O/T Off to Orlando

[scottm]

I'm off to Orlando this week for 2 weeks of sun

This is my first time in Florida, so,  apart from the usual touristy things ( Parks etc ), are there any places I shouldn't miss ( The more unusual the better!!   )

[Claw75]

Never been, so no recommendations, just wanted to say hope you have a great time!

[nirvana]

Depends how much time you want to spend driving while your there. Orlando is kind of in the middle of nowhere and parks are really the order of the day. Flushy may have some good ideas since he lived in Florida for a while

A few things I've done and enjoyed:

Go deep sea fishing from a reasonably pctureqsue harbour like in Sarasota on the gulf coast - around 2 hrs from Orlando.

Visit somewhere like St Armands Circle, also Sarasota, picturesque, boutiquey, nice restuarants - a very different America from that presented in Orlando.

Definitely visit the Gulf beaches - any town or city south of tampa likely to be enjoyable. Sarasota has particularly nice beaches. Did I mention Sarasota ?

Parks - a drive out to Busch Gardens in Tampa is well worthwhile - most of the Orlando parks are great fun i think but unless with very young kids I'd probably avoid the disney parks. Downtown Disney and the Boardwalk offer a reasonable night out albeit in a slightly ToyTown way.

Get down to the everglades maybe, great experience but probably 7 hours from Orlando. Maybe the keys, but they're even further south of course.

Again on the gulf coast, north of tampa, somewhere like Tarpon springs maybe, a working harbour of mainly greek heritage sponge fishermen. Get an americo/greek meze maybe ?

If I think of anything else I'll add them but there's a few ideas.

You should have a great time, hope you do

[suzanne]

Have a GREAT time scotty and bring us all back a stick of rock ;-)

[Sheriff Fatman]

Its probably too far out of your way (would be at least a night's stopover) but the drive down Highway 1 to Key West is sensational.

Sheriff

[Colchester Kev]

Go gator hunting on the big old fan boats, superb fun.

[Poppet7]

Some places I went to and enjoyed:

Busch Gardens
Seaworld - soooo good!
Epcot - you HAVE to watch the fireworks display!
Ripleys
and try the pirate crazy golf on international drive, good fun.

[Royal Flush]

Depends how much time you want to spend driving while your there. Orlando is kind of in the middle of nowhere and parks are really the order of the day. Flushy may have some good ideas since he lived in Florida for a while

A few things I've done and enjoyed:

Go deep sea fishing from a reasonably picturesque harbour like in Sarasota on the gulf coast - around 2 hrs from Orlando.

Visit somewhere like St Armands Circle, also Sarasota, picturesque, boutiquey, nice restuarants - a very different America from that presented in Orlando.

Definitely visit the Gulf beaches - any town or city south of tampa likely to be enjoyable. Sarasota has particularly nice beaches. Did I mention Sarasota ?

Parks - a drive out to Busch Gardens in Tampa is well worthwhile - most of the Orlando parks are great fun i think but unless with very young kids I'd probably avoid the disney parks. Downtown Disney and the Boardwalk offer a reasonable night out albeit in a slightly ToyTown way.

Get down to the everglades maybe, great experience but probably 7 hours from Orlando. Maybe the keys, but they're even further south of course.

Again on the gulf coast, north of tampa, somewhere like Tarpon springs maybe, a working harbour of mainly greek heritage sponge fishermen. Get an americo/greek meze maybe ?

If I think of anything else I'll add them but there's a few ideas.

You should have a great time, hope you do

I think Nirv has given a lot of good idea, he knows the west coast i know the east, lol.

Do you have transport when you are there? Although the West Coast is the 'prettier' side the more populated east coast has a lot to offer, fantastic shopping and entertainment in WPB and Miami. As for activities if you can get down to Lake Okeechobee and the glades. I am not sure what there is to do in Orlando tbh, i stayed away from it as much as possible. Try and get yourself to a small town if you can, go enjoy the local atmosphere in a 'bar and grill' establishment. Although Florida is full of tourists these towns somehow on the most part are free of foreign tourists and retain much of the famed "Southern hospitality" and it is great, the friendliest people in the world.

Deep sea fishing is something you should do if you can, i am not into fishing at all but a friend roped me into it and its great fun. Who are you going with aswell, the night life on the east coast is great. Miami has some damn fine clubs and WPB has some very enjoyable bars and a very good comedy club.

[Djinn]

You'll have a great time, especially if you can rent a car.  Got trapped there (Orlando town) for a week without one, let me tell you, seven days of airport area McDonald's and you're ready to cry over salad.  Just ask Danafish...

Try Disneyworld. 

[scottm]

Cheers for all the advice guys  

A couple of ideas in there that I hadn't thought of ...

I leave tomorrow - can't wait  

[Poppet7]

Have a nice time Scott

[scottm]

I will  Poppet

Time for 

[Dingdell]

Just come back from there - do not miss Universals Halloween evenings - they are still doing thme and Epcot's 'soaring' and test track.

have a great time
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