b/c it was so close we went to Orlando ALOT (obviously ;)
Cape Canaveral is kinda cool if you like science stuff.....a little far from Orlando, it's up by Melbourne. Check online and see if a shuttle or rocket is scheduled to go up. Neat to see and hear ! For those of you who are military, active duty or retired, you can try to stay at Patrick AFB, or rent a beachside house thru the base. If you do decide to do the theme parks, get your tickets on base, mucho cheaper. When I was there several years ago, my boys were 11 and 13, my stepdaughter was 8. The boys HATED Disney, she loved it, the boys LOVED Universal. She whined. You might be able to go to Disney online, they used to send a free vacation planning video. (Just my 2 cents)
__________________ Well behaved women rarely make history.
I live in Tampa so if anyone finds themselves down this way and needs directions or suggestions for activities let me know!
I highly recommend going to the space center if you are looking for something do on an extra day. It's so much fun, even if you aren't a space buff (you might be after a visit!). Bok Tower is gorgeous as well! I used to live in Orlando, in fact I used to be one of the webmasters for the orlandoinfo.com site posted above. But I always felt like Orlando was overly touristy - wasn't my favorite place to live (don't hurt me Orlando-residents!) so I don't have a lot of great suggestions. We also really LOVE Disney world though and go at least two times a month. So I'll always recommend that
__________________ Aimee mom to two girls & one cool dog! My blog
At least that is what Betty from The Stamping and Scrapbooking Room in Greensboro, NC says we are doing. Since she's driving I guess I follow her around... LOL I'm sure I'll find an outlet store I can't resist!!! Just hope I have the $$.
Betty used to live in FL and knows lots of stuff in the area and we added 3 days to our trip! Fun, Fun, Fun!!!! Can't wait to get down there for CHA!:-D
Hey Girls! If you don't have a FIVE GUYS near you, you should have a burger there. They are fabulous! Gaylord palms is amazing! You can just walk around there...it is so beautiful.
I scrolled through this thread quickly, so I hope this isn't a reposted suggestion:
Kennedy Space Center! It's about an hour east of Orlando and super easy to find. Head east on the Beachline (S.R. 52 and follow the signs to the Space Center.
At least that is what Betty from The Stamping and Scrapbooking Room in Greensboro, NC says we are doing. Since she's driving I guess I follow her around... LOL I'm sure I'll find an outlet store I can't resist!!! Just hope I have the $$.
Betty used to live in FL and knows lots of stuff in the area and we added 3 days to our trip! Fun, Fun, Fun!!!! Can't wait to get down there for CHA!:-D
that is the place to get disney souveniers, too. There is Disney outlet stores there .
__________________ ~trish~
{there are no mistakes in rubber stamping; only embellishment opportunities}
I live in Orlando, most likely most of you will be looking for things to do that is not too far.
I'm going to be at the convention all week, in the Provo craft booth would luv to see al you stop bye.
I-Drive is a mecca for restaurants and shopping.
I live in Winter Park so definitely that will be a great spot to stop in the evening as well.
Universal's city walk is another option not too far for great entertaining parking is now $3. at night.
you can get into the clubs before 8 pm for free. Pat O'brian's is a fav spot for dueling piano..
Great food is at Bahamas Breeze, and drinks.
there is tons of things to do in Orlando.. Let me know if you guy's have any questions I can help.
Maggie
I live near Orlando. I would go to one of Sea Worlds parks. They have 3 now, the main park, Aquatica a water park and Discovery Cove where you can swim with the dolphins.Discovery Cove is very pricey.I would go shopping. The Mall of Millenia has a lot of upscale stores like Neiman Marcus, Tiffanys, Coach, Louis Vuiton. My favorite mall is the Florida Mall, it has every store you can imagine, and to me it is more affordable for the average person. Also there is Kennedy Space Center which I live only 15 minutes from, they have some cool things out there. There is also the beaches and Ron Jons near Kennedy also. Ron Jons is a huge swim and surf shop and they are open 24 hours
a day. They are about 1 hour from Orlando.I also love Disney, Animal Kingdom is alot of fun,they have all types of animals and the safari ride is fun. Also ,there is the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, which is a small zoo, where you can feed the giraffes and pet a rhino. It is a very unique zoo. If you have any questions just let me know. I have live in this area for 20 years
I hear great things about the Orlando Science Center. If you are a member at your local Science Center or Science Muesum you should check, you might have admission privlidges there already. If not I hear it's great in any event.
I love Sea World myself, but that's a theme park of course.
I love Ikea, it's almost a destination for me.
There is an LDS temple if you are LDS. It's at the same exit as the Ikea.
There is a TON of minigolf if you are into that. But it's HOT down here so maybe that's not the best suggestion.
There are a million malls. I mean it's a pretty large city so I don't know why that suprises me but I'm always finding a new mall when I'm down there.
__________________ My BlogMy GalleryAll dog's feet smell like Fritos. I know you don't believe me, go check... See, I told you so.
I'm going to sound a little negative here, don't mean to, but thought I should share...
We live in Melbourne (about an hour away from Orlando) and spend time there often.
The Orlando Science center is nice, but unfortunately the 2 times we've gone, half of the things didn't work. Very annoying.
My 10 year old loves Wonderworks. Also a science kind of thing. Very low key, but the kids really enjoyed it. (My husband said to tell you it was barely "OK" but my son disagrees! lol)
We stayed at the Gaylord Palms. Beautiful to walk around in. The restaurants are very pricey; with SO many places to eat in Orlando, we chose to eat out. The rooms were more comfy, the service better etc. at the med priced Disney hotels. But of course, there are much fewer people at the Gaylord, so it was a good escape
If you are near Disney, I definitely recommend BOMA in the Animal Kingdom lodge. Breakfast or Dinner, the food is Delish and the service, awesome. It's a buffet, but a REALLY nice one (fresh carved meats, etc.) My son has a food allergy (nuts) and when we informed them, the Head Chef came out and literally walked us through, showing us the things he could/couldn't eat.
Some of my favs: Kennedy Space Center, Gaylord Palms (even if you're not staying there - drive over, check it out!), Downtown Disney - full of disney essence and free to wander, shop, eat (I like Earl of Sandwich for quick bites or Wolfgang Puck - both on the east side).
I'm going to sound a little negative here, don't mean to, but thought I should share...
We live in Melbourne (about an hour away from Orlando) and spend time there often.
The Orlando Science center is nice, but unfortunately the 2 times we've gone, half of the things didn't work. Very annoying.
My 10 year old loves Wonderworks. Also a science kind of thing. Very low key, but the kids really enjoyed it. (My husband said to tell you it was barely "OK" but my son disagrees! lol)
We stayed at the Gaylord Palms. Beautiful to walk around in. The restaurants are very pricey; with SO many places to eat in Orlando, we chose to eat out. The rooms were more comfy, the service better etc. at the med priced Disney hotels. But of course, there are much fewer people at the Gaylord, so it was a good escape
If you are near Disney, I definitely recommend BOMA in the Animal Kingdom lodge. Breakfast or Dinner, the food is Delish and the service, awesome. It's a buffet, but a REALLY nice one (fresh carved meats, etc.) My son has a food allergy (nuts) and when we informed them, the Head Chef came out and literally walked us through, showing us the things he could/couldn't eat.
Disney is really good about working with folks with ANY type of a food allergy - just let them know - they usually have subsitute items that are free of that item and fairly tasty.
On Monday (27th) I'm going to Afternoon Tea, at the Garden Tea room, its at the Grand Floridian resort at WDW.
If anyone wants to join me let me know, my reservation is for 2pm. I love love love tea, so I have to go there, the menu looks divine!!
What to do besides theme parks?
