What to do in Orlando with small kids besides Disney?

Childswap program: http://www.orlandofuntickets.com/Child-Swap-at-Disney.php

Also, when we took our four-year-old she was just short enough that she couldn't ride some of the ones she wanted to. We ended up buying her some clogs with high heels that put over the height restriction. Only one cast member ever noticed; he gave me a Look, but Yaya got to ride the ride.

And use a stroller. The park is Big. Kid's legs are tiny.

Identify the rides and attractions with A/C. It can really make your day to go see the singing birds, or the haunted mansion and get a break from the heat.

I 'm pretty sure that I saw them listed, yes.
Check the guidebook.

O, I almost forgot:
call 407 WDISNEY.
11 years ago, thay sent me a free VHS videotape
telling me the high points of DisneyWorld,
including available services.
Its probably on DVD now.





David

When I go there,
early in the morning, first thing,
I go to rent an electric car for the day for $35, if I remember.
If u r late, thay might be sold out.
Thay 're neat n swift.

Hikers need not be concerned with them.





David

Finally, we bought a book before we went that had all kinds of insider information in it. Well worth it to spend $15 to maximize a $2000 vacation.

Over the last 25 years, I ve gone to DisneyWorld
maybe 8 times, or so. I never, never regreted it.





David

Good advice, thank you.

DrewDad makes another important point: a lot of the big ticket rides won't accept a four year old due to height restrictions. That doesn't mean there isn't plenty to do, but it might mean that you will cover all you want to do in the Magic Kingdom in one day. Then you could mix in some of the other DW parks. Dave's suggestion of the free DVD is also a great idea. Here is the link.

Sadly we're going to be there in less than three weeks, so it may arrive after we've left, but I did order it for her, thank you.

In case it doesn't get there in time, here is the 2007 version on youtube. There are many others to also watch when you go to the youtube site to watch it.

This one says there are 5 parts, but there are only 4.

There is also Universal Studios. There are several large malls such as the Altemonte Mall and the Florida Mall. Also, there is a very pretty shopping area with a park in it on Park Avenue in Winter Park (Aloma Ave turns into Fairbanks, which intersects Park). If you only see Disney, you won't have seen Orlando. A couple of large roads with many things on them are Colonial and Semoran (routes 50 and 436). The nearby town of Kississimmee is also quite interesting, particularly International Drive.

Just reading with interest. I've never ever been to any of these places. Sozlet has been agitating to go to one of them for a while, and now is especially interested in Universal Studios and the new Harry Potter stuff. I'm considering it.

There are TONS of things to do in Orlando, Mame. However, none of them holds a candle to Disney for a 4 year old. There are enough things to do with a 4 year old on the Disney property to last you a week, easy.

And since you're staying on property, Disney's bus transportation will be part of the fun for her. (Don't bother renting a car. A total waste of money. There's a shuttle from the airport that will take you to and from your hotel.)

We've been to Orlando many times, with and without kids. We're always tempted to visit other attractions, and we're always disappointed that they don't measure up to Disney standards. You'll see.

Of whatever significance it may prove to be:
Disney is in Kissimmee (sp?) not in Orlando,
altho we use the Orlando Airport.

Disney is in Lake Buena Vista, a town created by Disney, which is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee metropolitan area. It is between and slightly to the west of Orlando and Kissimmee.

Also, the idea that there is nothing to do in the area but go to theme parks exists only in the minds of people unfamiliar with the area. These are entire towns. If you only go to theme parks, you cannot say that you've seen Orlando or Kissimmee.

Are there any astronomy conferences in Orlando or LA/Anaheim?

That's how we got to go; I got sent to a Cisco conference and tacked a week's vacation onto the end of it. Drove up and back on a weekend, and used my travel allowance for gas.

Think it was about 25 y since I'v been there as a danish tourist, but I saw Epcot Center (part of Disney), Wet n Wild (some gigantic water bathing/slide world), Sea World (killer whales and dolphins).

We thought at Disney World that we was about to get ripped by having the option to spend 3 days in there, so we only spend 1, we didn't even see 1/3 of that huuuuuuuuuuuuuugeeeeeeee theme park O.O !!!!!!!!!
..and remember where you have parked!!!! That big @$$ parking lot is greater than our center of our capital city ..Copenhagen!!!!

Not LA, nor Anaheim, but I remember when Comet Kohoutek was going by,
there was a Mensa Regional Gathering in Las Vegas.
After the Las Vegas Planetarium closed for the nite,
its CEO, who was a Mensan, kept it open for Mensans only
(he made an announcement at the convention)
and about 12 huge telescopes on tripods were set
out on the lawn, focused on the comet, on Jupiter, Saturn and Mars
(if my memory is accurate; its been a while; I remember looking at Saturn).
Then there was a special lecture with slide show inside, beneath the dome. That was fun.

Thay offer free shuttle busses
from DisneyWorld to all of the Disney Hotels,
so u don 't have to worry about finding
where u parked your car.

(I left my cars in New York.)

Great thoughts and if your 4 year old loves the characters and princesses - a must is an autograph book. I've taken both my daughters when they were just before they turned 4 (free entry up to 4 years old) and they both loved it.

Alot of the shows are key at that age as well as meeting the characters - it is so cute, they think they are the actual characters. Also, read the guides of the attractions - they do make it clear that the snow white ride may be too scary for young children.

Yes the restaurants in Epcot often times have shows/acting stuff while you eat. My daughters got a belly dancing lesson at Morroco - and don't worry too much about kid friendly meals - each of the restaurants should provide some kid food.