Visiting Orlando by Skipping Major Parks?
I was thinking and wondering if anyone visiting Orlando (Not Locals) ever planned a vacation to skip the Major Theme Parks.
I know there is a large convention center also with events some attend like Comic Con.
But would it be hard to just skip the Major Parks Disney and Universal?
One could go to Discovery Cove, Aquatica, Bush Garden Tampa (a great park not in Orlando), Plus there are some local parks in Orlando Area Fun Spot America, WonderWorks, Dezerland Park…
Not sure I could do it? Could you...
Replies (5)
I live in NY, and have done it twice fairly recently. In 2018 we went to SeaWorld, Aquatica (twice), Busch Gardens, Adventure Island, Legoland, Dinosaur World & Clearwater Beach over a full week. In 2023 we went to Discovery Cove, SeaWorld, Aquatica & Busch Gardens over 4 days. No regrets on either trip.
I'm a Florida local (so I don't know if it counts) but my home park is over in Tampa with BGT. So I have been to Orlando just to do smaller things (one time I did both of the fun spot parks and icon park over a weekend because I'd never done them before). But it's a lot less of a commitment because I don't need a flight.
I don't always visit Walt Disney World on my trips to Florida because that requires a commitment of at least three days (and ideally four to six), but every trip has included time spent at Universal, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and at least one Fun Spot park. Coming from California, it would be really hard to justify a trip to Orlando without including at least one of the destination theme park resorts, and the only reason I could see doing so would be if it was a quick trip (three days or less) for something not at all related to vacationing.
Brian, we have been several times for 2 weeks at a time and not done the main parks and still had a great time. Discovery Cove, Kennedy and Gatorland are staple favourites. We are coming back in November and not planning on doing Disney or Universal but will do the above plus ICON Park, Titanic Experience and plenty of adventure golf. I have already packed my pirate eyepatch.
Yup... we live in the Fort Lauderdale area and have gone to Orlando many times without visiting a park.