Central Florida with a two year old. What to do?

May 28, 2007 8:11 AM

My wife and I are going to central Florida (Orlando to Daytona area) with a 2 year old boy in a few weeks. We are looking for some ideas on what to see/do with the little tyke. Can be free, cheap, or expensive, as long as its worthwhile. We're looking to fill up one or two days. Bonus points if we can include the grandmother (active 63 year old) along. I used to live in the area, and we've already made some decisions:

1) We might do Magic Kingdom, there's a lot that a 2 year old will enjoy here. We don't have hopes of killing a whole day there, so we'd probably plan to go back to the hotel and nap, then return to finish the day.

2) The Central Florida Zoo is pretty much just caged animals. We're used to big open habitats like Brookfield Zoo in the Chicago 'burbs, so this would be a big let down.

3) Kennedy Space Center is too far, and not exciting enough for a two year old.

posted by Merdryn to sports, hobbies, & recreation (12 comments total)

Maybe combine Disney & The Zoo: You can buy tickets for Disney's Animal Kingdom (well, actually all the parks) seperately. If you haven't been, it's a beautiful place. Lots of animals in more natural habitats, the park is divided into Africa and Asia. There's also a lot of Dinosaur related attractions, which boys of that age are often into. Characters from Finding Nemo & Lion King are featured. There's also a Bug's Life show.

Because he's only 2, he'll get into Disney parks for free. For three adults, the price would be $201, plus taxes. If you know someone in Florida, ask them to go & to pick up the tickets for you. Florida Residents get a discount, I believe. You'd probably need to contact disney about leaving & returning to the park.
posted by aristan at 8:46 AM on May 28, 2007

It might be a bit out of the way, but Ichetucknee is just a bit outside of Gainesville and is worth every bit of the drive. Float down a river, clocking about 1.3mph, with oak hammocks hanging overhead and fish swimming beneath you in crystal clear water. Total cost: $4 per head with tube and park entrance.

You're letting him/her just play on the beach in Daytona and build sand castles, right??

There's an IMAX and lots of hands on stuff at the Space Center, it might well be worth the drive.

Maybe rent a sailboat catamaran and take it out for a few hours?

There's also some Aviation World something between Orlando and Lakeland where you can climb in old airplanes and such. Very hands on and I think a kid would love to play on that kind of stuff.

Go fishing?
posted by trinarian at 8:48 AM on May 28, 2007

Historic Bok Sanctuary. We went there in March of last year, and we had a ball. You can look at some photos here.

Clearly, we are a bunch of goofballs, but it's really pretty, and if grandma is in any way interested in flowers, bonus! We had a littleish kid along and he did fine - there's a lot of open space, and while I'm not 100% on this (as we didn't do it) I'm pretty sure you could picnic there. And, it's not expensive. The carrilon tower is pretty awesome, too. Lots of animals - not just squirrels, but swans and other stuff. Just wear comfortable shoes - it's not like a hike, really but it's not exactly a wedge-flipflop-sandal kind of place, either. Flat shoes - tennis shoes, crocs, whatever - make for more of the fun.
posted by Medieval Maven at 8:59 AM on May 28, 2007

I'll second Bok Sanctuary. Leu Gardens too. Although, they may not be a whole lot of fun for a two-year old. The Orlando Science center is a lot of fun, but may be better for an older child.

I love trinarian's idea of Ichetucknee Springs, but it's a little far. Considering you don't want to drive to Cape Canaveral.

Are you going to Daytona Beach? If so, I have some suggestions.
posted by LoriFLA at 9:19 AM on May 28, 2007

The boy-o isn't much for playing in the sand. He does like water, though... The undertow in Daytona Beach still freaks me out (bad memories from when I was a kid), but it /would/ be cool for him to see the ocean... Something to consider, for sure!

Historic Bok Sanctuary is a bit of a haul from Orlando; we'd like to stay between Orlando/LBV and Daytona Beach. That's something I'd like to take the missus to on another trip, though, so I'll definitely keep it in mind!

Daytona Beach is certainly within the realm of possibility. :) His grandmother lives about 1/2 way between Orlando and Daytona. Grandma isn't a big fan of the beach, though, so if you have some ideas about other stuff that we could do, that'd be great!
posted by Merdryn at 9:34 AM on May 28, 2007

Well shoot, Merdryn! The beach is the best part of the Daytona Beach area. If you do go, I the beaches in Daytona Beach Shores and Ponce Inlet area. There are areas where there isn't driving, so you can be relax with kids. Look for Winter Haven Park on A1A in Ponce Inlet, FL. It's the best spot.

Fun Daytona Beach stuff:

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse If it's cool enough, and if you're fit enough, you may want to climb to the top. My family climbed it in January, but my kids are a little older, 4 and 6. They did fine. There is a little museum and parks and lots of nature trails to walk along the beach. The Marine Science Center is in this area too. It's fun and small, and you'll probably see a few sea turtles and injured birds. They rehab injured sea animals.

If you do drive down there. Inlet Harbor restaurant warning, sound is fun and cheerful. If you do venture down to the Ponce Inlet area, get on the New Smyrna River Taxi at Inlet Harbor restaurant. We did this last weekend, and it was a blast. Your MIL will probably like this, because she doesn't have to sit on the beach. We saw a few porpoises and even a manatee.

I hardly ever venture down to the Ocean Walk area of Daytona Beach. It's very touristy and not so nice. You may like it. The bandshell and boardwalk are here. As well as chain restaurants and a movie theater. There's a water park in this area also, Daytona Lagoon. I've only been to the water park twice, but it's fun.

Sun Splash park in Daytona Beach is free and fun for the kids. There's a ton of fountains that kids run through. It's on the same side of the road as the ocean. You could walk down to the beach. Warning, this part of the beach is extremely crowded with tourists, and there is driving here.

If it were me, I would do the Ponce Inlet trip: Lighthouse, Lighthouse Point Park, New Smyrna River Taxi.

Or

De Leon Springs or Blue Springs if you don't want to drive into the Daytona Beach area. Both are great fun. DeLeon Springs is better for swimming. They have a roped off shallow area for kids. You can rent a paddle boat or canoe, walk nature trails, and bring a picnic.

We have been having a terrible time with rip currents and lnear drownings, and actual drownings. Don't let that deter you. Most drownings have been surfers in very rough surf. The near drownings have been tourists that don't know how to handle a rip current. If you stay in the shallow parts of the beach, no worries. And it will probably calm down by the time you get here.

Have fun!
posted by LoriFLA at 10:40 AM on May 28, 2007

Please excuse the boatload of grammar mistakes.
posted by LoriFLA at 10:49 AM on May 28, 2007

Your 2-year-old might prefer to stay home with grandma! That age are not really enthusiastic about something new every day, nor about squeezing the last dollar's worth out of expensive attractions. You are unlikely to lay down any long-term memories in one so young.

I would save the Disney entrance fee for later years, or at least be very clear about who you are making the visit for. Down the road your vacation plans are going to be much more shaped by childish interests, so I would build this one around the adults, while trying to keep individual activities short.
posted by Idcoytco at 2:35 PM on May 28, 2007

Gatorland! My husband and I went there in April and we had a great time. They were just about to open their "splash park," which looks like it'd be fun for a little one. There are animals to feed and pet, and of course lots of alligators. (As long as he isn't scared!)
posted by web-goddess at 3:04 PM on May 28, 2007

We're not trying to lay down memories, per se (though photos taken of the little man will be enjoyed for many years to come by the rest of the family), but he's used to having something to do. He rarely prefers just sitting around, he likes to be on the go. And I made it a mission to let the kid be a kid for as long as he can. If he wants to splash mud all over his face at the park, then damn it, that's what he's going to do. :)

Gatorland sounds PERFECT. He loves animals, he doesn't get frightened easily (hasn't wired up the "fear" part of his brain yet, so we're exposing him to lots of unique situations), and really digs splashing around. Plus, mom, dad, and grandma will have lots to enjoy there, too.

Thanks for the advice, all!
posted by Merdryn at 7:43 AM on May 29, 2007

about three years ago, we took our 2 year old to the orlando science center and she just went nuts. she still asks to go back.

now, maybe yer boy-o doesn't like sand, but you say he likes water, and their kids' room has a great water tube that kids of all ages float little boats down, build dams in, and what not. it's like a mini-flume for their on-site toys. there's also an extended set of 'sewers' and other 'under the city stuff' that's really just a big set of tunnels safe for little kids (and their keepers) to run around in. they've also got another great big other room filled with lego-like building toys and what not.

and there's also a swamp, complete with live baby alligators, in the basement! and a planetarium? and an observatory? and a whole bunch more! and . . . it's WAY cheaper (and a better experience, imho) than entrance into any disney product. check out their pre-school programs.

maybe it wasn't there when you lived there. or maybe it was crappy back then. but we found it to be pretty cool, and it looks like it'll just get cooler. if nothing else, this place is filled with something that all 2 year olds love . . . buttons to push and things that light up and make noise after these buttons have been pushed. i hope you all have as much fun as we did!
posted by deejay jaydee at 11:30 AM on May 29, 2007

If you want to see my photos from Gatorland, they're here. They bill themselves as the best "half-day attraction" in Orlando, and I'd definitely agree. I recommend you try to catch the different shows they have on throughout the day (though the Gator Jumparoo was a letdown compared to my imagination). At the Gator Wrasslin' pit, they also do this thing where they have a little gator with its mouth pinned shut and for $10 kids could have their picture taken on its back. (My Aussie husband couldn't believe it.)
posted by web-goddess at 4:21 PM on May 29, 2007