Three Enjoyable Issues to Do in Central Florida (Apart from Disney)…
Searching for enjoyable issues to do in Central Florida past Orlando?
As soon as you’re finished with Walt Disney World and Common Studios, there are limitless Central Florida sights for households to take pleasure in, each man-made and pure.
In case you don’t know, the guts of Central Florida is Polk County which is situated roughly about midway between Orlando and Tampa.
We not too long ago spent two days within the area after our go to to Common Orlando and Clearwater Seaside. We had a straightforward 1.5 hour drive in from Clearwater and loved discovering some new sights in Florida.
Under are three locations to go to in Central Florida, one with youngsters and the opposite two will be seen with and even with out youngsters.
The primary one is one other theme park I’m positive you’re not less than conscious of, the opposite two are pure sights we’d by no means heard of however have been pleasantly shocked by.
Three Issues to Do in Central Florida
1. Legoland Florida
Florida is the theme park capital of the USA and you can in all probability spend three weeks within the state and never do all of them justice, and so they all have their particular focus.
However in case you’re youngsters are large followers of Lego, like ours, then think about placing a go to to Legoland Florida in your itinerary.
I believe it’s truthful to say that the majority youngsters grew up with Lego of their lives. I do know I did and that my very own youngsters love enjoying with their very own Lego and maintain requesting extra!
The truth is, Lego has developed a lot that it appeals to folks of all ages, evidenced by my mother who loves shopping for herself Lego as a present and enjoying with it, lol.
So our youngsters have been naturally excited to go to a Lego based mostly theme park and rise up shut with a few of their favourite life dimension Lego mates, and trip extra rides in fact!
Situated in Winter Haven, only a 45-minute drive from Orlando, Legoland Florida Resort is the most important Legoland theme park on the planet, and it’s probably the most in style issues to do in Central Florida.
For those who’re conversant in the outdated Cypress Gardens theme park, Florida’s first theme park, that’s the situation of Legoland.
The 150-acre property now gives a novel mixture of greater than 50 rides, exhibits and sights. Plus eating places, retailers and an attractive botanical backyard (sadly this was closed throughout our go to on account of injury from hurricane Irma).
The Legoland theme park is geared in the direction of kids ages 2 to 12. Our children are aged 10 and 6 and a lot of the sights and rides have been appropriate to their age, in order that appears to be the candy spot.
However like I stated, my mother is a Lego fan so it is dependent upon your loved ones and their curiosity ranges.
Highlights of Legoland Florida
Legoland in Florida is basically damaged up into 11 themed zones. These have been a few of our youngsters favorites.
MINILAND USA
This themed space was cool. Miniland was constructed utilizing greater than 32 million Lego bricks and we cherished questioning round taking a look at mini variations of locations constructed from Lego.
For those who go to Florida in the summertime, you may wish to discover Miniland very first thing or later within the day because it’s large open with no shade.
And in case you go to Legoland Florida in the course of the Christmas Brickacular, up to now they’ve positioned hidden Santas round Miniland so consider a bit of extra time right here.
A few of our favourite shows have been:
New York Metropolis
Think about you’re strolling alongside the streets of The Large Apple previous Occasions Sq., The Statue of Liberty, and The Empire State Constructing. Oh, and that fireplace truck, it squirts water so be warned!
Daytona Worldwide Speedway
We’ve been to the life dimension speedway and this duplicate of Daytona seems to be precisely prefer it and was constructed utilizing a 1/20 scale. Right here you may drag race your folks or relations with a reproduction NASCAR down the straight.
Kennedy Area Middle
Lego fashions embody a U.S. house shuttle and launch pad, and a simulated blast off.
Las Vegas
See the well-known strip in Vegas Lego type!
Star Wars
Star Wars followers can pose with life-size Lego fashions of Darth Vader and R2 D2.
LEGO CITY
Boating College
Our children loved being the captain of their very own mini-vessels as they steered their means across the river.
Ford Driving College
This was so cool and a enjoyable means for our youngsters to study the principles of the street and earn their very own Legoland driver’s license.
Flying College
After boating and driving faculty, we jumped on this suspended curler coaster and pretended to take flight.
FUN TOWN
The Grand Carousel
Savannah loves a carousel trip, and this was the primary trip our youngsters went on in Legoland because it’s near the entry.
Do that very first thing because the traces can get lengthy because the day goes on.
LAND OF ADVENTURE
Coastersaurus
Journey a picket rollercoaster round a prehistoric jungle of animated and life-sized Lego brick dinosaurs.
Beetle Bounce
We couldn’t maintain 6 12 months outdated Savannah off this trip. Get launched 15-feet up then bounce your means down.
HEARTLAKE CITY
Mia’s Using Journey
Go for a spin on the spinning disc coaster, in case your tummy can abdomen it.
PIRATES COVE WATER SKI SHOW
All of us loved the water ski present.
The present really dates again to when this theme park was Cypress Gardens which was identified for its water ski present. Now it’s been tailored for Legoland.
It runs for about 20-minutes which is an efficient time interval with regard to maintaining your youthful kiddies consideration.
The present relies across the well-known pirate ship Brickbeard’s Bounty and options water skis, jet skis, boats and a few of your lego mates.
It’s entertaining and fast-paced, however not too loud for any youngsters who don’t like noise! And it’s a pleasant option to sit down within the shade for a relaxation.
Watch our Legoland video for extra:
Consuming at Legoland
There’s all kinds of meals choices together with your typical favorites like burgers, pizza, fried hen, salads, grilled paninis and treats like ice cream and pop corn.
If you’re gluten free like us, or produce other dietary issues they do have some choices however you may battle with what’s on supply.
BUT the wonderful thing about Legoland Florida is it means that you can herald your personal food and drinks. So to avoid wasting cash and handle any well being points convey your personal.
Additionally they have lockers on the entrance of the park so that you don’t have to hold your provides round all day.
Lodging at Legoland Florida
Legoland Seaside Retreat
We stayed on the new Legoland Seaside Retreat which opened in April 2017.
And similar to our current go to to Common Studios Orlando, we favor to remain on web site which comes with many added advantages, among the finest being that you simply get early admission to the theme park!
Legoland Seaside Retreat is a lakefront resort that options 83 beach-themed bungalows in a village-style structure.
Every brightly coloured bungalow comes with cool Lego décor in and out and are grouped into 13 sections named after in style Lego mini-figures.
Every bungalow facilities round an out of doors play space inside view of your bungalow, which is nice in that you may relax and chill out in your patio and supervise whereas your youngsters play!
The opposite good characteristic is that the bungalow has a separate kids’s sleeping space, which supplies you and your youngsters some separation!
We didn’t swim right here, however they’ve the most important themed pool at Legoland Florida Resort with a sandy space and large play construction for youths.
Common actions are held across the pool together with dance events, hula hoop contests, volleyball, and sandcastle constructing.
Legoland Seaside Retreat is conveniently situated adjoining to the theme park and contains these advantages:
- Complimentary shuttle service to theme Park
- Free Wi-Fi in each bungalow
- Early admission to the theme park
- Complimentary parking within the resort’s primary parking zone
- Handy drive-thru check-in which lets you check-in to your room with out getting out of your automotive!
Learn the evaluations for Legoland Seaside Retreat on Journey Advisor
Legoland Resort
Your different possibility in fact is the Legoland Resort, which they are saying is 130 child steps from the primary entrance to the theme park.
This five-story, 152 room lodge offers you the selection of 4 Lego themed rooms:
- Pirate
- Journey
- Kingdom
- and Lego mates
Identical to Legoland Seaside Retreat, lodge company take pleasure in:
- Early entry to the park
- free full breakfast each day
- interactive play areas
- each day and nightly leisure
- and a resort pool
Tickets for Legoland
You should purchase your Legoland Florida tickets on-line on the Legoland web site and by doing so it can save you cash earlier than arriving on the theme park.
Park Entry Solely:
- On-line Worth: $ 79.99 grownup, $74.99 baby/Sr
- Gate Worth: $93.99 grownup, $88.99 baby/Sr
Youngsters Keep and Play Free
Beginning at $84 + tax per particular person.
- Consists of FREE 2-day baby Park tickets
- Based mostly on household of four (2 adults, 2 kids)
You can too purchase a 1 day, 2 Day, Flexi and Combo tickets. Plus Annual Passes and Quick Monitor Passes.
See all ticket choices right here.
Ideas for Visiting Legoland Florida
- Arrive early. Keep in mind if you keep at every of the on-site properties you get early entry. However in case you are staying off-site or drive in, nonetheless arrive early to get good parking.
- Plan out your go to. Prioritize what rides and sights every of your youngsters wish to expertise and concentrate on these first. And verify present occasions!
- Once you enter Legoland, think about going to the again of the park and work your means ahead. This may hopefully can help you keep away from the preliminary onslaught of the group and lengthy traces at in style rides.
- If there are lengthy traces at in style rides, think about coming again near park closing time when the group has thinned out.
- Deliver wholesome snacks and water to maintain your youngsters and thirst in verify even in case you do chosse to eat lunch on-site.
- Contemplate the time of 12 months you may be visiting and gown accordingly.
- For those who do plan to base your self in Orlando while you do Disney and Common, you may add on Legoland Florida as a day journey as you may see and do every thing on the park in someday!
- And in case you are staying in Orlando and don’t have a automotive, there’s a shuttle that gives spherical journey transportation from Orlando to Legoland. Choose-up location: I-Drive 360, 8401 Worldwide Drive. Worth: $5 per particular person (plus tax). Choose up time: 9:00 a.m. Be taught extra right here.
However think about making it an extended journey, staying in a single day in Legoland Seaside Retreat and visiting the following two locations in Central Florida listed beneath.
2. Safari Wilderness Ranch
Searching for issues to do in Central Florida involving wildlife? Then how a couple of safari.
Caroline and I spent 5 months backpacking by East Africa in 2003.
On that journey we went on some unimaginable safaris by Kruger Nationwide Park in South Africa, Etosha Nationwide Park in Namibia, and Masai Mara Nationwide Park in Kenya.
So relating to wildlife viewing we’re arduous to please.
Some locations throw across the time period “safari” very loosely and we all the time have our reservations about what it’s going to be like. And naturally, there is no such thing as a substitute to occurring the actual factor.
However let’s face it, Africa is an extended flight from the US which prices some huge cash AND time. And never everybody goes to fullfill their African wildlife safari dream.
So locations like Safari Wilderness in Central Florida undoubtedly have their place.
Safari Wilderness was named one of many “10 Finest Safaris within the U.S.” by Fodors.com, and we have been pleasantly shocked.
This 260-acre protect is surrounded by Florida’s Inexperienced Swamp, an 870 sq. mile pristine watershed that’s supply to
5 of Florida’s best rivers.
Go on a Safari in Florida
We went on a two hour personalized car safari that offered up-close encounters with wildlife similar to ostrich, eland, zebra, kudu, water buffalo and different distinctive and endangered species in massive herds!
And we bought so up-close that we bought at hand feed a number of of the animals.
Not solely did we get the interplay with the animals, however our safari information offered knowledgeable commentary and information which was each fascinating and academic for our youngsters!
Value: $90 per particular person.
Excursions are additionally accessible by kayak, horseback or by camelback.
Feed the Lemurs
We love Lemurs.
Not too long ago we visited the Duke Lemur Middle in Durham, North Carolina the place we realized that Hollywood bought it fully fallacious (once more) in Madagascar as King Julian actually ought to be Queen Julie because the lemur household is matriarchal.
However we didn’t rise up shut and private with the Lemurs there, so we have been all enthusiastic about feeding them right here.
We entered the ring-tailed lemur habitat at Safari Wilderness with a information and hand feed grapes to a bunch of Lemurs. And it was past superior!
A few of them gently touched our palms to get the grapes and so they have been playful but well mannered.
This exercise is proscribed to a couple individuals per day so plan to e-book forward.
Value: $25 per particular person.
Three. Bok Tower Gardens
Searching for issues to do in Central Florida that provide a slower tempo after all of the theme park craziness? This is likely one of the extra enjoyable locations to go in Central Florida.
Bok Tower Gardens was voted “Florida’s Finest Backyard,” and this Nationwide Historic Landmark was devoted in 1929 as a present to the American folks from Dutch immigrant and world peace advocate Edward Bok.
Our children loved the Hammock Hole Kids’s Backyard which offered them the chance to expertise Three-acres of nature play, plus interactive artwork and music discovery areas.
Throughout our go to they realized tips on how to make tie-dye prints.
After a play at Hammock Hole we took a soothing stroll to see the Singing Tower.
The 205-foot neo-Gothic and artwork deco Singing Tower carillon is spectacular and a should see.
Designed by famed architect Milton B. Medary, the Tower homes one of many world’s best carillons. Concert events from the 60-bell carillon at 1 and three p.m. fill the Gardens each day.
Bok Tower Gardens sits on certainly one of peninsular Florida’s highest factors, offering a haven for uncommon crops and animals discovered nowhere else on the planet.
Different actions embody:
- Mountaineering trails
- Enjoyable gardens
- Carillon live shows
- Blue Palmetto Café
- New boardwalk and outside kitchen.
You may spend wherever from two hours right here to half a day – relying in your curiosity stage and time accessible.
Open 365 days a 12 months from 8am to 5pm each day.
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