Orlando without Disney in February?

[Game0fScones]

Hi - wondering about using Orlando as a base, if we don't want to do Disney. Two adults, one 10 year old boy. Might do Universal, Space Centre etc, but DS doesn't like rides (scared), and me and DH don't like Disney. But flights and accommodation from Dublin are well priced for winter sun, and there seems potentially to be a lot to do in Florida - we'd like beaches, wildlife, culture etc. Would consider flying in to Orlando and out of Miami if we got a good enough price.

Anybody done this have any advice to offer?

Thanks very much.

If you want to see dolphins, please just go to the ocean rather than Discovery Cove or Seaworld - they're all over the place and free. Leaping through the surf, whole pods together. Take a boat ride out and they may chase the boat.

Likewise, if you want to see alligators, go to any body of water in Florida - there will be an alligator living there! And turtles, and herons, and egrets, maybe otters...

And manatees - go to somewhere with warm water, they'll be slowly bobbing around.

There's plenty of wildlife on the doorstep in Florida, no need to see them caged up in Orlando.

Clearwater is a lovely place!

Lots of places I’d recommend already have been but I don’t think Menchies has. Frozen yogurt but not as we know it. Your 10 year old will love it (and so will you).

To get an overview of the assorted parks and attractions in the Orlando area I would recommend looking at some vlogs on YouTube. TheTimTracker is a nice, cheerful positive reviewer of parks and attractions. Gator land and the Orlando eye seem to be popular.

Thanks everyone. Now actually actually thinking of just skipping Orlando 😂 and doing Miami and the keys/everglades. Thanks for all your help.