DC_Mom

We are driving from Eau Claire, WI to Orlando FL at the end of April with our two boys (4 and 7) and my mom and dad. We are taking a car and a van. We will take I -94 to 65 to 75S. via Chicago, Indianapolis, Atlanta. I have many fond memories of making this trip however I only had a sister! We'd like to find a few stops along the way that would interest the boys - one we have in mind is Ruby Falls in TN. We will stay overnight most likely in TN. One other thing our boys are savvy travelers used to long hauls, they've flown internationally since they were only a few months old and have driven cross country - they start getting anxious around 5 hrs in the car).

In Orlando we have a timeshare so lodging is not an issue. We are doing this on a relatively low budget so no blow out 5 day Disney park-hopper passes! We want the kids to have a great time, we want to (try to)relax and also I would love a suggestion for a night out for my husband and I (our anniversary). What are some fun activities in or around Orlando that won't break the bank. Also we are going to do Disney or Universal Islands of Adventure one day, haven't picked which.

Any tips on getting discount park tickets or discount tickets to other attractions? Thanks for the advice!

Orlando_Vic

<b>a suggestion for a night out for my husband and I (our anniversary)</b>

Season's 52 on Sand Lake Road: http://www.seasons52.com/locations/Orlando2.asp

Artist Point at the Wilderness Lodge

California Grill at the Contemporary Resort

For the last two (Disney) restaurants, call for reservations months in advance. They are hugely popular.

An finally, suggestions from Scott Joseph, former Restaurant Critic for the <i>Orlando Sentinel</i> for approximately 20 years: http://www.scottjosephorlando.com/re...tings?catid=85

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

edeevee

My kids were near your boys' ages when we stopped at Ruby Falls during an Indiana-Florida road trip. I remember it as pretty touristy. My kids though -- they loved it. In fact, they still remember it nearly 20 years later and my son took his fiance there last year as part of their own road trip

If you need a stop near Indianapolis, the Children's Museum is wonderful there, and not horribly expensive $11.50/youth, $16.50/adults, $15.50/seniors.

A great cheap activity in Florida is the beach. It's not really far away. Plus, if you plan your route right and get lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the Space Shuttle. There's a lauch planned for 4/29.

Downtown Disney has free admission. Just about everything else there will cost you but it's not a bad evening just to walk around there and they have one of those spurt-up water fountain play areas near the entrance that the kids I saw there on my last trip seemed to really enjoy.

Hope you have fun!

DC_Mom

Thanks for all the help so far! I wish we could make it for that shuttle launch - they would love that! (I think my husband would love it even more lol!)


also for the restaurant suggestions - I'm looking them up to see if that fits with what we're looking for. I'd love to find something specifically Mediterranean this gives me a start!