The Magic Kingdom Park is 15
minutes!
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. Stop by the
home of the world's most famous
mouse in 'Mickey Toontown Fair' and
have a look at where the big cheese
actually lives. 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!
Disney's Animal Kingdom
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'. 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'.
Disney Hollywood Studios
Take a journey through 'tinsel
town', courtesy of the Disney
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, and superb
live shows like the Lights, Camera,
Action Stunt show. Try and make time
for the afternoon parade featuring
characters from the latest animated
Disney blockbusters. 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.
Epcot
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. Make sure you
see 'Honey I Shrunk The Audience'-
Disney's 3D magic is not to be
missed! 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.
Pleasure Island
If it's clubbing you're into then
head over to Downtown Disney
Pleasure Island - 'Mannequins' is a
dance palace of epic proportions for
over 21's, or there's jazz, comedy,
hip hop, and country and western on
offer as well The 'Adventurers Club'
is a little on the wacky side with
its off the wall look at life in the
'Raj', then head outside with your
family for a non-stop street party
with live shows and fireworks. Look
out for some very well known bands
playing on the West End Stage and
don't forget to stay late!
Downtown Disney West Side
The West Side features a huge Virgin
Mega store for cheap CD's, a 20
cinema complex to catch the latest
films, 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
onto 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
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. 'Back
To The Future Ride' is still one of
the best simulator rides ever and
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 Margaretville 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 all new Kraken, a roller coaster
without a floor! 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.
Aquatica
Introducing Aquatica, where fun is
as endless as the sea itself. It's a
place the whole family is sure to
love.
Waterpark it may be, but it will
simply be like no other in the
world. Aquatica is inspired by the
rugged beauty of the South Sea
Islands. In amongst those lush,
exotic surroundings, you'll find
wide, open white sand beaches, two
river rides, two huge wave pools,
whimsical animals, 36 water slides,
and plenty of spacious areas to
relax. It'll be a waterpark that
really does have something for
everyone.
Aquatica’s signature ride, Dolphin
Plunge, will be one of the most
unique water rides ever created. Two
300-foot long clear tubes will zoom
riders through a 42 foot vertical
drop, straight through a crystal
blue lagoon - home to our
Commerson's dolphins. You'll be able
to see them all around as you zip
through an underwater section of
this amazing ride.
Aquatica will also be home to a
world first in wave pool technology.
You'll find the world's only
side-by-side wave pools, which can
be operated independently or
together and will offer two very
different surf experiences. Cutback
Cove will feature gently rolling
surf and Big Surf Shores will
provide huge 5 foot waves to test
your senses. Or, if you'd prefer you
can just sit back and relax on one
of the white sand beaches. Make your
day at Aquatica as relaxing or
energetic as you want it to be.
There really is something for
everyone at Aquatica. The little
ones haven’t been forgotten. The
park will feature one of the world's
largest interactive play areas,
Kata's Kookaburra Cove, where there
are plenty of climbs, slides, water
cannons and pure watery fun, just
for the kids. Even the smallest of
tots will be entertained in the huge
children's pool, along with plenty
of rides that the entire family can
join in on.
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.
Busch Gardens
Located in Tampa a 70 minute drive
from Island Club West, 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! 70 minutes.
Gatorland
The Gator Capital Of The World is
home to over 5000 of Florida's
original reptilian 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. 30 minute
drive.
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.