<p>We will be vacationing in Orlando in mid-August. I am looking for suggestions of things we can do the day we arrive. Our plane gets in at 10:30 a.m. and we have the whole day free. We have been to Disney World a few years ago (and it’s cost-prohibitive to go for one day). We have also been to the Kennedy Space center recently.</p>
<p>Also, we are going to Sea World for two days of our trip. The park closes at 7:00, so I’m wondering what we can do in the evenings. We will be going to Universal two days also, so I’m assuming we will be going to CityWalk those two evenings as the park closes at 8 or 8:30 p.m. I figure we will spend one evening at Downtown Disney.</p>
<p>Any suggestions of activities or favorite restaurants in the Orlando area? I am traveling with my husband and two kids (ages 19 and 17).</p>
<p>I am considering La Nouba (Cirque du Soleil) and/or a dinner theater type show, but I have been reading really mixed reviews about them. Any one have any experience with any of these?</p>
<p>Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you!</p>
<p>There’s also Blue Man Group over at City Place if you don’t want to do Cirque. There’s a HUGE game place called (I think) Disney Quest over near Downtown Disney. check out trip advisor for non theme park related restaurants. The only time I’m in Orlando is for theme parks or swim meets.</p>
<p>Do you have a car? We drove up to Winter Park…a hair north of Orlando. It’s a really neat older part of town that has been totally renovated. The buildings are from the 20s and 30s and have been nicely retrofitted with new shops and restaurants. We ate a terrific meal at an Italian restaurant on the main street…and browsed in the shops…and enjoyed looking at the buildings. </p>
<p>We had the same issue…one afternoon with really no plans. The concierge at the Ritz Carlton suggested Winter Park…and it really was nice.</p>
<p>For an evening…go to Celebration. It is a totally “contrived” man made town. But in the middle is a fabulous Cuban restaurant…Columbia Restaurant. Really terrific food. Celebration is one of those planned communities with a planned town center. It’s a good place to go and eat. We sort of watched the people too…they all sort of looked the same. It has a “Stepford Wives” feel to it…but it was well worth it to eat at the Columbia!</p>
<p>I think La Nouba and Disney Downtown dinner are fantastic if you have not been there. Ticket reservation for La Nouba at least 1 week ahead is recommended.</p>
<p>I just got back from Orlando. Downtown Disney was actually a lot of fun. We did Celebration, too, and I honestly found it really creepy. It was an interesting experience though.</p>
<p>We went to Orlando Pointe (or is it Pointe Orlando?) which my parents normally do. It was not nearly as nice as it normally is. It seemed that some of the shops had closed.</p>
<p>We were there recenty, and did a park hopper pass that covered both Universal parks in one day. That was plenty of time, IMHO. Now it was a little chilly that day, so the water rides were not a big attraction. But we rode everything we wanted to. So think twice about taking two days for Universal…</p>
<p>My parents usually stay at Cocoa Beach. A couple of years ago my dad arranged for us to go on an airboat ride on a river near there, back into the mangroves with all these alligators and birds, etc. It was really fantastic. </p>
<p>I’ve also been saving a link for this place:</p>
<p>[Choose</a> Your Adventure](<a href=“Adventure Office Login)/web/wfLanding.aspx?CLUID=1e5fa7aa-4fe5-4e70-9d43-b907c5314584&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1#InitialLocation%5DChoose”>Adventure Office Login)/web/wfLanding.aspx?CLUID=1e5fa7aa-4fe5-4e70-9d43-b907c5314584&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1#InitialLocation) </p>
<p>Have not been on an outing with them, but have really wanted to go on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Kayak Tour.</p>
<p>I second Winter Park. We were there a few weeks ago, and we went to the Morse Museum, whose founders collected all things Tiffany. A real jewel (no pun intended) and well-worth the $5 admission. Also went to a place on International Drive called “Howl at the Moon”, which is a piano bar, very fun. And if you don’t live near Memphis, this may be your opportunity to see the ducks at the Peabody Hotel. I have not done this yet, but will next time, since Graceland is not in my immediate future.</p>
<p>We are frequent Orlando visitors. These are some of the non-park things we always like to do:</p>
<p>-Winter Park: A very different feel than what one expects of Orlando (or Florida). Park Avenue has some great shops & restaurants. There are a few notable museums in Winter Park. The scenic boat tour is a nice way to see the beautiful lake front homes ([Welcome</a> to Scenic Boat Tour - Winter Park, Florida](<a href=“http://www.scenicboattours.com/home.htm]Welcome”>http://www.scenicboattours.com/home.htm)). One of our favorite Orlando area restaurants is Tibbys New Orleans Kitchen - the most authentic Creole / Cajun food we have tasted outside of New Orleans. Tibby’s is in Winter Park on Aloma Avenue.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Typhoon Lagoon: ok so this is a park but…it is so much fun! Love the Lazy River & the wave pool! You will be in Orlando in August so this might be a cool way to spend the day!</p></li>
<li><p>Howl at the Moon is loads of fun!</p></li>
<li><p>La Nouba is a show we have been to several times and have enjoyed each time!</p></li>
</ul>
<p>I agree that Celebration is a bit odd. But of the OP is looking for a dinner destination, it’s close to Orlando, and that Columbia restaurant is fabulous if you like Cuban food. They were looking for someplace close that they could go to at 7 in the evening.</p>
<p>Minor league baseball game, Gatorland, Orlando has some interesting looking miniature golf places, you can always eat at any of the Disney hotels in addition to or instead of one at Downtown Disney.</p>
<p>Orlando is hot as blazes in August…look for shade trees! Orlando is the only major resort area in Florida without beaches…Typhoon Lagoon water park is perfect in Disney area for cooling off daytime. Trust me, you’ll be dragging in the Florida summer sun walking through all the theme parks…Typhoon lagoon will hit the spot when you’re outside in hot sun and temp is near 100.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the suggestions! Now I can have fun doing some research about these places. It will be a nice break from helping my daughter look into colleges :).</p>