Hi Everyone

We're planning a trip to Disney World with our five year old daughter at the end of April/beginning May next year. We'll be travelling to Orlando on April 20th and then heading somewhere before going to Disney World on the 28th? So, my questions are:

I know Disney is very busy over Easter. Will it be a little quieter the following weekend and week?
Where else in Florida should we visit? We've already been to Miami and the panhandle and would prefer to stay within 200 miles of Orlando. Our daughter loves the water so we're thinking of renting a condo/villa neat the sea, but there's so much choice! She also likes science museums, active things and shopping, not especially interested in zoos or history. We've had Sarasota, St Augustine and Sanibel suggested to us but am finding it very difficult to make a choice. Don't want anything too touristy and am scared by stories of Spring Break!

As you can tell, we're feeling a bit overwhelmed! We've travelled to the West loads and feel we know it fairly well, it's exciting to go somewhere new but we don't really know where to start.

Thanks very much!

RuthinHolland, I felt like this the first time we went to Australia. Fortunately, we allowed three weeks for the trip, so we got to see a lot. My suggestion would be to request some (free) color brochures, with pictures, from travel agents, tour operators or visitors' bureaus. Look at the beautiful pictures and see how they market various areas and points of interest. That makes things much more concrete for you and you can better "visualize" yourself at that place.

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

Our daughter lives in the Cocoa Beach area on the Atlantic Coast and volunteers at the Brevard County zoo. This is an excellent zoo by the way for kids. Without getting into details there is the John Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral and nice beaches. That's all close to Orlando. Also interesting town of Viera. Would recommend Pelican Island Nat'l Wildlife Refuge sout of Melbourne. Cocoa is a quaint little town.

Bill in Boston

Cape Canaveral/ John Kennedy Space facilities and surrounds are absolutely a must do. Before, I was mildly interested. Afterwards, seeing what has been discovered in so many seemingly unrelated fields during space exploits etc.- well- it's just supreme. We did the separate tour into the shuttle launch area, as well. And with the cut back and negation to the further space program agendas- do it.

There is also an area North of Orland Blue Springs- with a park that was truly awesome. It was the best bird and manatee tour/operation I have ever experience. Extremely under-used and not advertised. There was a lady with a pontoon boat who did personal river/springs tours there. This is near Winter Park and very close to Orlando. That day was one of the best I have ever spent in Florida.

Forgot, that last boat tour had about 8 to 10 people total upon it and we saw so many species of birds, that it has become memorable for years now.

I'm pretty sure it was Blue Springs Nat. Park but I'm not 100% sure. Do a google. It was hard to find but just a total gem. Better than the Everglades tours- which I have done in 30 years apart- twice.

Blue Spring State Park
http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/default.cfm

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