Things to do in Orlando, FL? (NSR)

So, the folks have decided to take a family vacation in May. Destinations such as Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Europe were passed up in favor of Florida, hours from the beach apparently. My parents and I really have different ideas about what makes a good vacation, I guess.

So, for anybody that lives around there or knows the area well - What is there to do besides Disneyworld? How's the diving, if we were to take a drive to the ocean? Are the everglades around there? Any other ideas? Thanks.

ugh, the ugliest place on earth. Filled with very overweight people (and their obese children (if there's a family of 4 on an elevator, no room for you!) and 3rd rate wannabe actors (hoping to get a job as a mouse). Best food in town is the TGIFs.

I've had to go twice on business and would only go there again under threat of being blown up.

Switch the tickets to Maui.

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Originally Posted by gramps

So, the folks have decided to take a family vacation in May. Destinations such as Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Europe were passed up in favor of Florida, hours from the beach apparently. My parents and I really have different ideas about what makes a good vacation, I guess.

So, for anybody that lives around there or knows the area well - What is there to do besides Disneyworld? How's the diving, if we were to take a drive to the ocean? Are the everglades around there? Any other ideas? Thanks.

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I did some time working for the Mouse for a few summers in college.
Check yer pm's.

I've got to go there in April. Not happy at all. but the alternative was Minneapolis in June.

Orlando is the epicenter of the wake sports world. Waterskiing, barefooting, knee boarding, wakeskating and wakeboarding. Try a new sport, they have some of the best instruction in the world in the area. Check out OWC, Orlando Watersports Complex. It’s a cable park, kind of like a poma with handles.

http://www.orlandowatersports.com/

Disney World sucks. I was sentenced there for a meeting a couple of years ago. The fucks charge you about $50 to visit each theme park in the complex. I stayed put and drank heavily and ended up scoring with some chick from New York.

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Originally Posted by Shredhead

Orlando is the epicenter of the wake sports world. Waterskiing, barefooting, knee boarding, wakeskating and wakeboarding. Try a new sport, they have some of the best instruction in the world in the area. Check out OWC, Orlando Watersports Complex. It’s a cable park, kind of like a poma with handles.

http://www.orlandowatersports.com/

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Never been, but I've heard good things about the OWC.

Look at the picture for proof - that thing is the size of a large pond. You pass it on the highway to/from the airport - I laughed when I saw this "famous" water sports facility.

There is nothing remotely beautiful in Florida. Especially not within 45 minutes of Disney World.

http://www.divefl.com/images/bluspr.gif

No strange creatures you can only see in Florida.
http://www.users.muohio.edu/mcconnar...e-springs.jpeg

New Smyrna Beach - 1 hour drive
Cocoa Beach - 45 minutes

The action on Orange Ave. is pretty sweet if you are into clubbing and such.

I think some of the better wakeboarding is on some lakes north of the city?

At least you won't be there in the middle of summer- that time is crowded and hotter than hell.

Skip Disney World (except the Aerosmith Rock & Roll roller coaster and the Tower of Terror at Disney MGM) and hit Universal Studios for all your amusement park needs.

Man.....they've got roller coasters there like nobody's business. Double Dragon!!!

Just south of Orlando check out Gatorland, home of the gator jumperoo. You can feast on some gator nuggets, mmm tastes like chicken! If you're into the prefabricated vacation experience Orlando is the place. Otherwise...

Head east on the Beeline and check out the Kennedy Space Center and be sure to see the Saturn V exhibit, way cool. Right near the space center is the Merrit Island National Wildlife Refuge. Rent some sea kayaks in the Cocoa area and paddle among the manatees and porpise/dolphins. Just kayaking in the Indian River and/or Banana River is a good time. If the swell is up, you could rent a board and catch some EC waves.

Also in May, the shuttle launch window opens May 15. If you haven't seen a launch and are in the area, I highly recommend checking it out. It will shake your insides from 5 miles away.

Mission Space is definately worth the trip to Epcot, the new Soarin' ride is supposed to be cool as well. Drinking around the world is $$$ but fun. Start with Margaritas at Mexico or Molsen at Canada and work your way around having a drink at each pavilion. Better make sure you're pretty inebreated by the time you get to either Norwegian wine or Chinese beer :eek:

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Originally Posted by Squirrel99

Cocoa Beach - 45 minutes

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Go here. Scope chicks. Take surf lesson. Drink Beer.

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Originally Posted by TheDingleberry

Go here. Scope chicks. Take surf lesson. Drink Beer.

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Castaways is a pretty decent beach bar; cheap beer and right on the surf.

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Originally Posted by KQ

Skip Disney World (except the Aerosmith Rock & Roll roller coaster and the Tower of Terror at Disney MGM) and hit Universal Studios for all your amusement park needs.

Man.....they've got roller coasters there like nobody's business. Double Dragon!!!

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KQ, have you ever considered the favorite cast member past time and sporting event known as "Drinking Around the World" over at Epcot?

Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, USA, Japan, Morroco, France, UK, Canada. Spend the latter portion of the evening drinking beers at the Rose & Crown Pub in the UK singing along with Pam @ the Piano.

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Originally Posted by Squirrel99

KQ, have you ever considered the favorite cast member past time and sporting event known as "Drinking Around the World" over at Epcot?

Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, USA, Japan, Morroco, France, UK, Canada. Spend the latter portion of the evening drinking beers at the Rose & Crown Pub in the UK singing along with Pam @ the Piano.

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Yeah...did some drinking at Epcot it just seemed a little "slow" to me. It's a good way to pass the time if you've got kids in tow...they can enjoy the different buildings and what not while you get quietly stoned and then freak out on the ppl in costumes. By the time I reached Mexico (started on the other end) and saw Donald Duck in his poncho and sombrero I was fit to be tied....practically tackled the poor fowl. Wonder what happened to that picture?

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Originally Posted by gramps

Are the everglades around there? Any other ideas? Thanks.

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Visited a buddy from college who lives north of Orlando in Lake Mary. Went on a cool canoe trip down the Wekiva River, saw lots of wildlife and gators up close. check out:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide...kiva_river.htm

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Originally Posted by Squirrel99

Castaways is a pretty decent beach bar; cheap beer and right on the surf.

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dont forget bikini contests at coconuts. :cool:
http://www.bikiniscience.com/locatio...0_SS/CB90.html

i think its about the cheapest place to skydive in the country, as well as about the biggest wakeboarding spot.

oh and if you want to drop TONS of money try eating at the California Grill on top of the Contemperary(sp) some of the best food I've EVER eaten anywhere and the view of the Magic Kingdom at night is really pretty

Hit up Cape Canavril(sp?) if your into tech and space. They've got some awesome displays of old space craft and whatnot

is the non ski related clause in the title really nessesary? ;)

I'd say head ou teh keys and charter a boat for bone fishing

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Originally Posted by VTskibum

Never been, but I've heard good things about the OWC.

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i was there for a few hours a couple years ago. if i ever get back to orlando i would definately return. lots of fun skiing and boarding, and the only reason to stop is if your arms get tired.

The best thing to do in Orlando is leave. Go to Palm Beach.

Bump, cause we're heading there in a couple of days. We're looking at maybe a couple of park days (Epcott, and MGM or Universal probably), tandem skydiving, and a day of SCUBA for me (manatee thing possibly). Anybody have any more suggestions or have any things to say about the stuff above?

Make sure you check out this article before you go...

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/...ide.7.3902.jpg

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Originally Posted by Cliff Huckable

The best thing to do in Orlando is leave. Go to Palm Beach.

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leave via Hooters Airlines.

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Originally Posted by verrückter

Make sure you check out this article before you go...

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/...ide.7.3902.jpg

At one of the Parliament House's bars, male dancers perform in little more than their skivvies. At another, a more rough-and-tumble Western-minded crowd holds sway. And at the complex's small Footlight Theater, drag queens take the stage, including one seemingly pregnant female impersonator who gives "birth" to the musical strains of "I'm Every Woman."

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Sounds killer.

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Originally Posted by dbldmnd

Just south of Orlando check out Gatorland, home of the gator jumperoo. You can feast on some gator nuggets, mmm tastes like chicken! If you're into the prefabricated vacation experience Orlando is the place. Otherwise...

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Jump gator jump

Well worth the $12 bucks or so for admission

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Originally Posted by yogachik

Look at the picture for proof - that thing is the size of a large pond. You pass it on the highway to/from the airport - I laughed when I saw this "famous" water sports facility.

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All I have to say is-WRONG.

This place kicks ass. Most of the best wakeboarding lakes around here are man made "ponds" anyway. OWC has boating lakes too, where you can get private lessons. Well worth the money if you have never done it. Learning on the rope tow would be an interesting experience though.

Yogachick- why the hatred? ;)

Gramps, I went to Jr. and Sr. High school about 30 minutes from Orlando. What do you want to do? How far are you willing to drive? Where do you want to go Scuba diving? Ocean diving is kind of "Meh" in central Florida, but there are a couple cool spring dives you can do, without being cave certified. But most of the good ones are an hour north of Orlando.

I was almost going to be in Orlando this weekend, but now I'll be in Panama City. Yee haw!

I agree w/ KQ. Disney = boring. Universal = better.

How about one of those gator boat things? Remember, keep your limbs inside the boat.

You'll have plenty of fun in Orlando regardless. Hell, it's vacation. You're not at work and you can do whatever you want. Enjoy!
Sprite

I will be in Orlando next week starting on the 26th. Friday I have a golf tourny, Saturday I am going to OWC and Sunday I have a bud with a boat on Lake St. Mary. If your still going to be in town PM me and we will have a few.