Things to do with my 8 y.o. daughter? (Tampa, Orlando: renting, amusement parks)

[Ryan_M]

I'm moving to Tampa in a couple weeks and I'd like to line up some things to do with my daughter since I'm going to be unemployed for a bit while I wait for paper work to go through so I'm hoping to take advantage of the free time.

We've done Disney (Magic Kingdom and Epcot) and although she did like meeting the 'princesses' the rides were kinda lame. I've heard Universal is better for rides but I'm concerned they won't let her on any of the good ones. Is Busch Gardens good for coasters? I'm wondering if there is anything like parasailing or something that someone can suggest? Also in a 'tourist' handbook my wife got they mention a place to go swimming with manatees which sounds like it would be good maybe. We took her swimming with stingrays off Grand Cayman and she was a little apprehensive but they were about as big as she was. Swimming with dolphins went much better - probably because they're 'cute' and stingray aren't, so manatees might be a bit of a grey area. I've heard renting some jet-ski's out by John's Pass is a good experience too. If there are some waves out there so we can get thrown around a bit would be fun.

Anything anyone can suggest?

[tampagator89]

Busch Gardens is very good for roller coasters if you don't want to ride kiddie rides...and even some of the kiddie rides are not bad. I think Busch Gardens has 7 or 8 coasters and they're all rather varied. However, some of the more intense ones might have height restrictions for an 8-year-old. Here are the height restrictions for both Busch Gardens and Universal.
Busch Gardens - Tampa | Height Requirements and Ride Restrictions for Amusement Parks
Riders guide and height requirements at Universal Orlando theme parks

As far as water activities go, I'll leave that for other people to suggest as I'm not a big water person.

[algia]

There are no choppy waters here with waves to jump with a jet sky (and I think that's rather dangerous for a child). If you want that you have to go to the East Coast; mainly New Smyrna Beach.

For Manatees:
Capt Mike's Ultimate Manatee Tour | VIP Tours
Crystal River Manatee Tours, Native Vacations, Manatee Snorkel Tours, Swim with Manatees, Manatee Dive, Crystal River Boat Tours

[Keeper]

There is also the Aquarium in Tampa and Sea World in Orlando.

For other things to do around Tampa Bay..
MOSI has a lot of fun things to do for kids.
Big Cat Rescue
Zoo - small but nice
Canoeing or nature walks at the many parks in the area
Clearwater Aquarium where they invented the 'Dolphin Tail'
Manatee viewing at TECO

Beaches and wave runners are all around the area.

[jacothedog]

+1 on the MOSI museum.

My kids are 10 and 12. We spent a good 5 hours there the first time we went and were never close to being bored. This is a great museum for all ages.

[Ryan_M]

Thanks for all the links! I found a place called "Fly n High" that does parasailing and will take kids. Seems to have good reviews, any one have any experience with them or can recommend another?