Ideas for a day in Orlando please! (older DD mentioned)

gscoville

*older DD mentioned

Anyone here from or familiar with Orlando?   My 19 year old daughter and I will be travelling there next week for LeakyCon, a Comic Con-style convention with a Harry Potter base. Most of our time in Orlando will be wrapped up with the convention, including a private evening event at the Universal Studios Harry Potter parks (so we don't feel the need to visit other theme parks), but we do have one free day after we arrive and before the Con starts to explore the city and all it has to offer. What are some things we might enjoy doing/seeing?  I guess I'm looking for more low-key options (and easy to get to with transit as we won't have a car):  cool markets, unique local locations, shows, a beach maybe - basically things you can go to but not spend a fortune to get in so you feel like you have to spend the whole day there to justify admission.  I did search out water parks, though, and Aquatica looks pretty neat, we do love waterslides so that's a possibility for part of the day.  Given her age, my daughter will likely not be able to do anything involving pubs and such, although I was hoping there might be shows or perhaps a comedy club or some such where the legal age doesn't matter?

Anyways, if anyone has any suggestions they'd like to share, I'd be ever so appreciative, we're so looking forward to our trip there!

TVLily

I don't have suggestions but this sounds like such a good time! I hope you two have a blast!

LaRomana09

I have no recommendations, but just wanted to say hi!   :-h   :-*

gscoville

LaRomana09 said:

I have no recommendations, but just wanted to say hi!   :-h   :-*

Hiya!  :-h  :x

Feegan

I lived in Orlando for nearly 12 years, and I second @mrandmrsk91011, go to Downtown Disney. It's age appropriate for the both of you, while still giving you a taste of Disney. They also have some great restaurants and a really fun Lego store. Cirque de Soleil is there as well, so maybe you guys could catch a show! As far as getting some fun in the sun goes, if you take the shuttle over to the Portofino Hotel at Universal, you can get in to their hotel via a guest pass. It is beautiful and my favorite place to go soak up some sun in the area. Have so much fun!

gscoville

RedheadRunning said:

I lived in Orlando for nearly 12 years, and I second @mrandmrsk91011, go to Downtown Disney. It's age appropriate for the both of you, while still giving you a taste of Disney. They also have some great restaurants and a really fun Lego store. Cirque de Soleil is there as well, so maybe you guys could catch a show! As far as getting some fun in the sun goes, if you take the shuttle over to the Portofino Hotel at Universal, you can get in to their hotel via a guest pass. It is beautiful and my favorite place to go soak up some sun in the area. Have so much fun!

Oh hell, I could spend WAY too much in a Lego store!  

RustyGirl3

No advice, just wanted to say that it sounds like you are going to have an awesome time.

I agree with the Downtown Disney idea! 

mflowers929

I third downtown disney

skategirl128

We spent an entire day at downtown Disney a couple years ago! So much fun

meredithcarole

Okay, I am going against the grain here. Do not go to Downtown Disney. I work for Disney, it is currently under renovation and it's a big fat mess. If you want to go to Epcot, which would be my Disney suggestion, send me a PM. Otherwise if you like shopping the Mall at Millenia is close to Universal and has a lot of nice stores or there are 2 outlet malls. Winter Park has nice shops and some cool restaurants, it's about 25 minutes from Universal. Cocoa Beach is popular, but it is about 50 miles away.

gscoville

Thank you all for your many suggestions and ideas, it's so very much appreciated! :x