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We are going to orlando in November staying in lake beuno vista resort, family holiday , we are the grandparents, every one except us have 14 days passes to the parks , we dont want to spend more than 2 days in the theme parks, neither do we want to dtive, these are our plans so far: Day 1 magic kingdom all day with everyone Day 2 explore local area+ just chill by pool, Day 3 visit disney springs, shopping look around, Day 4 will be having the youngest kids so the older kids + parents can go to universal studios so if weather ok will have a pool day, Day 5 magic kingdom at 4pm for the mickeys xmas party with everyone , day 5 will be having a hire car for 3 days, other family members will be driving, going to Kennedy space centre + Disney springs in the evening for a family meal (already booked) day 6 crystal river to see the manatees 10 oclock in the morning so will have the afternoon free as others will be going to the parks, day 7 everglades + gator land then taking the youngest back to hotel as everyone else going to Epic universe, day 8 think maybe go to International drive spend a few hours looking around + shopping, any ideas of what else we could do in the spare time we have, happy to jump in a taxi or bus for a hour or so.

Answer

It sounds like you have a wonderfully balanced plan with the family, and it’s great that you want to enjoy Orlando without being tied to theme parks every day. Since you’re based at Lake Buena Vista Resort, you have convenient access to Disney property and the surrounding areas without needing to drive much until your hire car days.

For the days where you have free time or when the rest of the family is at the parks, here are some ideas for accessible, low-stress activities within a short taxi or ride-share distance:

Disney BoardWalk: A leisurely stroll around the charming BoardWalk area near Epcot. You can enjoy shops, cafes, and occasional live music. It’s easily accessible by taxi or Disney transportation.
Winter Park: A scenic, historic area about 20–25 minutes away by taxi. You can enjoy the cobblestone streets, boutique shopping, and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art if you like art and design.
Leu Gardens: A beautiful, peaceful botanical garden located near downtown Orlando. Perfect for a relaxing walk surrounded by flowers, palm trees, and lagoons.
ICON Park / The Wheel: Located on International Drive, a short taxi ride away. You can take a ride on The Wheel for views over Orlando, explore restaurants, or just enjoy the atmosphere.
Orlando Science Center: Great if you enjoy interactive exhibits and natural history displays. Can be a quiet alternative to theme parks and is about a 15–20 minute drive.
Lake Eola Park: In downtown Orlando, it’s easy to get to via taxi. You can stroll around the lake, see swans, feed birds, and enjoy local cafes nearby.

If you want to stick closer to your resort:

Relax by the resort pool or take part in resort activities—many resorts have gentle water activities, poolside music, or short nature walks.
Disney Springs is already on your plan, but returning another day for a casual lunch or early evening stroll with dinner is a good, low-key option.
Consider a short airboat ride near Orlando, not far from the Everglades visit—these tours are usually 1–2 hours and can be scheduled in the morning or afternoon.

For your International Drive idea, you could also:

Visit ICON Park for some sightseeing and shopping without over-exertion.
Stop by the Orlando Premium Outlets (Vineland or International Drive) for more shopping and casual dining.
Check for local performances, small theaters, or seasonal events—Orlando often has music performances, local markets, or light shows in November.

Overall, you have plenty of options that allow for easy taxis or short trips while keeping the pace gentle and enjoyable. The combination of relaxed sightseeing, shopping, and resort relaxation should give you a very pleasant Orlando experience without being theme park-heavy.

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