Our family of 4 is going to Orlando, FL in June, children 12 and 14. We already have 3 day passes to Universal (why we are going to Orlando). We have two open days, Sat. and Sun. and are not sure what to do. We are in a unique position; my niece works for the San Diego Zoo, thus amazing, personal Behind the Scenes tours at the Zoo and Wild Animal Park in SD. Also, we drive to SD and visit Disneyland most years, and love it. We are not interested in Disney World. Wet n’ Wild water park looks great, but I am not willing to spend $82 per person for a water park, need the express pass for the weekend. This is our first trip to Orlando and most likely our last. I am at a loss as to what to do on either Sat or Sun, HELP!

Maybe something natural that is not a zoo.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trave...5057.htmlstory

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...ture-BR-1.html

I was thinking about that. Thank you for the link! We are hoping that the two launches at the Cape will be over the time we are there. Willing to go to Universal on the weekend to see a launch!
Even considering renting a car and going to the Gulf.

When I was at the Sea World in Orlando it was much better than the one in SD -which was tired, run down and didn't have a lot of the same actiities/exhibits - and also seemed not to have curators.

I don't know how interesting this would be to teenagers, but you could go to Winter Park, which is a very charming little town, and visit the Morse museum: loads of Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass, which most people find pretty cool. You can also have lunch and browse boutiques. The Ravenous Pig is a gastropub that routinely gets national attention, including James Beard nominations, but is casual.
http://www.morsemuseum.org, http://www.theravenouspig.com

Orlando also has a large Vietnamese community, and there's a neighborhood filled with yummy Vietnamese restaurants and groceries that carry an interesting array of goods.
http://www.visitflorida.com/articles...little-vietnam

The Kennedy Space Center, for sure. It's super-interesting, launch or no.

Don't make the mistake of equating Disneyland with Disneyworld. Disneyworld is huge and consists of four separate theme parks and two waterparks. Also, why not consider a day at the beach? I'm a California native, but the Florida beaches are nicer and the water warmer.

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