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Old 03-03-2008, 03:07 PM   #1
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Favorite non-Disney thing in Orlando

So we go to WDW once or twice a year but we pretty much never do anything off-property. We think our DD might enjoy a day at SeaWorld but we haven't been there since we were kids. What are your favorite non-Disney attractions in the ORlando area?
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Old 03-03-2008, 03:12 PM   #2
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going on the fact that the only non-disney thing i've ever been to in orlando is the airport, i'm going with that. i'd love, love, LOVE to do sea world and discovery cove though. universal just doesn't appeal to me (probably because i live so close to cedar point, and I don't go there either). i'm not a thrill ride fan. i would love sea world though. i use to go to the one in ohio before it closed, and if sea world orlando is bigger and better than the ohio one was, i'd never want to leave!
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Old 03-03-2008, 03:16 PM   #3
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We usually try to one thing Non-Disney per trip (although most of the time - we end up not wanting to leave Disney!) Some of the things we have done are:

Seaworld (a couple times!) and LOVED IT!!!!
Gatorland - it was good if you are into the reptile thing!
Siesta Key Beach - a bit of drive from Disney ( 1 1/2 hours) but TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!
Orlando Helicopter Tours - flew over Epcot, Downtown Disney, MGM, TyLagoon, etc! It was fun!
And LOTS of Shopping off property!!!!!
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Old 03-03-2008, 03:26 PM   #4
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we have gone to seaworld twice and universal studios once. but we love to stay at disney world most of the time.
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Old 03-03-2008, 04:08 PM   #5
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Probably SeaWorld, although in the times we've ventured off property, we've never been disappointed. We've been to Universal twice now and Discovery Cove twice and both were great. Discovery Cove is an awesome experience. If you have the time and money, I'd go for that.
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Old 03-03-2008, 04:39 PM   #6
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Not in Orlando, but close, Kennedy Space Center is a must for us on every trip!!

In Orlando- SeaWorld would be a second to KSC for us.
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Old 03-03-2008, 04:44 PM   #7
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Universal Studios just barely over Sea World.
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Old 03-03-2008, 04:57 PM   #8
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mine easily Sea World, but DD loves IOA.
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Old 03-03-2008, 06:46 PM   #9
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Universal Studios just barely over Sea World.
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Old 03-03-2008, 07:09 PM   #10
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My kids love the Nick Hotel, we usually stay there a few days after we do Disney. I also love Seaworld, since our boys have never been there, on our next trip I would like to try and fit it in.
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Old 03-03-2008, 07:25 PM   #11
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I would say Sea World or driving over to KSC and the beach
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Old 03-03-2008, 07:33 PM   #12
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The only thing worth a trip off property IMHO is GATORLAND!!!

You simply can't beat walking through a marsh and throwing hotdogs at GATORS and watching them snap and bite and thrash.

Where else can you see Gator Jumping and Gator Wrestling and get your picture taken while sitting on a real live gator??

I just totally get a kick out of that place.
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Old 03-03-2008, 09:06 PM   #13
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Not an attraction, but we LOVE the food at Landry's seafood!
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Old 03-03-2008, 09:45 PM   #14
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Non-Disney things in Orlando?

I have never heard of such a thing!

*is interested to what people have to say*
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Old 03-03-2008, 10:25 PM   #15
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Universal, Sea World & Busch Gardens. You can get a multi day 2 park pass for SeaWorld & Busch Gardens & they will bus you to Busch Gardens. It's about one & a half hrs to Busch Gardens, they put a movie on & you're there! Last Aug. we went to Kennedy Space Center got a hotel over night on the beach in Cocoa Beach. My girls thought the Space Center was boring but totally enjoyed surf lessons from Ron Johns in Cocoa Beach, lol!
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