Florida Vacation Help Needed!

Jody In MN · **Florida Vacation Help Needed!**

HI Ladies!
My DH and I are taking our 4 boys to Orlando in a couple weeks. I am looking for some things to do there that aren't going to cost us and arm and a leg. Our boys are 15, 15, 7 & 4. I've been searching online for some things that would be neat to see/do while we are there but I'm coming up pretty empty handed.
So far we are going to Kennedy Space Center, Daytona Speedway, my dh and SS are going deep sea fishing, DS is going to the Orlando skatepark. We want to go to Cocoa beach also. We are also going to check out Old Town one of the nights that the car/bike shows are there.
Anything else that we can see/do? We are not going to Disney. There is no way we want to spend $500 for 1 day there. We don't have that kind of money and figure we could spend that money doing something more worth while than standing in lines waiting to get on rides.

Thanks!!!!

Jody

hope2 · 01-14-2008, 08:00 PM

My mom just took my nephews to Kennedy over Christmas. They have a lunch with the astronauts.. They boys ages 10 & 12 loved it.. It's a question and anwser type thing. There is also a museum as well as the actually space station and launch pad tour..

Gatorland zoo is another cool place. Here's the link Welcome to Gatorland, the Alligator Capital of the World and Orlando's Best Half Day Attraction!

littlelizard · 01-14-2008, 09:57 PM

Sounds like you have good stuff planned! When you go to Daytona, be sure to ride your car on the beach. The sand is hard like a street and you can ride right up on it in certain parts. The Speedway is also fun.

Near Old Town there are a ton of nice themed mini golf places that are fun to do in the evenings. Also I am not sure if Wet and Wild is open at this time of year, but that is also fun if you like water parks.

Be sure to pick up all the coupon books you can find. they are everywhere and have coupons for various restaurants and attractions.

One more thing, Disney has a section called the Marketplace, or something like that, it is connected to Pleasure Island and Downtown Disney. Parking is a nightmare most of the time, but it is free and they have shops, food, a movie theatre, and fun stuff for the kids. They have a Lego store with these huge Lego sculptures outside, a little play area, and a section where the kids can build with Legos for however long. You don't need a ticket for that at all.

hawkshoe · 01-14-2008, 09:58 PM

Head up to Orange City and take the boys to Blue Springs State park. The Manatees will be in. It is truely a sight to see. My boys love it there. There is only a small entrance fee to get in (like $5 a carload or something similar). You can also swim there (the water temp is 72 (or maybe 74) degrees but it will be cold when you get out. Across from the Daytona speedway (behind Hooters) is a nice car racing place where you can race your own cars. We have done it many times and always have a blast. Just outside of Daytona at Ponce Inlet is a nice maritime museum and nature center. Even though you aren't planning to go to Disney, you might want to check out Downtown Disney and the Boardwalk. There are neat shops and other things to do there. My boys (6 and 13) like both places and both are free to get into. In Christmas FL there is a great airboat place called Midway. We have gone there a couple times and have really enjoyed it. St. Augustine is also really nice albeit a litter further away.

Jody In MN · 01-15-2008, 09:13 AM

Thanks to all of you for your ideas!! I printed them off and I'm going to check them out!
Thanks!!!!