Orlando Beyond the Theme Parks

Dear Stephanie,

 

Thanks for your kind message. And I love your question because it gets right to the heart of why Orlando was chosen to become an amuseument park Mecca in the first place. Long before Walt and Roy Disney ever set their sights on the Orlando area, it was a vacation spot for very rich Americans who built fine houses and gardens. You can visit a number of these in downtown Orlando (don't miss the Harry P. Leu Gardens). Entry fees, when they exist, are minimal.

 

It was also an area renowned for its natural springs, and these are preserved in State Parks that are wonderful and very affordable to visit. Top one is the DeLeon Spring State Recreation Area, but you might also enjoy visiting the Wekiwa Springs State Park. You'll find more information on all of these in Pauline Frommer's Walt Disney World and Orlando, which should be available at your local libarary or bookstore.

If you'd be up for doing something very kind with part of your time there, you might consider spendin a day volunteering at the Give Kids the World Village (www.gktw.org). Of the 27,000 wishes granted each year by the Make a Wish Foundation, a full half of them are to go to Disneyworld. The organization puts up the children and their families in this purpose-built village and they're always looking for people to help out for a day, greeting folks as they arrive, playing with the kids, helping them settle in and make plans. It could be a lovely way for the two of you to spend one day.

 

A final suggestion: If you haven't been to Cape Canaveral to see NASA, you definitely should. It's not dirt cheap, but not nearly as pricey as a day at an amusement park either. And it's absolutely fascinating. You could spend the entire day there, and not see everything.

 

I hope this helps!

 

Have a wonderful time.

 

Cordially,

 

Pauline