Should we go to Orlando if not interested in Disney World?
Nov 13th, 2017, 05:09 AM
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Should we go to Orlando if not interested in Disney World?
We have an opportunity to rent a very nice, luxury house in Orlando in January for a week at a very reasonable price. It comes with a van. We've been debating. My spouse and I would go with our two adult sons, my sister and my 89 year old father. (He's in reasonably good health for an 89 year old...but he's not 75 anymore!) It will be cheap and easy to fly there from Canada.
Here's the thing. We're not sure what we would do there. We aren't all that interested in the theme parks. It would be too much for my father and my sons aren't that interested as they used to do spring training trips to the area when they were in high school. (I think they just went to Universal Studios though and that was a number of years ago.)
Just going south at that time of year would be nice, and while we're not lay on the beach for hours kind of people you can't really count on the weather then, can you? The house has a very nice pool and hot tub, but that will only keep us occupied so much. I was thinking my husband would golf with the boys one day, we'd go to the beach one day, we'd go to Cape Canaveral, we'd find something to do at one of the theme parks one day. The boys could go fishing one day. Kayaking one day? What would my sister and father do for a local outing? It's not like the place is in a beach town where they could just go for a wonder if some of the others of off for a day trip.
I just feel like I'm trying too hard to make this work. Orlando wouldn't be my first choice of vacation, as we tend to like to "explore" interesting places. I'm worried we'll feel like we're stuck in suburbia all tied to one vehicle. Should we just dump the idea?
Here's the thing. We're not sure what we would do there. We aren't all that interested in the theme parks. It would be too much for my father and my sons aren't that interested as they used to do spring training trips to the area when they were in high school. (I think they just went to Universal Studios though and that was a number of years ago.)
Just going south at that time of year would be nice, and while we're not lay on the beach for hours kind of people you can't really count on the weather then, can you? The house has a very nice pool and hot tub, but that will only keep us occupied so much. I was thinking my husband would golf with the boys one day, we'd go to the beach one day, we'd go to Cape Canaveral, we'd find something to do at one of the theme parks one day. The boys could go fishing one day. Kayaking one day? What would my sister and father do for a local outing? It's not like the place is in a beach town where they could just go for a wonder if some of the others of off for a day trip.
I just feel like I'm trying too hard to make this work. Orlando wouldn't be my first choice of vacation, as we tend to like to "explore" interesting places. I'm worried we'll feel like we're stuck in suburbia all tied to one vehicle. Should we just dump the idea?
Nov 13th, 2017, 05:16 AM
#2
The average high temperature in Orlando in January is 70 degrees F; the average temperature in January is 60 degrees.
Down here (Fort Lauderdale) where I live the average high is 75 and the average is 65 so the further south you are the more "reliable" (to use your term) the weather is.
It sounds as if you might want to be elsewhere for the things you actually enjoy doing. I realize that cost is always an issue for most of us and January isn't a cheap time of year in Florida. Given what you've said I'd consider other locations.
Down here (Fort Lauderdale) where I live the average high is 75 and the average is 65 so the further south you are the more "reliable" (to use your term) the weather is.
It sounds as if you might want to be elsewhere for the things you actually enjoy doing. I realize that cost is always an issue for most of us and January isn't a cheap time of year in Florida. Given what you've said I'd consider other locations.
Nov 13th, 2017, 07:34 AM
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I think you could explore Winter Park, which has a charming, walkable downtown, good restaurants, and a great museum, The Morse, specializing in Tiffany glass. It's near Orlando, so you could go more than once, although exactly how near depends upon which side of Orlando that lovely house is on.
There is also a vibrant neighborhood around Lake Eola in Orlando--again, restaurants, shops, and the lake has a nice walking path.
I don't know if craft breweries are your thing, but there are quite a few in Orlando that are worth a visit--Hourglass is our favorite. And Redlight Redlight is a pub with an extensive tap and bottle list, for one stop shopping.
So I think that all those things plus the ones you already mentioned would give you a really good stay. The weather should be lovely. It's sunny every day in the winter, so even a temperature in the 60'sF feels warmer than you'd think.
There is also a vibrant neighborhood around Lake Eola in Orlando--again, restaurants, shops, and the lake has a nice walking path.
I don't know if craft breweries are your thing, but there are quite a few in Orlando that are worth a visit--Hourglass is our favorite. And Redlight Redlight is a pub with an extensive tap and bottle list, for one stop shopping.
So I think that all those things plus the ones you already mentioned would give you a really good stay. The weather should be lovely. It's sunny every day in the winter, so even a temperature in the 60'sF feels warmer than you'd think.
Nov 13th, 2017, 07:37 AM
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Shoot, sorry, here's one more idea: Orlando is home to a neighborhood called Little Saigon, for its plethora of Vietnamese (but also other Asian) restaurants and markets. It's not as scenic as other cities' Chinatowns, but it's well worth a visit for lunch or dinner.
Nov 13th, 2017, 08:30 AM
#8
No, I wouldn't go.
Orlando is all about Disney and the theme parks.
Disney literally created Orlando. I didn't find it to be much of a city on its own.
And it wouldn't be all that warm, if the weather is 60s/70s.
You could probably find the same price to rent a place somewhere in Mexico.
Orlando is all about Disney and the theme parks.
Disney literally created Orlando. I didn't find it to be much of a city on its own.
And it wouldn't be all that warm, if the weather is 60s/70s.
You could probably find the same price to rent a place somewhere in Mexico.
Nov 13th, 2017, 08:41 AM
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I could see doing it if you were getting the house totally free, otherwise no, what's the point of even thinking about this and how did the idea even come up? It isn't pool/beach weather and you aren't interested in Disney, why would you even consider going there? It isn't even a convenient location to do day trips elsewhere, it's in the middle of the state not close to anything. I'm sure there are a zillion places you could go just as cheap to rent something, if that is your sole criteria for a vacation. And I agree with the MExico comment.
Nov 13th, 2017, 10:10 AM
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<Orlando is all about Disney and the theme parks. >
This is so wrong. It's a lot about those things, but not only.
< I didn't find it to be much of a city on its own.>
Did you try? Did you go to any of the places I listed in my post?
< It isn't even a convenient location to do day trips elsewhere, it's in the middle of the state not close to anything.>
Again, really wrong. You can do day trips to either coast--see, it's in the middle! And there is Winter Park, as I said, which is minutes away, and Tampa, too, about an hour away. If you want some Old Florida flavor, you could go to Lake Wales or Bartow. All easy day trips.
Weather is subjective. When it's 60's/70's, I would go to the beach on the Gulf side, not in a bathing suit or to swim, but just to walk or sit in the sun. I wouldn't go to the beach on the Atlantic side. Orlando would feel warm at those temps, though, because it doesn't get breezes. That's just me.
But hey, if everyone discovered all the non-theme park stuff to do in Orlando, it would get crowded for the rest of us, so by all means, keep thinking of it as All Disney, All the Time, and leave the good bits to us locals!
This is so wrong. It's a lot about those things, but not only.
< I didn't find it to be much of a city on its own.>
Did you try? Did you go to any of the places I listed in my post?
< It isn't even a convenient location to do day trips elsewhere, it's in the middle of the state not close to anything.>
Again, really wrong. You can do day trips to either coast--see, it's in the middle! And there is Winter Park, as I said, which is minutes away, and Tampa, too, about an hour away. If you want some Old Florida flavor, you could go to Lake Wales or Bartow. All easy day trips.
Weather is subjective. When it's 60's/70's, I would go to the beach on the Gulf side, not in a bathing suit or to swim, but just to walk or sit in the sun. I wouldn't go to the beach on the Atlantic side. Orlando would feel warm at those temps, though, because it doesn't get breezes. That's just me.
But hey, if everyone discovered all the non-theme park stuff to do in Orlando, it would get crowded for the rest of us, so by all means, keep thinking of it as All Disney, All the Time, and leave the good bits to us locals!
Nov 13th, 2017, 12:55 PM
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It will certainly be warmer than Canada.
You said you can get a luxury house at a very reasonable price. Use the money you save to rent another vehicle so you aren't stuck if one group is using the van. Or use the savings to pay for Uber rides.
You've already got several days worth of things to do. NewbE had ideas for some other things. This blog has more ideas - and I'm not endorsing any of them but some of them may interest you.
https://www.top-ten-travel-list.com/...s-theme-parks/
You said you're going to Cape Canaveral one day, the beach another day. Instead of going back to Orlando, why not stay overnight in another location and explore that area? Yes you would all have to pack a change of clothes and pay for lodging, but if you're saving a lot of money on the luxury house it might be worth it.
You said you can get a luxury house at a very reasonable price. Use the money you save to rent another vehicle so you aren't stuck if one group is using the van. Or use the savings to pay for Uber rides.
You've already got several days worth of things to do. NewbE had ideas for some other things. This blog has more ideas - and I'm not endorsing any of them but some of them may interest you.
https://www.top-ten-travel-list.com/...s-theme-parks/
You said you're going to Cape Canaveral one day, the beach another day. Instead of going back to Orlando, why not stay overnight in another location and explore that area? Yes you would all have to pack a change of clothes and pay for lodging, but if you're saving a lot of money on the luxury house it might be worth it.
Nov 13th, 2017, 01:16 PM
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I like that list WhereAreWe linked to. Didn't realize Lake Eola had paddle boats, or that you could take a boat tour in Winter Park. Noted for our next visit!
Was going to mention Downtown Disney as a destination. Lots of over-the-top themed dining options, some shops, no charge for entry. We have relatives who love it and we end up meeting them there every couple of years.
Was going to mention Downtown Disney as a destination. Lots of over-the-top themed dining options, some shops, no charge for entry. We have relatives who love it and we end up meeting them there every couple of years.
Nov 14th, 2017, 03:33 AM
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It's warmer than Canada. That is valuable!!
It may be much cheaper than they can get in season other places in Florida for the number of people that are coming.
There is A LOT to do in Florida in that area as others have pointed out.
Orlando before Disney (and yes, I remember it) was quite charming.
There are bound to be innumerable restaurants outside the Magic Kingdom.
And the point about it being in the middle is right on for sightseeing.
It may be much cheaper than they can get in season other places in Florida for the number of people that are coming.
There is A LOT to do in Florida in that area as others have pointed out.
Orlando before Disney (and yes, I remember it) was quite charming.
There are bound to be innumerable restaurants outside the Magic Kingdom.
And the point about it being in the middle is right on for sightseeing.
Nov 14th, 2017, 05:09 AM
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Orlando wouldn't be my first choice. IMHO, it's crowded and Disney-fied. However, sure, you can schedule lots of day trips from there because it is centrally located -- Kennedy Space Center, fishing, various state parks, golfing, etc.
You might get lucky and get a stretch of weather that's suitable for lazing around a pool or beaches, but I wouldn't count on it.
You might get lucky and get a stretch of weather that's suitable for lazing around a pool or beaches, but I wouldn't count on it.
Nov 14th, 2017, 05:10 AM
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January is an excellent time to see some manatees in their natural habitat at Blue Spring State Park.
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Blue-Spring
https://www.savethemanatee.org/manat...natee-webcams/
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https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Blue-Spring
https://www.savethemanatee.org/manat...natee-webcams/
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Nov 14th, 2017, 08:57 AM
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It's not, but people who never venture beyond the theme parks may be forgiven for thinking theme parks are all there is.
What they can't be forgiven for, IMO, is opining on the whole city, area and state when their experience is so circumscribed.
If I went to NYC and saw only Times Square, would it be reasonable for me to say, eh, the whole city is a crowded, tacky nightmare?
What they can't be forgiven for, IMO, is opining on the whole city, area and state when their experience is so circumscribed.
If I went to NYC and saw only Times Square, would it be reasonable for me to say, eh, the whole city is a crowded, tacky nightmare?
Nov 14th, 2017, 09:46 AM
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>>How is the town itself "Disneyfied?">What they can't be forgiven for, IMO, is opining on the whole city, area and state when their experience is so circumscribed. >If I went to NYC and saw only Times Square, would it be reasonable for me to say, eh, the whole city is a crowded, tacky nightmare?
