TORONTO – Heading south to Florida for March break is a popular routine for many Canadian families. But what if you want to avoid Disney World and are at a loss with the many other theme parks and features Florida has to offer? Here are five non-Disney things worth doing in the Sunshine State.
LEGOLAND Florida
From the magical miniature cities, replica monuments and Star Wars characters built out of LEGO bricks throughout the park, to thrilling rides for all levels of theme park enthusiasts, everything is awesome at LEGOLAND Florida. Add in a full water park, live-action shows featuring LEGO characters, a 4D theatre, as well as shops with special LEGO merchandise and minifigs (the little LEGO people) and you can spend an entire day (or two) at LEGOLAND without getting bored. If you’re planning to visit the park over the summer instead of March break, expect to spend even more time there as the LEGOLAND Hotel opens in May and promises to be spectacular.
Must do: Kids love getting their own driver’s license at the Ford Driving School, while thrill seekers will want to ride the Flying School — a 52-foot high suspended steel roller coaster that covers 1,122 feet of track at a top speed of 40 km/h. And the beautiful Cypress Gardens is a great spot to unwind and take a break from the craziness of the park.
Price (in US$): To access both the theme and water park for one day it will cost you $87 per adult, $80 per child (3-12) and $3 per toddler. Two-day passes run $107 per adult, $95 per child (3-12) or senior (60+) and $6 per toddler. If you want access to just the theme park, the prices are $72 per adult and $65 per child (3-12) or senior (60+) for a one-day pass and $87 per adult and $80 per child (3-12) or senior (60+) for a two-day pass. Toddlers are free to enter the theme park. Parking is $15. Admission fees may vary depending on when you visit the park. Check florida.legoland.com for the most up-to-date ticket info.
Location: LEGOLAND Florida is located in Winter Haven, about 45 minutes from either Orlando or downtown Tampa.
WATCH: Riding the Flight School roller coaster from the front seat
MOSI
With over 450 interactive exhibits, Florida’s Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) is equally educational as it is fun. Kids 12 and under have free range to do what they please in the Kids in Charge! building, a safe environment where they can create things out of foam blocks, get messy at Mess Fest, and check out a simulated lunar base, Mission: Moonbase. An entire wing dedicated to 3D printing will amaze the whole family, and films at the IMAX DOME theatre put you up close to subjects like humpback whales and wild weather. MOSI also has a great Planetarium that can recreate the night sky (past, present or future) from anywhere on the planet.
Must do: Aside from the amazing 3D printing exhibit mentioned above, the Sky Trail Rope Course and Zip Trail will give you a little workout and adrenaline boost, and the weather-themed Disasterville, which simulates natural disasters, such as what it feels like to be in a tornado, is a lot of fun. Kids also enjoy pretending to be a meteorologist in the Bay News 9 WeatherQuest area.
Pricing (in US$): General admission, which includes access to all exhibits, the Kids in Charge! area, a ticket to a Planetarium show and a ticket to one IMAX film costs $22.95 per adult (13-59), $20.95 per senior (60+) and $18.95 per child (3-12). Children under two are free. Parking is $5 per car. Sky Trail Rope Course and Zip Trail are both extra. Visit mosi.org for detailed pricing.
Location: MOSI is located in downtown Tampa.
WATCH: Bay News 9 WeatherQuest at MOSI
Kennedy Space Center
If you ever wanted to have lunch with an astronaut, see the Canadarm up close or experience what a shuttle launch feels like, the Kennedy Space Center is the place to go. And if you’re visiting over March break you have the chance to see a live SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch on Saturday, March 21.
Must do: Global News Science and Weather Reporter Nicole Mortillaro, who was at the Kennedy Space Center for the test launch of the Orion spacecraft in December, recommends the Space Shuttle Atlantis tour, rocket garden (pictured below) and tour of the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where you can touch an actual rock from the moon.
Pricing (in US$): A daily pass will run you $50 per adult, $40 per child (3-11) and $45 per senior (55+). Parking is $10. Some features, such as lunch with an astronaut, have additional fees. Visit kennedyspacecenter.com for detailed pricing.
Location: The Kennedy Space Center is located about an hour east of Orlando in Cape Canaveral.
Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and to celebrate they have special exhibits and live shows running between March and August. On top of these special events, which include an interactive coral reef show and aquarium scavenger hunt, regular exhibits and features, such as Journey to Madagascar, Penguin Point, and the two-acre outdoor Water Fun Zone, are also in full swing.
Must do: While a little bit creepy, the hissing cockroach exhibit is mesmerizing to experience and the 300-pound grouper is a sight to see. Kids will love the Water Fun Zone (make sure you pack a bathing suit for them), and the Wild Dolphin Cruise gets you out on the water in a 72-foot catamaran to see dolphins in their natural habitat.
Pricing (in US$): The price per ticket varies depending whether you purchase tickets at the Aquarium or online. If purchasing at the Aquarium it will cost you $23.95 per adult, $20.95 per senior (60+) and $18.95 per child (3-11). Online pricing is $21.95 per adult, $19.95 per senior (60+) and $17.95 per child (3-11). Children under two are free. Parking is $6. For full pricing info, visit flaquarium.org.
Location: The Florida Aquarium is located in downtown Tampa.
Toronto Blue Jays
If you’re in Florida during March break you have the chance of seeing the Toronto Blue Jays — the last remaining MLB team in Canada — play against the Yankees, Rays, Red Sox and Phillies during their spring training schedule in Dunedin.
Must do: They play the Yankees on March 17 and the Red Sox on March 19. Both of those are sure to be good games.
Pricing (in US$): Tickets range from $17 – $32. Visit toronto.bluejays.mlb.com for full ticket info.
Location: All “home” spring training games are played at the Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin. Check toronto.bluejays.mlb.com for the full schedule.
SOUND OFF: Are you heading to Florida for March break? Tell us what things you plan to do in the comments below or on our Facebook page.
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