What else can you do when visiting Walt Disney World in Florida from the UK and Ireland?
Whilst Orlando is known as the home of Walt Disney World, there may be days when you want to explore outside Disney’s gates. Plus, it is good to take a break, and you’ve come all this way, so why not explore a little?
Here are a few suggestions for other things you can do, if you fancy/need a day away from Walt Disney World. We’ve always explored other places during our visits and have found doing so has only enhanced our holiday. Spending a day or two away from WDW meant we very much looked forward to going back.
Obviously, if you have a car, it will be easier to explore, but Lyft and Uber can be good options too and are readily available. If taking a car, check if parking is extra (it often is!).
The first and most obvious non-Disney World attractions to visit are the Universal Theme Parks, especially if you have older children or teens in your group. Read our free Mini Guide about Universal here, but keep an eye out for more detailed Universal Guides we will be writing just as soon as we’ve had a chance to visit the new Epic Universe Park! We’ll keep you posted.
Kennedy Space Center®
The Kennedy Space Center (NASA) is located approximately 65 miles from Walt Disney World, and driving there typically takes about 75 to 90 minutes. Alternatively, you can take an Uber/ Lyft or join an organised day trip through Gray Line®, which offers pick-up from several locations, including the Disney Swan Resort.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers an immersive and educational experience that showcases the history of space exploration. It features actual spacecraft, interactive exhibits and interesting tours. This is a fascinating place for both adults and children. We have visited four times, and there has always been something new and exciting to see – it’s truly impressive!
To plan your visit, read the helpful information at the link below:
You can purchase tickets from the UK in advance from:
What are good days out in Florida for families from the UK and Ireland?
Take an Airboat Ride
Again, we speak from experience and can promise this is so much fun and not too expensive. We found it a fabulous way to get out into nature, see amazing wildlife and taste the ‘real’ Florida. Surrounded by nature’s air-con (aka a lovely breeze!), you skim across the Everglades as you look out for the many different species who live in the marshes, including the native alligators! The captain will know the best places to look, and you might even be lucky enough to see a bald eagle. The best views are at the front, so head down to the dock promptly at your allocated time and claim your seat (most boats seat 12 -16 people). Our favourite operator is Boggy Creek®, who happen to be the closest to Disney World – at a 40-minute or so drive. We would recommend a one-hour trip as you get to see a lot more and, afterwards, you can enjoy some tasty food from their onsite BBQ restaurant.
You can buy tickets ahead of time from Orlando Attractions Boggy Creek and Florida Tix Airboat Rides.
SeaWorld® and Discovery Cove®
SeaWorld is about a 20-minute drive from Walt Disney World. In recent years, it has moved away from shows featuring performing sea creatures. Instead, it offers a host of thrilling roller coasters and family-friendly attractions. There is a lot to see and do here, with ten rides, four shows, several sea-life habitats, six children’s rides in Sesame Street Lane and a daily parade – easily enough for another full day of your holiday. You can still get up close and personal with the animals, but the emphasis now is on them in their natural environment. The Orcas and dolphins are no longer ‘performing’; instead, they are showcased more sympathetically, highlighting their natural behaviours. Visit the website to see if SeaWorld appeals to your family.
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment | Our Parks | SeaWorld
Discovery Cove is part of SeaWorld. Here you can swim with dolphins, go snorkelling with otters and tropical fish and enjoy a few hours of relaxed water-based activity.
LEGOLAND®
Less than an hour from Walt Disney World, LEGOLAND Florida is for families with children aged 2 – 12, although it’s most suited to children 6+ as there is more for them to do, and it’s also fun for grown-ups. The 150-acre interactive theme park has more than 50 rides, shows and attractions. It is also home to its own hotels, LEGOLAND Water Park, a standalone Peppa Pig® Theme Park, SEA LIFE Aquarium (you can buy various combination tickets) and some beautiful botanical gardens. You could easily fill a day or two here! The Park has its own app, where you can check the map, wait times, etc. It might be an idea to bring a portable charger, too!
Kids can trade minifigures, so either buy some to trade before you arrive or bring old ones from home.
Even if you don’t visit the Waterpark, bring clothes or shoes you don’t mind getting wet as there are a number of water attractions (lockers are available on site).
Busch Gardens®
Situated in Tampa Bay, Busch Gardens is approximately a 75-minute drive from Walt Disney World. If you aren’t driving, Busch Gardens offers a FREE shuttle service from Orlando (none leave from Disney resorts, but you could get a taxi to the closest pick-up spot)!
Busch Gardens is a family-oriented adventure Park that combines up-close exotic animal encounters with wild thrill rides, live entertainment, and a water park! Another fun-filled day out!
Check Park opening times as they vary throughout the year.
The Town of Celebration
If you want to find the ‘American Dream’ as depicted in so many movies, a visit to Celebration should be on your list. Built by Disney in the 1990s, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time to 1950s small-town America with its wide tree-lined streets, pastel-coloured houses, white picket fences and a sprinkle of Disney magic, and all just 3 miles from Disney World.
Pick up a map at the Town Hall (Mon –Fri 9am -5.30pm) and take a self-guided architectural walking tour around Celebration’s downtown area, where you’ll also find the Market Square Park. Or explore yourself and discover a wide range of shops and restaurants on the lakeside promenade, overlooking the stunning Lake Rianhard. You can also hire bikes and tour this compact, pretty town on two wheels, admiring the fabulous houses!
As you walk around the streets look down to spot the manhole covers with their bespoke town design! The town also hosts many events throughout the year; find out more about them here:
ICON Park®
ICON Park is International Drive’s focal point! It is a major attraction complex offering an array of restaurants, shops and activities. It also has its own 400-foot observation wheel, the ‘Orlando Eye’.
In addition to shops and restaurants, it is home to Madame Tussauds® Orlando, SEA LIFE® Orlando Aquarium and the Museum of Illusions. It is also the new home of the Blue Man Group®, a show that is ‘a blend of art, high-energy live music, comedy and non-verbal communication’ with state-of-the-art audio, lighting and video technology.
Where is the best place to go shopping in Orlando?
Local Malls
If you love to shop like a local and want a change from Disney Springs, head to The Mall at Millenia® on International Drive. It offers world-class shopping with over 150 stores including top-name luxury brands such as Chanel®, Louis Vuitton® and Prada® along with iconic American brands such as Kate Spade®, Apple®, Under Armour®, MAC® and Victoria’s Secret®. It is also home to the popular US department stores Macy’s® and Bloomingdale®. There are plenty of places to grab a coffee or a bite to eat including the infamous Cheesecake Factory®… it doesn’t just serve cheesecake, though there are 36 different flavours on the menu!
The Mall at Millenia is around a 30 minute drive from Walt Disney World.
Or try the Florida Mall. Here, you will find 250+ retail, dining and entertainment options. Stores include Macy’s, JCPenney®, Apple, Zara®, Coach®, Uniqlo®, H&M®, Primark® (featuring Disney!) and lots more. The Crayola® Experience here is also located here.
The Florida Mall® is around a 25 minute drive from WDW.
For an outlet mall, try Orlando Premium Outlets®. You will find over 180 outlet designer and name-brand outlets here, including H&M, Champion®, Forever 21® and Guess® to name a few. There is also a Disney® Outlet!
This mall is also on International Drive, only a 20 minute drive from WDW.
Have we mentioned taking an extra case for your purchases?!
Daytona Beach®
Fancy a complete change of scene? Daytona Beach is an easy 90-minute drive from Walt Disney World. Along the way, you might want to take a small detour and stop for breakfast at De Leon Springs State Park. The entrance fee is just a few dollars per vehicle (max 8 people per car) and this Park is home to the Old Sugar Mill Pancake House Old Sugar Mill, a charming, centuries-old building where you can cook pancakes or eggs on a special griddle at your table. It really is a tasty and fun way to start the day! After enjoying your breakfast, you can take a boat tour or try your hand at paddle boarding.
Then, head to Daytona to do what the locals do and drive on the beach! For an all-day fee of around $20, you can drive along the 23 miles of wide, hard-packed white-sand beaches!
Daytona Beach
From there, head to the boardwalk and pier where you can find gift shops and entertainment. Why not try some of the local seafood or park up and have a beach day?
If you want to carry on exploring, head south to Ponce Inlet, where you will find one of the tallest lighthouses in America – you can even climb it! You’ll also find the Marine Science Center here, which has lots of fun and educational exhibits the whole family will enjoy.
We can’t tell you about Daytona without mentioning something else it is well known for: the Daytona International Speedway®; if you have any race fans, you can book track tours or maybe even grab some tickets to a race!
On your way back, you might want to stop by Deland, recently voted one of the 10 Best Main Streets in America. It is a place with old Florida charm.
This is just a flavour of all the wonderful experiences you can have in Orlando. For more ideas, visit:
Let us know your favourite at #fabparkdays.
If you need help with planning the rest of your trip, our Walt Disney World planning Guides for families from the UK and Ireland are full of hints and tips and will help you plan like a Disney Pro!
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