Where would you vacation in Florida if your weren't going to Disney? My best friend swears to me that there is indeed life "off-property" but I always just return to WDW year after year. She's been other places and I love her stories. Where would you go if you went to Florida, but WDW was off limits?
First Choice would be the St. Petersburg /Tampa area. I have family there, there is so much to do, and if you can get your hands on a boat you can go to come great snorkeling places. We travel to St. Pete typically about once every year. My second choice would be Key West. My parents went there for a few days for their anniversary (18th)this year and they loved it. But St. Pete area is easily my number one. If anyone ever wants tips on beaches or what not then I'm your guy. I've been there about 10 times for about a week each and have done so much and had so much fun. Florida is a such a unique and fun place!
omnia mea mecum porto.
@byhardy on twitter.
When I was a kid we went to St. Augustine and I'd love to go again. Then there is Sanibel Island where we spent 2 weeks, so many shells you wont believe. But I'd love to go the Keys and see Earnest Hemingway's home.
Ohh! My aunt took me to St. Augustine and Key West when I was young and I loved them both.
I've told my husband that I really want to go back to Key West, but that I'm not willing to make the drive so we're going to have to take a cruise that makes it a Port of Call.
I would love to go to Key West! I have spent time at other places in Orlando and some time in Daytona, Tampa and Clearwater. I still love Disney property the best though!
Daytona Beach, especially during Feb. speed week, but anytime would be great. 
to drive right down the beach. Too commercialized I know, but still fun.
We like going to Treasure Island and North Reddington Beach area. The beach is quite and clean and there are several fun shops and tours in Treasure Island.
I thought Florida was Disney! 
I thought Florida was Disney!
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This will be our 4th trip in 4 years. This will be the first time we leave property and we are going to Universal, IOA and seaworld. I have always wanted to do those. What we are missing and I would like to still do is Busch Gardens, Kennedy Space Center, and Key West.
I would love to go back to bush gardens, have not been there since i was a kid
"You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway."
--Walt Disney--
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If I go to Florida, I'm going to Disney World. It would just about kill me knowing I was THAT CLOSE and not enjoying the most wonderful, magical, awesomest place on Earth.
While my last two trips to Florida have been Disney only, my first two included non-Disney destinations. My first trip, when I was in 2nd grade, inlcuded Sea World, Busch Gardens, Cyrus Gardens and Kennedy Space Center. My second trip, when I was in 8th grade, included the beach. I can't remember which one.
I would love to visit the Keys.
I am going to Pensacola for Thanksgiving to visit my brother and his family. Pensacola beach is one of the prettiest beaches on the Florida panhandle.
I am going to Pensacola for Thanksgiving to visit my brother and his family. Pensacola beach is one of the prettiest beaches on the Florida panhandle.
Nice choice. Been here once and loved it.
omnia mea mecum porto.
@byhardy on twitter.
Staying on International Drive and visiting all the non-Disney parks counts as a non-Disney trip, right? Even if I accidentily spent an afternoon shopping in DTD? I find it hard to go to FL and NOT do something a little bit Disney!
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I thought Florida was Disney!
Thats what I always thought... but according to this thread... there are other things to do! Wow....... 
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[url='http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/pick-mases-dinner-disney']- My Interactive Trip Report '11[/url]
Any of the great beaches. Loved the Keys, have heard great things about Daytona Beach and Pensacola.
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Any of the great beaches. Loved the Keys, have heard great things about Daytona Beach and Pensacola.
I do have to admit though... if I was going somewhere in Florida other than Disney. It would be The Keys. Just seems like a great place to relax and have some fun.
- 2013 Trip Report!
- My Int3ractiv3 Trip R3port '12 - CLICK HERE!
[url='http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/pick-mases-dinner-disney']- My Interactive Trip Report '11[/url]
I would go up to the American Legion in Vero Beach and drink some beers with some old Navy buddys.
Joe
PS Hey! That's what I'll do today.
Sanibel Island gets my vote. Beautiful beaches, awesome restaurants and lots of wildlife.
I would go up to the American Legion in Vero Beach and drink some beers with some old Navy buddys.
Joe
PS Hey! That's what I'll do today.
My in-laws are Legion members and my spouse is a SAL member. We love stopping by the local Legion on any trip and meeting the people there.
Fellow Americans, I hear your tambourines inside my head and that's no lie!
Well I've been to Miami and Clearwater and loved them both, next time I would like to spend some time in the keys 
Our Very Merry 24 nighter Nov/Dec 15
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I went to Sarasota to visit my friend....gorgeous city! Lots of fun on the beach and great shopping in St. Armond's circle!
We LOVED Wizarding World of HP at Universal as well!
I love Disney, but I really love the "natural" sides of Florida as well. I love all the natural springs--I've gone to Crystal and Blue springs and some of the state/national parks and really enjoyed them, and would love to visit the Keys or islands as well. Florida is just such a beautiful place!
However, I did go on a mission trip to the Orlando area a few years ago--we were on I-drive almost the whole time and never went to Disney 
I have to say, it was a major bummer being so close and never going (even though obviously the service was the focus of the trip! At least take a free day!).
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I am from Pensacola, FL and spent most of my life there so I was always in Florida. I would like to visit the Keys if I didn't go to Disney, but that will never happen! 
Alumni in Hawaii
scrappy wrote:
I thought Florida was Disney!
Thats what I always thought... but according to this thread... there are other things to do! Wow.......
I would go up to the American Legion in Vero Beach and drink some beers with some old Navy buddys.
JoePS Hey! That's what I'll do today.
Vero Beach resort!! I've never been there and it's not WDW (just Disney owned!). Also, Port Canaveral isn't WDW either - Disney Cruise here I come
Another vote for Key West. We have only been a few times but loved it. We also like Vero Beach.
I am not real familiar with the E coast, but I can tell you our beaches over here on the W coast are great, starting with Clearwater where you can meet Winter the dolphin. We love Anna Maria Island, then down to Sarasota, Siesta Key is great and so is St. Armands Circle on LongBoat Key. This summer we are planning a mini trip to the Everglades as we have never been there. There is just a ton of non-Disney things to see in the Sunshine State!
Julie
Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust
