We're going to Orlando during Spring Break (April 4-April 11), and we don't want to spend our entire time at WDW, etc. Does anyone have any suggestions for day trips or activities that don't involve the big theme parks? We plan on spending 3 or 4 days doing parks, and then probably a beach one day. "We" includes two adults and 8 and 10 year old girls.

If you have a car then why not check out Kennedy Space Center? It's about 45 minutes away from the theme park area. Cocoa Beach is also near the space center & would be a good place to do your beaching.

You can go to www.kennedyspacecenter.com
& see how to get there (& the distance) & what there is to do there.

We also did the Busch Gardens thing one visit. More relaxed than the big theme parks but still fun.

Hi We are an English family who have visited Florida several times and we all enjoyed Silver Springs park. Website is www.silversprings.com
I think it is about an hour and a half drive from Kissimmee. It's a much gentler pace than the big parks, no long queues but plenty to see. If you pick up some of the coupon books you see all around Orlando you can often get a voucher giving you a slightly reduced entry into the park. I believe some of the early Tarzan movies were filmed there. The glassbottom boats are amazing - I think your girls would enjoy the park very much.
M

North of Orlando you'll find DeSoto St. Park with tubing at the damned river, as well as a big water-wheel mill where you can eat (cook your own grill-tables, old-fashioned fun. Less than an hour away is Blue Spring Park (St?) where the manatees often gather if it's cold. On your way to either park be sure to drive through Cassadega, a city populated by predicters of the future. Drop into one (no appt. needed) and let the girls have a mystical experience.

Take a trip past Orlando to one of its burbs -- Winter Park, an older area with lots of boutique shopping and restaurants, beautiful parks to eat picnic lunches. Be sure to go to the Morse Gallery with its huge collection of Tiffany stained glass (one whole room from his former house).

I suggest at least a couple of days and nights at the beach, immediately after leaving WDW. You'll need it. Cocoa Beach, Melbourne, Daytona, Ormond Beach -- all have beautiful beaches.

kartenc: We are in the same boat w/11 and 13 yr old, April 3-10, renting a house w/a pool and do not plan on spending alot of time at the parks this time (big easter crowds that week.) We've planned a day at Kennedy Space Center (their website has losts of info.) Also planned a horseback ride at Horse World Stables (www.horseworldstables.com.) We are going to the Dale Chihuly exhibit at the Orlando Art Museum- not your usual art exhibit, this is glass sculpture like you've never seen it before. My 11 yr old saw it last summer w/me in San Antonio and when she found out it was in Orlando through may she asked to go again (for a preview, go to www.orlandocitybeat.com; under "find an event" type in "art", then type "chihuly" in the search area under that; when you get to his website, click on "view our photo gallery"). The orlandocitybeat site is also good for finding other things goign on at the time. There are other websites w/info on other things to do in Orlando area. I find this one helpful: www.orlando-guide.info/forums/default.asp It's a site run by people who have rental homes in the Disney area, but it has all sorts of questions and answers other misc. things to do in Orlando and day trips from Orlando.

In my previous post, I meant to say DeLeon Springs park, not DeSoto.

We (2 adults, 17 yr old girl, 14 yr old boy) were in Orlando last month and really enjoyed Silver Springs. The kids were dubious going there, but we all had a good time. There were 3 or 4 animal shows which were very well presented, fun and educational. The glass-botommed boat ride was cool, and the park itself was pleasant and uncrowded. For some reason, my daughter really likes alligators, and there were plenty there to look at.

Cocoa Beach is fun too. We were there about 4 years ago for a day trip and the kids liked it. If you go there, be sure to check out the Ron Jon Surf shop.

Take them to Celebration- a little town built by Disney. Great place to shop a bit, sit by the lake and have a good lunch in one of the cute restaurants. We love it there!

Thanks so much for the great input! We've decided to add Kennedy Space Center and Silver Springs to our itinerary. I think I'm also going to check out Winter Park. I would love to try the art exhibit, but I know I'd never be able to talk anyone else into it.

Thanks again!