Attractions In Central Florida Other Than Disney World

Have you noticed that any time someone mentions they are going to visit any attractions in Central Florida most people just automatically assume they are talking about Disney World? Now, it is certainly well known that Orlando is famous for Disney, but there are other attractions in the Orlando area besides the home of Mickey Mouse.

I do love Disney, make no mistake about it, and I enjoy theme parks in general, but don’t forget the other parks when planning your visit. Most people do remember Universal Studios but some do not think of Islands of Adventure or else they don’t realize they are two separate parks. My son and I have visited Islands of Adventure, or IOA, every year since it opened which was when he was about 12 I think. We almost always have an annual pass and usually head over in the late afternoon or evening to avoid the heat and crowds. This is a FUN park if you love thrill rides and/or water rides. The Spiderman ride itself is worth a visit, one of the best rides you’ll find. The Hulk coaster is worth riding for the launch at the beginning. I remember the first time I rode it, somehow I had not heard that it launched and I was…er…surprised. Love that coaster though. I hear Harry Potter area they are building is going to be great and very true to the movies/books but I am not a Harry Potter fan so can’t really say. I looked at the videos on the website and it looks pretty cool though.

There is also Sea World of course, and this park is heavily advertised so surely you won’t forget it. I like it now and again but it’s not a park I want to visit over and over. I can see all I want to in one or two visits. I do enjoy the shows though.

Some people don’t realize it’s not too far to go to Busch Gardens in Tampa. While it is not technically one of the attractions in Central Florida, it is only about 90 minutes away from Orlando. There is lots to do there whether you enjoy roller coasters or shows or even midway-type games. What I usually like to do is just drive over and spend the night in a hotel so that I can have two days at the park without driving back and forth from Orlando. But you can do it in one day easily. I do the hotel thing so I won’t have to be rushed.

Looking for something kind of quiet and out of the way? Don’t dismiss Silver Springs for a enjoyable afternoon. It’s about an hour away over in Ocala, and they are famous for their glass-bottom boats.

About an hour from Orlando in the other direction, Cape Canaveral area, is the Kennedy Space Center. I suggest if you are going to visit this attraction that you do some “homework” before going so that you have a bit of background knowledge of the space program. It will make your visit a lot more fun and enjoyable. If you are driving over in the days before or after a launch, expect busier crowds than normal. You can see most everything at KSC in a day if you get there early and don’t dawdle around too much. Otherwise, you may want an extra day.

The Holy Land Experience is another attraction you may be interested in. Some relatives of mine recently spent the day there and had a great time. It is located at 4655 Vineland Road at the corner of Conroy Road just off Exit 72 on I-4. You can see most everything in one day but it is recommended by the park that you spend two days (of course – more money!). The best strategy is to arrive early and plan your day based on the different performances and what times they are. During the middle of the day when it is very hot, try to schedule shows that are inside.

Gatorland – I have never been to this place and have never heard of anyone going that actually enjoyed it. I can take our boat out on the river and see gators every day of the week, and they don’t do much but just lie around, so….that’s about all I have on Gatorland.

Lakeridge Winery Tour: I pass by this place every time I go to my mom’s but I don’t enjoy wine so have never stopped in. It is a beautiful place though and they have free tours and wine tasting. The tours run constantly as long as there are guests stopping by. The tour is about 45 minutes long. After the tour you can sample some wine.

So those are some attractions in Central Florida that you might consider in addition to the head honcho Disney. There are plenty more, I’ll have to make another post as this one is dragging on too long now.

Disney World Dining For The Clueless

Okay I’m not really saying anyone is clueless, but if you just have no idea where you want to eat when you visit Disney the next time, here are some Disney World dining tips.

First of all, you may read a lot of articles telling you to save money pack a lunch in your backpack and nonsense like that. I say, don’t do things like that. You are on vacation, or at least you are having a mini holiday! For goodness sake, do not pack a lunch. Now, if you have an army of kids with you and you want to pack some snacks, sure, go ahead. But it really is a lot more fun if you eat in a restaurant even if it’s just a walk-up counter restaurant.

So anyway, your best bet for an interesting/good restaurant will be Epcot since you can choose the country and type of food you want to eat. Five years ago I would have said all the restaurants there were really good, and a few years earlier I would have highly recommended Italy. I had a superb meal there once before they change over to the new place they have now. But still, you can find some good eats there. Canada for example has a great steakhouse called Le Cellier. Bistro De Paris in France is well regarded but I have not tried it. I never thought I would like French food but after seeing Julie and Julia (or vice versa?) I had to re-think that attitude since it seems French food is American food with lots of butter. I happen to love butter.

Does anyone like those turkey legs they sell at Disney? The first time I saw someone carrying one around I thought they had an ice cream cone. Then I glanced over again and realized it was a turkey leg. They just do not look appealing to me. I don’t know.

There are a couple of walk-up counter service places I really like. One is Cosmic Ray’s over at the Magic Kingdom in Tomorrowland. I like it because the chicken is really good. I have actually never tried anything else. Yes, I am one of those people who, when I find something I like, I refuse to eat anything else. Well rarely do I switch. And I love the chicken there. You probably won’t think you are eating at Bobby Flay’s restaurant or anything like that but for the type of eatery this is, it’s pretty good, and you can also watch the robotic/animatronic Ray guy who will sing for you. Or…I don’t think he is a guy. I don’t really remember what he is. He sings and I think he plays the piano. But no matter, it’s cool, the air conditioner is running, and you can take a siesta from the heat.

The other counter place I love is over in Epcot, the Yorkshire County Fish Shop at the United Kingdom. Very good fish and chips there. I don’t even bother with the sit-down restaurants over in Epcot because I like this place so much. And I don’t even think they have anything else on the menu other than fish and chips so you won’t have to spend time perusing the menu and deciding what to have.

If you venture over to the resorts, there are lots more choices. Over at the Grand Floridian there are several really good restaurants to choose from including Narcoossee’s which is a seafood place, Citricos (Mediterranean), and Grand Floridan Cafe, American. You won’t go wrong with either of these three. At Fort Wilderness you will find the Trail’s End which has American food which is quite good. It’s a buffet at the moment and the food is simply, hearty, and good.

Of course that is just a tip of the iceberg when you start to discuss Disney World dining. But do try some of the restaurants and enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

Costal Beaches Near Orlando

Florida is home to many famous beaches. When visiting Orlando, make a trip to the beach for some relaxation and family fun. Below is a general information guide to Orlando beaching!

Daytona Beach

One of the World’s Most Famous Beachs, Daytona Beach attracts millions of tourists each year without any promotion, and draws huge crowds for special events like the ever popular Spring Break, Bike Week where hoards of Harleys descend upon Daytona Beach and the Daytona 500. One of the most popular features of Daytona Beach is the 18-mile stretch where visitors can drive right onto the beach.

Grab your best bikini or your trunks, slap on the sunscreen, and head to the beach. Enjoy more than twenty-three miles of sand, sun and surf. Don’t feel like sunbathing? Run, rollerblade, or walk along the shore. You’ll find plenty of places and faces to keep you busy along the way. You can rent bodyboards, surfboards, or jetskis for some fun in the water. This is without a doubt, one of the widest beaches in the world. Located on Florida’s Central East Coast, just 53 miles from Orlando.

Daytona Beach Shores

Just south of Daytona Beach proper is a 5 1/2-mile ocean side stretch known as Daytona Beach Shores. Formed by a group of hoteliers in the early ’60s, Daytona Beach Shores was just incorporated 30 years ago. The “inland” portion of Daytona Beach Shores, called South Daytona, includes marinas, an old-fashioned Boardwalk and lots of specialty shops.

Cocoa Beach Pier

Stretching 840 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, the historic Cocoa Beach pier is open year-round. Food and beverages are readily available, with four restaurants. Live entertainment is frequent and souvenir shopping is plentiful. From an outdoor cafe table, guests can dine on casual fare and see for miles down the beach.

Cocoa Beach is located east from Orlando (or the Orlando International Airport) on the Beachline (SR 528) Expressway.

New Smyrna Beach

To the South of Daytona Beach Shores is New Smyrna Beach, a quiet alternative to the hustle and bustle of Daytona Beach.
New Smyrna Beach is located on Florida’s east coast, just north of Cape Canaveral. Off 1-95, exit 84A. Directions: East off I-95, Exits: Southbound 84A; Northbound 84.

Ormond Beach

Railroad and shipping magnates made Ormond Beach a mecca for the rich and famous at the turn of the century. This quiet stretch of peaceful beach is home to The Casements, the winter home of John D. Rockefeller from 1914-1937, which has been turned into a cultural center. Ormond Beach is located on the northern end of the greater Daytona Beach Resort Area in Northeast Central Florida.

Ponce Inlet

Famous for its historic lighthouse, Ponce Inlet offers a variety of paces for the adventurous traveler. With some lively, on-beach driving and cruising spots and some quieter, no-driving zones, Ponce Inlet has the right stretch of sand to please everyone. Sunset cruises, genial parks and playgrounds, and deep-sea fishing trips accentuate the beach opportunities, making this southernmost town on the Daytona Beach strip a “must see.

National Seashore

The Canaveral National Seashore, which includes such gorgeous beaches as Apollo and Playalinda, stretches north of Cape Canaveral.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

North of the space center, the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 140,000 acres of land owned by NASA. More than 500 species of animals reside here. Visitors to the refuge may see bald eagles, manatees and loggerhead sea turtles.

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