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The Magic Kingdom Park is what springs to mind for most people when you mention Disney. The park does get busy so get there early and you’ll see so much more. Take a thrill ride across the galaxy on’ Space Mountain’, explore the ghostly happenings at the Haunted Mansion, or prepare to get wet with Brer Rabbit and friends on ‘Splash Mountain’. Do try and catch one of the wonderful parades featuring some of your favorite Disney characters, and don’t come home before you’ve seen the fireworks high above Cinderella Castle. It’s a long day but an absolute must!
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Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is an adventure involving the very real, the imaginary and the extinct! Ride ‘Kilimanjaro Safaris’ where the animals are almost close enough to touch. Come face to face with a magnificent troop of gorillas, or travel back in time on ‘Dinosaur’. Asia is the newest area of the park where you can cool off on ‘Kali River Rapids’, or “climb” the mount everest and search for the yeti. Animal Kingdom is a great combination of the magic and fun of Disney and all that mother nature has to offer. Make sure you get there early when the animals are at their most active and don’t miss the ‘Lion King Stage Show’ and the highly amusing ‘It’s Tough To Be A Bug’. Be aware that animal kingdom close early. Disney’s Hollywood Studios Take a journey through ‘tinsel town’, courtesy of the Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Battle imperial star-fighters on Star Tours, then it’s on to the exciting Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Jim Henson’s Muppet 3D movie. The highlight for many guests is ‘Fantasmic!’ as Mickey Mouse battles the evil fantasy villains with a barrage of fireworks, water and lasers and don’t miss the Rock N Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. The Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow is a showcase for cutting edge technology along with an eclectic mix of international entertainment and cuisine. In Future World you get an enthralling look at how our modern world has developed along the very latest developments in science and technology, and it’s all dine in a fun and often interactive setting. World Showcase, on the other hand, features the traditions and cultures of people from around the world. Eat and drink your way around the globe in a day and don’t miss ‘Illuminations: Reflections of Earth’ every night around the World Showcase lagoon – it’s truly a breathtaking event. Disney Springs Disney springs (was called Down town Disney) has been expanded the last few years, it features a 20 cinema complex to catch the latest movies, live music at the House of Blues, and numerous excellent eateries like Wolfgang Puck Café and Bongos Cuban Care. Disney Quest Indoor Interactive Theme Park is a video game fanatics dream come true with 5 floors of high tech entertainment! The amazing Cirque Du Soleil, a mix of street theater and circus artistry, is hard to describe and it’s not the cheapest ticket in town – even though it’s worth every penny. Disney water parks are great fun and suitable for all ages, Makes sure you have some good sun block and keep re-applying it throughout the day. In the blazing heat of the summer 3-4 hours without any shade is plenty so don’t overdo it. Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park is a highly unusual ski resort where the snow has melted and turned the place into a mecca for water rides and slides – look out for the one and only ‘Summit Plummet’ and hang on to that swimsuit. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is home to the biggest surf wave ever to hit Florida and is a tropical paradise full of slick flumes and giant slides like the ‘Humunga Kowabunga’. Makes sure you take time to snorkel ‘Sharks Reef’. Disney Quest is an Indoor Interactive Theme Park, combining cutting-edge entertainment technologies such as virtual reality and 3-D with Disney stories and characters to create a one of a kind experience. Climb into a real river raft, ride the rapids and ovoid hungry dinosaurs in a Virtual Jungle Cruise. Design your own roller coaster and then ride it on Cyberspace Mountain. Explore five floor of virtual fun with over 250 attractions, rides and games.
Universal Studios Park number one is where Hollywood, movies and television come alive in numerous excellent rides, shows and attractions. Jaws is always good value as is the revamped ET. Terminator 2: 3-D is definitely worth the wait. ‘Twister’ will definitely put the wind up you and if you’re a sucker for ‘Lassie’ head over to Animal Planet Live. Men in Black Alien Attack is the newest addition – how it ends depends on the amount of aliens you happen to ZAP! It’s a very full day and lots of fun. Islands Of Adventure Park number two is an all new them park definitely designed for the 21st Century. You’ll experience some of the world’s most advanced ride and show technology on five exciting islands. Seuss Landing is where you’ll find Cat In The Hat, hurtle around the Last Continent on ‘Dueling Dragons’ and a monster of a water ride in Jurassic Park. Toon Lagoon is full of high spirited cartoon fun and Marvel Super Hero Island is where you’ll find Spider-Man (the best ride of it’s kind in the world) and the Incredible Hulk Coaster with it’s cheek chattering inverted turns and loops. City Walk This is Universals nighttime entertainment complex where you might grab a top notch dinner at Emerils, a cocktail at Jimmy Buffet’s Margeritaville or dance the night away at The Groove. There’s also a 20 cinema complex with stadium seating that serves wine and beer – who cares if the film’s not great! Look out for top name acts at Hard Rock Live and check out the infectious beat of the Motown Café. You have to walk through CityWalk to exit the two main theme parks so maybe take a break from the crowds and stop for dinner or a drink at the end of a very enjoyable day. Sea World This Orlando favorite draws visitors back time and time again year after year. Grab a show schedule upon arrival and plan your assault on the park. Touch and feed dolphin, pet some perfectly harmless sting rays or get face to face with Shamu and family. If it a hot day a front row seat at the whale show is a guaranteed way to cool off, then dry your clothes in 60 seconds flat on the Kraken, a roller coaster without a floor! or the hottest ride in the area ” the Manta” , Journey to Atlantis is part water ride part roller coaster and Wild Artic also features a somewhat bumpy ride en route to some very cool encounters. Wet’n Wild Orlando’s original Beach Within Reach is very conveniently located on International Drive right in the heart of ‘Tourist-ville’. It’s well known for some great multi-person rides where the whole family or group can splash around together. All ages are well catered for and tiny tots have a very safe water playground where they can paddle and slide in complete safety. ‘Der Stuka’ is quite a ride as is ‘The Bomb Bay’ – the names say it all! If you aren’t into a daredevil descent then head over to the aptly named Lazy River the best place in town to get a tan. The Surge is a great place for a family get together as is the Bubba Tub and it’s a lot more fun than riding on your own. Bush Gardens Located in Tampa and hours drive from Orlando, Busch Gardens is a 335 acre African themed park featuring cleverly designed animal attractions, thrilling rides and live entertainment. Edge Of Africa is a lot of fun or take an off-road adventure on Rhino Rally. The park is best known for an incredible collection of roller coasters like Montu, Kumba and the new dueling wooden roller coaster Gwazi. The Tanganika Tidal Wave, is as the name suggests, a good way to cool off but if that sounds a bit strenuous the park is owned by Budweiser, so a free sample may be in order. Kennedy Space Center The home of America’s space program, Kennedy Space Center features a variety of exhibits, shows and tours which are both interesting and informative. An hour away from Orlando its very family friendly and whether you’re of the Apollo generation or a Shuttle space cadet there’s plenty to enjoy. Don’t miss the stunning Imax movie or the Spaceport USA bus tour which gets you out to the observation gantry overlooking the biggest rockets you’re ever likely to see – if you’re not careful this could be the most fun you ever had in a science lesson! Gatorland The Gator Capital Of The World is home to over 5000 of Florida’s original residents. The park is very concerned with the conservation of the Florida Alligator so fun shows like Jumparoo and Gator Wrestling have an educational side to them as well. A lot of the activity centers around a beautiful breeding marsh, which is also a haven for hundreds of birds-any amateur ornithologists will have a great time. Jungle Crocs Of The World features some more fearsome imports and feeding time is not to be missed! Gatorland is a reasonably priced and entertaining half day attraction that kids particularly will enjoy. Daytona Beach For something completely different, the world famous Daytona Beach is definitely worth the drive – literally! While surf may be a little rough, you can actually enjoy this beach from the comfort of your car, since it’s one of the few beaches in the world on which you can drive and park. Take I-4 east and drive for about 60 miles. Daytona is approximately 1 ½ hours drive from Orlando. Cocoa Beach Located on Florida’s Space Coast, (named after the Kennedy Space Center). You’ll find lots of amenities and a seemingly endless stretch of sand. Cocoa Beach is approximately 1 hour drive from Orlando. Head east on Bee Line Expressway (Hwy 528). New Smyrna Beach One of Orlando’s closet beaches, New Smyrna features a historic district, plus shops, marinas and restaurant. New Smyrna Beach is about one hour from Orlando. St. Petersburg & Clearwater Florida’s west coast beaches are where you want to be! Close to everything, yet miles away. A beautiful peninsula located on Florida’s West coast, the area is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the west and by Tampa Bay to the east. There is 35 miles of white-sand beaches on some 20 barrier islands. Located just 30 minutes to Busch Gardens in Tampa and 90 minutes to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. |
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