When visiting WDW...

mousehockey37

mousehockey37

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
have you ever planned days where you go do other things at other places? Not just Universal or Sea World, but things like Daytona Beach, Daytona International Speedway (if NASCAR is in town), head to Tampa to see the Lightning play (NHL)?

I'm a big hockey fan, Flyers are my team, and for our next trip, my gf and I are looking into coming down during hockey season. We're thinking of staying for 7 days, but only getting hoppers for 5. So with the extra day, we were going to head to Tampa to see the Lightning play (whoever it may be on that night), just to do something different.

Has anyone done anything like this? How did it turn out?
 
Mikester71

Mikester71

Well-Known Member
We have done that our past 2 trips. We had never seen the ocean before (although we live right on one of the Great Lakes up here and have beautiful beaches right here) so decided to drive to the Gulf Coast on our third trip to visit Siesta Keys Beach. What a gorgeous beach that was! Some of the whitest sand you will ever see anywhere in the world. Looks and almost feels like baby powder when you walk on it!

Last trip, we spent a day on the east coast and visited Kennedy Space Centre for the better part of the day before heading over to Cocoa Beach so that we could dip our feet in the Atlantic Ocean there. Popped into Ron Jon Surf Shop to do a little shopping (GREAT deals, by the way), grabbed some dinner and headed back to WDW and our resort.

That is the main reason we love driving down to WDW from Canada - the freedom to come and go as we please while down there. As much as we LOVE being totally submersed in the whole Disney atmosphere while at WDW, it is kinda nice to sneak away for an afternoon or a couple of hours to visit something else that Florida has to offer. We're thinking swamp boat ride and maybe more beaches next trip! :D
 
Mr Ferret 75

Mr Ferret 75

Thank you sir. You were an inspiration.
Premium Member
We always factor in two days min for universal and one for seaworld.Also take one sunday out to hit the Florida mall and the other discount retail stores.Never done Kennedy but have done Busch Gardens (awesome coasters).
Would love to be there for Daytona speedweeks but DW might not be so keen to spend a week there :rolleyes:.
 
wendysue

wendysue

Well-Known Member
MR FERRET said:
We always factor in two days min for universal and one for seaworld.Also take one sunday out to hit the Florida mall and the other discount retail stores.Never done Kennedy but have done Busch Gardens (awesome coasters).
Would love to be there for Daytona speedweeks but DW might not be so keen to spend a week there :rolleyes:.
Click to expand...
:eek: What???? Not be keen on Daytona Speed Week?? I love that week
 
Gonzo79

Gonzo79

Well-Known Member
When we're at WDW we always leave a day open to go to Universal or Sea World,but we never make it. We end up getting too wrapped up with everything Disney and just dont feel like leaving.We will plan a seperate vacation for visiting other places in Florida.
 
baloofigment14

baloofigment14

Well-Known Member
mousehockey37 said:
have you ever planned days where you go do other things at other places? Not just Universal or Sea World, but things like Daytona Beach, Daytona International Speedway (if NASCAR is in town), head to Tampa to see the Lightning play (NHL)?

I'm a big hockey fan, Flyers are my team, and for our next trip, my gf and I are looking into coming down during hockey season. We're thinking of staying for 7 days, but only getting hoppers for 5. So with the extra day, we were going to head to Tampa to see the Lightning play (whoever it may be on that night), just to do something different.

Has anyone done anything like this? How did it turn out?
Click to expand...

The Lightning have a great stadium! Very clean and new looking!
 
AndyS2992

AndyS2992

Well-Known Member
mousehockey37 said:
have you ever planned days where you go do other things at other places? Not just Universal or Sea World, but things like Daytona Beach, Daytona International Speedway (if NASCAR is in town), head to Tampa to see the Lightning play (NHL)?

I'm a big hockey fan, Flyers are my team, and for our next trip, my gf and I are looking into coming down during hockey season. We're thinking of staying for 7 days, but only getting hoppers for 5. So with the extra day, we were going to head to Tampa to see the Lightning play (whoever it may be on that night), just to do something different.

Has anyone done anything like this? How did it turn out?
Click to expand...

Most British/Europeans do this. Why go to a whole new country for two/three weeks and only go to expensive theme parks every day when there is so much more to explore.

Our trips last 14 days and in this time we hit ALL of WDW, Universal, SeaWorld, Daytona, International Drive, Florida Mall, Tampa, St Petersburg and Cape Canaveral.
 
Gonzo79

Gonzo79

Well-Known Member
mrdisman said:
I could never do that...too close to Disney World...would be as if a giant magnet was pulling at me and I was made of all metal...the kind of magnet that could pick up a car from outer space
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I hear ya,its tough. Really the only other place we vacation to in Florida is Key West.We're also big into camping so might spend a few nights camping in the Everglades on the way down to Key West.But when I'm there,I still hear WDW calling me.
 
bdearl41

bdearl41

Well-Known Member
mousehockey37 said:
have you ever planned days where you go do other things at other places? Not just Universal or Sea World, but things like Daytona Beach, Daytona International Speedway (if NASCAR is in town), head to Tampa to see the Lightning play (NHL)?

I'm a big hockey fan, Flyers are my team, and for our next trip, my gf and I are looking into coming down during hockey season. We're thinking of staying for 7 days, but only getting hoppers for 5. So with the extra day, we were going to head to Tampa to see the Lightning play (whoever it may be on that night), just to do something different.

Has anyone done anything like this? How did it turn out?
Click to expand...

Tampa is a fun town. And the hockey stadium is in a really cool spot. The Aquarium is right near the stadium, also on the way out you can visit the casino. A good full day would include going to the beach at St. Petes! Getting some mexican food at this hole in the wall place near the Sirata resort, then heading over to watch hockey. Have fun.
 
A

All Disney All The Time

Well-Known Member
mrdisman said:
I could never do that...too close to Disney World...would be as if a giant magnet was pulling at me and I was made of all metal...the kind of magnet that could pick up a car from outer space
Click to expand...
It is a giant magnet. I'm not sure where Disney hides it, but they do have a lot of acreage in which to stash it. My guess would be somewhere in Cindy's Castle.
 
jazznrachie

jazznrachie

Well-Known Member
We haven't. This is mostly because we never rent a car & just rely upon Disney transportation. My in-laws always rent a car & spend their first day or so at Universal. One of these days we'll venture off Disney property!
 
Vader2112

Vader2112

Well-Known Member
mousehockey37 said:
have you ever planned days where you go do other things at other places? Not just Universal or Sea World, but things like Daytona Beach, Daytona International Speedway (if NASCAR is in town), head to Tampa to see the Lightning play (NHL)?

I'm a big hockey fan, Flyers are my team, and for our next trip, my gf and I are looking into coming down during hockey season. We're thinking of staying for 7 days, but only getting hoppers for 5. So with the extra day, we were going to head to Tampa to see the Lightning play (whoever it may be on that night), just to do something different.

Has anyone done anything like this? How did it turn out?
Click to expand...
When you go to the Hockey Game visit the Channelside area very nice place to hang out right near the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
 
DisneyJunkie

DisneyJunkie

Well-Known Member
To be honest.....no. When we pay for a week at Disney, we spend the week AT Disney. I almost feel we have to based on the amount of money we're plunking down to go. And part of the appeal of going there to begin with, for us, is to be completely immersed in the "leave your everyday problems behind and be a kid again" atmosphere of the place. Going off-site for anything, other than ending the trip (or occasional run to Walmart or the grocery store) kind of takes away from that.
 

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