Help with holiday to Florida Orlando?

Question

My daughter is turning 15 next year, I am 35 and I've planned a huge birthday surprise, because she hasn't really ever done anything big for her birthday.

I've decided that she and 3 friends AS WELL as me can go on holiday to Florida, Orlando for 2 weeks the day after her birthday, the mum's have agreed and they're going to pay for their daughters.
So it will be me, my daughter and 3 of her friends. We're going to keep this as a surprise from my daughter and her friends, only me and their mum's will know.

I was just wondering what can we do in Florida, I've been about 6 times.
I've been brainstorming some ideas and what I've got so far is shopping ( all of her 3 friends and her, and me on that note, LOVE to shop), Hard Rock Cafe, Magic Kingdom Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Park, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, Disney's Blizzard Beach, SeaWorld and Downtown Florida.

Where else could we go, preferably not any theme parks or anything as we have a lot of those planned.
Also where could we go shopping, any districts/malls or anything?
We're from UK.

Thank you x

Answer 1

The Mall at Millenia is a very large and very popular mall with all the name brands you can think of. It has everything from Gap to Gucci.



I see that you did not mention visiting Epcot at Disney World. I personally would rather go to Epcot than any water park. Epcot also has the best food in Disney World. Maybe consider going to Epcot instead of one of the water parks? Keep in mind that thousands of people are in those water parks. There are thousands of children (and adults too) that may not control their bladders or bowels. And you are in the water with them.



As for other activities, I personally enjoy a few good rounds of miniature golf. There are miniature golf courses all over Orlando. You could search for one that is close to your hotel. Planet Hollywood is a cool restaurant in Downtown Disney that the girls may like. Also in Downtown Disney is Cirque du Soleil "La Nouba." If you haven't seen a Cirque du Soleil performance, you are missing out!

There are also many dinner shows in Orlando. I personally do not find the food at most of these shows to be that great but the shows themselves are definitely a unique experience. You can google "Orlando dinner shows" to research all the options. If you've never been to a Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum then that could be fun for you and the girls. Depending on your interest, many people also like the JFK Space Center.



P.S. Make all dinner reservations as soon as possible, especially at restaurants like Hard Rock and any restaurants near or inside theme parks so that you won't have to wait forever to eat!

Answer 2

Shopping: Mall at Millenia or Florida Mall



More Fun: Go to Build a Bear and let the girls each make a plush bear (your pick an empty shell of bear and then you go to machine and make a wish to put inside, then stuff it and all that stuff...then you dress it.) The Build a Bear shop at Florida mall has a lot of Disney themed outfits - very cute and a great memento. Great picture oppotunity to and we all know teens love to act like little kids!



Their is a Glow in the Dark putt putt place - haven't been but sounds fun. http://www.puttingedge.com/



Also the dinner shows - I hear the Pirate show is fantastic fun. Their is also medieval times (I liked it), Arabian nights, Sleuths (murder mystery type dinner theater), and the Outta Control Comedy Magic Show at Wonderworks (affordable and very cheesy...but cute!)



Orlando Science Center is also very interesting - check out website to see if it would interest you. www.osc.net



If you have a rental car - perhaps a day over at Cocoa Beach? Rent some softtop surfboards at a surfshop and let the girls have a go at it? Or their is an indoor catch a wave type place in ORlando. Here is site to that - http://ultimateindoorwave.com/the-attraction/



At Florida Mall they have a photography place where they do your hair and makeup and take pictures of you - I did that as a teen and it was a ton of fun! Would be a great girls outing. It is called Glamour Shots. Here is website to that http://www.glamourshots.com/



Have fun!!!

Answer 3

Just FYI, Disney has deals for people from the UK. http://www.mousesavers.com/ukvisitors.html



I would recommend Downtown Disney, there's a lot of stores there. There's also a hot air balloon that you can ride and Disney Quest, which is an indoor interactive theme park. That's located in Downtown Disney's West Side.



Walt Disney World also has 2 miniature golf places.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/downtown-disney/entertainment/disney-quest-indoor-interactive-theme-park/



http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/downtown-disney/



http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/downtown-disney/entertainment/disney-quest-indoor-interactive-theme-park/

Answer 4

Yes