Orlando = Boring (Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa: condos, neighborhood, weddings)

[EditorJul]

Originally Posted by JasonAnc

^I doubt he's seen Winter Park. One of my favorite places in the whole state. Especially now with the Sunrail station, and a little bit of urban density getting established over a wider area. Nice little city with a lot to offer for such a small place.


What are the science center and petting zoo?

Got links perchance?

For petting zoos, not sure about in Winter Park, but you've got this one in Kissimmee: Animal Farm and Petting Zoo | Orlando Family Fun | Green Meadows Farm Kissimmee Florida

And the science center is:
osc.org - Home

[tinytrump]

Nothing compares to SFL - it is international hub that many think it's all plastic people they have a real sense of community and family- maybe because of the the Latino/Cuban population- mom n dad live on x street and so do kid #2 and #3 - My sons GF waiting to buy a house -but must be near mom n dad-- and she will save n wait until something pops- that is the point ! family stuff abounds. My kids had a zillion friends and they still do- they just spent new years and cant get to them all. Many parks and community centers that are staffed- and everybody is involved--- that is the key. You want kids to be busy -forget the amusement parks -build a community.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by tinytrump

Nothing compares to SFL - it is international hub that many think it's all plastic people they have a real sense of community and family- maybe because of the the Latino/Cuban population- mom n dad live on x street and so do kid #2 and #3 - My sons GF waiting to buy a house -but must be near mom n dad-- and she will save n wait until something pops- that is the point ! family stuff abounds. My kids had a zillion friends and they still do- they just spent new years and cant get to them all. Many parks and community centers that are staffed- and everybody is involved--- that is the key. You want kids to be busy -forget the amusement parks -build a community.

Well said! Orlando needs to stop resting on the "prestige" of being at the center of the theme park universe and build itself as a community, which is pretty much missing in most areas. We just don't have the civic involvement here like most cities, though some might blame transience.....but other cities with similar populations have managed.

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by tinytrump

Nothing compares to SFL - it is international hub that many think it's all plastic people they have a real sense of community and family- maybe because of the the Latino/Cuban population- mom n dad live on x street and so do kid #2 and #3 - My sons GF waiting to buy a house -but must be near mom n dad-- and she will save n wait until something pops- that is the point ! family stuff abounds. My kids had a zillion friends and they still do- they just spent new years and cant get to them all. Many parks and community centers that are staffed- and everybody is involved--- that is the key. You want kids to be busy -forget the amusement parks -build a community.

I'd raise a family in CFL any day over SFL personally. Worse traffic, congestion, COL etc.

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by EditorJul

For petting zoos, not sure about in Winter Park, but you've got this one in Kissimmee: Animal Farm and Petting Zoo | Orlando Family Fun | Green Meadows Farm Kissimmee Florida

And the science center is:
osc.org - Home

Correct. I was thinking of those.

[Soup Not See]

Originally Posted by EditorJul

For petting zoos, not sure about in Winter Park, but you've got this one in Kissimmee: Animal Farm and Petting Zoo | Orlando Family Fun | Green Meadows Farm Kissimmee Florida

And the science center is:
osc.org - Home

The problem with the Science Center is the same tired old exhibits. We had an annual pass and my daughter quickly tired of the same ole stuff ...

[Arcenal813]

Boring?? With kids??
Wow... I have 2 kids, and can never find enough time on weekends to enjoy Orlando and surroundings.

A few examples AWAY from Disney/Universal (we seldom ever go there):

GatorLand ($10 admission, relaxing, educational, entertaining)

Fun Spot I-Drive

Fun Spot Kissimmee (Fun Spot is a cheap alternative to tourist-filled Disney/Universal. Kids love it, I love it.

Old Town (charming and walkable with arcades, good restaurants, nice car shows)

Natural Springs (Wekiva, Rock Springs, Silver Springs)

All of I-Drive (What can you NOT find on I-Drive?)

Lake Eola (This is just a beautiful park. Middle of downtown, clear water, swans that swim right up to you...


Lately, we've also included Tampa and St-Augustine to our list of weekend outings. Both are less than 2 hours away, so one can easily include them in what-to-do-in-Orlando plans. Downtown St-Pete is one of the nicest "downtowns" I've ever seen. It's not BIG, but it's reminiscent of South Beach... Just much cleaner and more family-oriented.


Also, have you ever considered purchasing Jet-skis, a boat? There is so much water in the area, and going out on the St-Johns or even on some of the lakes here never gets boring. I'm not an avid fisherman at all, so I'm not even talking about that. Just get a watercraft of some sort and enjoy blasting down open water all year round.


Funny thing is, I used to think Orlando was boring also... Until I got kids. Once they became old enough for us to go out and hang out on weekends (they're early elementary school aged), we've never run out of things to do, and always look forward to our next weekend adventure.

[Rabflmom]

Boredom for the kids? Are they school age? Are they taking any classes like gymnastics, tennis, art, music, swimming, diving, skiing, cooking, baking? Playing any sports?

Once you get involved in the schools volunteering, becoming a coach, or team mom or dad, there just isn't enough time in the world to do it all. Do you attend church and get involved in the youth groups?
Have you taught them to play golf, roller skate, skate board?

Do you take them fishing? Don't need to go to the ocean...just drop a line somewhere. Have you taken them to the springs to see the manatees in the wild? On a airboat to see gators etc.

Maybe get them involved in drama classes and help with plays? Are they scouts? So many activities involved there too and so much fun for the whole family. Lifetime friends are made for them and mom and dad, too. Do you go to the library for story time for the little ones or discover times for the school age?

Another great park to go to is Fort Christmas out on 50 a little ways. Bring a picnic to share in the huge pavillian or you can BBQ some burgers etc. . There is a playground, a fort to explore and play in, tennis courts, basketball, and they have old Florida houses, a church, etc to walk through and learn about how early settlers lived.

Living in Orlando it is just a short drive to go east or west to spend time at the beach, learn about rockets, lighthouses, sugar mills, the Ais Indians, pirates, sponge diving, Nascar, etc. .

Look into yourselves and see if attitudes need to change as you age. Sometimes we need to go beyond ourselves and what bored us as kids and let our kids experience things for themselves.....someties the box and wrappings are more fun than the item you get inside. Let them use their imaginations and use yours to have some inexpensive fun.

[MAniacTHW]

Originally Posted by MiamiRob28

I am originally from Miami and have been living in the Orlando area since 2006 because of family. Orlando is nice to visit for a weekend then you start to realize what a crap hole it really is! It is a over grown town and not a real city! Just watch the news and all they report on is somebody who was caught with kiddie porn or some drunk who ran over a Christmas tree display in their neighborhood.
Orlando is just miles upon miles of strip malls and car dealerships and every other TV ad is about Lawyers who want you to sue.
East Colonial Drive has to be one of the ugliest Honky Tonk roads in America. Has Orlando/Orange County ever heard of Zoning? Get outside of the resorts area on I-Drive and this place is a dump!

College park, downtown...

[annerk]

Originally Posted by Drone Guy

We've lived here for a while now and we've grown very bored of Orlando and the surrounding areas.

We've got 2 kids and a 3rd on the way.... how many times can you go to the theme parks before you just pull your hair out.

Are we missing something....

Looking at moving out to California where there seems to be non stop things to do for families, adults and kids alike.

Any thoughts?

Yup. Post this in the California forum. You obviously aren't happy in Orlando, so leave.