Beyond Theme Parks: 10 Things To Do in Orlando For Under $25

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If you’re heading to Orlando with the kiddos this summer, I’d love to warn you against it. Not because of the recent attack on a nightclub there but because the awesomely crappy weather from May to October is a killer. I know you won’t listen. Now is probably the only time to go and not miss school. Plus, the theme parks have a whole lot of new, exciting attractions to lure you into the sweltering stickiness of Florida.

I’m a HUGE Disney geek and even I wouldn’t take a trip to Orlando in the summer.

Comedian Jim Gaffigan tells it like it is:

Headliners This Summer

Walt Disney World Resort completed a multi-year transformation of Downtown Disney into “Disney Springs”, with double the shops, dining spots and other venues. Epcot guests will be able to visit the kingdom of Arendelle when the highly anticipated attraction “Frozen Ever After” opens in the Norway Pavilion. You’ll be Soarin’ Around The World instead of California. Four new shows debut across the parks: The Force has awakened at Hollywood Studios with a “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away,” and the nightly “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular,” fireworks display; Animal Kingdom will feature “The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic” Show; Mickey and friends put on “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire,” at the Magic Kingdom.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure has a new “Skull Island: Reign of Kong” ride where guests board off-road vehicles in search of King Kong.

SeaWorld Orlando opens Mako, a brand new 200-foot-tall “hypercoaster” is Orlando’s tallest, fastest and longest coaster at 73 mph the centerpiece for their Shark encounter Attraction.

Mako_CoasterNonRider2Photo courtesy SeaWord Orlando

 

Sideshow

What’s worse than a summer trip to Orlando is that you will spend a small fortune just to stand and melt in the hour-long lines. So in between the $100 passes per person per day here are 10 things to do in Orlando for under $25 that families will love.

  • Central Florida Springs bubble up through the Florida Aquifer, an underground limestone formation north of I-4. Locals flock to the cooler waters for boating, tubing, manatee watching, scuba diving, caving, snorkeling, picnicking, and nature walks.Wekiva Springs State Park

 

 

 

 

  • Take a Wildlife Walk or book a guided educational tour of the Back to Nature wildlife rehabilitation center. More than 30 exotic and non-releasable native species live on the refuge.
  • Hang out with baby gators, snakes, tarantulas, rare Florida Panthers, Black Bears, Wolves, and more at Jungle Adventures
  • Pose in the giant hand of “Muse of Discovery” or stare up at the eye of Centered. The See Art Public Art Project around Lake Eola Park is conucopia for Instagram geeks.
  • Dollhouse and miniature fans will flip over Ron’s Miniatures and museum- the biggest shop of tiny things in all of Florida.
  • Everyone seems to have an eye these days but no where else can you  catch Disney World’s fireworks from afar (if the night’s clear) than on the 400-foot tall Orlando Eye Ferris wheel. 
  • Caves, waterfalls and feeding gators are part of your mini-golf experience at Congo River Golf– 18 holes of African exploration.
  • Explore the oceans of the world, take a walk through a sea tunnel, interact with turtles at the Orlando Sealife Aquarium.
  • Color your world at the Crayola Experience where kids of all ages discover the magic of story, animation and design with 25 hands-on attractions. Starr your own coloring page, see how crayons are made in a live theater show and personalize an authentic crayon label.    Crayola Experience Entrance
  • Be your own Willy Wonka when you tour through the Chocolate Kingdom. The Factory Adventure Tour is an interactive journey that takes you from the cocoa bean to the birth of the chocolate bar. At the end, you can create your own chocolate bar for an additional cost.

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2 comments

  • Although summer is over I never tire of visiting the parks after a busy, hardworking couple of months. Love the weather this time of year!

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