Travel Tips

Beyond Disneyland: Family-Friendly Travel in Orlando, Florida

Locations in this article:  Orlando, FL

Beyond Disney World - Orlando, FloridaSure, a family trip to Orlando will most likely involve visiting a theme park or two. But for those who have already visited the major players, Jackie Perrin offers eight unconventional ways to experience central Florida, by land, air and water.

Each year, families flock to Orlando for theme park fun, and understandably so.

With seven major theme parks, five water playgrounds and characters from Mickey Mouse to Barney, what’s not to love about an attraction-packed vacation?

But the Orlando area has many more memorable adventures in store for fun-loving families. From zipline tours to a wild monster truck romp through an active citrus grove, there are plenty of hands-on amusement to be had in central Florida beyond the theme park gates.

1. Take a monster truck ecotour

Climb aboard a zebra-striped monster truck and experience a cattle call—central-Florida style. On an outback ecotour at Showcase of Citrus, a 2,500-acre citrus farm and working cattle ranch, you can toss oranges to grazing cattle, and then watch in amusement as the cows rush in to devour the fruit whole.

Back at the farm, dangle a line, pick and ship citrus or spread out a picnic blanket and enjoy a regional snack—from fried alligator on a stick to frozen orange drinks, the options are unusually tasty. The ranch is open year-round to all ages; U-Pick and market are seasonal, between mid-October and August. Monster truck fee is $20 for adults, $10 ages 4-12, 3 and under free. 352-394-4377/352-267-2597 (for monster-truck reservations) www.showcaseofcitrus.com

Looking for more Florida travel tips? Check out this video: Orlando, Florida, Beyond Theme Parks.

2. Milk a cow

Girl holding chicken at Green Meadows FarmMilk a cow, ride a pony, board a train and feed cute and furry farm animals at Green Meadows Petting Farm, a 40-acre rural retreat located 10 miles southeast of Walt Disney World Resort in Kissimmee. It’s hokey—but that’s part of the homegrown charm. Guided tours last around two hours and conclude with a hayride. Entrance is $21 for adults and children (2 and under free); $19 Florida residents and includes a hayride, train ride, pony ride and cow milking; red wagon rentals available for $3. 407-846-0770, www.greenmeadowsfarm.com

3. Go off road

For fun on wheels, head to Revolution the Off Road Experience in Clermont, where 230 acres of untamed territory provide a scenic backdrop for training in rough-road maneuvers. Drivers will experience an adrenalin rush as they test their skills negotiating bends, hills, twists and turns. Separate courses for dune buggies, ATVs and 4x4s make each trip unique. Those who prefer hanging out on the water can opt for guided fishing excursions or waterskiing. Prices range from $69.99 to $149.99 per person for a combo experience; drivers must be 16 years or older and have a drivers license to drive a 4X4 or dune buggy. Kids 12 and up can ride along for an additional $25. 877-400-1322, www.revolutionoffroad.com

Get more great ideas in our Family Travel section.

4. Give back for a day

Give Kids the WorldFrom all appearances, Give Kids the World vacation village is a small child’s fantasy. There’s a merry-go-round, a train, a life-sized Candy Land game and all the ice cream you can eat. Indeed, for over 20 years, the Kissimmee campus has been a castle in the sky, making dreams come true for seriously ill children and their families visiting Orlando. Now, even more families can experience the magic—by giving back. Recently, the facility began welcoming short term guests—“visiting volunteers” who take a break from their own Orlando holidays to lend a hand to families in need, from scooping ice cream to helping host a Safari Double Dare game show. Volunteers must be 12 years or older, and apply at least one week in advance. Kids ages 16 and under must be accompanied by a parent or other adult age 21 or older.
407-396-0770, www.gktw.org.

Want more ideas? Try our Ask the Locals Travel Guide: Orlando, Florida.

5. Take a high-flying adventure

Zipline safariIn St. Cloud, soar up to 25 mph on a zipline nature tour. Forever Florida’s seven-line high wire course, which debuted in early 2009, is the newest untamed adventure offered at the 4,700-acre ranch dedicated to wildlife conservation. Also offered are coach safaris (for all ages) and horseback safaris, as well as a petting zoo, wildlife-viewing area, restaurant and country store—a good fit for those who prefer to stick close to the ground. Prices range from $28 to $85, with varying restrictions. 866-854-3837, www.foreverflorida.com

Alternatively, multi-age excitement is available at the Central Florida Zoo in Sanford, which currently features several high-up Zoom Air Adventure ropes courses for kids 36 inches and taller. 407-323-4450, www.centralfloridazoo.org

The Grande Lakes Adventure Course on the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton and J.W. Marriott offers one of the newest options—and you need not be a guest to participate. The multi-level structure offers visitors ages 10 and up at least 25 different ways to ascend cross poles, ropes and platforms, as well as a rock-climbing wall, ziplining and swings. A junior course is opening in October 2009. 407-393-4007, www.grandelakes.com

Green your trip: Family Travel, Eco-Travel: A Trip to Little St. Simon’s Island.

6. Catch a wave

Surfing schoolIf you want to learn to catch a wave like the pros, one of the finest places to get started is in Cocoa Beach, known as the surfing capital of the East Coast. Instructors at the Ron Jon Surfing School by Craig Carroll will get you—and kids of all ages—up on a board in no time. Prices vary on length of lesson and group size. 321-868-1980, www.ronjonsurfschool.com

For those who don’t want to venture outside Orlando, Walt Disney World’s Typhoon Lagoon brings the surf—and the instruction—to you. Carroll’s teaching team holds daily wake-up classes in the water park’s surf pool, before the attraction opens for the day. Kids must be ages 8 and older and must be strong swimmers; rates are about $150 per person for a two-and-a-half-hour lesson. 407-939-7873, https://disneyworld.disney.go.com

FlowriderA new option on dry land is the Flowrider surf machine at Adrenalina, an extreme sports outfitter located in the Florida Mall. Buy a block of time ($20 for every 30 minutes), then grab a board and let ’er rip. Rates start from $20 for 30 minutes.
407-858-2159, www.adrenalinastore.com

7. Go to ski school

A number of well-known watersports pros make their home in the Orlando area, where an abundance of lakes and sunny warm days allow for ample training time on the water. Take advantage of the hometown expertise, at one of several professionally run watersports centers. Beginner-friendly options include the Orlando Watersports Complex (407-251-3100, www.orlandowatersports.com), which offers both a cable park and traditional behind-the-boat lessons; Sammy Duvall’s Watersports Centre (407- 939-0754, www.sammyduvall.com), a kid-friendly facility and official Walt Disney World provider, and Buena Vista Watersports (407-239-6939, www.bvwatersports.com)—a centrally located spot known for its laid-back vibe and tropical scenery.

Check out the World’s Weirdest & Wackiest Theme Parks.

Snorkeling with Manatees8. Snorkel with a sea cow

For a refreshing departure from the theme parks, dive into the spring-fed Crystal River and snorkel with the gentle creatures commonly called sea cows. Captain Joe Detrick, also known as “Manatee Joe,” will guide you and a party of five or less on a “passive” excursion to what may be the most important harbor in the U.S. for the West Indian variety of the species.

On a five- to six-hour snorkel, study and swim adventure, guests are required to practice what Detrick coins “manatee manners”—meaning you can observe and appreciate, but not pet or chase, the endangered gentle giants. Rates are $90 per person; book well in advance as peak periods and holidays fill up quickly. 888-588-3483, www.fun2dive.com

By Jackie Perrin for PeterGreenberg.com. Jackie Perrin has covered the best of Orlando family travel for over a decade. Beyond the theme parks, she enjoys catching a wave and catching some z’s whenever her companion crew will cooperate.

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