It's kind of sad, but I realized when we went to see Cars 2 as a family last Monday night that Disney has captured me! I have the nostalgic feeling of home whenever I am around anything Disney. I think that's what their whole marketing scheme is based around (and I was sucked in). Of course, I feel a little better about myself considering that I grew up only 20 minutes from Walt Disney World. I used to tell my students that Mickey Mouse is my brother (well, we did tease my brother Michael with that name).
One of my good friends is going to Disney World with her family for the first time in October with Make a Wish Foundation! I'm so excited for them (Excitement = BLOG)! Not to mention I was so excited that we continue to talk with each other about it until I promised her the dreaded link list (dun, dun, dun) of some other fun things to do in Orlando. So here it is, for my special friend, Mel, and anyone else who wants to know how to make Orlando into more than just a Disney vacation!
Disney Saving Ideas:
1. Mouse Savers - Saving money on tickets to freebies!
2. Disney World Customized Maps!
Date Ideas I'd like to do (some my parents have done)
1. Catalina Island*
2. River Boat Cruise/Island Boat Cruise *
3. Dinner in the countries of EPCOT (fireworks & a boat ride included - awesome!)
Family Fun Things to Do that we looked into:
1. Wonder Works
2. Orlando Water Sports*
3. Sky Venture*
4. Gatorland*
5. Ripley's Believe it or Not!*
6. Disney Quest
7. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (in Magic Kingdom during the Holidays)*
8. Sleuth's Mystery Dinner Theatre *
9. Pirates Dinner Adventure *
10. Universal Orlando
Natural/Educational Things To Do:
1. Wekiwa Springs
2. Zipline Safari*
3. Discovery Cove*
4. Central Florida Zoo
5. Hang-gliding (I did it when I was about 16)
6. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park
(I went here for Young Women activity and enjoyed it)
7. Blue Spring State Park*
8. St. Augustine (field trip during 4th grade for Florida State History)
9. Green Meadow's Farm
10. Medieval Times *
Things I did with my family I grew up with:
1. Boggy Creek Airboat Rides
2. Sea World Makahiki Luau (we have friends in the show)
3. Orlando Science Center
4. The Beach (I always liked Cocoa, but my dad didn't so we'd go to other ones)
5. Water Mania (We loved this water park which is now closed. You can also check out Wet'n'Wild, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon*, or Aquatica*)
6. Helicopter Rides
7. We could see the shuttle take off from our house! or..if you don't have the luxury of living there, you could check out Cape Canaveral & Kennedy Space Center
8. Candlelight - a show in Disney's EPCOT center during the holiday season.
Things my hubby and I like:
1. I-Drive restaurants & shops, particularly Brazilian ones though you can find most every ethnicity!
2. The Peabody hotel (from the little duck march to the spa to the AMAZING comfort of those beds...)
3. Cirque du Soleils' La Nouba
Less-Known Disney Experiences:
1. Richard Petty Driving Experience
2. Typhoon Lagoon -
- Crushin' Gush
- Surf Lessons
3. ParaSailing - Contemporary Resort
4. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (perhaps if I have a girl, but I'm checking out the boy one too!)
5. Grand Floridian's Victoria & Albert's Chef's Table
I plan to keep adding more to this as I think of more. Even though I grew up there, there is always more to do! It's nice for me to have a list all in one place as well. Hope this helps!
*Things I have YET to do (surprisingly long considering I grew up there)
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