Whats just outside WDW

[BRER DAD]

Were going to be staying outside of WDW for about a week until we check in to POR. Was wondering if anybody had any ideas of things to do or places to eat just outside of WDW. I dont want to spend a fortune on entertainment. We plan on spending some time at down town Disney and seeing wishes at the Poly, but any other suggestions would be great. Thank you all for your help in advance.

 

[Montyboy]

I belive your refering to upstate NY, thats where im from and theres nothing to do..........ever!! Unless you like snow, theres plenty of that. Should have some in a few months.

Lake George and the surrounding area is great!

 

[cpeterstx]

I'll tell you what's just outside of WDW...the real world, that's what. And let me tell you, it's not all it's cracked up to be! :animwink:

Seriously though, the Orlando visitor's site is great.

 

[Eyekimore]

As far as checking out activities in Orlando/Kissimmee area- don't forget to stop in almost any retail store like Walgreens/Walmart/etc. and pick up those freebie coupon books. They advertise every place in the area and offer many coupons/discounts. (I'm sure you can pick things like these up at the Visitor's Center on your way into FL.)

 

[RiversideBunny]

You could go visit my brother in Largo.
He would be very surprised to see you.

:lol:

 

[shoppingnut]

We never found authentic WDW-merchandise anywhere outside the parks, not even in the Disney-Store in the Florida Mall.

This is not true because if you go to the Character Warehouse stores in either the Premium Outlets (one is right off of 535 and the other the top of I-drive) they had authentic disney merchandise from the parks.

 

[shoppingnut]

Some places to eat outside the world that are good and not too expensive are Bahama Breeze, Ale House (on 535 right passed the crossroads), in the crossroads, they have Friday's, Chevy's, Uno's and a few other places.

 

[Vernonpush]

This is not true because if you go to the Character Warehouse stores in either the Premium Outlets (one is right off of 535 and the other the top of I-drive) they had authentic disney merchandise from the parks.

You are correct. Alot of the stuff is discontinued items and "out of date" items (golden HCOE ears for $2) or seasonal stuff (Christmas in July). I found a headband with the springy things on top that had basically antenna toppers on the end for $1.99. I bought it, then pulled the toppers off for my vehicle (less then a dollar each). In the parks antenna toppers are $5 each.

I also bought adult size pajama pants for $6.99 (original price was something like $19) that have a tag NYC World of Disney inside (the "Y" is Mickey with his hands up in the air).

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

This is not true because if you go to the Character Warehouse stores in either the Premium Outlets (one is right off of 535 and the other the top of I-drive) they had authentic disney merchandise from the parks.

AUTHENTIC park merchandise? With "Walt Disney World" written on it? Nothing else counts as authentic. Not only something with Disney? And merchandise with EPCOT, MK, DHS and DAK on it? Or even attraction merchandise that's not even available at most other stores in the parks? Sorry I doubt it as long as I don't see it by myself. We checked too many stores (at least 8 or 9) where they said they would have authentic merchandise and then always had the same non-park-related stuff.

 

[hrcollectibles]

My kids LOVED Gatorland (I didn't go - I was working and they went with DW). They were 7 and 3 at the time. Their favorite part was when they made them jump up like 10 feet in the air for chicken parts! :lol:

It's too bad Splendid China isn't operating anymore. The show there was a good value. I only saw the outdoor exhibit from the gate, but it looked pretty cool.

There is a ton of stuff to do in the area, especially water parks and mini-golf. There's also Old Town in Kissimmee. Bars and restaurants and kiddie rides. Also in that area are some of the extreme rides, like the one where theys shoot you up in the are in a little ball cage. There are several.

There's also Fun Spot Action Park and Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium. Never been to either, so I can't say if they're a good value.

There's the Historic Bok Sanctuary. I've never been but it's not expensive and it looks nice. Bit of a drive.

My wife loves the outlet centers.

The Titanic exhibition.

I think there's a petting zoo or petting farm nearby, but I'm not sure.

Isn't there a Medieval Times or Arabian Nights or something? They tend to be a bit expensive for what you get, I think anyway. But if that's your thing, I think there is one or more of those down there.

I think there is Jai-Alai down there, but I don't know where one is. I think that it's inexpensive (if you don't lose a lot of money betting!).

I love the Titanic exhibit. I went there a few years ago when it was on International drive I guess it has since moved

 

[eroyee]

You mean WDW isnt the only thing in Orlando?? Theres lots of flea markets to wander around for free if you like to look at things like that.

 

[Alexx]

OUTSIDE...WDW?!?

are you mad?!

 

[kstella]

You try eating at one of the all you can eat seafood places. There's also Cici's Pizza Pasta & Pizza buffet. Don't rmember exactly where it is, but worth it. I think it was only a 15 minute drive from FW.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

There's always Kissimee...Florida's version to Wisconsin Dells..sans the many waterparks out there.

 

[figmentmom]

I belive your refering to upstate NY, thats where im from and theres nothing to do..........ever!! Unless you like snow, theres plenty of that. Should have some in a few months.

Hee hee, that's where I am, too! We're an hour north of Albany. :wave:

 

[dandaman]

1. Don't listen to him, he is writing plain rubbish.

2. There is no WDW-sign oder name written on them and there is absolutely NO attraction merchandise available. The shirts. mugs, etc. only have normal disney-characters on them but no mentioning of the parks.

1. Appreciate that... really, I do.

2. We've bought many an authentic piece of park merchandise from the Character Premiere store at the outlet mall... off the top of my head, 3 mugs, a Tower of Terror shirt, 6 pins and a photo album... and they were all identical to their in-park counterparts. (I actually remember finding the ToT shirt in the attraction's gift shop while I was wearing the same one from Character Premiere; I checked the "Disney-MGM Studios" logo on the backs of both just for a laugh. So far as I know, my shirt isn't adorned with a giant generic "FLORIDA" text box like the other I-Drive gift shop merchandise.. that I'll give you. :lol: )

 

[Clark Griswold]

I enjoy playing a little minature golf at Pirates Cove Mini Golf near WDW...a great place to eat near Palm Parkway is Giordano's Pizza. We saw Bruce Weber and Chris Lowry eating at Giordano's a few weeks ago. In addition, although it isn't necessarily "near" Disney, the Florida Mall is a pretty cool place to dine and shop.

 

[KingStefan]

My kids LOVED Gatorland (I didn't go - I was working and they went with DW). They were 7 and 3 at the time. Their favorite part was when they made them jump up like 10 feet in the air for chicken parts! :lol:
...

SHAME ON YOU

How cruel is that having your kids jump 10 feet in the air for chicken parts - there's a MacDonalds just down the road !!!!!!!!!!!

:ROFLOL:

Oh! My goodness! :ROFLOL::ROFLOL::ROFLOL:

You try eating at one of the all you can eat seafood places. There's also Cici's Pizza Pasta & Pizza buffet. Don't rmember exactly where it is, but worth it. I think it was only a 15 minute drive from FW.

There's a Cici's right on 535 not far from any WDW point. Good value. Salads, pasta, and pizza. You can have a relatively healthy meal there (if you have some self control!:lol

 

[raven]

Was that the one where she was getting sloshed at the wine bar?

That would be the one! :lol:

 

[PeterPan1985]

Outside the 'World

What's directly outside WDW? From my experiences...a lot of tacky souvenir stores...

 

[wdwfan22]

Don't listen to him, he is writing plain rubbish. We visited several gift shops outside of "The World" where BIG advertising signs claimed they would sell WDW-merchandise. It's a fraud. They sell a different product line, called "Disney-Magic" or something like that, that has NOTHING TO TO WITH WDW-MERCHANDISE. There is no WDW-sign oder name written on them and there is absolutely NO attraction merchandise available. The shirts. mugs, etc. only have normal disney-characters on them but no mentioning of the parks. We never found authentic WDW-merchandise anywhere outside the parks, not even in the Disney-Store in the Florida Mall.

Actually you are wrong. Character Warehouse stores do carry merchanside from the Walt Disney World Resort. They carry both discontinued Theme Park and resort merchandise. It goes quick once they get it, but they do carry it. They also carry the other line of Disney merchandise as well.