Someone asked me the strangest Disney question the other day.

[musketeer]

Someone asked me the strangest Disney question, at least I thought it was strange, then I realized that maybe I have an addiction problem. We, wife and two kids, are doing down the first week of January (can't believe it's less than 3 weeks away). We'll be staying 5 nights at the Caribbean Beach Resort. My dad, the other day, asked, "are you staying at Disney the whole time? Or are you going to be doing other things in Florida?" And he didn't even mean other Orlando type things, because I don't think that is entirely crazy. He meant we were going to go somewhere completely else in the state of florida. I was just dumbfounded that one would even consider doing that. Which of course led me to realize my potential problem.

I guess I just never thought of going to Florida for a Disney trip, and doing anything other than that. We have, however, in the past, visited my grandparents who live near Weeki Wachee gone to Disney for a day, but that wasn't the main point of the trip.

Anyway, yeah, just thought it was funny that for a few minutes I thought it was the oddest thing to ask.

 

[Calvin Coolidge]

I haven't been in a decade or so, but a day trip to Cape Canaveral from Disney was a nice break from the parks.

 

[Britt]

I think a lot of people think that way

Our last trip we went to universal for a day and then spent a different day at Gatorland and then Cocoa Beach, had lunch on the pier and splashed around in the waves. It was such an awesome day (until we were rained out) and it helped extend our Disney feel because we did other parks the next day.

Florida is a gorgeous state! We saw all kinds of neat little pull off stations over swamps, so we'd get out and see if we could find anything (nothing except giant spiders...rofl. I stopped getting out of the car after that)

You're missing out if you're only doing Disney

 

[musketeer]

Oh, don't get me wrong, I know Florida really well. Just last year, we did a non-Disney Orlando trip (Sea World, Green Meadows Farm, Busch Gardens). I've done Universal after a cruise. I've been to the Tampa area tons of times. Been on many cruises out of miami/fort lauderdale. Been the the space center many times. My point was that, I'd never even considered the possibility for a dedicated Disney trip being anything other than that. I'm kind of making fun of myself for that. In my mind, there is a trip to Florida and then there is a trip to Disney, and those two things can't intersect at all.

 

[Britt]

Oh, don't get me wrong, I know Florida really well. Just last year, we did a non-Disney Orlando trip (Sea World, Green Meadows Farm, Busch Gardens). I've done Universal after a cruise. I've been to the Tampa area tons of times. Been on many cruises out of miami/fort lauderdale. Been the the space center many times. My point was that, I'd never even considered the possibility for a dedicated Disney trip being anything other than that. I'm kind of making fun of myself for that. In my mind, there is a trip to Florida and then there is a trip to Disney, and those two things can't intersect at all.

Hahaha!! That's is kind of a good point...lol (separate trips I mean...lol)

 

[real mad hatter]

Yeh,Nice to see giant spiders waiting to greet you as you step out your car.Almost as scary as when we stepped out of our car at a cafe somewhere between San Deigo and the Mexican border.There was signs telling us not to feed the wild rattle snakes.Oh Yeh,like that's on my must do list.

 

[Wojciehowicz]

The majority of visitors to Florida don't go anywhere near theme parks.
Florida is much, much, more than just amusement parks.

 

[Britt]

Yeh,Nice to see giant spiders waiting to greet you as you step out your car.Almost as scary as when we stepped out of our car at a cafe somewhere between San Deigo and the Mexican border.There was signs telling us not to feed the wild rattle snakes.Oh Yeh,like that's on my must do list.

Hahaha come on hatter!!!!

Seriously though. They were HUGE and I almost walked into one when I went to look at a map/sign station and it was hanging right there. I thought it was the only one and when I was pointing to some really pretty flowers to show my MIL I put my hand almost directly on one, they blend in so well when you don't know what you're looking for. Then realized HOW many were just.....everywhere! Haha I felt like a ninja trying to watch everything around me, getting back to the car. I had totally forgotten it until now and now I reallllly want to post a pic just to freak you out lmao

 

[wdisney9000]

Once I'm on Disney property, there's nothing tempting enough to make me leave. Unless Adam the Woo called to go on an adventure. He dont even ask your mom!

 

[Mawg]

After I go to Disney World I need a real vacation to relax so we always go to the beach for 3-5 days afterwards. Ft. Myers, Daytona or the Keys. This time in June, I think will be heading North to Savannah, GA. I'm not sure how nice the beaches are but my wife really wants to move there so it's a great chance to check it out. We always take the Magic Express from the airport to the resort then we take it back to the airport pick up a rental car and continue the other leg of our vacation.

 

[taz0162]

I think a lot of people think that way

Our last trip we went to universal for a day and then spent a different day at Gatorland and then Cocoa Beach, had lunch on the pier and splashed around in the waves. It was such an awesome day (until we were rained out) and it helped extend our Disney feel because we did other parks the next day.

Florida is a gorgeous state! We saw all kinds of neat little pull off stations over swamps, so we'd get out and see if we could find anything (nothing except giant spiders...rofl. I stopped getting out of the car after that)

You're missing out if you're only doing Disney

How was Gatorland? we are planning some time there during our Dec 20-Jan3 trip we left 2 days in the middle for non Disney days so Sea World one day and Gatorland and maybe Beach the other. Have always wanted to go to Gatorland and heard it's a 1/2 day event...is that about right for things to do (No zip lining with an 18 month old and 4-1/2 year old this trip.

 

[GeorgiaPinesRJB]

Doesn't seem odd. I grew up in Florida, saw much of what there is to do, even out of the way things like Majorie Rawlings cabin up in Micanopy... But now when I go back it's for the parks. Sorry? haha

 

[Bob Saget]

 

[Britt]

Hahahahaha!!!!! Seriously, I'm sending this my mil!!

 

[Britt]

How was Gatorland? we are planning some time there during our Dec 20-Jan3 trip we left 2 days in the middle for non Disney days so Sea World one day and Gatorland and maybe Beach the other. Have always wanted to go to Gatorland and heard it's a 1/2 day event...is that about right for things to do (No zip lining with an 18 month old and 4-1/2 year old this trip.

It was....ok! It was REALLY hot and there isn't much shade (but really, where is it not hot in FL? Lol).

My FIL and Josh liked it more then I did. I'm a crocodile and alligator fan (seriously, those and sharks border near obsession for me) and I just didn't think it was worth the cost of admission. The shows they had were really neat though

 

[awoogala]

Someone asked me the strangest Disney question, at least I thought it was strange, then I realized that maybe I have an addiction problem. We, wife and two kids, are doing down the first week of January (can't believe it's less than 3 weeks away). We'll be staying 5 nights at the Caribbean Beach Resort. My dad, the other day, asked, "are you staying at Disney the whole time? Or are you going to be doing other things in Florida?" And he didn't even mean other Orlando type things, because I don't think that is entirely crazy. He meant we were going to go somewhere completely else in the state of florida. I was just dumbfounded that one would even consider doing that. Which of course led me to realize my potential problem.

I guess I just never thought of going to Florida for a Disney trip, and doing anything other than that. We have, however, in the past, visited my grandparents who live near Weeki Wachee gone to Disney for a day, but that wasn't the main point of the trip.

Anyway, yeah, just thought it was funny that for a few minutes I thought it was the oddest thing to ask.

I am the same way! 5 nights would barely be enough for me at Disney! When I was a child, my family would go to Florida for 2 weeks (including driving from NJ). We would visit all the other non-disney things.
If we could go for 2 weeks (my husband can barely be away from work for 1 week these days!), I could see florida, but we just don't have the luxury of time!

 

[AndyS2992]

Someone asked me the strangest Disney question, at least I thought it was strange, then I realized that maybe I have an addiction problem. We, wife and two kids, are doing down the first week of January (can't believe it's less than 3 weeks away). We'll be staying 5 nights at the Caribbean Beach Resort. My dad, the other day, asked, "are you staying at Disney the whole time? Or are you going to be doing other things in Florida?" And he didn't even mean other Orlando type things, because I don't think that is entirely crazy. He meant we were going to go somewhere completely else in the state of florida. I was just dumbfounded that one would even consider doing that. Which of course led me to realize my potential problem.

I guess I just never thought of going to Florida for a Disney trip, and doing anything other than that. We have, however, in the past, visited my grandparents who live near Weeki Wachee gone to Disney for a day, but that wasn't the main point of the trip.

Anyway, yeah, just thought it was funny that for a few minutes I thought it was the oddest thing to ask.

For UK and European visitors like myself it is extremely common for us to stay for two/three weeks and spend most of the time at the Orlando theme parks but also take days off going to Tampa, Daytona beach, Cape Canaveral, Everglades, Miami etc Spending the WHOLE time at Disney would just be kinda wasteful and repetitive even though WDW is awesome.

It's just like an American flying for eight hours to go to Disneyland Paris or Tokyo Disney and not actually go and visit the city of Paris or Tokyo

 

[luv]

There is so much to see and do in Florida that many people would think someone who just went to WDW was a little crazy.

Matter of perspective there.

Never leaving Disney always makes me feel badly. There are so many amazing things you (and your kids) miss out on if you never leave Disney or never leave Uni. Disney, Uni, Sea World, Gatorland (Gator Jumparoo!), et cetera.

If Disney is all one can afford, I get that. But skipping everything because "it isn't Disney" is much like skipping Disney because "it's just for kids."

 

[bethymouse]

When I was little, my grandfather took us on a "tour" of the state of Florida. It was awesome, and I'll never forget it! He insisted on driving A1A! We also drove those 7 long and very narrow bridges to the Keys. We hit just about every attraction in Florida! I remember the glass bottom boat at Cypress Gardens, or was that Silver Springs? There were lots of bugs as I recall when we went through the Everglades and took the "fan" boat! There was of course only the Magic Kingdom at the time ( 1974) and we stayed at The Contemporary 2 nights. What a memorable trip! I believe it was a 2 1/2 week summer trip. Thanks Pop-Pop!

 

[Bob Saget]

Florida is much, much, more than just amusement parks.

There is so much to see and do in Florida

Shame on you both for speaking such nonsense!