non-disney, Disney trip!

[davidpw97]

Has anyone ever spent a week in the vicinity of WDW but never actually gone to any parks? What do you do for the week if you don't go to any parks not Disney nor any others?
I have rented a 3-bedroom condo for myself and any friends that I can find to go with me for the last week in March (24-31) at the Orange Lake Resort. Although I am a Disney fan and I have a few days left on a hopper pass from a few years ago, my friends are not really Disney people and would have to buy tickets if we decided to go to any parks and that would make the trip more expensive. They'd rather spend the money on alcohol and going out to bars every night. What do people do when they are near the world but don't plan on going to the World? I have been to the area many many times and I do plan to go to downtown Disney, probably the bars at PI or the HoB one night, just not sure what else to do and I hate to spend the whole day lounging around by the pool, that I can do at home.

 

[gabroccoli]

Oh boy can you feel the preasure!:brick: I say you have to do atleast one park. Talk the friends into it.

 

[TTFN-Tiggger]

Wow! Not even 1 day at a park?? I would go nuts.
I would do PI for certain, check out the outlet malls, drive out to Cocoa Beach? That is all I can think of.

 

[DisJosh]

Your friends do realize the area is a major tourist destination because of WDW riiiight? lol That's crazy. Either talk them into it or go have fun by yourself. Not to mention Disney won't do half as much damage to your liver.

 

[sbkline]

If your friends' lives consist of nothing more than boozing it up, not only are they to be pitied, but they could also do that at home for a lot less money.

 

[DisJosh]

If your friends' lives consist of nothing more than boozing it up, not only are they to be pitied, but they could also do that at home for a lot less money.

My thoughts exactly.

Seriously, if you're not going to take in ANY attractions in the area...what's the point?!

 

[JeffC]

Check out this sight. We like it.

http://www.visitflorida.com/destinations/area.php/ca=66

That's the great thing about Orland0 -it's not just Disney (Sorry Walt).
I think the Outlet Malls are some of the best, and while I've never been there, I've heard Downtown Orlando has some great bars. And if you get bored, isn't Datona Beach less than an hour away?

 

[boldlyreal]

I spent 5 days in Orlando and didn't go into the parks back in '99. We went out every night and shopping, I did get to PI and shopping at Downtown Disney. This was before I had ever been to WDW. I also got a tattoo that trip. The very next year we finally made it to WDW and have been coming back ever since. We have tossed around coming to just Universal and Sea World but it just leaves us depressed to think about it. Long story short it can be done and there is a lot to do. There is even a guide book called The Other Orlando. Good Luck!

T

 

[jcc0621]

Orange Lake is not far from where I usually stay (my parent's house ). There are several things you can do that don't include the parks (sacralige :fork: )DTD and PI are one thing. If you have a rental car and drive down 192, past the Disney entrance shrug: ), past celebration there is Old Town in Kissimmee. It's a little shopping area with some rides for the kiddies and a couple of places to eat and relax. It's not fancy, but some of the specialty shops are interesting. I wouldn't plan on a whole day there, but a couple of hours is always fun. They have a custom car show every Saturday night. Here is the link: http://www.old-town.com/
There are outlet malls not too far from Orange Lake either. Again, this all depends on if you are going to have a rental car or not. Enjoy

 

[yazmin182]

There is also International Drive which has the Kennedy Space Ctr, tons of restaurants and souvenir shopping. It's a long street so i'm sure there's more stuff on there but I have only been there once.

Oh ya, there's also museums too and its busy all the time.

 

[jcc0621]

Forgot about I-Drive. Also, again if you have a car, From Orange Lake you are only 1.5 hours from either Daytona Beach (I-4 East) or Tampa/St. Pete Beaches (I-4 West). Also, I will probably be drawn and quartered for suggesting this, but there is also City Walk at Universal

 

[kasey1988]

try to talk to them for atleast one day at the parks, and if that dosnt work then id say go for a day by yourself, or even just a night to see wishes and ride a few rides. your friends sound like mine, rather drink and lay on a beach then goto disney, i dont get why people think its boring!

 

[willythelab]

spring bread gone wrong

No offence, but it sounds like a spring break trip gone wrong. If you want to go to WDW then just go. Have they been, or are they just going off a some notion about what they think WDW is all about? Parks in the day and PI at night. What could ever be more fun than that? You can honestly go drinking anywhere! There is only WDW! Have fun with the trip and DO NOT miss out on visiting The World!