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Orlando Attractions and Things To Do
As you would expect in the entertainment capital of the world, there is a huge range of actvities in and around Orlando. On these pages we list the major attractions and our favourites.
Further down on this page you can find details and links to Disney, Universal, Sea World and the other theme parks, and if you click on the pictures immediately below you will find pages covering the other major attractions, golf, shopping and dining, and nights out.
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Florida Attractions | Golf | Shopping & Dining | Nights Out |
Theme Parks
Click on the logos to go to the theme park web site of your choice. Our villa in Orlando provides an ideal base for your Orlando theme park vacation.
Disney World Florida
Magic Kingdom definitely brings out the child in you and the kids love it too. The rides are great fun and most are suitable for small children. If you have young children head for Fantasyland where there are no height restrictions on any of the rides, or see Mickey at his Toontown Fair. For older children Tommorowland and Frontierland for fast rides and big adventures. The Disney parade is real favourite you get to see many of the Disney characters so don't forget your camera!!
Tip
If you have young children in your group why not try a character lunch and mingle with Tiger, Whinnie the Pooh, Piglet and Eeyore too at the Crystal Palace restaurant. You should book in advance but you can turn up at midday and there may be a cancellation.
The world showcase where you can walk around miniature countries like France, China, Canda and Mexico. Each country has a restaurant serving local dishes, book early in the day if you have a preference for dinner as it can get very busy. There are rides and interactive games in Futureland, where you can discover Imagineering.
Tip If you would like to see the firework display but do not want to hang around for several hours, then why not leave the park and go for an evening meal and return a few hours later for the show (its definitely worth it!) Don’t forget to have your hand stamp before you leave.
If you are movie fans you will love Disney Hollywood Studios, formerly known as MGM Studios. The Indiana Jones show is great and you may even get plucked from the audience to participate!. The Star Tours ride takes you on an exhilerating simulator ride through a Star Wars adventure. Or train to be a Jedi at the new Jedi training academy. Also new at Hollywood Studios the interactive Toy Storey Mania ride is lots of fun. You can fast track for this ride so no need to queue. The Rocking Roller Coaster this is a must, it's fast so not for the faint hearted. Don't forget to catch the spectacular shows.
Tip The evening movie light and magic show is in a seated outdoor auditorium, this does get busy so make sure you head there at least 30 minutes before to get a seat.
Take a magical journey through a world of animals both real and fantastic where the lion is mighty, but imagination is king! The Lion King show is fantastic as is the safari tour. Beware you will get wet on the water ride!
Tip Try the Boma restaurant at the Animal Kingdom Lodge hotel for an evening meal, great fun and different cuisine. Plus you can wander outside to see the safari animals in the grounds of the hotel.
In a ski resort theme. beneath Mount Gushmore awaits a winter wonderland of water, fun and sun. Are you brave enough to climb 120 feet to the peak of Summit Plummet and take the 60 mph plunge down the fastest, tallest water slide in the United States and the second highest in the world!
Typhoon Lagoon is Disney World's original water park, they have one of the world's largest inland surf pools. You can snorkel the reef or with real sharks, float along canals, slip and slide through winding caves, or relax under the shady palms as the kids splash in the waves!
Other Florida Theme Parks
At this real working film and TV studio, an incredible array of rides, shows, movie sets and attractions put you right in your favourite scenes from your favourite movies. It's the number one movie studio theme park in the world!
Tip Universal tickets allow you to go in both parks in one day. Islands Of Adventure is the latest thing so is more popular. Do Islands Of Adventure first then go to Universal late afternoon; there are almost no queues.
Experience unexpected adventure and innovative thrills as you take an unforgettable journey through the five islands - Seuss Landing, The Lost Continent, Jurassic Park, Toon Lagoon and Marvel Super Hero Island!
Tip Take a change of clothing and leave them in a locker. The water rides are the best and fantastic fun, but you get very, very wet!
There is something for everyone here from thrill rides to a whole host of fantastic marine life including, Stingrays, Manatee, Dolphins and of course Shamu the famous Orca whale in his spectacular show, don't sit too close to the front if you want to stay dry!
Orlando’s newest theme park Aquatica… a water park with a Sea World twist opened 4 April 2008. Take the Dolphin Plunge a flume ride that passes right through the dolphin aquarium. Why not chill-out on the beach, while the kids play in the crashing waves at big surf shores.
Swim with dolphins, snorkel through colourful reefs, explore underwater shipwrecks, glide among stingrays, and check out the free-flight aviary. Note, you must make a reservation to visit Discovery Cove due to limited visitors numbers each day. Book early or you may be disappointed.
Wet 'n Wild Wet 'n Wild, Orlando's original and the world's premier water park, features an exciting variety of signature thrill rides as well as rides for the kids.
Busch Gardens
Wonderworks Experience the trembling of earthquakes, hurricane-force winds and other virtual reality experiences in this upside down building.
The Holyland Experience Bible adventure park, with exhibits that bring the bible story to life.
The Titanic Exhibition This is a permanent exhibition where state of the art scenic environments help you envisage how the historic event unfolded on the Titanic's fateful maiden voyage. Contains authentic artifacts from the Titanic. |