Thanks to its status as one of the world's premier leisure
destinations, Orlando
is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. Its cleanliness,
friendliness, temperate climate and diverse offerings make
it a popular getaway for families, honeymooners, seniors,
gays and corporate travelers, many of whom immerse themselves
in area theme parks.
Disney and friends aside, Orlando has become magical in its
own right, with a rapidly expanding economy, vast cultural
offerings, a melting pot of dining establishments, high-end
golf courses and some of Florida's most popular freshwater
fishing locales. It feels young, both in terms of its energy
level and its many new or restored neighborhoods. Since an
early 1980s rebirth, downtown is becoming increasingly popular,
with condominiums sprouting and nightlife, art festivals and
street parties providing urban amenities amid historic neighborhoods
and eclectic local parks.
Orlando gained a reputation as a resort community. |
Walt Disney World
Twenty miles south of Orlando this wonderland covers 43
square miles, and includes four separate theme parks: the
original Magic Kingdom; EPCOT; Disney-MGM Studios; and Animal
Kingdom. Plus water parks, hotels, campgrounds, lots of
restaurants, fireworks and fun.
SeaWorld Orlando
One of the first theme parks to open in Orlando, Sea World
has been operating here for more than 30 years. The 200
acres of attractions and animal shows make this a perennial
favorite with Florida visitors. Many new attractions and
rides have been added to the original fun including a laser-fireworks-water
extravaganza and high-tech thrill rides.
Wet 'N Wild
Amusement Business Magazine calls this Wet N' Wild venue
the nation's best-attended water park. With the variety
of rides offered, it's no wonder. Adults love thrill rides
such as the Blue Niagara Slide, 300 feet of intertwined
looping tubes twisting six stories high. Children enjoy
milder thrills at the Kids Park section. The whole family
can kick back on the Take It Easy offerings, including the
mile-long Lazy River for tubing. Pools are heated in the
winter. If all this activity leaves you hungry, you can
fill up at one of the park's several snack bars.
Arabian Nights
At this unusual dinner theater establishment, guests dine
in a facility billed as the world's largest indoor equestrian
arena (capacity about 1,200) and feast on an elegant three-course
meal featuring Roasted Prime Rib, fresh vegetables and dessert.
Before your eyes, an Arabian fairy tale is played out on
horseback. Guests witness the eventful wedding of a human
prince and princess, but the horses star in this show. Black
stallions, draft horses, sleek Arabians and a variety of
talented horses perform amazing feats of skill, grace and
discipline as the story unfolds.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
In a tribute to the thrilling history of United States space
exploration, the Space Center welcomes visitors to climb
aboard a full size space shuttle replica, view moon rocks,
and get a hands-on look at the science beyond the drama.
The Rocket Garden features eight massive rockets from past
eras and an IMAX Theater shows movies on a five-story screen.
The entrance fee covers everything, including guided bus
tours around the massive complex. The complex is also home
to the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge
Gatorland
If you got it, the saying goes, flaunt it, and Florida's
got 'gators. Take a trip to this 70-acre park and see thousands
of alligators, and the kindred crocodile, up close. Visit
breeding pens, nurseries and rearing ponds. Children love
the site's mini water park, and the petting zoo boasts goats,
lamb, and other barnyard animals. Make sure to trod the
2000-foot boardwalk winding its way through a cypress swamp.
If you get hungry, grab a bite at the on-site Pearl's Smokehouse.
The menu features Smoked Alligator Ribs and Deep-Fried Gator
Nuggets.
Splendid China
Since its opening in 1993, this 76-acre park has come under
occasional fire from various human rights organizations
that call it a piece of Chinese propaganda. Still, it does
do much to highlight the culture of the Chinese people.
Visitors take in 60 detailed replicas of that country's
famous landmarks, including a 1/2 mile reproduction of the
4,200-mile Great Wall; the Forbidden City; and a miniature
version of the Terra Cotta Warriors, which consists of 8,000
individually carved, life-sized statues of soldiers, unearthed
in 1974.
Water Mania
Water Mania is a stripped-down version of its bigger brothers,
Wet 'n Wild and Disney's Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.
Fortunately, this smaller approach is reflected in ticket
prices, which are USD19.95 for adults and USD16.95 for children
3-9. However, you'll hardly notice the difference once you
dive right in and get your feet wet! More than 36 acres
of water fun await with wave pools, Tot's Town for the kids
and plenty of watery diversions.
Boggy Creek Airboat Rides
Naturalists often refer to Boggy Creek wetlands as "The
Central Florida Everglades." Take one of these airboat
rides for an up-close look at exotic birds, turtles and
omnipresent Florida gators in their natural habitat. Boats
cruise at speeds of up to 45 mph, giving passengers some
mild thrills. Tours run about 1/2 hour, and no reservations
are necessary.
Halloween Horror Nights
Eeeekkk...is there any holiday more entertaining than Halloween
when things that go bump in the night actually go bump in
the night?! That's more or less what goes on here at Universal
Studios' Island of Adventure, when the witching day rolls
around and the fertile imaginations of folks who really
know how to put a scare in you go into gear. No costumes
allowed, and note that this event is really scary and probably
not appropriate for very young children.
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