Florida Family Getaways - 2008 - (Page 33) family getaways Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens www.centralfloridazoo.org I-4 Exit 104 along Lake Monroe, Sanford, 407-323-4450. Trek along winding pathways and encounter hundreds of rare or endangered animals from around the world. Allow 2 hours. $-$$ Ê Florida Eco Safaris at Forever Florida www.floridaecosafaris.com 4755 N. Kenansville Rd., St. Cloud, 866-854-EVER. View native plants and wildlife while enjoying a swamp buggy tour or horseback ride on their trails. Allow 4 hours. Ê Ë Orlando Arts Getaway 398 W. Amelia Ave., Orlando, 407-872-6224. Fabulous prices on pre-packaged theater and cultural event tickets with meals and hotel stays. ¢ Pirate’s Dinner Adventure www.piratesdinneradventure.com 6400 Carrier Dr., Orlando, 800-866-2469. “One of the world’s most interactive dinner shows.” Swashbuckling swordplay, high-energy escapades. Allow 3 hours. $$$$-$$$$$ Ê Ë See ad on page inside back cover. Reader Response 30 Florida Horse Park www.flhorsepark.com 11008 S. Hwy. 475, Ocala, 352-307-6699. Ideally situated just minutes off of I-75, the Florida Horse Park offers pure equestrian excitement. Ë Cypress Gardens Adventure Park www.cypressgardens.com 6000 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven, 800-808-0872. The park blends its storied past with sensational thrills and 39 new rides. Allow 7 hours. $$$$ Ê Ë Gatorland ’The Alligator Capital of the World’ www.gatorland.com 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trl., Orlando, 800-393-JAWS. “Alligator Capital of the World.” See live alligators, crocodiles and more at Gatorland. “It’s wild.” Allow up to 5 hours. $$$ Ê Richard Petty Driving Experience www.1800bepetty.com Walt Disney World Speedway, Lake Buena Vista, 800-BEPETTY. Ride or drive a NASCAR-style stock car at the Walt Disney World Speedway. Allow up to 5 hours. Discovery Cove www.discoverycove.com 6000 Discovery Cove Way, Orlando, 877-4DISCOVERY. Swim with dolphins, snorkel with tropical fish and rays or hand-feed exotic birds. Allow a full day. É Green Meadows Petting Farm www.greenmeadowsfarm.com 1368 S. Poinciana Blvd., Kissimmee, 407-846-0770. Hands-on, two-hour guided tours with more than 300 farm animals, pony rides, cow milking, hay ride and train ride. Allow up to 3 hours. $$$ Ê $$$$$ The Ridge Scenic Highway 325 S. Scenic Hwy., Lake Wales, 863-678-4209. The Ridge provides travelers with first-hand views of what Florida was like 50 years ago. $ DisneyQuest® Indoor Interactive Theme Park www.downtowndisney.com Downtown Disney West Side, Lake Buena Vista, 407-824-4321. Create your own adventures in this one-of-a-kind indoor interactive theme park. Allow a half day. $$$$ Ë Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando Odditorium www.ripleysorlando.com 8201 International Dr., Orlando, 800-998-4418 ext. 3. Oddities, illusions, exhibits and displays. Stories you can’t imagine, people you won’t believe. Allow up to 2 hours. $$$ Green Mountain Scenic Byway www.dot.state.fl.us/emo/scenichwy/default.htm P.O. Box 85, Ferndale, 407-469-7027. Beginning at the intersection of Lake County Roads 455 and 561, it winds southeast along Lake County Roads. Disney’s Animal Kingdom www.disneyworld.com Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, 407-WDISNEY. Enjoy a breathtaking adventure filled with great attractions, amazing shows and Disney characters. Allow 1 day. $$$$$ Ê Ë Harry P. Leu Gardens www.leugardens.org 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando, 407-246-2620. A beautiful oasis with a historic home in downtown Orlando. Open daily. Allow 2 hours. $ Ê Ë SeaWorld Orlando www.seaworldorlando.com 7007 SeaWorld Dr., Orlando, 888-800-5447. Come face-to-face with amazing animals, challenge Kraken, the floorless coaster, and experience “Believe,” Shamu’s show. Allow a full day. $$$$$ Ê Ë Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park www.disneyh20.com Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, 407-824-4321. It’s the polar opposite of other water parks; a melted ski resort in the middle of Florida. $$$$ É Hawaiian Rumble Adventure Golf www.hawaiianrumbleorlando.com 13529 S. Apopka Vineland Rd., Orlando, 407-239-8300. Hawaiian Rumble Adventure Golf offers miniature golf in a lush tropical setting. $$-$$$ Silver Springs www.silversprings.com 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Silver Springs, 352-236-2121. Home of the world-famous glass bottom boats, plus Fort King River Cruise and Lost River Voyage. Allow 20 minutes. $$$$ Disney’s Hollywood Studios www.disneyworld.com Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, 407-824-4321. Celebrate show business with thrilling attractions, Broadway-style stage shows and Disney stories. Allow 1.5 days. $$$$$ Ë Historic Bok Sanctuary www.boksanctuary.org 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales, 863-676-1408. Enjoy the beauty and serenity of nature on 250 acres. Olmsted gardens, a 60-bell carillon, and 1930s estate. Allow up to 4 hours. $-$$ Ê Sleuth’s Mystery Dinner Shows www.sleuths.com 8267 International Dr., Orlando, 800-393-1985. Enjoy a delicious dinner while watching a hilarious whodunit. You solve the crime. Allow 2.5 hours. $$$$$ See ad on page 30. Reader Response 21 Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park www.disneyh20.com Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, 407-934-7639. Typhoon Lagoon blows other water parks away. Allow 1 day. $$$$ The Holy Land Experience www.holylandexperience.com 4655 Vineland Rd., Orlando, 866-872-4659. The Bible comes alive. Live musical dramas, inspiring exhibits and fascinating artifacts await you. Allow a full day. $$$-$$$$ SkyVenture www.skyventureorlando.com 6805 Visitors Cir., Orlando, 800-SKY-FUN1. Live the dream of flight. All ages. Open daily, rain or shine. Across from Wet’n Wild, off I-Drive. Allow more than an hour. Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show www.dixiestampede.com 8251 Vineland Ave., Orlando, 866-443-4943. Magnificent horses, American buffalo, singing and dancing, a patriotic finale and a fabulous four-course feast. Allow 2.5 hours. $$$$$ Ë Jesus Film Project www.jesusfilmtour.org 100 Lake Hart Dr., Orlando, 888-2CJESUS. The JESUS Film is the most translated and viewed film in the world. Come tour the dubbing studios. Allow up to 40 minutes. Ê Ë Universal CityWalk® www.citywalkorlando.com 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando, 877-278-6386. “Feel the ElectriCITY” as you enjoy some of the best in live music, dining, dancing, shopping and movies. Ë Downtown Disney® www.downtowndisney.com Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, 407-939-2648. More than 70 shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. Home to Cirque du Soleil and DisneyQuest. Ê The Lake Wales Arts Center www.lakewalesartscenter.org 1099 S.R. 60 E., Lake Wales, 863-676-8426. The Lake Wales Arts Council presents exhibitions, performances and classes in an historic building. Allow 1 hour. Ê Universal Orlando® Resort Blue Man Group www.universalorlando.com 3000 Universal Studios Plz., Orlando, 407-BLUEMAN. Blue Man Group brings an eclectic mix of live music, fantastic percussion instruments, unexpected humor and so much more to Orlando. Ë Éi Magic Kingdom® Park www.disneyworld.com Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, 407-824-4321. Journey through seven themed lands and more than 40 attractions where Disney dreams come true. Allow 2 days. $$$$$ Downtown Disney® Pleasure Island www.downtowndisney.com Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, 407-824-4321. Experience energizing nightclubs, spectacular live entertainment and a nightly street party. $$$ Universal Studios www.universalorlando.com 1000 Universal Studios Plz., Orlando, 877-278-6386. “Go beyond the screen.” Experience high-powered excitement, sidesplitting comedy and spine-tingling action. Allow a full day. Ê Ë Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament www.medievaltimes.com 4510 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy., Kissimmee, 800-229-8300. Step into the 11th century as the splendor, pageantry and romance of a time long remembered comes to life. Allow up to 3 hours. $$$$$ Epcot www.disneyworld.com Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, 407-824-4321. Set your spirits soaring at Epcot with exciting attractions and delights from around the world. Allow 2 days. $$$$$ Ê Ë Universal’s Islands of Adventure® www.universalorlando.com 1000 Universal Studios Plz., Orlando, 888-UESCAPE. Take a journey through five uniquely themed islands, where the world’s most cutting-edge rides and attractions await you. Allow up to 2 days. Ê Ë Fantasy of Flight www.fantasyofflight.com 1400 Broadway Blvd. S.E., Polk City, 863-984-3500. More than 40 vintage aircraft on display. Daily tours of restoration and wood shops. New “Fun with Flight Center.” Allow up to 5 hours. $$-$$$$ Ê Old Town Shopping, Dining and Entertainment Attraction www.old-town.com 5770 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy., Ste. 324, Kissimmee, 800-843-4202. Come enjoy 75 unique specialty shops, eight delicious restaurants and 18 thrilling amusement rides. Allow 3 hours. Ê Ë Wet ’n Wild www.wetnwildorlando.com 6200 International Dr., Orlando, 800-992-9453. Wet ’n Wild, one of Orlando’s most exciting water parks, offers a variety of multi-passenger rides. $$$-$$$$ Ë Family Getaways 33 http://www.floridaecosafaris.com http://www.centralfloridazoo.org http://www.piratesdinneradventure.com http://www.flhorsepark.com http://www.cypressgardens.com http://www.1800bepetty.com http://www.gatorland.com http://www.discoverycove.com http://www.greenmeadowsfarm.com http://www.downtowndisney.com http://www.ripleysorlando.com http://www.dot.state.fl.us/emo/scenichwy/default.htm http://www.disneyworld.com http://www.seaworldorlando.com http://www.leugardens.org http://www.disneyh20.com http://www.hawaiianrumbleorlando.com http://www.silversprings.com http://www.disneyworld.com http://www.boksanctuary.org http://www.sleuths.com http://www.disneyh20.com http://www.holylandexperience.com http://www.skyventureorlando.com http://www.dixiestampede.com http://www.jesusfilmtour.org http://www.citywalkorlando.com http://www.lakewalesartscenter.org http://www.downtowndisney.com http://www.universalorlando.com http://www.disneyworld.com http://www.downtowndisney.com http://www.universalorlando.com http://www.medievaltimes.com http://www.disneyworld.com http://www.universalorlando.com http://www.fantasyofflight.com http://www.old-town.com http://www.wetnwildorlando.com
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