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Other stuff to do in Orlando?

How to occupy a guest on a small budget

From Kathryn Leigh
Posted June 30, 2010 at 8:11 AM
My boyfriend is coming to stay for a month at my Daytona home from his in Southern California. He hates thrill rides and lives ten minutes from DL/DCA, so he doesn't have THAT much interest in seeing our Disney parks (don't judge him for this- he doesn't understand). We're on a limited budget, and I was just wondering what other parks people thought were REALLY worth taking him to, and if there were any great free (or cheap) places we could go to occupy some time? Nobody knows Orlando better than you guys! (:


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Bob Miller
Posted June 30, 2010 at 8:50 AM
Kathryn, if he's into cars, you could take him to see the car cruise on Friday and Saturday afternoon at Old Town on US192 in Kissimmee, it's free. Friday's cruise is for cars 1972 and newer, Saturday's cruise is for cars 1971 and older. I always go there with my grandson.

From Tyler Bell
Posted June 30, 2010 at 1:33 PM
wonderworks on international drive,also if he hates thrill rides try epcot or seaworls.Seaworld only has 2 roller coasters and one log flume water coaster whatever its called.

From Tyler Bell
Posted July 6, 2010 at 9:27 PM
also there is the ripleys belive it or not plsce on international

From Anthony Murphy
Posted July 6, 2010 at 10:02 PM
Cape Canaveral is a pretty good alternative to the parks and probably the most worth attraction outside of the big parks. Its a pretty interesting and important institution in the history of FL and the US. You can touch a moon rock!

Also, there is a giant Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach (not too far from Cape Canaveral). Its a good representation of the FL Surf Shop scene.

I would try to get him to EPCOT though :)

From Tony Duda
Posted July 7, 2010 at 8:12 PM
Go to Kennedy Space Center. All the free tourist mags have discount coupons on admission. (Anthony, we actually responded the exact same time, I thought you beat me)

From Anthony Murphy
Posted July 6, 2010 at 10:02 PM
Tony kinda beat me to it! (and the proper name too!)

I also saw you asked about the other parks outside of Disney. I would say Seaworld is fun!

From Rob P
Posted July 7, 2010 at 1:27 AM
All those mentioned are great.

Also not far from all the theme park action are the Boggy Creek Airboat rides. It's a great ride around the creek on speedy airboats ( obviously ! ) where you may get to see Gators up close ( they can even try to mount the boat which is scary ) and all sorts of other wildlife too.
You can get discount vouchers almost everywhere and it makes for a good half day out.

www.bcairboats.com

A bit farther afield is Silver Springs in Ocala. This is a very gentle theme park with glass bottom boats and animal viewing areas. I do believe it's the oldest park in Florida too but I may stand corrected on that one.

www.silversprings.com

From
Posted July 7, 2010 at 5:21 AM
You also have Gatorland which is a lot of fun and not very expensive. The science museum, birds of prey. I would check out the visitor's center for what discounts and other options

From Brian Emery
Posted July 7, 2010 at 8:01 AM
First you need to get a real BF who likes theme parks…hahahah – If that is not an option, take him to a Water Park, no thrill rides there just some real fun….

You could have him do some project around your home… Ya know Paint, yard work….
You could always get him drunk and take advantage of him….

What about the Sports complex in Disney.. Look to see if there are any games…

I would sneak into a resort for a day!!! If you are interested in this one let me know and I will give you some instructions on how and where to gain access to one of them….

From TH Creative
Posted July 7, 2010 at 8:14 AM
Find an Orlando I-Drive hotel deal for two nights. First evening (make it a Thursday) head out to City Walk -- the Groove has a GREAT eighties night. The next morning, take in Typhoon Lagoon (tropical and quite romantic). After getting cleaned up at the hotel, I suggest a cheap bite to eat at Pointe Orlando (Johnny Rockets?) on I-Drive, followed by a crazy night at Howl at the Moon.

From Marcus Guimaraes
Posted July 7, 2010 at 9:48 AM
Take him downtown. Near UCF is a laser tag/video game place called Hard Knocks that he'll probably enjoy.

From Pyra Dong
Posted July 7, 2010 at 7:35 PM
I noticed that many ppl suggested Seaworld (which i recommend as well)... but if he doesn't have much interest in Disney b/c he lives in that area of California, then he's probably been to the Seaworld in California as well.

Oh well, at least every full paid Seaworld tickets gets you a day at either Busch Gardens or Aquatica free. (I'd choose Busch Gardens. It's an hour drive and there's LOTS to do besides thrill rides)

Kennedy Space Center is great.

Downtown Disney is fun, free place to walk around! Lots of picture moments

Old Town's car shows really ARE FUN! Free to walk around that cute little shopping area as well as the carnival next door

If you just DRIVE around International Drive (which is near the theme park area of O-town) you'll run into most of the touristy stuff Orlando has to offer (Ripleys, Wonderworks, Mini Golf, Wet N Wild, shopping, etc) Most hotels or visitor stands offer $1-3 off admission to those. Personally, I think all those places are too tourist-y... but if you have the right mind, you'll have fun.

From Tyler Bell
Posted July 7, 2010 at 8:01 PM
oh and citywalk

From Anthony Murphy
Posted July 7, 2010 at 8:08 PM
I am going to EPCOT again because of the low thrill rides numbers. Also, because EPCOT is NOTHING like the Disneyland resort.

From James Rao
Posted July 7, 2010 at 8:13 PM
Anthony is right: Epcot! Epcot! Epcot!

Also, Disney's Boardwalk + Beaches 'n' Cream at the Beach Club resort - both are within walking distance of, you guessed it, Epcot!

From Anthony Murphy
Posted July 7, 2010 at 10:21 PM
THE KITCHEN SINK!!!!!

From Tyler Bell
Posted July 8, 2010 at 6:33 AM
epcot does cost almost $84 to get into.

From James Rao
Posted July 8, 2010 at 5:33 PM
It is a bargain at twice that price! ;)

From Jorge Arnoldson
Posted July 27, 2010 at 7:26 AM
Wonderworks is mostly outdated (except the stuff you have to pay extra for) and in need of updating.

From Jennie Lea
Posted July 27, 2010 at 11:26 AM
I'm usually find myself on a budget when I go to Orlando, possibly due to the flight cost or just due to my minimum wage job!
It's quite nice to take a stroll around Old Town in kissimee especially on a fri night. I also quite like Ripley's on I-Drive for an hour or so's entertainment. And a round of mini-golf is fun too.
I do think everyone else is right though. Epcot would be great if he's not that into thrill rides. Plus it ends up working out a lot cheaper than visiting all the actual countries in World Showcase. All in all I think you're getting a bargain.

From Michael Smith
Posted July 27, 2010 at 1:00 PM
What kind of things does he like to do? If he likes water, Kelly Park in Apopka is fun. It's like 1-2$ to get in. It has Rock Springs that you can swim in or tube down.. nothing extreme though.. kind of a natural "lazy river". You can bring your own tubes or rent one from a convenience store outside the park for around 5$. It's a neat place.. but I'd try to do this during the week because on the weekend the place usually always fills to capacity.

From Michael Smith
Posted July 27, 2010 at 1:11 PM
I'm like a big kid.. so I enjoy going to Fun Spot. You could race each other on the multi-level go-cart tracks. They have a location on I-drive and one on 192 in Kissimmee. The I-drive was a little rowdy the last time I went there, so the Kissimmee location is probably better. Last time I went it was around 30$ a person for an all inclusive armband, or 6$ a person for one ride.

SAK comedy lab is fun also. It's improv like "Who's Line is It Anyway". It's downtown on Orange Ave. right near all of the clubs, and it's I think $12 a person on Fri and Sat. and
5 or cheaper on Tues and Wed. but Tues. and Wed. the performers aren't as experienced.

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