Orlando in summer - what to get up to.

[stewies_minion]

So - we've booked a family holiday in Orlando in July.

On top of the Disney / Universal days out, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions of other must do type activities?

Cheers

[ChrisBMW]

Head to Tampa for a trip to Bush Gardens as good as universal studios
Head to NASA, great day out
Do an airboat ride
Head over to Clearwater for a chill out day
Head to a shooting range

[Arklight]

Pirates Cove for some evening fun, there are 3 great little courses.

[stewies_minion]

Sounds good so far ta.

Is Busch Gardens any good for small kids?

[ChrisBMW]

Quite a lot of coasters in bush gardens, can't remember how many attractions there are for smaller kids tbh as we don't have any young kids.

There are some really good animal attractions like tigers, cheetahs and gorillas if that sort of thing would interest them.

[stewies_minion]

Sounds cool. Kids love animals.

Must check if Busch Gardens is part of the Universal Flex Ticket. Seem to remember it was.

Anyone have any views on that new water park with dolphins etc?

Cheers

[surveyor]

stewies_minion said:

Sounds good so far ta.

Is Busch Gardens any good for small kids?

We took our daughter there when she was three. She loved it.

If you have young children Aquatica is an absolute must. We prefer it to the Disney water parks and it always seems quieter.

[Matt Harper]

Early July? July 4th weekend (July 4/5/6/7) will be mega busy in all of the parks - not so good.
However, July 6th has the Coke Zero 400 NASCAR race at Daytona - probably not one to take the nippers to, but a very spectacular night race - easy to get tix and usually a real scrap out there on the banking.

[stewies_minion]

Ta for the tips on Aquatica.

I'll make sure we organise a day there. Plenty of factor 50 required.

Dates are end of July and into August so will be in UK on 04/07.

Daytona sounds interesting for a boys trip out. Will have a scoot online to see what's happening there during my stay.

I like te idea of a shooting range. Any recommendations? Ta

[Matt Harper]

www.oakridgegunrange.com

This is my local store/range. I shoot here a lot and have purchased several weapons from them.
The place is well managed, relatively safe (because safety is relative!), easy to find and has a good selection of rental handguns/long guns.
There are others, but they are either in the 'hood or quite distant from the usual tourist enclaves.

[HOGEPH]

stewies_minion said:

I like te idea of a shooting range. Any recommendations? Ta

Oak Ridge Gun Range is used to tourists.Just bring your driving licence. http://www.oakridgegunrange.com/. Can get quite busy, so I'd go earlier in the day.

Although with the current ammunition shortage, the prices have gone up. $20 for 50 9mm. Still good fun, and something you can't do back home.

[ChrisBMW]

If you are going to aquatica I would advise pre booking a cabana, you have a private area away from the other guest with sun loungers a beach hut and drinks etc provided.

You can also have your lunch delivered to you cabana but this is extra but also worth it.

[surveyor]

ChrisBMW said:

If you are going to aquatica I would advise pre booking a cabana, you have a private area away from the other guest with sun loungers a beach hut and drinks etc provided.

You can also have your lunch delivered to you cabana but this is extra but also worth it.

Useless with young kids though. Far better to be based around their pool, otherwise you'll just spend all your time out of the Cabana watching them!

There's a pool for tots with small sit in stuff as well as splash's. Also a few slides for them. There are life vests all over the place so if they are non-swimmers you can watch from a distance to a degree. For slightly older kids there is a different play area with slides splashes etc. Our 7 year old hated this, but by the end of the holiday (did I mention we like it - I think we went about 5 times), she loved it.

Various slides and a lazy river.... It's excellent.

Another tip - The parking at Seaworld/Aquatica is transferable. If you have the right tickets it's a five minute drive between the two... If your hot and bothered and kids need to cool down...

Edited by surveyor on Tuesday 2nd April 14:52

[Original Poster]

Not ideal for kids but Florida Mall is great and local just off iDrive.

I was far from impressed with Busch Gardens personally, nowhere near as much effort put in compared to Disney/Universal parks but probably worth giving a go for the animals!

[Matt Harper]

Original Poster said:

Not ideal for kids but Florida Mall is great and local just off iDrive.

I was far from impressed with Busch Gardens personally, nowhere near as much effort put in compared to Disney/Universal parks but probably worth giving a go for the animals!

Florida Mall is actually at the intersection of Orange Blossom Trail and Sand Lake Road 3 miles to the east of I-Drive - Did you mean the Premium Outlet Mall at I-Drive and Oak Ridge Road?

[HOGEPH]

Who needs malls? Walmart has everything!

[Matt Harper]

HOGEPH said:

Who needs malls? Walmart has everything!

Ooh err. Hable Espagnol?

[Trustmeimadoctor]

37 days, 22 hrs, 35 min till i next depart for florida and i cant wait !!

only doing universal/busch parks this time and discovery cove oh and blue man

how bad is universal these days with all the work thats going on ?

[RammyMP]

Gatorland is worth a visit, hillbillies wrestling with gators!

[PaddyZulu]

Wekiwa Springs, nice day trip,swimming and canoes to hire, cheap in Orlando terms

http://www.floridastateparks.org/wekiwasprings/def...