First Time In Orlando

[mad_dog]

I am going to Orlando for the first time in July, for 2 weeks, with my partner and her sister. We are all adults. Apart from the Theme Parks where else would you recomed we visit. As we do not have a clue :confused2. And we would like to make the most of our time there.

Any good advise would be welcome.

Thanks

[Totally_Angelic]

Are you driving? Where are you staying?
The theme parks themselves can take a big chunk out of 2 weeks......as there are seven (eight if you go to Busch Gardens) add to this the waterparks. Shopping is fantastic, and can fill a couple of days (thats 12 days gone!) and you could pop to the coast for a day, visit the Everglades, take an airboat ride, visit the Kennedy Space Centre....the list is endless. You need to find out what everyone likes to do and start from there. Happy planning. You will get loads of valuable advice on this site and loads of information on things to do!

[mad_dog]

Thanks for the advice.

I forgot to put the bit about where we are staying and about the car.

We are staying about 10mins from Disney World at Orange Lake Country Park, and yes we have a car, and I don't mind traveling if where we are going is worth it.:cool:

Thanks again

[mad_dog]

Also the reason for this thread is to find out where we could go if we did not go to any Theme Parks. Not that we won't, but that is not the main reason we are going there. Once again surgestions would be welcome :jump:

[acb1409]

We travelled as first timers to Orlando last year. I was not looking forward to it as I am not a theme park person but had agreed to go for the children who were 13 and 15.

We are going back this year for three weeks totally organised by myself with no outside pressure this time.

The theme parks were brilliant just walking round and taking in the atmosphere was enough. The shopping is out of this world from Outlet Malls to Department stores, make sure you take more than one empty case.

My Son and Husband loved their trip to Kennedy Space Centre, this year we are going to do Cirque De Soleil. Hope you have as good a time as we did.

[hunnybunny]

mad_dog
You'll love Orange Lake Country Park, I agree with everything totally_angelic has said. Do you play Golf, as there are loads of golf courses you can go to (not that we paly golf) We have never ventured further then Tampa, but this time we are going down to Sarrisota for the day and up to St. Augusta another. When we first went I bought a book from W H Smiths, it was invaluable as there are loads of suggestions where to go.

Dee

[mad_dog]

Thanks for the advice's so far. Please keep them coming as I will show them to my partner and her sister later.

P.s How do you get the count down to my hoiday?:confused:

[kina]

mad_dog, I would definately buy a couple of guidebooks, or even get them out from the library. I'd try the Brits Guide to Orlando 2004, I think that it is full of useful information for first timers.

[Mike]

Get yourself a copy of the Brit's Guide to WDW & Orlando (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0572026498/ref=sr_aps_books_1_1/202-8568671-4186257) by Simon Veness.... he lists virtually all the extra-cirricular activities around the area, and rates them fairly objectively.

Personally, I like a visit or two to Celebration, a town Disney built a few miles away from WDW (although I know some people think it's a bit plastic/unreal, but I like it!:p: ) for a coffee on the lakeside rockers or lunch at the Cafe... if you hit the parks hard (which you will!) the time you have left may not need to be spent in too stimulating a manner... you might want to chill rather than just find new ways to be thrilled. Having said that, the Boggy Creek Airboats (http://www.bcairboats.com/) are great!;)

:mike:

[hunnybunny]

On the forum page go to Tech Support, then click on Holiday dates and charts and just follow the instructions.

Dee

[Mike]

Countdown instructions here (http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13753)

[mad_dog]

Thanks to all you great people :thumbup: Who have replyed so far. Please keep them coming in as they are most helpfull.

[Alvin]

There is loads to do on International Drive, Its miles long!

At the far end is the Belz outlet shopping Mall
There are several Adventure Golf parks, Like Crazy golf in Britain but on an American scale good for a laugh. There is an enormous Ripleys auditaurium, Skull Kingdom (scary fun) Wet N Wild (the best of the Water parks) Endless gift shops and Restaurants( We like the Olive Garden-Italian, Wild Jacks-Great Steaks, and Chlli's for Mexican, also you should check out the Ponderosa all you can eat breakfast buffet, its near wet n wild)
The Mercado shopping court, Point Orlando, and tons of other stuff, and this is just on I drive.

Steve

[mad_dog]

Getting the maps and tour books out tonight and checking out the surgestions so far. Hunny Bunny when did you go to Orange Lake?

Really Glad i found this site. Good work web masters

[paulac]

Mad dog

If you like thrill rides and rollercoasters the best parks for you would be Universal and Islands of Adventure. Both in the same area connected to City Walk which is full of shops clubs and restaurants, now our kids are older these parks are favourite for our family. We still love Disney though. :)

Paula

[mapman]

A day visit to the beach is fantastic and certainly re-charges the batteries. Go to either Daytona or Cocoa Beach on the Atlantic (East) side or Clearwater or St Petes (my preference) on the Gulf (West) coast. You'll have a great day out and see a little more of Florida rather than the dressed up Orlando.

Another vote for the Boggy Creek Airboat rides, there are two locations.

Some people here have also been on Hot Air balloon flights - they've all recommended this.