Silver springs

[VS-075]

We missed Silver springs last year due to the weather thinking of spending a day or two there this year and would appreciate if anyone could recommend a good hotel thanks.

[sciallas]

We stayed at the Holiday Inn right opposite Silver Springs when we visited.
But it`s in the middle of no-where and there is not a lot to do.We ended up renting out a VCR and a couple of movies one night.
I think SS is worth a visit but perhaps you should consider a day trip.

[tweety-pie]

We went to silver Springs on our trip in 2002. It took about 2 hours to get there; the kids fought all the way there in the car, and by the time we got there we were wondering what we had let ourselves in for!

The thing we soon learned was not to compare it to any of the central florida attractions; it's more like one of our own little zoos, a lot of the people there looked like locals, and it wasn't really touristy, which was great, but don't expect too many refinements! Having said that, we had a good day there, the boys (then 5 and 7 ) loved the safari trip and the glass bottom boat trip. They fed giraffes with ryvitas, and there was also a bear exhibit. Some of the employees there seemed to be 'recycled' from area to area, and a lot of them looked related(?!), and it was very funny at times taking some of it seriously, in fact my cousin and i were in stitches a lot of the day,Maybe that says more about us than Silver Springs though, lol! Particularly funny was one young employee who built everyone up to a frenzy of anticipation for his 'gator wrestling'. When he got an 18" baby one out of a small box we nearly dissolved in tears of laughter! The boys were still impressed though, and they were allowed to go and touch it too.

We all had a sandwich from the deli-type place there, the food was ok.

We have since heard that someone has thrown a load of cash at the place, so it could be completely different now, maybe someone else on here has been since?

Don't know that we would go again,now we have been.

By the way i would make it a day trip as there's not a lot else there. There was a water park there, we didn't go in it but from what we saw, it looked a bit run down.

I have rambled on a bit, hope it helped you.

[Villainlover]

I haven't been to Silver Springs for a few years now but when we did go we only went for the day, it is not really a two day park..

I had to hold a huge boa constrictor or Python (cant remember exactly) very heavy and very embarrassing when it wouldn't let go of my leg and the audience were in stitches:rolleyes: this was supposedly due to the fact that he said that I said his alligator was too small!! LOL

They may have been laughing cos I ran out of the previous 'pet' show cos they had a dog :blush: but I stood there holding this enormous snake .... LOL

I will have to post my photo.

It is a really relaxing day and the glass bottom boat trip is just so enjoyable :D The shows are more educational and they take their conservation efforts seriously, so not as entertaining as some other places... but I found them very interesting..

If you want a bit of natural Florida I would pay a visit but I wouldn't stay over... not eat there .. yuk!! There is a Wendys outside (or there used to be) so we will eat there..

[Sam_Smith]

We did the day trip to swim with the manatees at Silver Springs last October.

It was a great day out. :cool:

Pick up is from varios locations on Internation Drive. You go to Sizzler for breakfast and on to Silver Springs.

Coach was nice and had TV's so the kids watched a film.

Spent the day swimming with wild manatee, taking an airboat ride, having a packed lunch (provided) on the edge of the springs, and going to a sanctuary for various wild animals including loads of manatees.

:thumb:

Great day out for around £60 each

One bit of advice - don't go without yer mozzie spray!

:eek:

[Villainlover]

Originally posted by Sam_Smith
We did the day trip to swim with the manatees at Silver Springs last October.

It was a great day out. :cool:

Pick up is from varios locations on Internation Drive. You go to Sizzler for breakfast and on to Silver Springs.

Coach was nice and had TV's so the kids watched a film.

Spent the day swimming with wild manatee, taking an airboat ride, having a packed lunch (provided) on the edge of the springs, and going to a sanctuary for various wild animals including loads of manatees.

:thumb:

Great day out for around £60 each

One bit of advice - don't go without yer mozzie spray!

:eek:

didn't know you could do this at Silver Springs? how did you book it?

[batleyboy26]

We too loved Silver Springs, but it is only a one day trip. We were back in Kissimmee just after 7pm and had set off for up there at 8.30 am.