There's more family fun in Orlando than just Disney
Published: July 23, 2016
By: Tania K. Cowling, Freelance Writer
If you're planning a trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida, check out some local family fun venues as well.
So, you’re planning a trip toOrlando, Florida. Did you know there are so manyfamily fundestinations other than just Disney? So unpack your bags and turn off the electronic devices. Keep the kids entertained and put smiles on their faces with thesevacation ideasin central Florida.
Take a last splash at Wet ‘n Wild
International Drive aka I-Drive is a hot street in Orlando. It’s full of fun touristy places to visit on your vacation. When it’s hot and humid, the best place to be is in cool waters. For almost 40 years, Wet ‘n Wild has been the destination for splash pads and oodles of water rides. There is the lazy river, wave pool, and several multiple seat rides where parents can accompany their younger children (36-inches tall). Then, Blastaway Beach has 15 slides, water spouts along with water guns, and a bucket that dumps water on their guests every few minutes. Make sure to take advantage of this park with special deals, as this venue will be closing down December 31, 2016. Universal Orlando, the owner, is planning a new water park across the I-4 highway in 2017.
Visit a giant McDonald’s restaurant and Playplace
Again along I-Drive you can still order your Big Mac and Happy Meal and let the kids play in this 22-foot tall Playplace with tunnels, tubes, and slides. Add more than 50 games including Flappy Bird, Doodle Jump, skee ball, and in-door basketball to this large McDonald's family fun entertainment venue. While the kids are playing, parents can enjoy food offerings that include an omelet station, pizza, pasta, and custom-made burgers.
Crayola celebrates the rainbow
When you visit the Florida Mall in Orlando make sure to take the kids to The Crayola Experience, which features 26 interactive attractions. One such activity is Art Alive, where the kids create digital works of art that get projected onto a wall. With a touch of the finger, these works come to life. Watch how crayons are made during a theater show and then create your own crayon with wax in an art station. After all the fun, check out the Crayola store full of exciting gifts.
Take a ride to space near Orlando
If your little astronauts are itching to see rockets, check out NASA’s accomplishments at the Kennedy Space Center(just a short drive east of Orlando). The Atlantis exhibit featuring the Space Shuttle Atlantis has visitors in awe of its size and interactive dialogue about the ship and its mission. There are also astronaut encounters, IMAX movies, tours of the launch pads, and an Angry Birds play area for the kids to get their wiggles out. You can easily fill a day of fun at this space complex.
There is plenty of family fun in Orlando to extend your Disney vacation. Just check out the local newspaper and Internet travel sites for more information.