AIBU to go to Orlando and not do Disney?

[DeathStarCanteenGal]

Planning a trip to Orlando in 2024 - and I think October is the best time, as we have to work around school holidays, but also don't want the weather to be too hot/parks to be mega busy
Because of school holidays we can only do 10 days max
So currently planning four days at Universal Studio, as DD (who will be 13) and J are both Harry potter fans
Also planning a few days in either a villa or an apartment, to give us a bit more space, and a bit of a time that's more chilled
DH will probably want to go to Cape Kennedy, I'd like to go see some alligators.
But what would we be missing by not doing Disney?? This will probably be a one off trip, but I can't see anything about Disney that really makes me want to go
Do Disney fans,tell me what I'll be missing
And any recommendations for Orlando more generally also welcome!

I've been 4 times to Orlando. Did all of disney the first time and loved it - but 2nd, 3rd and 4th time we didn't do disney as much. We did Universal, Sea World (controversial now I know) and Busch Gardens as we prefer the bigger rollercoasters and disney is very very expensive. We did get 2 day passes the 2nd and 4th time for the parks we particularly enjoyed - e.g. Animal Kingdom. We did magic kingdom again the 4th time for the 'mountain' coasters as had been 15 years since we first went.

We love Disney and would never miss it but not everyone loves Disney and it is perfectly fine to skip if that's what you and your family decides.

October will be busy. It's fall break for lots of schools during that time and Halloween in all the parks (so Horror Nights and Mickey's Halloween Nights at Universal and Disney). But as long as you pack your patience with you, you'll be fine.

As to Magic Kingdom, it now has Tron which is the most 'intense' coaster at that park. Lots of wonderful rides like Pirates, Big Thunder Mountain, Haunted Mansion, etc. Epcot has Guardians of the Galaxy (my favorite coaster ever), and Hollywood Studios has some.intense rides, too. I always tell people to go to Disney for the themeing and immersive experience and Universal for the intense rides.

But Orlando has loads to do without Disney, too so don't worry! It will be hot then; you could totally do water parks, too, when it gets brutal!

I’ve done Disney before, but the last times we’ve been we stuck to Universal. It’s a must if you have a HP fan with you. As others say you can get a taste of Disney at Disney Springs and the Boardwalk.

I’ve never been to Gatorland and never will, because I do not approve of the way they treat their alligators. You can see happy gators in the wild in lots of places near Orlando. We like Wekiwa Springs, Tibet Butler Preserve, Blue Spring State Park and Merritt Island to name a few. There’s a manatee viewing area at Merritt Island where they just might be at that time of year, as it’s cooler than the springs.

Further afield, there’s the Everglades (recommend the 10,000 islands boat tour), and north of Orlando there’s small old town Florida. We liked kayaking the Rainbow River, and Paynes Prairie (loads of alligators) near Ocala.

Spiders the size of your hand you say @SpanishMoss1 - you would hear my DDs screams back here in Scotland 😂

And take on board your comments about gatorland @WiseUpJanetWeiss - we won't do seaworld because of similar concerns so will look at how I can see some happy gators 🐊

May half term or Easter is the best time. Disney for 10yrs and under, islands of adventure, universal for 11+.
Spider-Man and marvel be Disney. Just go with what they prefer. If they arnt into Disney you'll kick yourself on the Winnie the poo ride when you should be on the Mummy of Hulk....

Don't get a May half term in Scottish schools @5thCommandment

i've been 9 times. last time we went we didn't go to disney and just did universal. i don't think we will go again as it's been done and it's just not the same as it was. many other places to explore

Not at all our last trip out there we didn't do Disney kids had a great time did universal bush gardens etc. Next time looking at the same no Disney.

October is perfect. It’s not too hot and little rain. We were lining up to meet Shrek at Universal one year and everyone in queue was Scottish as it was their October hols.
The parks are huge. Don’t overstretch yourself. You want time to swim and enjoy it. Teen may also want to go shopping or to certain restaurants/coffee places they’ve seen on online/tv.
10 days in October I’d do Universal and islands of adventure, Volcano bay water park, boggy creek airboat, shopping, Disney springs and mickey’s not so scary party at Mahic Kingdom.

We did 5 days Disney, 6 days Anna maria island and 3 days Universal. We did love Disney and have no regrets but absolutely loved Anna Maria which wasn't that far a drive. Came on to recommend you have a look at there or somewhere similar for the water, the beaches, the sunsets, the birds, the gorgeous food and lifestyle, it was wonderful. We also spent a day at Busch Gardens while we were based at Anna Maria and the kids really enjoyed the extreme rollercoasters