rolanni | Traveling the World

Asyouknowbob, Steve and I will be Writer Guests of Honor at Oasis 23 in Orlando, from May 28 to 30, which we’re really looking forward to, and if you’re in the area, or close to in the area, you should come on by. We get south so seldom, and we want to meet everybody!

In an excess of optimism, we scheduled several days in town after the convention in order to do things like booksignings and/or library talks, as is our pleasant habit, and also to play the tourist a little.

Alas, the store that seemed most likely to host a book-signing — Urban Think — is going out of business at the end of this month (*mourns the loss of yet another independent bookstore*). The Orlando area seems to be well-served by used bookstores, but if there’s a new bookstore inside the city limits, I don’t find them.

So — appeal Number One for on-the-ground assistance. Anybody local have a favorite bookstore we could contact in hopes of setting up a signing?

Appeal Number One, part A: Anybody have contact with a local public library? We like to talk at libraries.

Appeal Number Two: There is so dern much to do in Orlando that I can’t figure out a way to filter it. I very much doubt that Magic Mouse Land is my cup of tea, but Epcot Center seems like it would be interesting. People who have been there — and you are legion! — what’s to do in Orlando for two middle-aged fuddy-duddies who will be in from Maine and doubtless wilting with the heat? We don’t have much money, but it would be a shame to spend what’s likely to be my one and only visit to Florida in a hotel room.

Originally published at Sharon Lee, Writer. You can comment here or there.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'll be going to Disney World next month; as a middle-aged fuddy-duddy I should be able to give you a report.

That'll be great; looking forward to a full report!

Epcot is nice but pricey. If you do decide to go make dinner reservations in advance at one of the restaurants in the park that look over the lagoon for the 9pm fireworks and ask for a window table.

I think you might like the Tiffany museum in Winter Park, The Morse Museum is the name of it. http://www.morsemuseum.org/

Kennedy is great for a day trip and if you ask the group there there might me one of club's members will have contacts to get you a closer look.

They aren’t made of crystal, nor grown by turtles. But Randall Made Knives is world famous. They have been making military and sporting knives by hand—one knife at a time—since before WWII. Current waiting list to purchase is five years. Val Con would enjoy a tour.

Randall Made Knives
4857 South Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando, Florida 32839
Phone: 407-855-8075
Fax: 407-855-9054

Raymond

Oh, very cool!

*goes on list*

Also, note that if/when positive contact with a library or bookstore is made, please feel free to point them in my direction for things like cover blow-ups.

Aha -- good to know!

AsyouknowJim, I am the Mouse fan extreme. My sanity was preserved by the gift of an Annual Pass, way back you-know-when. Ahem.

I have only been to the Eastern extension once, but as a middle-aged, slightly BROKEN person - I loved it. Epcot in particular do I long for in the extreme. I highly recommend the restaurant in the Morocco section, that was really really cool, and the Chinese was also way beyond all expectation. Expensive, but I bought meal plans for the week and definitely got more than my money's worth. But for a day trip, might not work. Still, I loved it. Half the park is technology or other science-related, half the World Showcase. I did not do either side justice. So much to see! So much to experience!

I also hear very good thinkgs about the Sea World down there, and it seems like a tour of the Space Center would be amazing. It would be hard not to find fun things to do there, I think!

Have a wonderful time, looking forward to your report!

Aaaaannnnd, looking into this further -- $250/each for a three-day-pass? That's...just not gonna happen. Hereabouts, five hundred clams is Some Money. I think this is where I got frustrated before.

*lowers sights*

I remember researching the Morse Museum earlier, and it looked great (thanks for reminding me, Glennis), and Winter Park itself seemed like yummy touristing-grounds.

*makes note to see about renting car*

Edited to correct homonym. Silly language.

Edited 2010-03-27 23:56 (UTC)

If you get a rental car, definitely make a side trip to the Kennedy Space Center. It's over on the Atlantic side of FL, about an hour's drive from Orlando. IIRC, the cost was very reasonable, and we had a good visit. Should be OK for not-as-mobile folks, too (I was about 7 months pregnant with #1 when we went - it was much more pleasant than the amusement parks in the area)

I'm seconding (or thirding?) the suggestion to spend a day at Kennedy Space Center. It's an easy drive from Orlando (many of the Orlando hotels have busses that take guests there) and is by far my favorite attraction. I can spend an amazing amount of time in the Rocket Garden, and always climb into the capsules they have set up to show you the tiny, tiny craft those amazing astronauts went into space in.

Oh, and I always spend way too much in the Space Store, because they have the neatest things! My beach tote with four cats in astronaut suits, my supersized beach towel of the shuttle taking off, my coffee cup that says, "Let's Do Launch"...

Edited 2010-03-28 02:43 (UTC)

My best friend (and recent convert to the Liaden Universe, thanks to a Christmas gift of Partners in Necessity from yours truly) has worked at WDW for over 25 years. I will ask her if she has any freebies hanging around. I can't guarantee anything, but it never hurts to ask!

I lived in Orlando for over 7 years and can't think of any other/better suggestions except for a trip to Cocoa Beach (I like it better than Daytona, because cars aren't allowed on the beach there) and the Tupperware place (museum? factory?) that I remember being on Orange Blossom Trail. Oh, and there's always Universal Studios (and the new Harry Potter attraction), but I'm sure it costs as much as WDW and I don't have any contacts there anymore!

I really hope you two have a great time in Orlando!

Maureen

So Cape Canaveral/Kennedy Space Center is on the docket? Here’s some synergy to tickle your fancy. When you visit the Randall Knife Museum, check out the Model 17 "Astro" knife. It was the EMERGENCY-SURVIVAL-JUST IN CASE blade made for, and carried by, each of the Mercury Seven. Astronaut Gordon Cooper chose the final design. There are two Randall Made "Astro" knives on display in the Smithsonian.

I'm not as familiar with Orlando, but if you decide on renting a car, I highly recommend a day trip to Sarasota. This is where the Ringling circus used to winter every year, and there's some spectacular museums and such to visit. It's also on the water, and wandering about the various water fronts are lovely.

Here's a good list

http://www.sarasota.com/attractions.htm

It has been 10 years since I went. But what I remember is, shopping and eating. Every country seems to have at least one ride – usually nice slow ride. Like boats thru something. I actually waited to eat in Germany (I like German food.) Hot dog with kraut or a buffet. I was not a happy camper. Ate in Italy instead. Good calamari.

Big regret, I did not go to Pleasure Island – the way it was originally described to me was. A bunch of bars. I should have went.

Big misconception, before I went I saw all those commercials for Epcot – that guy standing on top of the ball. I thought everything was in the ball. Friends got a good laugh out of that.

I have to second (or third) the suggestions about the Morse Museum in Winter Park, Kennedy Space Center, and the Ringling museum. There is also a nice state park near Orlando, Blue Spring State Park. During the winter the manatee are there...but May might be a bit late. You can always call the park to see if any of the critters are around. Myakka River State Park is close to Sarasota - another interesting one where you can take an airboat ride with a tour guide.

St. Augustine is only an hour 1/2 or so NE from Orlando. As a national park, the fort is very reasonably priced, with lots of exhibits, cannons, a fabulous view, etc. The sentry boxes are great for making out. There're also lots of art galleries & the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum.

To the West, the Salvador Dali Museum is only an hour away in St. Petersburg. It's not open on Mondays, but is otherwise way cool. In between Orlando & St. Pete is Bok Tower & Gardens. They used to have a carillon tower that played music every day. The gardens are very beautiful.

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