This upcoming Sunday, I've got 5 hours to spend in Orlando, anybody have any suggestions of someplace me and my travel partner could do quick? We'd be out of MCO by noon and have to be back by about 4:30.
Just looking for something local that we could enjoy the warmer temps in for a few hours before it's time to head back to Buffalo.
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There really isn't too much to do near the airport, SR 436 (Semoran Blvd) goes north, with lots of strip shopping centers and a few chain restaurants, but not much else. International Drive and the rest of the tourist area is around 30 minutes to the west, I'm not sure that there is a lot to do interesting in the time frame you have.
Weather wise, Sunday is going to be the coolest day we have had for the past 6 months, with a high of 72, and lows around 54. Today it is around 15 degrees higher. If you just want to get outside at the airport, you can go to the top of the terminal top parking deck, or either outlying garage, there is certainly nothing else to walk to outside.
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Weather wise, Sunday is going to be the coolest day we have had for the past 6 months, with a high of 72, and lows around 54. Today it is around 15 degrees higher. If you just want to get outside at the airport, you can go to the top of the terminal top parking deck, or either outlying garage, there is certainly nothing else to walk to outside.
I had to brush snow off my car this morning so I'll take what I can get
Even with the cool (to us) weather, this might be a nice time to visit Lake Eola in downtown Orlando. Sunday is predicted to also be clear and sunny. Of course you would need a rental car, but you could visit here in the time you have available. Here are a few photos to help you decide:http://tinyurl.com/yjoju29.
You can find out much more on Lake Eola by doing a quick Google search.
This is a bit late for the OP, but I think Gatorland is a great place to spend 2-3 hours doing something uniquely Florida in Orlando. Gatorland is one of those 'don't knock it until you try it' attractions and even if you're not particularly fond of alligators it's easy to have a good time.
For reasons I fail to understand it has some of the worst managed security lines in the country.
(And the "expert line"... LOL! Two weeks ago "bubba" and his wife who last flew in 1970 were in front of me. Didn't take laptop out of case, didn't want to take shoes off, had HUGE can of hairspray.. you name it!)
Even I, Mr. Perpetully Late at the Airport, make sure to give myself at least an hour and a half at MCO. And it is not just security - check in is usually pretty painful, and sometimes you get caught with the arriving international flights so that slows down the trams.
Realizing that this is too late for the original poster but others might be in the same boat, the real question is whether you have a car or not. There is a bus system in Orlando, but it is not a fast bus system, so you are not going to get anywhere fast. But you CAN take the taxi, and Mears Shuttles will bring you most places.
For a few hours my first thought is Downtown. Not the biggest or most spectacular there is, but head over to Thoton Park, which is on the southeast corner of the lake. On Sundays they have a farmers market there.
You could also check out the Florida Mall area. Again not much spectacular, and not much you cant find anywhere else. If you are more adventurous, try one of the outlet malls - Prime Outlets or Belz Factory Outlet. Particularly if you are looking at a new suitcase. Or you can do the Mall at Millenia.
I wouldn't do one of the Disney parks but I could spend a few hours at Downtown Disney. That would not be that hard to get to. either - take a Mears Shuttle to the Buena Vista palace and cross the street.
If you had a car I would recommend heading up to Winter Park, although that might be pushing it timewise. Or, assuming you are on a weekend and have a car, maybe even an hour or two at Celebration.
I know this is a little late, but 20 mins. away from the South exit of the airport going West (toward Tampa) off 417 is the "Town of Celebration"
Lots of Shops, Restaurants, Pubs and more. Just driving around to see the Architecture of a New Urban Town is worth the Trip. The Town was developed by the Walt Disney Company in 1994 and a true working model of EPCOT. Considerably the most Deed restricted community in America and it's not gated!
Thanks for the info.
