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Beaches | Dining | Golf | Leisure | Shopping | Theme Parks
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BEACHES If you still have time to spare after visiting the may attractions Orlando has to offer then maybe you would like to visit one of Florida's many beaches. Here are some examples:- Cocoa Beach - Probably the nearest beach from the Orlando/Kissimee area. It is about an hour's drive directly east of the attractions area, on the Atlantic Ocean. Kennedy Space Centre is just a few minutes north should you wish to make a side trip. One popular landmark store is Ron Jon Surf Shop which specialises in surf culture goods. Daytona Beach - This beach is popular with tourists and proclaimed by locals as "The most famous beach in the world". It is about one and a half hours drive from the Orlando area. Cars are still allowed on the beach as they were in the days of the famous car races but check your car rental agreement because most car rental companies do not cover for this kind of off road driving. Local proprietors offer jet skiing, windsurfing, para-sailing and boat rentals. Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse - This inlet is just south of Daytona Beach. It is a wonderful old lighthouse which is fully functioning, in which you are allowed (for an admission fee) to go up its 203 steps to the top and go outside to the walkway which encircles the top. It is said to be the second tallest lighthouse in the North America. The admission fee also covers the lighthouse museum, a micro-theatre historical film, nature walk and gift shop. You can also go out on a charter boat or do some deep sea fishing. Canaveral National Seashore & Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge - Situated near to the Kennedy Space Centre this is considered to be one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in the U.S.A. and many endangered species are to be found here. If you are an eco-tourist you might wish to visit this environmentally sensitive and protected area. Madeira Beach - This beach is situated on the Gulf of Mexico and is about one and a half to two hours drive to the west of Orlando and is found near to a small tourist centre which has quaint stores, restaurants and inexpensive tourist trinkets. It is next to John's pass, an old style fishing village where you can rent jet-skis or go out for an evening on an entertainment boat. You can also sail out on a dolphin watch cruise or a deep sea fishing boat from here. DINING Alaoha Polynesian Luau at Seaworld - This nightly Luau will transport you to a tropical paradise, where you will feast from a menu of delectable delights and enjoy an electrifying evening of island entertainment. Arabian Knights - Experience the world's most famous horses and riders in the dinner attraction voted No.1 in Orlando while savouring a prime rib dinner with unlimited beverages. Capones Dinner & Show - Fabulous gangland Chicago song and dance comedy revue. Includes unlimited buffet,beer and cocktails.Don't miss the blast from the past 30's era speakeasy. Disneys Character Dining - Nothing lights a child's eyes up like a hug from one of Disney's character. Several breakfast, dinners and lunches daily. Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue - Hilarious hoe-down style entertainment and all-you-can-eat country vittles makes this a special evening at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort. Mark Two Dinner Theatre - Orlando's only professional dinner theatre. Presenting full scale, two and a half hour Broadway musicals with an award-winning buffet dinner featuring prime rib and four other entrees. Full service bar and gourmet desserts. Medieval Times - Feast on a four course Medieval banquet while watching daring knights on beautiful Andalusian horses competing in medieval tournament games, sword fighting and jousting matches. Pirates Dinner Adventure - Featuring exciting live performances, daring stunts, musical entertainment and a pirate's feast. Stay for the Buccaneer Bash after the show. Polynesian Luau at Disney's Polynesian Resort - Hula and fire dancing accompany a luau feast and unlimited speciality drinks at Disney's Polynesian resort. Sleuth's Mystery Dinner Show - Step into the world of comedy, mystery, and intrigue where you can become the detective. Enjoy a delicious dinner with unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks. Wild Bills Wild West Dinner Extravaganza - Join Wild Bill, Miss Kitty and company for the grandest Wild west stage production of its kind. Four course dinner with unlimited beer, wine and cola. Comedy, vintage western tunes, petticoat-clad dance hall girls, Big mountain Native American Indian Dancers and more. GOLF Florida has been described as a long fairway surrounded by sand and water. With more than 1,000 courses in the state, Florida disproves the old saying that "the grass is always greener on the other side." Florida's greens stack up with anyone's. The state is blessed with some of the top-rated courses in the country, along with resorts that are renowned the world over. Golf is such a central part of the Florida lifestyle that it's sometimes easy to forget just how many good places there are to pursue the royal and ancient game here. The PGA Tour comes calling every spring, and it's possible to duplicate the professionals' swing through the state, playing at the likes of Orlando's Bay Hill Lodge. The LPGA and the Senior Tour also play multiple events in the Sunshine State, from Palm Beach to Naples to Tampa. But swing a golf club almost any place on the map and you'll find a great track or three. Florida not only has fine golf resorts in every corner of the state, but some of the best of the new "daily fee" courses in the country. Orlando hosts some of the sport's most talented players each year during PGA and LPGA tour tournaments. The Bay Hill Invitational presented by Cooper Tires is held in March. The National Car Rental Classic is played on select Walt Disney World golf courses in October and the LPGA's Your Life Vitamins Classic is held at the Grand Cypress Resort in January. In addition, the PGA Merchandise Show is held annually at the Orange County Convention Center in January. Several area golf academies arrange group golf tournaments and even include challenging night time golf. For those who do not know the difference between a fairway and a freeway, many of Orlando's golf academies can customize golf instructions for groups or individuals. LEISURE PURSUITS Fishing - Big-mouth black bass, catfish, bream and other denizens of the deep are waiting to take the bait in the more than 300 named lakes in the Greater Orlando area. Anglers who prefer saltwater fishing can cast their lines from piers, the shore or deep-sea fishing boats in the East Coast waters that are just under an hour's drive or in the West Coast waters only two hours away. Several fish camps and fishing guides are available to help visitors find a "honey hole." Oceans of Fun - Sandy beaches, rolling surf and warm, tropical breezes beckon sun worshippers to the nearby Atlantic and Gulf Coast beaches. Cruising - Port Canaveral, just 45 minutes east, is the second largest multi-day cruise port in the world. In 2000, more than 3.8 million cruise passengers passed through the port's seven cruise terminals aboard Royal Caribbean International's Sovereign of the Seas, Disney's Magic & Wonder and Carnival's Fantasy. Carnival will add an additional ship, Pride, in 2002. Gaming cruises are also offered on Sterling Casino Lines and SunCruz Casino. Swimming & Skiing - Water enthusiasts have unlimited options when they want to swim or skim the water's surface on skis, kneeboards or other watercraft. Area water-ski facilities include Buena Vista Water Sports, Sammy Duvall's Water Sports Centre and Orlando Watersports Complex. Slipping & Sliding - The area's six world-famous water parks take guests to new levels of drenching fun as they splash, spin, turn and twist through exciting water rides. Boating - From romantic dinner cruises down the St. Johns River and boat tours through Central Florida waterways and Winter Park lakes to canoe rides down winding rivers and airboat rides gliding through nature, visitors can explore Florida's natural, unspoiled beauty. Golf - Eagles, birdies and pars are hitting the score cards at more than 150 challenging golf courses that are designed by famed architects such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and Robert Trent Jones. Orlando hosts some of the sport's most talented players each year during PGA and LPGA tour tournaments. The Bay Hill Invitational presented by Cooper Tires is held in March. The National Car Rental Classic is played on select Walt Disney World golf courses in October and the LPGA's Your Life Vitamins Classic is held at the Grand Cypress Resort in January. In addition, the PGA Merchandise Show is held annually at the Orange County Convention Center in January. Several area golf academies arrange group golf tournaments and even include challenging night time golf. For those who do not know the difference between a fairway and a freeway, many of Orlando's golf academies can customize golf instructions for groups or individuals. Tennis - Orlando serves up more than 800 tennis courts for visitors to raise a racquet. Area tennis centers, resorts and hotels rent and sell equipment and can arrange lessons or set up matches for the beginner or more advanced player. Professional Sports - In addition to the National Basketball Association's world-renowned team, the Orlando Magic, Orlando offers professional baseball spring training (Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros); Orlando Rays AA Baseball League; Orlando Predators arena football and the Women's National Basketball Association's Orlando Miracle. Hot-Air Balloon Rides - After boarding a hot-air balloon, visitors are carried away by warm breezes and breathtaking views of the area that only a hot-air balloon ride can provide. After landing, many air excursion companies offer a champagne toast, light hors d'oeuvres and commemorative photos with the pilot. Helicopter Rides - With a whirl of the blades, visitors lift off for a narrated, air-conditioned, aerial sightseeing tour of Orlando that provides fantastic photo and video opportunities. Skydiving - Fly like an eagle with the help of area skydiving schools that have visitors in just one day. Seaplanes - Scenic rides and tours take passengers from the water to the air for a back-to-nature experience to view alligators, eagles, deer and other wildlife in their natural habitat. Equestrian - Trail riding, pony rides and horsemanship training are all available at various locations in the Greater Orlando area. Motorcycle Rentals - Motorcycle enthusiasts can rent motorcycles locally for touring the roads of Central Florida. Skating, Biking & Walking - Orlando offers a multitude of paved fitness trails for people who want to put more fun in their exercise program. Many paths surround scenic lakes or are in recreational parks. The city was recently designated a "Bicycle Friendly Community" by the League of American Bicyclists. SHOPPING Orlando is home to seven shopping malls, with nearly 1,000 stores combined, which offer the convenience of having brand-name department and specialty stores under one roof. Retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Burdines, Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma and Restoration Hardware provide an extensive variety of quality merchandise. Bargain hunters will find plenty of outlet centers offering top-named products at great prices. For the upscale, value-minded shopper, the new Orlando Premier Outlets features designer labels at substantial savings. Shops include Banana Republic Factory Store, Giorgio Armani General Store, Versace and Timberland. For those who love to be comfortable in an old-fashioned pair of blue jeans, Tommy Hilfiger opened the first Tommy Jeans store in Florida at Point Orlando. It is one of only three locations in the United States! In addition, other entertainment complexes that offer an electricic mix of great shopping, restaurants and night time fun are Downtown Disney and Universal Orlando's City Walk. Shoppers who prefer something quainter, Winter Park and Disney's town of Celebration have a variety of unique boutiques and are full of small-town appeal. And, Orlando's Antique Row on Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando has a variety of exquisite collectibles. From outlet centers to upscale boutiques, Orlando truly is a shopper's paradise. And, more stores are on the way! By October 2002, two of the nation's most fashionable department stores, Bloomingdale's and Macy's will open their doors at the Mall at Millennia, a new shopping complex currently under construction. The mall will feature 200 specialty stores catering to affluent tastes. The Florida Mall will open Nordstroms in the American fall of 2002. And, Ron Jon Surf Shop will open at Festival Bay by the American summer of 2002. THEME PARKS - ATTRACTIONS The Magic Kingdom - No visit to Orlando is complete without visiting The Magic Kingdom - Disney's original park, where the castle provides a fantastic backdrop for playful rides and roaming characters such as Mickey Mouse. Animal Kingdom - Disney's newest adventure park is filled with the natural drama of life in the wild. Visitors have thrilling encounters with animals from real life, the distant past and the imagination. Ride the Kwai River Rapids or travel to Africa on Safari. Epcot - A two part educational and cultural attraction designed to challenge the mind and satisfy the senses. Here you can sample a warm croissant at a bakery in France, tap your foot to an authentic oom-pah band in Germany, learn about the age of dinosaurs, and take an exhilarating trip through the human body all in one day! M.G.M Universal Studios - Visitors see Disney animators creating wonderful characters and explains movie making on an entertaining backlot tour. See stunt men/women in action in Indiana Jones. Dare to ride the Lift of Terror or the Aerosmith ride! Visit the many 3D shows including The Muppets - a popular childrens show but also one which adults enjoy. Sea World - This is a wonderful place to explore natural attractions. Guests can be a trainer for a day, working alongside real animal trainers to learn training techniques, feeding and show preparation. Attractions include a sea lion and seal habitat which mimics the rocky, northern pacific coastline, and an up-close look at manatees, an endangered species. Of course, no visit to Seaworld would be complete without seeing Shamu - the killer whale. This is a place children love to visit - they can feed the dolphins and if lucky, get to stroke them as they swim up close to collect their food, they can touch stingray as they swim around in a special area and of course and the Shamu stadium is a must for children and adults as they watch the killer whales and their trainers perform their stunning daily and nightly shows. Universal Studios - This theme park shares the movie-making theme of MGM, but attractions are presented quite differently here. Some rides here provide an entertaining look at famous movies of the past, such as "Kongfrontation", where guests meet King Kong on the New York subway. Jaws, Earthquake, Terminator 2 and the works of Hitchcock are among the park's other movie attractions. There are also many attractions for children including a live Barney show where children can interact with Barney and his friends. Islands of Adventure - This park is made up of five islands, each with a distinct personality which offers something for everyone. Experience the bustling marketplace of Port of Entry , battles between good and evil on Marvel Superhero Island, slapstick ruckuses at Toon Lagoon, prehistoric magalosaurs in Jurassic Park, mythical sorcerors on the Lost Continent, and fanciful revelry at Seuss landing. There are also the water parks:- Water Mania - Enjoy Florida's family water theme park, featuring 36 acres of wild raft rides, stimulating slides, twisting flumes, adventurous pools and a three-acre wooded picnic area. Wet 'n' Wild - Enjoy America's favourite water park, offers the best variety of multi-passenger rides, including the Hydra Fighter and the children's playground. Disney's Blizzard Beach - Enjoy thrills, chills and spills at Disney's most exhilarating water park. Plunge down Summit Plummit- the world's tallest, fastest free fall slide! Disney's River Country - Enjoy life's simple pleasures the all-American theme park. Splash in bay Cove, relax on sandy beaches or explore a nature trail. Disney's Typhoon Lagoon - Enjoy Disney's tropical paradise where you can body surf in one of the world's largest wave pools and snorkel with live sharks Other attractions include:- Gatorland - The Alligator capital of the world is a unique natural setting for holidaying families. Skull Kingdom - A haunted castle with live actors and special effects. Two floors of sudden encounters and dark passageways- the ultimate experience in terror! |