I will be taking my 3 children to orlando (ages 10, 16 & 18) July 8-12, and am wondering if anyone has ideas of things they might all enjoy? We will be spending 1-2 days at a theme park (Disney or Universal), and then the beach. We are renting a house, so we will be staying off site of both. Any ideas would sure be appreciated!

We love Sea World - actually, my favorite place in Orlando. You might want to look at all the theme parks there - 2 days for WDW is not very much. There's the Wild Animal Park - which is very cool. There's MGM (not my favorite), there's Epcot - like the exhibits and the fireworks at night are great, there's 2 Universal Parks - very fun, there's a Water park - never been there, but hear kids love it - and there's Pleasure Island for the evenings - some fun things there. There are just alot of things going on there - your kids are going to LOVE it. I actually do, too...... Have a great time - what ever activities you do.

Which beach? There is no beach close to Orlando.

I would suggest doing a water park one day- maybe Wet and Wild. Wet and Wild's pretty big, so there is plenty to do and it's great for all ages. It's very hot and humid in July, so the more you're around water, the better.

Have fun!

Your closest beach will be an hour away, and that's on the Atlantic side. Going to a Gulf Coast beach will be a minimum of two hours each way.

All 3 would love Disney Quest - it is an indoor virtual amusement park at Downtown Disney. Separate admission, you can stay all day. Check out info at wdwig.com on the parks and Downtown Disney attractions. You do know the beach is one hour away? A better choice might be a state park with swimming like Blue Springs state park north of Orlando, or a water park like Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. Also Discovery Cove is FANTASTIC! You can get a much less expensive ticket if you go for the day and do NOT do the dolphin swim, also gets you into Sea World. Last trip to Orlando we spent a lovely day swimming at Discovery Cove. www.discoverycove.com

Marydee, skip Wet "N" Wild. It's popular with the local kids and it can get loud and rowdy. Go to one of the Disney waterparks instead. As others have stated Cocoa Beach is one hour away heading east.

Thanks so much for the replys. Would
Cocoa Beach be worth the drive? What about Space Center? Thanks again for the advice.

Marydee,
With the ages of your children, I must recommend highly Universal over anything Disney, unless they do NOT like rides or roller coasters. Univeral and Islands of Adventure is MADE for teens. Spend one day in each!

Universal is great fun for teens, but our two LOVE Disney MGM Studios the most. Aerosmith's Rockin Roller Coaster is the best, along with Tower of Terror. It really depends what you're looking for. And i agree with another poster, skip wet-n-wild and do a Disney waterpark.

For tons of info, go to this HUGE informative, UNofficial site:

http://www.disneyfan.com/

Have a great time! We were jsut there over spring break and the crowds weren't bad at all.

Skip the space center. I agree that Universal is lots of fun, I enjoy it more than the magic kingdom! I also would reccomend Sea World. If you decide to spend more times at parks Epcot is wonderful!
Even without going into a park, you guys will probably enjoy shopping around a downtown disney,(I would guess you kids will go nuts in the Virgin Records--its huge!) and at Universal's shoppping/ restaurant area outside the park. Although expensive I've heard wonderful things about circ de soile (sorry I know I spelled it wrong) which is a/ near downtown disney.

Thanks for all the information. Do you think Cocoa Beach would be worth the drive? Or what about Daytona? Being from Missouri, they want to see the ocean. Thanks for any advice.

Hi marydee!

I would go to Cocoa Beach, as its a bit closer and you could also do Space Center if you want. We did the tour last spring when our kids were 14 and 17 and we ALL enjoyed it very much. The tour isn't like it was when i was a kid, but then what is?

I guess it depends on what you're looking for, but at least you'd have the option. Have a great time - wallyworld rules!

Would St. Petersburg or Clearwater be too far a drive for the day?

With 5 days in Orlando, and your age children, I would forget the beach and visit the great theme parks that Orlando offers. Spend one full day each in Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Universal Islands of Adventure. Do some research and let the kids vote on 2 other choices from: Universal Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney/MGM Studios, Sea World, Wet n' Wild or one of Disney's waterparks. Staying off site is fine, get an early morning start to avoid lines, and return for a swim/lunch break in the afternoon.

It would take you about 2-2 1/2 hours to drive to Clearwater or St. Petersburg beaches. I don't think an hour to Cocoa Beach is that bad, especially since that is something you and the kids really want to do. Plus, it would be a nice break from the parks and a chance to see the other thing Florida is famous for--beaches.

I, too, would skip the disney parks since your kids are older. If they like coasters, Universal Islands of Adventure is great with the Hulk and a double coaster called Dueling Dragons. Spiderman is also there. The 2 flume rides and a rafting ride will get you wet and help to keep you cool. We went to MGM a month ago and only stayed 5 hours and had enough. Sea World is pretty cool, with one roller coaster. Definitely go to the space coast (Cocoa) and check out the Kennedy Space Center, the beach and the surf shops. Your kids will enjoy that. If you do a water park, I recommend Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. They allow coolers so you can bring in your lunch, snacks, and drinks (no alcohol). They is plenty of shade and lots of fun things to do. Both parks are small enough that you won't lose each other. We spend a week in Orlando every May as my husbanc has business there so we have done it all. I have children 7 and 14 and I highlighted everything that they have liked the best. Good luck!