New to Central FL - Need reco's

AprilGroom

Hi, we literally just moved to Orlando, with a 3 and 1 yr old, and I'm looking for any and all recommendations - from Pediatricians, to good restaurants for kids, to places to drive to take my wife for weekend, places to go/see, places to avoid, etc.  Of particular urgency is daycare/pre-schools that you'd recommend.

 Thanks!

NorCalMrs.

I have no recs because a) I've only lived here  a year and b) I don't have kids.  But it's interesting to see a guy on here!  Hopefully you get the answers you are looking for.

cocadoll

What part of CFL are you in?

Kml9876

This is the pediatrician that we use http://www.pa-orlando.com/

I stay at home so I can't suggest any daycare/preschools.

 

There are lots of things to do in central Florida.

 Mini golf- Disney has my favorite at Winter/Summerland

Shopping - outlets (International Drive and malls)

 

JenMJM

Nice side trips would be to some of our natural springs, Downtown Disney, City Walk, downtown Winter Park...

 For a weekend, Tarpon Springs on the Gulf side, the beaches on the East, or a longer drive to St. Augustine.

maykat

If you are near a Ladybird Academy, they are a great daycare/school. We go to the one in Lake Forest in Sanford. 

If you are near Lake Mary, we go to Lake Mary Pediatrics.

Our favorite restaurant is Luma in Winter Park.  Winter Park is a great place to walk around--nice shops and restaurants.  They have a great Arts Festival in the spring each year.

Beaches--we like Ormond Beach on the east coast.  New Smyrna is nice too--you can drive on it--which can be non-relaxing with kids.

West Coast beaches are the best--love Clearwater Beach.

Pretty Parula

If you want to avoid the tourist areas and you're looking for entertainment, Winter Park and Lake Eola usually have fun stuff going on pretty regularly. There are also a number of gardens around if your family is the outdoors-type. Mead Gardens is a public park, and there's also Leu Gardens (not much for little ones to do there, IMO). I think the best kept secret around here is the West Orange Trail. Great bike riding trail, and you can rent bikes and trailers for the kiddos instead of buying a bike trailer if you don't have one already. You can make it as long or short of a ride as you want. There are several good parks around - I love the playground at Lake Eola, and there's a big wooden one in Winter Park, on Denning Ave. I think. If you're looking for day-trips, Blue Springs near DeLand is very pretty, and in the winter you can see tons of manatees in the spring. The St. Pete/Clearwater area is great for a weekend trip, too. Well, as long as the oil spill doesn't ruin everything. *grr*

 What part of Orlando did you move into? That might make it easier for us to recommend peds and child care. (I can't help with that as we just moved here in July and my DD started kindergarten this year - hallelujah!) 

 As for beaches, I much prefer New Smyrna or Ormond to Cocoa or Daytona. Far less crowded. Hope you enjoy Orlando!

ETA: Kid-friendly restaurants... Mellow Mushroom, Keke's Breakfast Cafe, Eden's Fresh Co. (sort of, but it's good lunch food regardless), Sweet Tomatoes, Jason's Deli, Brick & Fire Pizza, Pizza Fusion, Greens & Grill... I realise that makes it sound like all we eat is pizza and sandwiches. OH also we love Chili Daddy in the winter. And 4 Rivers Smokehouse. Like, every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

AprilGroom

Thanks for all the info (and keep it coming )  I love all the reco's.

NorCalMrs. - I know I'm probably one of the few guys on here - It's been a long time since I was on.  I started on the Knot when we were planning our wedding (again for reco's). 

cocadoll - Congrats on being in the last leg of your pregnancy - good luck.  We're in temp housing at the moment near Disney.  We're moving to Lake Sheen area near Tibet Butler, hopefully in a few weeks.  we're closing on the house mid June.

Kml9876 & JenMJM - TY!!

 maykat - we've heard about Ladybird, they are building one near us I think.

Pretty Parula - Awesome info thanks.

 

Again, TY evryone of the info - it's really helpful

 

 

 

Pretty Parula

AprilGroom:

We're moving to Lake Sheen area near Tibet Butler, hopefully in a few weeks.  

 

 

 

Alyssa = jealous.

 There are several cute cafes and such in Winter Garden, and a ridiculously adorable children's boutique. You may not want to tell your wife that if you care to keep your bank account in the black.