Attractions
Walt Disney World
Orlando's most familiar landmark is undoubtedly the turreted Cinderella Castle that stands in the centre of the original Disney Florida theme park, the Magic Kingdom, at Lake Buena Vista. The park was opened in 1971 and has been making childhood fantasies come true ever since. Today it is just one of four Disney parks that cover more than 28,000 acres of Orange and Osceola counties in central Florida, with accompanying resorts, shopping complexes, hotels and waterparks. Apart from the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Orlando now includes Epcot, a futuristic showcase of the world's different cultures and traditions; Disney's Hollywood Studios, a working animation and television studio; and Animal Kingdom, where a huge variety of animals are kept in themed surroundings along with a cast of Disney characters.
Telephone: +1 (407) 824 4321
Website:www.disneyworld.com
Opening time: Open daily, but park hours vary according to the month and day; it is best to check on their website for up to date information.
Admission: Admission to any one park: $63 (£31) plus tax (adults), $52 (£26) plus tax (children 3-9). Park Hopper tickets can be added to the price for $40 (£20) for access to all parks. Various other packages and combination tickets are also available.
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Sea World
Spread out between the Disney parks at Lake Buena Vista and the downtown Orlando area is the renowned Sea World attraction, which has been making a major splash in central Florida for more than a quarter of a century. The park, owned and operated by Annheuser-Busch, is designed to give an interactive look at the sea and all its facets, featuring themed animal habitats from tidal pools to iceberg lakes. In addition visitors can hug a dolphin or kiss a killer whale, and watch the famous aquatic Sea World stars go through their paces in various shows. The park also features fun rides like the very popular water roller coaster thrill ride called Journey to Atlantis. Neighbouring Discovery Cove (part of the Sea World group) offers visitors a chance to swim with dolphins, view wildlife, sunbathe on gorgeous beaches and snorkel amongst the coral. See http://www.discoverycove.com for details.
Telephone: (407) 351 3600
Website:www.seaworld.com
Opening time: Daily from 9am, but closing hours vary according to the month, closing earlier in winter
Admission: $61.95 (£31.95) + tax (adults), $49.95 (£24.95) + tax (children 3-9)
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Universal Studios
Experienced theme parkers recommend that it takes at least two days to fully appreciate all the delights on offer at the Universal Orlando entertainment complex, which includes two theme parks: the Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. The movie-themed park with its thrilling, innovative fun-rides, production studios and film sets also has three superb luxury on-site hotels so spending a night is a good idea. At Universal Studios visitors are invited to go behind the scenes and become involved in the movie action, while Islands of Adventure offers thrilling rides, shows and attractions from five different islands.
Telephone: +1 (407) 363 8000
Website:www.universalorlando.com
Opening time: Daily from 9am, but closing hours vary according to the month, closing earlier in winter.
Admission: Each park is $63 (£31) plus tax (adults), $52 (£25) plus tax (children 3-9). Multi-day and multi-park tickets are also available.
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Wet ‘n Wild
One of Orlando's numerous water parks, Wet 'n Wild has the distinction of being the most popular water attraction in the area and also the world's first amusement park devoted solely to water flumes, pools and slides. The park was designed by George Millay, creative genius behind the Sea World parks in San Diego and Orlando, and has been operating since 1977. Thrilling rides such as The Storm, The Surge and The Bubba Tub are there to be enjoyed, along with numerous other attractions and facilities.
Address: 6200 International Drive
Telephone: +1 (407) 351 1800; or (800) 992 9453 (toll-free, US only)
E-mail:info@wetnwildorf.com
Website:www.wetnwildorlando.com
Opening time: Open daily year-round, but hours vary according to the season. Generally the park opens between 9am and 10am and closes between 5pm and 7pm, with longer hours during June and July.
Admission: $34.95 (£17) plus tax (adults), $28.95 (£14) plus tax (children 3-9); other concessions apply and passes are available. Afternoon discounts are available year round.
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Orlando Odditorium
Housed in an odd-looking building that is tipped to one side and apparently sinking into the ground, the Orlando Odditorium contains a remarkable collection of weird and wonderful exhibits, amassed over a period of 40 years by explorer Robert Ripley. Examples of the exhibits are shrunken heads and a scale model of a Rolls Royce made entirely of matchsticks. Ripley's "Believe it or Not" collection is world-renowned and has been documented in television series and best-selling books.
Address: 8201 International Drive
Telephone: +1 (407) 363 4418
Website:www.ripleysorlando.com
Opening time: Daily 9am to 1am.
Admission: $16.95 (£8.50) plus tax (adults), $11.95 (£6) plus tax (children 4-12)
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Orlando Museum of Art
In true Florida style, Orlando's Museum of Art is not just another gallery but a fascinating world of creative themed exhibitions showcasing its permanent collections of American Art, Art of the Ancient Americas and African Art. The Museum also has an active program of visiting exhibitions on display in the elegant building with its marble floors and glass ceiling. Group tours are made memorable and educational with commentary about art appreciation and the lives of the various artists represented.
Address: 2416 North Mills Avenue
Telephone: +1 (407) 896 4231
E-mail:info@omart.org
Website:www.omart.org
Opening time: Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday 12pm to 4pm.
Admission: $8 (£4) (adults), $5 (£2.50) (scholars), other concessions available.
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Kennedy Space Centre
The John F. Kennedy Space Centre at Cape Canaveral, 46 miles southeast of Orlando on Florida's east coast, is one place in this fantasyland state where fact is just as entertaining as fancy. Visitors to the centre follow the story of NASA's exploration of space through interactive exhibits, movies and tours. Guests can tour a full-size replica of the space shuttle Explorer; walk through a giant model of a module from the new International Space Station; view films about Mars and the Pathfinder exploration; view historic authentic rockets, like that piloted by pioneer astronaut, John Glenn; and marvel at the Apollo/Saturn Centre, which houses all the artifacts from the historic moon landing. The Space Centre requires several hours to digest, and on the same site is the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, established on the land NASA did not require for its space operations. The 570 sq km (220-square-mile) refuge contains more endangered species than any other wildlife refuge in the US, including the southern bald eagle and Atlantic loggerhead turtle. The US Astronaut Hall of Fame, in the nearby town of Titusville, is another of the area's attractions.
Telephone: +1 (321) 449 4444
Website:www.kennedyspacecenter.com
Opening time: Daily 9am to 5.30pm, with shuttle-bus tours departing regularly between 10am and 2.15pm.
Admission: Standard admission: $31 (£15) (adults), $31 (£10) (children 3-11); Maximum Access admission: ($38) £18 (adults), ($28) £13 (children 3-11). Other options are available.
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Fantasy of Flight
Midway between Tampa and Orlando, about 20 minutes drive west of Walt Disney World, the Fantasy of Flight resort is billed as the world's greatest aircraft collection. The attraction began as a vision of aviation enthusiast and historian, Kermit Weeks, as a tribute to the pioneers of flight, and today it features many rare and vintage aircraft, which actually take to the skies. Visitors are treated to an Aircraft of the Day flypast, as well as the chance to fly themselves in a simulator. The site also offers tours of the aircraft collection in hangars, a sight and sound presentation detailing the history of aviation, a tour of the "back lot" where vintage aircraft are restored, and an Exploration Centre.
Address: 1400 Broadway Boulevard S.E, Polk City
Telephone: + 1 (863) 984 3500
Website:www.fantasyofflight.com
Opening time: Daily 10am to 5pm; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Admission: $24.95 (£12) (adults), $13.95 (£6) (children 5-12). Other concessions available
