No disney

[Guest]

we are hoping to go back to Florida in June, have been twice before and did every single park both times. can I ask honest opinions here, is it possible to go to Orlando and NOT go to 1 disney park at all? hoping to do wet 'n' wild, aquatica, cocoa beach, overnight stay at Anna Maria island, lots of shopping. we have 2 older teen daughters. will this be doable or do you think we would miss the parks? trying to do Florida on the cheap because holiday prices have hiked right up this year, the extra spent on holiday would have paid for our park tickets.

Thanks in advance for any replies

Lynn

[Guest]

I couldn't do Florida without Disney, however there is SO much more to see and do, and lots of people don't do the parks at all and have a fabulous time.
Is it the cost that is the problem, or do you just not care for the parks at all after doing them a few times? If it's the cost and that's it, I think you may then regret it slightly when you're out there, but maybe you could think about leaving a few days to do your fav ones and just buy day tickets?

[pchivvy]

We've been several times without going into a park in Disney, but we get our disney fix by going to DTD or the Boardwalk instead. You will still have a great time.

[Melanie R]

Personally the only reason I go to Florida is because of Disney, but there are lots of Dibbers who go without doing the parks and have a great time

[Guest]

Thank you very much everyone, it is a cross between cost and been there, done that. yes the cost of the holiday has hiked up and the park tickets are being absorbed in that cost, however now my girls are a bit older, they are more looking forward to shopping than riding big thunder railroad mountain. we have done discovery cove, we have flown in the hot air balloon, so we really have done loads the last twice we've been there.
I have looked through several websites since posting this and have found lots to do outwith disney parks.
looking forward to going back now, thank you all again.

Lynn

[chrisxal]

We hardly do the parks nowadays so you could try:
Winterpark scenic boat tour and shopping
Eco Safari Monster truck tour
A visit to Mt Dora to wonder around the craft and antique stores
St Augustine for the day
Kennedy Space centre, although if you have teenage girls it might not be their thing
A trip to one of the local big flea markets, not the tourist flea markets!
Horse back riding
A Segway tour
etc etc

[Cannavar]

We went this summer and never did Disney except for DTD. We had been last Xmas so really didn't need to go again.

[wanye]

we went this year and did a day and a half (MNSSHP) in disney, the rest was elsewhere. the year before we did half a day (MNSSHP again!). its easy to go for two weeks and not go to any of the disney parks. theres tons of stuff to do elsewhere. in the past, we've done a roadtrip to georgia, a couple of days in miami and various other trips. next time we go, i want to do tampa/st petes, or maybe even new orleans if i can find someone to come with us who can share the driving. we'll probably spend a day or two in disney, but only because we have days left on our non-expiry tickets...

[disneybabe]

SNAP! Thats exactly what we do too! We always call at the Boardwalk and have a walk around the lake then down to HS and catch the boat back, oh and call at Beaches and Cream for a fix or two! LOL! We also have several visits to DTD.

I am sure you will have a fab time without doing Disney. Then next time you go you will really enjoy it!

Christine

Originally Posted by pchivvy

We've been several times without going into a park in Disney, but we get our disney fix by going to DTD or the Boardwalk instead. You will still have a great time.

See more...

[Susan Coleman]

We go to Florida every year and rarely do the big parks now ...only when wth the kids or something new
As said you can get the Dis feel at DTD...and if you have enough cash try Cirque du Soleil...truly amazing tho quite expensive, and or maybe do I of Adventure fo a ride kick...
there are great wild life places but prob not their thing?
With teen girls think you they will get their kicks shopping...
Try a day wondering around Celebration..real Us town built in trad style
Or go to Old Town Kissimmee ona Friday or Saturday for the classic car parades..we just go in the day sometimes when they are all parked up...50'smusic...rock n' roll atmosphere...tacky but fun American shops