Last week we looked at fun ways to explore the outdoors for under $10 a car load, and this week we’re looking at fun ways to beat the heat with free (or mostly free) indoor activities for the kids.
On the Go in MCO: Indoor Activities for Kids
Free Bowling All Summer Long
Aloma Bowl: 2530 Aloma Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32792
Until September 5, 2021, children 15 and under can play two free games of bowling with the purchase of shoe rentals Monday through Friday from 11 am – 5 pm.
Online registration in advance is required and a parent or guardian must be present but they do not need to pay to take advantage of this offer.
While the Orange County Liberty Service programming may look a little different than it has in the past, they are still offering families free activities and incentives for summer reading!
With your OCLS library card you can attend their Summer Livestream Series of performances, learn new crafts, and kids can enjoy their own events where learning is fun.
And we can’t talk about the Library without mentioning a Summer Reading Program, and there’s still time for kids to join Tales & Tails!
Kids, ages 6 to 12, can participate in virtual events, track your reading and complete fun activities right at home to earn badges.
Also this summer, OCLS is working with Orange County Public Schools Food & Nutrition Services to offer grab-n-go meals at no charge to children and young adults under 18. Check out the locations here.
Museums with a Local Flair
Orlando is home to some amazing museum, and throughout the city you can find smaller museums that focus on the history of our area.
These hidden gems are all free, and are guaranteed to give your entire family a new appreciation for the City Beautiful!
You can find even more events as you are On the Go in MCO as well as theme park news and tips by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
This summer I am going to be sharing fun ways you can be On the Go in MCO to help bust boredom and break you out of your routine stops!
I’m going to start this series with a look at how you can explore the outdoors for under $10 a car load…that’s right! All of these things are either free or under $10 for the entire family!!!
On the Go in MCO: Fun Ways to Explore the Outdoors
Let’s start our adventures On the Go in MCO at Kelly Park which features a free-flowing natural spring (68 degrees year-round), full-service concession, picnic pavilions, and playground.
Tube rentals are available from vendors outside the park, but guests may bring their own pool noodles or floats that must be less than five feet in length or width.
It’s important to notes that the waterfront closes one hour prior to park closing and that during the summer, inclement weather can affect park operations.
The park does reach capacity almost every day, so you will want to arrive before the park opens to secure your place in line.
Park Admission Fee: $3 per vehicle for 1-2 people; $5 per vehicle for 3-8 people; and $1 for additional person/walk-ins/motorcycles/bikes. No pets and no alcohol.
If you want to walk on the wild side, the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is the place to go!
The drive is a one-way, 11-mile drive meandering through the eastern portion of the Lake Apopka North Shore Park.
The trail, which has an accompanying drive-through audio tour, begins at Lust Road and ends on Jones Avenue in Orange County, Florida.
The drive takes 1–3 hours, depending on the usage and how many stops visitors choose to make along the way.
The speed limit is 10 mph and the maximum vehicle length is 25 feet, and please not that they do not allow trailers.
There are a few restrooms and picnic pavilion are available on the property, but there is no drinking water provided.
The Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive entrance gate is open between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays. All vehicles must exit the drive by 5 p.m.
Big Tree Park is an 11-acre park that is part of the Spring Hammock Preserve, located on the beautifully shaded General Hutchison Parkway between U.S. 17-92 and State Road 427 in Longwood.
The park is a step back in time and a popular tourist destination, and it also serves as a Trailhead for the Cross Seminole Trail.
On the Go In MCO Explore the Great Outdoors Big Tree Park Boardwalk
Guests can walk through a natural hydric hammock swamp and then make their way on the boardwalk to the former site of “The Senator”: an approximately 3,500-year-old National Champion Bald Cypress Tree that was lost to fire in January of 2012.
A memorial has since been developed and includes interpretive signage along the newly renovated boardwalk, a playground piece that mimics a bald cypress tree stump, and a clone of “The Senator” that was planted near the playground called “The Phoenix.”
Big Tree Park is also home to the Senator’s sister tree, “Lady Liberty”, an approximately 2,000 year old Bald Cypress Tree.
Once called Acuera, or “Healing Waters,” by Mayaca Indians who inhabited the area, De Leon Springs is a place to cool off in clear waters, roam trails through a lush subtropical forest that features a massive old-growth bald cypress tree, and immerse oneself in a rich history.
A highlight of a visit to De Leon Springs State Park is a swim in the 72-degree spring water where depths range from 18 inches to 30 feet at the spring boil.
The swimming area is approximately 500 feet in circumference; swimming nine laps around the pool would be about a mile.
No lifeguards on duty. Swim at your own risk year-round.
No swimming is permitted in Spring Garden Run.
Pets are not allowed in the sunbathing area.
The swimming area will be closed when lightning is detected within six miles.
Floats and rafts are allowed in the swimming area; however, flotation devices cannot exceed 5 feet for a circle or 4 feet by 6 feet for a rectangle.
In addition to swimming, you can enjoy snorkeling, wildlife viewing, boat & kayak launches, fishing, hiking, and more at the park!
Admission Fee: $6 per vehicle: 2-8 people, $4 per vehicle: one person only, $4 per motorcycle, and $2 per person for pedestrians, bicyclists and extra passengers
You can find even more events as you are On the Go in MCO as well as theme park news and tips by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
All week Wild Florida has been celebrating Florida’s most misunderstood residents, and this Saturday the fun kicks into high gear for National Gator Day.
National Alligator Day – Earlier this year, Wild Florida helped establish National Alligator Day to be recognized annually on May 29, giving alligators the official recognition they deserve! To celebrate, they’re throwing a huge 1st birthday party throughout our Gator Park with balloons, cupcakes, and more to celebrate the 1st EVER National Alligator Day.
Live Band – If you ever need to cool off and take a break from the activities, the Celery String Band will be playing live music throughout the day under our Gator Pavilion.
In addition to these activities, guests can enjoy live demonstrations and more with FREE Gator Park admission to everyone who brings in spare change to benefit Croc Fest.
Peach season is in full swing at Southern Hill Farms, and they have the sweetest deal for their u-pick guests!
For every 5 pounds of u-pick peaches purchased, you’ll receive an additional 2 pounds of pre-picked peaches for FREE, a bonus worth $10!
Sweet and juicy peaches are perfect for sharing with family, friends, neighbors and teachers, they are easy to slice and freeze to use in smoothies and baking, or to simply enjoy as a healthy snack.
This deal is available for the remainder of the season, or while supplies last.
If peaches aren’t your thing, blueberries, zinnias, sunflowers, and vegetables are available.
Southern Hills Farm hours for this weekend are Saturday & Sunday, 9 am to 4 pm. Entrance gates close 30 minutes prior to the farm closing.
SeaWorld Orlando’s award-winning summer event, Electric Ocean returns May 28 with more hours of fun featuring new daytime experiences and nighttime favorites.
Electric Ocean brings longer park hours and allows guests to voyage into an exotic underwater world filled with dazzling lights, electrifying dance music, and brilliant evening energy that sparks as the sunsets. (Cause who doesn’t love fireworks???)
There are new shows, entertainment, food, and returning favorites to enjoy!
And with their Memorial Day sale you can save up to 50% on tickets, fun cards, and annual passes!!!
You can find even more events as you are On the Go in MCO as well as theme park news and tips by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
Gatorland Orlando is inviting guests on Saturday, May 15th, and Sunday, May 16th, for Gatorpalooza Fun Fest!
There’ll be live music, artisans and craft vendors, fun, games, giveaways, and all the alligators and awesomeness that a day at Gatorland has to offer!
You especially won’t want to miss Saturday’s Florida Man Challenge, and Sunday’s Turkey Dog Toss with the Gatorland Vlog team at the Breeding Marsh.
Best of all, this extra fun is included with regular admission!
And if you are a Florida resident that means you receive 50% off Single Day admissions with your Florida I.D. at the gate!
May 14 to 16, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (Friday until 5:00 pm)
The Winter Park sidewalk art festival is one of the nations oldest, largest, and most prestigious outdoor fine arts and fine crafts festivals. Organized and run by a dedicated group of volunteers, the juried show is nationally recognized and named the #5 fine art show in the country by sunshine artist magazine.
The festival features all original artwork that has been designed and executed by the exhibiting artists during the past two years.
The show is conveniently located in central park, a beautifully landscaped area whose surrounding streets are closed during the festival to allow for foot traffic only.
Many artist booths line Winter Park’s Park Avenue, the heart of a charming downtown with brick lined streets, unique boutique shops, and multiple outdoor cafés in bistros.
Attendance usually exceeds 350,000 people for the three day event. There are no more than 225 artist selected for participation each year.
The Winter Park side walk art festival has provided the info graphic below for some information that’s helpful to know before you go.
Experience all the color and culture in a new way as this festive, family-friendly Latin celebration returns to SeaWorld Orlando.
Viva la Música is included with park admission and runs for two Saturdays and Sundays only, May 15 – 23.
From the hottest Latin entertainment to the coolest attractions and animal adventures, these will be two unforgettable weekends at SeaWorld.
Foodies won’t want to miss the event-exclusive dishes, families will enjoy dance lessons with Rosita from Sesame Street, and you won’t be able to stop dancing with music throughout the park.
Don’t let the sound, spice, and spirit of this special event pass you by.
You can find even more events as you are On the Go in MCO as well as theme park news and tips by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, the region’s oldest and largest animal welfare agency, is excited to announce the return of their popular pet festival – Paws in the Park – to Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando on Saturday, May 8, 2021, starting at 10 am.
Pet parents and pet lovers are all invited to join together with their fur children and fur friends for the fun-filled, free event, which features a full day of both “human” and “canine” activities, food, and fun, like lure courses for big and small dogs, photo stations, doggy fun zone, costume contest, vendor marketplace, food trucks, Pet Alliance swag, plus plenty of pet adoption opportunities.
You can keep celebrating Cinco de Mayo at SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food festival May 7 -9!!!
During this special celebration, included with theme park admission, guests can experience:
FIESTA IN THE STREET – The Wild Arctic Plaza comes to life as entertainers, stilt walkers, and party starters get this full-blown fiesta going.
12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
DJ DANCE PARTY – Get your feet moving at this fun-filled party (with physical distancing) as we spin new and old beats throughout the day.
12:00 p.m. – 6 p.m.
LIVE MUSIC – Immerse yourself in the traditional music of Mexico as classic bands bring their beautiful and bold sounds to Orlando.
12:00 p.m. – 6 p.m.
MEXICAN FLAVORS – Savor new and classic tastes as part of our Seven Seas Food Festival including our take on a classic Elote dish, drunken shrimp tostadas, beef barbacoa tacos, and delicious beer and cocktails.
Through June 27, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is offering free admission for U.S. military veterans and their families to its SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Antonio, and SeaWorld San Diego parks with their Waves of Honor program.
U.S. military veterans and retirees must register their complimentary single-day ticket(s) for themselves and up to three dependents online at www.WavesofHonor.com before May 16.
Leu Gardens, 1920 North Forest Avenue, Orlando, FL
Enjoy this special day with your mom in the beautiful 50-acre gardens.
Stroll the winding pathways and discover all the amazing gardens including Florida’s largest rose garden which is in full bloom during the month of May. Moms receive free admission on this very special day.
Peak Season Pops will be selling delicious treats!
You can find even more events as you are On the Go in MCO as well as theme park news and tips by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
It’s Easter weekend in the City Beautiful, which makes it the perfect weekend to be On the Go in MCO spending time together as a family having fun and celebrating the season.
Here are a few ways you can be On the Go in MCO April 2-3, 2021!
Cox Media Group and the City of Orlando are proud to welcome the return of Spring Fiesta in the Park, April 3rd & 4th, 2021 at Lake Eola Park.
Located in the heart of downtown Orlando, the tradition returns for its 32nd year to showcase the beauty of springtime at Lake Eola.
Mingle with artists and crafters from around the country as they line the streets around the park, savor the flavors from a variety of food vendors, and enjoy live entertainment for the whole family.
The Fiesta in the Park Committee is diligently working to ensure the health and safety of patrons, staff, and artists by closely following CDC, State of Florida, and Health Department guidelines. The event area has been expanded to allow more space and comfort, face masks will be required by all event participants, hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the park, and each booth will include hand sanitizer while being spaced for social distancing.
Visit www.fiestainthepark.com for the most up to date information and full Covid-19 safety guidelines.
Community Presbyterian Church, 511 Celebration Ave, Kissimmee, FL, 34747
Saturday, April 3, 2021, from 10 am – 5 pm
Celebration will be the place to hop on over to if you need any last minute Easter basket goodies!
The fair is also your chance to support crafters impacted by the theme park industry.
With over 50 vendors you are sure to find the perfect treasure!
You can find even more events as you are On the Go in MCO as well as theme park news and tips by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
Madame Tussauds Orlando at ICON Park on
I-Drive will shred old photos of exes in exchange for free admission. Don’t
worry if you are paperless, because the attraction will accept a deleted photo
of your ex from your phone. Free admission – and freedom from the past – begin
on Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14, and run through Monday to include
#SinglesAwaressDay on February 15, obviously.
One of my absolute favorite places to eat at Disney Springs is Raglan RoadIrish Pub, and this Valentine’s Day guests 21 and older will be offered a complimentary glass of pink bubbly to toast their brunch, lunch, or dinner visit or to pair with a special dessert like the Rocky Road to Raglan dessert – double chocolate and smoked almond brownie with chocolate ice cream, house made marshmallow, toffee crunch, chocolate crumbs, and raspberry puree.
What’s great about Raglan Road is they have
great outdoor and indoor seating options with live music in each area starting
at noon.
Oakland Nature Preserve invites you to walk its upland trails in the evening, sipping wine or tasting beer, enjoying the sunset through the trees or enjoy the stars in the night sky, listening to the owls, the frogs, maybe the whippoorwill. The half-mile trail will be lighted for you with luminaries. Enjoy refreshments at the five tables stationed along the paths while tasting a variety of wines and beers.
Fun Date Nights for Movie Lovers:
Disney Movie Night: Beauty and the Beast on Sunday, February 14 starts at 6pm as part of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Festival series
The Classic Movies at Garden Theatre will show Casablanca on Sunday, February 14 at 6:30pm
Enjoy a showing of When Harry Met Sally with your favorite date at Leu Gardens on Sunday, February 14, at 7:30pm. Pack a dinner picnic basket and seating, alcohol is permitted.
Special Valentine’s Day Offers:
iFly is offering a ‘Love is in the Air’ indoor skydiving package that includes two flights for two people, two videos to commemorate your experience, specialized flight gear provided, one-on-one flight instruction, and a personalized flight certificate
Aquatica Orlando is offering single-day tickets for $31.99. When you purchase your single-day ticket you will also choose the date of your visit, and you will need to bring your paid ticket and proof of your online reservation to the front gate for admission.
Don’t forget there are great ticket offers for all of the theme parks around Central Florida for a day or an entire year!
Don’t forget you can keep up with our adventures On the Go in MCO and find even more events by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
DISCLOSURE: I was invited by the Walt Disney World Resort to experience Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, but all opinions and over-use of exclamation points are 100% my own.
From the moment I stepped off of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I knew that it had just entered my top 5 favorite attractions at Walt Disney World.
I don’t take that place of honor very lightly, and this attraction deserves that ranking because it is full of fun at every turn and details galore.
And with so many details and fun facts about the attraction, I thought it would be fun to share them with you all today!
A ‘Fab’ Cast of Characters
Matt Stroshane, photographer
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, the first attraction to star Mickey and Minnie Mouse, is full of iconic Disney characters, including a new little bird destined to fly right into guests’ hearts.
Here is where you can find each of them:
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse – These true originals are ready to take their little red convertible for a leisurely drive through Runnamuck Park in search of the perfect picnic spot. What could possibly go wrong?
Pluto – The dutiful dog just wants to bring Mickey and Minnie their lost picnic basket.
Engineer Goofy – Mickey and Minnie’s lanky pal invites guests into the cartoon world for what surely promises to be an uneventful train ride through Runnamuck Park.
Daisy Duck – The proprietor of Daisy’s Dance Studio is ready to teach guests some fancy new moves.
Donald Duck – Everyone’s favorite hot-headed “problem child” is steaming again, as someone made off with the sign from his hot dog stand at the carnival.
Jackhammer Pete – The big brute’s vibrations may have some unforeseen consequences for Mickey and Minnie.
Chuuby (pronounced “choo-bee”) – This adorable little bird – created exclusively for the attraction – likes to sing and dance in Runnamuck Park.
All in the Details: An Authentic Mickey & Minnie Experience
Kent Phillips, photographer
Disney Imagineers watched every cartoon short in the latest “Mickey Mouse” series countless times while developing Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Imagineer Kevin Rafferty had a still from each one pinned to his office wall).
They wanted to soak up the essence of what makes the cartoons so fun and endearing, so they could then translate those fundamental principles into a ride-through attraction. Their research is just one facet of the total commitment to authenticity on display throughout Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
Walt Disney Imagineering consulted with Paul Rudish and Joseph Holt – executive producer and art director, respectively, for the “Mickey Mouse” shorts – to ensure the attraction’s hand-drawn look is authentic to the cartoon. For example, Imagineers added extra floating “lines” around a cactus in the stampede scene that appear as if they’re standing alone in midair, emulating a common technique used in the cartoons to emphasize motion.
Christopher Willis, award-winning composer of the “Mickey Mouse” shorts, composed the attraction’s soundtrack and co-wrote “Nothing Can Stop Us Now,” the exclusive theme song for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, with his wife, Elyse Willis.
The attraction’s glamorous marquee features blinking bulbs and hand-crafted animated neon depictions of Mickey and Minnie. Its design cue comes from the extravagant marquees that were custom made for premieres of epic films in the mid-20th century.
In collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney Television Animation created 10 new posters that appear in the attraction’s queue; nine highlight existing “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts, while the 10th is for “Perfect Picnic,” the new short debuting in the theater.
The attraction features several sound effects created by Disney Legend Jimmy Macdonald for Disney animated shorts dating back to the 1930s; some new effects were developed using Macdonald’s original equipment.
The tri-tone whistle from Mickey Mouse’s debut cartoon in 1928, “Steamboat Willie,” was used to record the locomotive whistle sound for Engineer Goofy’s train.
Special painting techniques were used on the attraction’s ride vehicles so they appear to be hand-drawn, as if in a cartoon.
Hidden Gems Abound
Here is a hint at where you can find one of these hidden details…
Kent Phillips, photographer
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is full of hidden gems that nod to Disney history. It will likely take many times through the attraction to spot them all, but here are just a few:
A newspaper features the headline “Oswald Wins!” – a reference to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, the cartoon character created by Walt Disney that predates Mickey Mouse.
The Iwerks and Uwerks Waterworks water treatment plant is named for Disney Legend Ub Iwerks, the animator credited with sketching Mickey Mouse for the first time.
The 1401 Flower Shop is an homage to Walt Disney Imagineering’s headquarters in Glendale, Calif.
The numbers 1901 and 1928 can be seen inside the attraction; these are references to Walt Disney’s and Mickey Mouse’s birth years, respectively.
I cannot wait to ride again and again and again and again!!!!
You can find more information about theme park news and tips by subscribing to our YouTube Channel and following @onthegoinmco on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
DISCLOSURE: I was invited to Disney’s Animal Kingdom to help spread the word about how you can help #ProtectThePride, but all opinions are my own.
While I have ridden Kilimanjaro Safaris MANY times at Disney’s Animal Kingdom this was my best two week excursion yet, and I wanted to share it with you!
But that isn’t all I wanted to share with you…
Right now for every guest who rides the Kilimanjaro Safaris Expedition at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in Florida during opening week of The Lion King film (July 19 – 25, 2019), Disney Conservation Fund will donate $2 (up to $350,000) to the Wildlife Conservation Network in support of the Lion Recovery Fund’s efforts to help double the number of lions across Africa by 2050.
How awesome is that???
This is just one of many ways that you can celebrate The Lion King at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!!!
If you haven’t had the chance to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris, here’s what you can expect.
Onboard the Kilimanjaro Safaris you explore the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, home to 34 species living in 110 acres of picturesque open plains, shady forest landscapes and rocky wetlands.
Your rugged safari vehicle is driven by an expert guide, who helps point out animals and shares fascinating wildlife facts during this extraordinary expedition.
On each expedition vehicle there is a listing of the animals you **may** see on Safari, but these are real animals who have minds of their own so every expedition is a unique and unforgettable experience.
Be sure to keep your eyes open and have a camera ready—you never know what you’ll see on a Kilimanjaro Safaris outing.
Today is the one year Blogiversary of the re-launch of On the Go in MCO, and I just wanted to take a moment for a few thank yous!
First off, I want to thank my husband David. Thank you for your unwavering support, your movie reviews that show how much you love being a wonderful Dad, and most of all your love. I wouldn’t have the confidence or the ability to do all that I do without you.
I especially want to thank the writers who make this site so awesome who continue to amaze me with their hard work and creativity!!!
Todd or should I say THE TODDDDDDDDDD!!!!!! You are my technical whiz, movie guru, sounding board, and most of all one of my dearest friends. I couldn’t have done this without your knowledge, patience, and drive!
Aurora, thank you for being you! Your spark and motivation know no bounds, and you are an amazing partner for all the varied events we get the wonderful opportunity to attend.
Beth, thank you for being a voice of calmness and strength on this sometimes crazy ride! You’re always there in a pinch with a great idea ready to do whatever needs to be done.
Betsy, my Mingo! You are always there with a joke, perspective, bad influence, and most of all your love and passion for sharing all that you can about Walt Disney World. I wish I knew half of what you did about the resorts…
Thank you so much Cheryl for all of your conspiracy theories, DVC knowledge, Google-fu, and most of all for being a kind voice. I can only hope to one day ‘think like you’!
Kelly you’re the new girl on the go, but it feels like you’ve been here for a long time…in a good way!!! Your videos and pictures have really helped move us in a great new direction, and I promise to let you post the bloopers! Maybe one day you’ll review a restaurant…
Also, I cannot forget to thank Shalon & Megan who are no longer with us on the site for their contributions!
It has been an amazing year, and I want to thank YOU most of all from the bottom of my heart for letting us share our crazy adventures, fun pictures, and general wackiness with you!
We have a lot of great new projects and additions coming to On the Go in MCO later this year, and I can’t wait to share all the news with you!
If this is our beginning, I can only imagine how much more fun there is to be had!
