Who says you have to do Disney & Universal in Orlando? For this trip, the plan was to ditch the ears and castles and still have an amazing time soaking up a different side of Florida – equal parts chill and adventure.
Base Camp: An Orlando resort
This gave us a comfy home base without the theme park chaos. Think pool time, lazy mornings, and no stress about long ride lines. The best part: there’s so much nearby that doesn’t involve a single character breakfast.
ICON Park
It’s such a fun spot for food, rides and people watching. We rode The Wheel and the views of the Orlando skyline were stunning! Back on the ground, we wandered through some of the attractions, grabbed a bite, and honestly just enjoyed not being in a rush.
The Sugar Factory was one of the highlights for Ashleigh- we had rainbow sliders and GIANT milkshakes!
We also checked out the SEA LIFE Aquarium while we were there. Among other exciting things to look at, they have a jelly fish wall and 360° ocean tunnel to see the animals swimming all around you!
Day on the Water
One of the highlights of the trip was a short drive out toward the coast for a kayaking adventure around the inland waters near Cocoa Beach. Peaceful, beautiful, and filled with wildlife – manatees, birds and the occasional curious fish. Paddling through mangroves and open stretches, we were able to slow down and see Florida in a way you just can’t from a rollercoaster.
After an early dinner, we were walking along a boardwalk and someone lounging on a boat said “Hey! Do you want to see some manatees and dolphins?”
We looked at each other, looked at the company name on the boat, and shrugged our shoulders, “Why not!”
$20 and 2 hours on the water later, we had the most relaxing boat ride and saw so much of Florida’s wildlife! (We even took a little nap on the way back.)
Conclusion
This trip reminded us how much Florida has to offer beyond the parks. Whether you’re craving a little nature, some low key thrills or just a change of pace, there is a whole side of the Sunshine state waiting to be explored – no FastPass required.
On our last day in Florida, we decided to stop in and ride the hot air balloon at Disney Springs – we know what you are thinking, but technically NOT A DISNEY PARK.
However, this was a slippery slope that led to a FAILED no theme-parks Florida trip (LOL).
We suddenly decided to try a whole new challenge (read our recent blog): Disney World in a Day: A Journey Through 4 Disney Parks in 1 Day
What can we say… we love Disney World!
Ashleigh & Darci