Well, the answer to that question can be compared to many other things: Do you shop for your clothes at more than one store? Do you watch more than one TV program? Do you go to several different restaurants when you eat out? Do you go to more than one casino in Las Vegas? (Well, some might never get out of one casino, but that’s the exception—it’s probably the same person who thinks that Orlando is synonymous with Disney!)
The answer is YES, there is PLENTY to do in Orlando besides Disney!!! In fact, you could probably vacation there for at least a month and never go to Disney World because there are so many other things to do! We are not necessarily advocating this approach, especially for a family that includes young children. However, every time we end up in Orlando, we discover more and more options, many that are much cheaper than a day in the Disney Parks. (A family of 4 can easily drop $500-600 a day there, to include tickets, parking, food and souvenirs.)
So, when planning your vacation, make sure that you look into the non-Disneyfied activities that are available and choose wisely, depending on the ages of people in your party, their mobility and your budget. And, it goes without saying that you need to consider everyone’s interests as well.
One of our last Orlando trips included John and myself, our children (all 30-something), grandkids and my 88-year old mother. Obviously, we had a wide range of ages and interests. We planned 2 days for the grandkids at the parks (ages 3 and 7) under the supervision of various adults. We stayed at Disney’s Old Key West Resort and took advantage of numerous amenities and activities right onsite. We only stayed for 7 days, but had so much to do that we would have been hard-pressed to add another Disney day. Our off site activities included seeing Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba, visiting Downtown Disney and the outlet malls. You can read about our trip in more detail here, if you wish.
So, what else can you do in Orlando besides Disney? Take a look at these lists—and this is just a sampling and is by no means all-inclusive.
IF YOU ENJOY SHOPPING:
Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores
IF YOU ENJOY THEME PARKS:
Universal Studios (same price range as Disney)
IF YOU ENJOY HISTORICAL/CULTURAL THINGS:
Jurassic Park Discovery Center
Fort Christmas Historical Park
Mennello Museumof American Folk Art
Orange County Historical Museum
IF YOU ENJOY ANIMALS AND THEIR HABITATS:
Manatee Tours(Crystal River, FL)
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
AND IF YOU ENJOY JUST PLAIN FUN:
Sleuths Mystery Dinner Theater
There are always special events happening in Orlando, so be sure to check local listings as well. Depending on your time frame, there could be any number of plays, guest entertainer appearances, exhibitions, dance performances, etc. etc.
If you are into sports, you may want to check the home schedules of all those Florida teams—the Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays (baseball), the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic (basketball), the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (football), the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning (ice hockey) and the Jacksonville Sharks, Orlando Predators and Tampa Bay Storm (arena football). Florida is also home to many major league baseball teams during spring training season. Check here for a listing.
And, of course, there are over 25 golf courses in the Orlando area as well as numerous parks and spas. And don’t forget the famous Florida beaches, on both the gulf and the Atlantic coasts. One of the closest is about an hour from Orlando) and is also a favorite: Cocoa Beach.
Should you want to venture a bit farther, the Tampa area would be excellent for a day trip. The area offers many options, including the famous Busch Gardens Theme Park. Sarasota is also a great place for a day trip, where you will find over 35 miles of beautiful beaches and the Ringling Museum of Art (free on Mondays).
So, tuck your mouse ears away, at least for a day or two, and experience some of the other wonderful and fun activities that the Orlando area offers—you just might save some money, and you’ll have a great time, too!
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