Gatorland!

When we went to Florida the second time it was the place the kids asked to go back to first, even before they wanted to go to Disney.

I did a whopping great reply to your post Liz only to submit it during the forum downtime and subsequently I lost it.

Anyway, more briefly than last time here goes:-

Kennedy Space Centre really isn't that far away, an hour or so on easy roads plus you could combine time there with a trip to Cocoa Beach or Daytona. Neither beach resort is particularly stunning but it would be worthwhile if you are in the area. As for Kennedy, do it, it is awesome. Plus by going there yourself you can time it to miss the hoardes.

On the west coast, the beaches of Clearwater and St Petes are about 90mins, maybe more for St Petes. I prefer St Petes over Clearwater but I think you would be impressed by the white sand and clear blue sea at either to be honest. Also, if you went to St Petes you could combine a day there with an evening baseball game watching the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (if in season). A very enjoyable and relatively cheap night out. Great fun!

How about an evening airboat ride? I find the evenings better for this because the Alligators eyes are often lit up in the distance and it can be quite thrilling. Great fun at anytime really but prepare for a soaking. We did a trip out there which included a BBQ and drinks and had a very enjoyable evening.

I guess you are probably aware of the Mini Golf courses in Orlando? Pirates Cove is great fun and cheaper than the Disney offerings.

Ever been to Disneyquest? 2-3 hours of indoor theme park action which may or may not be what you are trying to get away from. Queues can be bad for certain attractions but I still enjoy a visit every now and again. How about combining with time at Downtown Disney or even the Cirque De Soleil show?

As for restaurants, Tony Roma's on I Drive, Ruby Tuesdays in Kissimee (our first ever meal in the USA 1999), Cheesecake Factory at Mall at Milenia, Sweet Tomatoes....so many to choose from to be honest.

I would also recommend St Pete Beach, it's lovely, the sea is also so warm! If you do go to St Pete there is also a really good boat trip Dolphin spotting, the dolphins follow the boats, it's fab, you get on the boat ride from towards St Petersburg town location, a short drive from the beach: website: http://www.dolphinracer.com/.

Also, something different is to go to a Basketball match in Orlando downtown, to watch Orlando Magic play if the NBA is on while you are, it's a good evening out even if you don't like basketball, the atmosphere is brill. You can get tickets on //www.ticketmaster.com.

There are so many restaurants that are very reasonably priced and do good food, we quite like Chiljis, Olive Garden, Applebees, they are dotted around Kissimmee and International Drive.

If you choose to stay in a villa, one along the US27 might be a good choice to go to different places, it's close to the 192 and I4 and it will give you lots of easy access to go off to other places apart from Disney without getting held up in the Disney traffic but still close if you do decide to go there. Communites such as Legacy Park, Highlands Reserve, Lake Davenport Estates are a few in good locations along the US27, there are lots of others too!

Thanks for your really great replys...Gatorland, clearwater and Alligators sound great!! Also the boat trip with Dolphins.
I have thought maybe I could stay at st Petes area over night.
We are staying at Orange Lake Resort, anyone been?

Anymore advice appreciated xx

hi liz yes have been to Orange Lake many times one of our fav resorts the pools there are amazing, most of the
villas or apartments over look the golf courses or lakes,it has grown since we started going there,our last time
there was in may this year and stayed at the river island apartments,the Publix supermarket is now part of Orange
Lake ,great for all your food shopping,lots of good eating places on the 192 we like The Golden Coral a superb buffet
the Lazy river pool at River Island is great for all the family anything you need to know just ask
annx you will love it

Thanks Aarond

Any helpful advice for Orange Lake? I believe it is massive and a car is needed to get around the site? We are using a friends timeshare weeks and no doubt be asked if we would like one to, should we expect to be harrased by timeshare folk ha??
Also people on review sites have said there are voucher books and lazy river free rings if you attend the welcome meeting, any tips you know of?
We are staying in an 8 berth even tho there are only 2 of us, do you know if these are near to bars and restaurants?
Have you a timeshare there? if so are they expensive?

Regards

Liz. x

Hi liz it is really massive you need a car or you can use the resort shuttle which is a good way of getting around,
we own time share in Spain so we can exchange any where we like,last year we saved loads of our points and had
apartment to sleep 12 took our daughter grandson and 5 of our family from Australia joined us they all loved it the kids
enjoyed the lazy river,there are some nice restaurants on site,what village are you staying in?there is even a cinema
at the North village this is where the main centre is 2 huge pools,man made beach,shops and reception.
They will ask you to attend a presentation but refuse if its not what you want,they will offer lots of gifts such as tickets
to the parks,cash vouchers for the shops or restaurants, rings for the lazy river ect,you have to be very firm if you don,t
want to buy their prices are well over the top,you can buy a resale from our sunday papers for less than half the cost.
also the maintenance is quite high[that is why we only exchange there] but is is a super resort , we liked it more before
coming so big.
annx

Thanks very much for your reply, the apartment is 2503 west and is an 8 berth.
It sounds really good, do you know if we are in a good or bad location?
Thanks for the tips on timeshare, we would like to know a bit about the place so may go just to get info and maybe a free day out ha!!
Is the water park the Disney River one that they closed down? what is the accomodation like?
Is it within walking distance of restaurants on the 192, we love the Kobe Restaurant thats the Japenese Tappanyaki or Bahama Breeze.

Thanks again really appreciate advice from someone who has been xx

We have been, Christmas, October and April. All lovely weather.

We are going again Oct 2010. Children want to be scared at Halloween

Hi Liz you will need the car in the west village its about a 10 min walk to River island,
there are no restaurants within walking distance on the 192,and its a very busy road.
the north village is where you book in then you can use the other entrance which is
closer to the west east and river island apartments and Publix supermarket.the 2bedroom
sleep 8 are really nice both bedrooms have en-suite bath/shower rooms there is also a
sleep sofa in the lounge one of the bedrooms has 2 double beds
annx

Hi again, forgot to say the River Island pool complex at Orange Lake has nothing to do with Disney.
Orange lake is now Holiday Inn Vacations
annx

Liz - boy could I help you -

Beaches - nearest is Cocoa Beach (40 mins - 1 hour drive) depends where you are staying.
Cocoa Beach is "next door" to Port Canaveral therefore some good seafood places and
Kennedy Space Centre is 10 mins drive.
South from Cocoa Beach is Melbourne and some good food places there too.

Other Visitor Stuff (you'll need a car) -
DEAD RIVER CRUISES - Dead River Vic's Dora Canal & River Cruises, Dead River Vic's Restaurant, 3351 W. Burleigh Blvd., Tavares, FL 32778. For Reservations call: 001 352 742 5000 - US 441 Mount Dora (50 mins) $15 for 90 min ride through lake to see (not guaranteed as they are wild) Gators, Turtles, Snakes, Racoons, Ospreys, Eagles, (once only a Panther) etc etc.
DeLEON SPRINGS - http://www.planetdeland.com/sugarmill/index.htm - Sugarmill breakfast Rest - fun for kids - hotplate in middle of table & they just keep bringing pancake mix until you are sick of it! With fruit etc for pancakes. There are also Manatees (depends what time of year) and walks and a spring swimming area.
ANTIQUE - COLLECTABLES Renninger's Antique Center, 20651 Hwy. 441 Mount Dora,FL 32757 - http://www.renningers.com/dora/dorahome.htm
CASINO - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Tampa (1 Hour on I4) - good bars, nightclub, casino.
AIRBOAT - Bill's Airboat Adventures, St. Johns River, East of Sanford, Phone:001 407 977 3214
FOOD - STEAKS ETC - Cattle Ranch,2700 S Sanford Ave , Sanford, FL 32773 .
001 407 321-5761 = 72 OZ CHALLENGE!!!!
TEXAS DE BRAZIL - INT'L DRIVE (Opp Festival Bay) $45.00 all you can eat = GREATTTTTT!
Logans Roadhouse or Texas Roadhouse both similar and good - I prefer Texas a bit better.
Mykanos - Greek
Mason Jar - Eustis FL = Great US Southern Cooking.
Quaterdeck - Eustis FL = Seafood all you can eat (different item) every day.


If you need more let me know

Thanks very much for all of that really good information.

We are going at end March for 2 weeks and are really looking forward to it.

Cheers and anything else you know appreciated xxx

Haven't been to the Sugarmill restaurant, it sounds gooooood.
We always head for Crackerbarrel, anywhere in the US we find one.
You can shop and eat at the same time - well almost

Emdia - went Cracker Barrel last night (just to make you jealous!) - Beef/Veg Soup, CB Sampler (Metloaf, Country Ham & Chicken 'n Dumplings) sweet corn, mash & gravy - Oh soooooo good!

Other "homemade" places around - Robinsons - on 441 in Apopka (you'll find me there most Saturdays for brunch. Try Smoked Ham and Eggs with Homefries (Dropped with onions - extra crispy) - my belly's rumbling already!

The Mason Jar - on Hwy 19 in Umatilla - http://www.lakecountyfl.gov/hometown_highlights/mason_jar.aspx#gallery

These may be 30 min to an hour to drive to but worth experiencing real southern cooking - cooked fresh not "mass produced" stuff!

Hi liz mc we go on the 2nd April from Manchester with Virgin, where are you flying from?

Hi Louise Lancs

We are going with Virgin, really loking forward to it now.

Are you staying at Orange Lake resort? If so have you stayed before?

Liz Mc

Liz & louise - You seem exited!

Just to rub your nose in it - I have to put up with Florida Permanently!!!!

Hard Life!

Awwww swap lives pleaaaaaaaase!!!

I love it, I have been 5 x now and am booked in March for 6th!! could have been well on the way to buying out there I think!! Never mind you just live the dream while we slog away and grab 2 weeks when we can

Where about do you live? have you been to Orange Lake resort?