Orlando - without Disney

merlot123

We are looking at a family holiday to Orlando for 11 nights, 2 adults, 2 children, one 15 years and one 13 years.

We are looking at renting a villa in the Kissimmee area, rather than a hotel.

We would like to visit Orlando to visit Seaworld, Busha Gardens, Kennedy Space Centre, Orlando Zoo and Universal studios.

My children are not interested in visiting Walt Disney World, is it possible to visit Orlando and not go there (it will be our first time aboard, never mind Orlando). I cannot justify paying over £900 for tickets to have a quick wonder round, cause it's what people do when they visit Orlando.

Has anyone been to Orlando and not visited DW, if so, ideas on what to do, where to visit would be appreciated.



Merlot123

Sambucus_Nigra

Of course it is!

My OH's Bro lives in Florida so when we visit we do a day at somewhere big, then a chill day somewhere local.

The time flies by. And of course there's the hurricanes that take your mind off things.

eslick

why stay in Orlando, you could stay there for a few days and move to somewhere much better. Orlando is good for the parks but there are much better places to stay on both coast east or west. West coast might be better do the gardens and then stay in one of the many area along the coast.

try vrbo.com for villas no matter where you stay and make sure you haggle you will get a better deal.

merlot123

It will be my husbands first time driving aboard, any tips? I don't think he is looking forward to driving especially on the freeways. What Car would you hire if you could?

miss_edith

I'd suggest cutting down on your time in Orlando and then going somewhere nicer. Florida is beautiful when you get away from Orlando! I'd decide how many days you need to do the things you want there and then get out - there's nothing there apart from the parks and there are that many Brits about you may forget you're actually in America.
The Gulf Coast is wonderful - lovely towns, beaches, state parks, outlet shopping centres and you can rent villas there fairly cheaply too.

Sambucus_Nigra

merlot123 wrote: »

It will be my husbands first time driving aboard, any tips? I don't think he is looking forward to driving especially on the freeways. What Car would you hire if you could?

Don't worry, as soon as you are onto the freeways it's dead easy.

The tolls are the main issue - so make sure you get change for them

miss_edith

Driving is easy over there. Just get a state map and you won't go wrong. Everywhere is well signed and the coast roads never seem too busy.

pennylane99

of course you can visit Orlando without doing Disney, which is not just one park, its several, you have Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom plus the 2 water parks, Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon

eslick

driving is really easy, get a sat nav either rent one from rental company, buy one or they also rent them on ebay as well. get yourself a big car not much more expensive but it will be easier to drive and not as scary. Take it slowly the first few days and with the automatic it will be like duck to water.

laurel7172

It's a bit of a hike along the freeway, but swimming with manatees is highly recommended.

We went with Bird's Underwater

http://www.birdsunderwater.com/

We did do Disney, but I can honestly say that the manatees and Kennedy were the highlights of our trip.

maemaesmummy

We do 2 or 3 trips to Orlando a year, there is lots to see besides Disney..that said we do usually visit but have AP's for all parks now..no parking fees bonus!