Admit it: If you have children, you know that sooner or later you'll end up at Disney World. Grumble all you like, but the "Disney Vacation" has become a rite of passage and an American tradition.

Unavoidably Mickey: He's cute, he's furry, he's been wearing the same pants since 1933.

First, console yourself with the numbers; you're not alone. More than 1,000 airplanes a day drop off their vacationing cargo at the Orlando International Airport, making Orlando the number-one tourist spot in the country.

Make your peace with it. Accept the fact that you may feel ambivalent about this theme-park version of virtual reality. (For the duration, you may also need to suspend your outrage at the glossy homogenization of American culture and mass consumerism.) Bring your sense of humor and have fun.

Then, plan a day (at the very least!) to escape the manufactured utopia. It may appear that Disney is one giant hungry organism gobbling up everything natural in sight. But close by you'll find Mother Nature's hand at work. Here are three decidedly non-Disney things to do, all within an hour or so of Thrill-land.

Move on to Paddling Little Wekiva River

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Book a Florida Getaway Sail Crystal Waters - Learn to sail with the greats. Cruise Captiva Island and the Florida Keys. Florida Multisport Adventures - Hike, bike, climb, and sail your way through an adventure lover's paradise More Trips to the Southeast - There's more to the Southeast than hush puppies and pork pulls. Come explore.

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