I’m not a theme park person. Hopefully that doesn’t come as a complete shock to you.
Growing up in New Jersey I admit to having visited Great Adventure numerous times. These visits usually involved cutting classes in high school, piling into a beat up car with friends and heading down the Garden State Parkway to hang out for the day, eat ice cream and elephant ears and stand in long lines for a thrill ride.
Somehow, rather than getting hooked on short bursts of excitement, I became addicted to longer thrill rides. Namely, sitting on a plane for hours in order to be transported to some foreign destination.
And, not having kids, I’ve managed to dodge the Disney bullet – never having visited Disney Land or World (gasp!).
So what’s a girl to do when she’s asked to speak at a conference in Orlando? (In this case, The Travel Bloggers Show.) Well, she says “yes” first of all – because she rarely turns down the opportunity to spread the Wanderlust Love. But then she does everything she can to avoid the parks and to make the trip her own.
I know. There are millions (I believe the number is 48 million) of people who visit Orlando every year so I’m pretty sure I’m in the minority. But if you find yourself traveling to Orlando (or some other destination that may not quite suite your style), all is not lost…
Choose interesting accommodations like the Hard Rock Hotel – I’m big into music and this seemed like the natural choice for a place to stay. I didn’t realize that I’d literally find myself singing in the elevator and lobby so often, but the tunes – piped everywhere, including throughout the pool area – really made me happy. I mean HAPPY! And the staff is funkier than the flight attendants on Virgin America!
Walk early – Orlando is freakin’ hot. And humid. And I hear that September (when I visited) is the rainiest month. I would get up early and take walks before the steam really started to rise off of the sidewalks. By mid-day, it was way too hot to wander and afternoons brought the most amazing of thunder storms.
Rent a car – Orlando is sprawling and even though every parking lot gouges you with their parking rates, it’s worthwhile to have a car. The folks at Thrifty provided me with a rental during my few days there. My experience was day and night from my next car rental in Denver (let’s just say, I will never rent from Payless ever again). The Thrifty clerk was funny as all get out – I had the feeling he was an entertainer and that I’d likely see him on stage somewhere in Orlando. Thank you Thrifty!
Eat healthy – Rather than eat out for every meal and/or be tempted by the fast food restaurants that are located everywhere (including Universal’s CityWalk – near the Hard Rock – where popcorn, candy and elephant ears are at the ready), I shopped at Whole Foods and filled my basket with fresh fruit and Odwalla juices.
I did have a couple of yummy meals out including a buffet at the Rosen Centre Hotel hosted by the Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau and dinner at the Islands Dining Restaurant where I had a salmon bento box (check my WanderFood blog where I’ll be posting that meal shortly).
Travel Well,
Beth
Related links:
Move Over Barbie – Travel is Our Priority!
Women and Whole Body Scanners at Airport
Security Alert – Peanut Butter is Spreadable
Airport Safety = Security Theater?
Vera Marie Badertscher says
When I was in Orlando, I escaped on short half-day trips to state parks and wild areas not far from Orlando. You can go hiking, kayaking, see manatees…lots of stuff not made out of plastic.
adventureswithben says
If avoiding the theme parks is a must-do, then check out Rainbow River springs for inner tubing in 72 degree, crystal clear water. It’s “old Florida” at it’s best. You may also enjoy road trips to the Atlantic or Gulf coasts or shop downtown in Winter Park. But a trip to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is worth the visit to bring out that inner child.
Kevin Mims says
Awesome post! A couple of years ago I did an interview with the Orlando Fox station on Affordable Day Trips from Orlando. Lots of really cool places nearby – check it out: http://bit.ly/avBagp
Like Ben said – the Rainbow River is terrific! Been on it twice in two weeks.