| Warning: This is the non-mouse version of visiting | | | | with some theme rides, and the newer Islands of |
| Orlando, so if you had your heart set on learning all | | | | Adventure, which is an all-out theme park. Adults or |
| about Disneyworld you may be a little bit disappointed. I | | | | children can spend a whole day here and be fully |
| recently spent a week in Orlando with my husband | | | | satisfied. Since they are in the business of |
| and in-laws. We had rented a car and made a plan | | | | entertainment I'd have to say that they really stepped it |
| which worked out quite well, so I will share what we | | | | up with the attractions. |
| did with you: | | | | If you read my article about Overcoming Fear the |
| Make a plan before you leave home | | | | other day, the two must do roller coasters are the |
| There is plenty of information out there on things to do | | | | Duelling Dragons and the Incredible Hulk. The Hulk is |
| in Orlando and the surrounding area depending on your | | | | actually one of the top 10 coasters in the U.S.--my |
| interests. Some suggestions include State/National | | | | husband saw it on a TV show. Another must do is the |
| Local parks for hiking/picnicking/fishing/canoing, theme | | | | Spider-Man 3D simulation ride--but it didn't feel like a |
| parks, zoo/animal parks, and recreations such as mini | | | | simulation to me! Other rides we really enjoyed were |
| golfing and go-karting. The entry into some of the | | | | the Jurassic Park River Adventure and the Dr. Seuss |
| theme parks can be quite expensive, so it's a good | | | | Trolly Train Ride. The line ups weren't bad on the day |
| idea to figure out where you want to go ahead of | | | | we went, but if you go at a busy time you may have |
| time and what shows/rides etc. you are interested in | | | | to prioritize which rides are most important. Universal |
| to get the most out of your day. | | | | offers a limited number of Express Plus pass which |
| You can get a travel guide from your local library, | | | | allows holders to skip the bulk of the lines and fit in |
| bookstore or online. We got maps from our local CAA | | | | more rides--they can be bought throughout the park. |
| AAA auto club so we even knew which exit number | | | | Lake Kissimmee State Park |
| to take off of the highway. Also, we bought | | | | We spent the day hiking at this lovely park, it was |
| discounted Sea World tickets from the CAA before | | | | about a 45 minute drive from where we were staying |
| we left, saving $10 a person at the gate ( they have | | | | near Disney. It is well organized and the staff are very |
| other theme park tickets discounted as well ). | | | | proud to work there. There are about 14 miles of hiking |
| When looking around online watch out for timeshare | | | | trails that we knew of, and a few picnic areas. There |
| scams offering you discounted theme park tickets in | | | | is a loop to a neat observation tower but keep in mind |
| exchange for going to their real estate pitch. A good | | | | that this is Florida, so you really only get a good view |
| site for info is the Official Orlando Visitor Centre site | | | | of some marshy land and a grassy field...but a nice |
| Visit the Official Visitor Centre when you get there | | | | view nonetheless! I also noticed that a lot of people |
| Visit the only Official Visitor Centre when you get | | | | were there fishing. |
| there (see the address on the site above), it's located | | | | Central Florida Zoo |
| on International Drive, which is the main tourist strip. Be | | | | We spent a little over half a day at this zoo. It is a |
| aware of other places calling themselves "tourist | | | | relatively small zoo with around 400 animals and a |
| centres", they are only trying to sell you tickets. The | | | | botanical garden. It is not as well developed as the |
| people at the official centre are unbiased, friendly, and | | | | other attractions in Orlando, but I'm just guessing that |
| helpful. There are also many coupon books and | | | | compared to Sea World, Bush Gardens, and the |
| magazine that you should pick up here. This visit will | | | | Disney Animal Park they probably just wouldn't have |
| help you finalize what things you might want to do. | | | | been able to compete anyway. I think that this would |
| (We found coupons for less than half price mini-golf if | | | | be a great zoo if you have young children. You may |
| you go before 4pm). There were also varying discount | | | | be hard pressed to spend a whole day there, so you |
| coupons for the same restaurants and shows in | | | | could plan something else for that afternoon as well. |
| different books. | | | | They don't advertise it, but they will give you a CAA |
| Sea World | | | | AAA discount at the gate if you ask. |
| We both had an interest in this theme park, and it was | | | | International Drive |
| worth it since they give you the second day free | | | | This is one of the main tourist strips aside from Disney |
| included with your admission. All you have to do is get | | | | and downtown Orlando. There is a lot to do here and |
| your ticket validated before leaving the park on the | | | | you have the option of driving or using the well |
| first day, the desk is to the left of the ticket gates | | | | organized and inexpensive tram system to go up and |
| once you're in. Some of the full production shows are | | | | down the road. We always like to eat at places we |
| a must-see. We especially enjoyed the Shamu show, | | | | don't have in Canada, so the Sonic Drive-Through was |
| the dolphin and bird show, and the sea lion show. | | | | a novelty for us. We didn't have time to do these |
| There is also a gigantic roller coaster called the | | | | things but on this street were Wonderworks, the |
| Kraken, and a log-ride style of roller coaster called | | | | Ripley's Believe It or Not attraction, tons of mini-golf |
| Journey to Atlantis. There is also a children's area with | | | | and many, many, places to eat and entertain your |
| a place to eat (they let you bring your own food into | | | | family. There are also a lot of hotels and shopping |
| this park) and small rides. | | | | malls nearby. |
| Another highlight is the Hospitality Center where the | | | | Other things to do in the Orlando area that we didn't |
| parent company Anheuser Busch lets every adult | | | | go to include: Disney and its many theme parks, Busch |
| have a couple of generous samples of their beers! | | | | Gardens at Tampa (which is a safari-based animal |
| You can also see their Clydesdales and Dalmatians | | | | park with some pretty good roller coasters), the |
| here. The Shark Attack exhibit is also a must see. All in | | | | Orlando Science Centre (which is mostly for kids but |
| all, fully worth the price for 2 full days (parking is an | | | | has an IMAX theatre and special exhibits sometimes), |
| additional $10 a day but a very short walk from the lot). | | | | many state parks, and Wet N' Wild (a popular water |
| Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure | | | | park). |
| There are 2 parts to Universal Orlando: The traditional | | | | Enjoy your holiday! |
| part where they show you how movies are made | | | | |