We love Walt Disney World, but is that all there is to enjoy in Orlando? Of course, WDW is a great destination, and we’ve visited it many times with our kids. Each time we returned, there were always new and exciting things to do.
However, for people who have more time to spend in the Orlando area or have different tastes, there are many fun activities to do beyond the allure of the Disney parks. The other places also have the advantage of not requiring a family’s expensive commitment to stay three or four days in one location. In some cases, other attractions are usually less costly than what Disney has to offer.
This list fails to mention Universal Studios Orlando, a theme park that is almost as expansive as Walt Disney World. Our kids want to go back to Orlando again just to experience Universal’s massive new Harry Potter castle and many other great features that rival Walt Disney World. However, at that very popular destination, we can expect it to be just as crowded, with long waiting times for rides and significant costs matching WDW prices.
Lake Eola Park
Orlando used to be a small Florida town, and you can experience a bit of it at Lake Eola Park in the downtown area. We’ve taken the kids there and they love the old-fashioned swan-shaped paddle boats ($15 per half-hour rental). For lazy travelers, they also offer electric paddle boats.
Lake Eola Park
195 North Rosalind Avenue
Orlando, FL
cityoforlando.net
SeaWorld Orlando
The expanding theme park now has a brand-new roller coaster, called the Manta. It swings up from the ground, providing great views of the park, then races down at breakneck speed. We rode the Manta last year when it first opened, and it was one of the best roller coaster rides we’ve ever had in any amusement park.
The main attractions in SeaWorld’s center pool are performing sea lions, dolphins and Shamu, the killer whale. They display their jumping, precision swimming and interactions with trainers. When we went with our kids, they were allowed to pet the dolphins.
There are two other parks under the SeaWorld banner, Blue Horizons and Busch Gardens. Depending on your plans, you can buy tickets for one or to cover visits to all three.
Costs range from $10 a month for an annual pass to each of the parks, to $200 for a Discovery Cove All-inclusive Dolphin Swim Experience. With that ticket, you get food and drinks, and unlimited visits to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or Aquatica
SeaWorld Orlando
7007 Sea Harbor Drive
Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 264-0846
www.seaworld.com
Orlando Science Center
This upscale museum offers many things to do in just one day and evening, all at one low price. Our kids enjoyed it because of the many electronically animated and hands-on exhibits. When we were there, our kids howled at the exhibit called Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of The Human Body.They enjoyed scatalogical revelations about all the bodily functions they’re not allowed to talk about at home.
Adult admission is $17, seniors $12, kids $16 and free to age under 2 . We stayed on until early evening, and through the Crosby Observatory’s refractor telescopes, we saw the stars close up in the clear Florida evening sky. It provided a much needed education-break from all the other activities we had been doing.
Orlando Science Center
777 East Princeton Street
Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 514-2000
www.osc.org
Titanic The Experience
Our kids thought it would be boring, but we all enjoyed this low-key, but interesting place. The Titanic museum presentations include a full-sized replica of the fantastic double-staircase of the original.
In addition to interactive displays of many of the ship’s recovered relics, photos, film and interactive displays, the restaurant is a copy of the Titanic’s main dining room. The menu is the same as the one on that fateful day in 1912. What our kids liked were the ghostly members of the crew, all dressed in the British liner uniforms of the time, who were always available in character to chat.
Along with the full-scale replica of the Titanic’s Grand Staircase, visitors can see a first-class parlor Suite, designed for royalty. Plans are underway for additions to the museum to mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic disaster in 2012.
Adult admission is $22, kids $13 ($2 cheaper if ordered online) Dinner while being entertained by Titanic actors and musicians, adults $65, kids $40
Titanic The Experience
7324 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 248-1166
titanictheexperience.com
Fun Spot on Highway 192
With a strange name like that, you can bet it won’t have all the high-class features of Walt Disney World. If you have a craving for imitating Talladega racing, as our kids do, you’ll love to race go-carts at the Fun Spot. The Fun Spot offers four big go-cart race tracks, plus a newly-named roller coaster, the Power Trip. There’s also a ferris wheel and about a dozen other amusement features in this rural park, and none of the long lines of Walt Disney World.
It’s $20 for four drives on the go-carts. Additionally, there are two lists of amusement rides that cost $25 for adults and $15 for kids. All prices are plus tax.
The Fun Spot
5720 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy West
Kissimmee, FL 34746
(407) 397-2509
funspotusa.tutengraphics.com
Ted Sherman is a world traveler and the editor of travel4people.com. You can follow him on Twitter @travel4seniors.
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