What's Your Favorite Non-Disney Central Florida Attraction?

Sea World and Discovery Cove are my favourite outside Disney, but i wouldn't fly from the UK just for them, so basically i only come to Florida for WDW

I'm going to the Orlando area in just a few days for a mostly Universal vacation (with a little Disney non-park action thrown in). But the destination is the choice of family members, not mine. On my own, I would never go to Orlando just for Universal. I don't like those parks well enough.

I would love to try Discovery Cove, but I wouldn't go to Orlando just for that.

So I guess, if left to my own choices, I wouldn't go to Central Florida if Disney World were taken out of the equation.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter for me.

I would still visit Florida without disney, but maybe not as often I love all of the parks, seaworld, DC, aquatica, us, IOA, Busch gardens, fab beaches at Clearwater, Everglades boat trips, shopping, fab food...

Margaritaville!! I'm a HUGE Parrot Head, and I really enjoy his restaurants, more for the ambiance and music (and the loaded Landsharks!) than the food. It would be cool if it left City Walk though and expanded to be more like his places in the Caribbean and Vegas to be more resort like with a pool, dance floor, etc.

WWoHP for me, as well. The rest of Universal I could take or leave.

If you never experience Sea World before, you really should. I understand why the whale trainers can't enter the water enter more, but I miss that part of the show. Shamu is still an incredable show. I love it the first time he jumps out of the water, never gets it old. Sealion and Otter pirate show also is always great, as is the mime before the show. He may be my favorite part of the Seaworld visit. Petting sting rays and feeding dolphins are other great experinces. While there are several exciting rides, the best thing about Sea World will always be the amazing animal experinces.

One of the things my dh & I like to do when we're down there is to stop into the Morse Museum in Winter Park. They have a comprehensive collection of Tiffany works - simply beautiful. Well worth the $5 fee to get in!

You mean there are other things to do besides Disney???!!!!! Hmmmm........I wold like to go to the Harry Potter park at Universal (my youngest is three so waiting til she is a little older). Last year we went to LegoLand and that was a lot of fun!

For me, that would have to be Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Inspired by historic Saratoga Springs"a late-1800s' New York retreat famous for its spas and horse racing"this charming, Victorian-style Resort hotel is nestled between rolling golf course greens and the shimmering Village Lake. Delight in stately Studios and multi-bedroom Villas, dazzling pools and an award-winning spa. You can also explore the fun activities and exciting dining options of the Walt Disney World Parks, just a mere 90 minutes away by motorcoach.

My boyfriend and I like to go to Medieval Times.

Well since I'm a big fan of thrill rides, it has to be Islands of Adventure for me. The Hulk, Dragon Challenge, etc. are usually a good day of thrills during our trips. Ending the day at CityWalk is pretty cool too.

If you would like to spend some time outdoors, there is a great state park near Orlando called Don Leon Springs. I know it isn't technically an attraction, but it is a pretty neat little place. They have hiking trails, a spring to swim in, a river to kayak on (rentals provided), and a little restaurant that 'serves' make them yourself pancakes.

No Kristen I haven't gone any of the other shows.

Kristen I've been to both and they are great I love Arabian knights. When I was a kid virgin gave typos a free tickets with your holiday. I've never done medieval times but might next October

We adore the Morse museum, and I can't wait to bring my Husband to the Albin Polascek museum nearby- amazing artist, beautiful garden right on the lake.

I'll have to look into that, 2Cats. Thanks for the recommendation!

It's a little out of the Orlando area, but Cape Canaveral and St. Augustine are two of my non-Disney faves from the historical stuff my parents tortured me with on our way to Disney when I was a kid. Turns out they're actually kind of cool, but I won't give up Disney time to visit them with any regularity.

I have wonderful memories of swimming at one of the natural spring areas near Orlando as a kid but I cannot recall the name! I'm planning on carving out some time on our next trip for a visit to one of the springs - hopefully one with swimming or tubing. So beautiful!

ETA: Kelly Park or Wekiwa Springs look reasonably close to Disney property. I'd love to get a report if anyone decides to visit.

It's okay; I'll snorkel and you can hold down the beach chairs at Castaway Cay. When we were there in June, I was out in the big lagoon looking for the Mickey statue and kept seeing the most beautiful fish and instantly just wanted to touch them like a little kid. I probably sounded like whatsername from Finding Nemo "Ooooh fishie fishie fishie!!!!"

(Note to self - talking with a snorkel in your mouth while swimming in salt water is STUPID. )

I really want to go to a state park next trip, was thinking of Blue Springs which I know has swimming, tubing and kayaking, but will look into Wekiwa and Kelly Park too. Thanks for the tips (only lunatics swim in open bodies of water in the UK, as hypothermia is almost inevitable).

I enjoy Universal and KSC when I'm in Orlando. I missed out on SeaWorld last time round, but don't miss it that much. Should really drive the other way next time and try Busch Gardens again when I'm over next time...

Sea World, Busch Gardens, and St. Augustine

Here's a suggestion for the history geeks out there. I wouldn't mind checking this place out.

http://thepresidentshalloffame.com/

Only Harry Potter can pull me away from Mickey!

I am with you!!! I am a Harry Potter geek Won't be able to get there till 2016 when we take a whole family vaca. In the meantime we are headed to WDW

I think the only thing that could pull me away is the WWoHP. Unfortunately, due to cost, that is not going to happen this year. I have never been, but I really hope to get there one year!!