Winging it.

[boltyboy]

Originally Posted by Gryff

As you are down our neck of the woods can I suggest you look in Winter Haven to eat all the popular chains and several independents
Just ask if you'd like some suggestions
We rarely have a plan as we don't do Disney that often
I'm sure you will love it

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We always take a trip to Manny's on HW27 but that's as far as we have been, any suggestions regarding Winter Haven would be welcome.

[Glyndsey]

Originally Posted by KCMUMMY

We did exactly that this August. Although we missed Disney and Universal, we had a fab time at Seaworld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens. If anything the holiday was to relaxed!

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How long where you out there for ? As we are doing similar holiday.

[HenrysDad]

Never really planned other than, right where do we fancy tomorrow?

We just relax and go with the flow

[sparklegirl]

This trip is the first one in a long while we have planned and even then its only one day in week one for Discovery Cove, Blue Man Group in week two and the last week we got two mid day magic tickets from Disney so have F&W one day and DHS the next. Apart from that nothing in the book!

Oh thats not true we have a trip up to The Villages the day after we arrive as Gary Sinise and his Lt Dan Band is playing a free concert so we are mooching along to that.

[123Ellen]

Personally we don't usually plan anything other than to look at if there are any special events planned that we want to go to or if there is anything that we need to book in advance for a set day, and we don't have any problems and i think it feels good to be flexible and do what you fancy doing in the morning or change plans mid day

[Gryff]

Paul
There's loads in WinterHaven
We tend to use Mannys and Ovation in Winter Haven now never such a long wait more locals than tourists
Sonnys Pit BBQ beside Mannys on the 27 well worth a visit Dora's Pizza take out and sit in also has great pasta dishes also home delivery
Tiny place but great food take your own beer or wine though small corkage charge
Two you might like if you are fish lovers are Cherry Pocket or Harry's Place well worth a visit
Tempo 1930 Louisanna Cagun type food Thi Haven Thi food
You also have all the usual Olive Garden Red Lobster Longhorn Chillis
Ruby Tuesday and more
Please ask if you want any more info

[tiggers friend]

I think you'll find the trip liberating as you are not tied to a schedule. Just go with the flow, if you want a rest day do that.

We've gone this way for years, have a few things we want to do along the way, but just enjoy the trip to Florida.

[Kasalic]

Thoroughly agree that WDW holidays need a lot of planning to get the most out of, which is probably why we never got on with them.

Next year we will book a day at Discovery Cove, and a day at Aquatica (so we can book the cabana's), but apart from these it will be a case of 'what do you fancy tomorrow/today?' We will have Universal 14 day tickets, as well as the Busch, Seaworld and Aquatica tickets we get with DC Ultimates. Add in a day to Caladesi Island and a visit to Blue Man Group and that is more than enough for us for 14 days.

[MARL]

Every time we’ve been, I have a schedule sorted for every day. This IS adaptable however I am always ultra organised. I am TRYING to chill on that front this time. This is the first time we have visited without any Disney’s tickets and I have to say, the pure JOY of not having to do the FP chores is going to be wonderful! Our park tickets are: Universal, IOA, Busch gardens and sea world.

We are contemplating 1 or 2 days as Busch gardens. Any advice? Tbh, we are only staying for 14 nights this time and spending one of those in a universal hotel to make use of the passes. If doing 2 days at Busch gardens, it would mean another overnight away from the villa as DH will not be prompted to drive the distance on two separate days.

My concern with doing it in one day is the necessity to panic our way round everything to ‘get it done’ rather than saving some of it for a 2nd day.

I would appreciate you opinions. 1 or 2 days at Busch gardens?

[KCMUMMY]

Originally Posted by Glyndsey

How long where you out there for ? As we are doing similar holiday.

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We were there for 14 nights. Did 1 day at Busch, 2 at Aquatica, 2 at Seaworld, 1 day at Clearwater Beach, 1 day at Cocoa Beach, and 1 day at Blue Springs National Park (highly recommend). The rest of the time was taken up with chill days at the villa and shopping. It was such a change for us, and we have decided on 3 weeks in 2021 with similar plans with 2 days probably at Disney.