Now available in Orlando with at least a couple of operators. Air Boingo do jumps for $29.00 near Wet 'n' Wild. This one is seven stories high and T-shirts and videos of the event are available.
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Located between Orlando and Kissimmee Gatorland is home to (suprise suprise) Alligators. Not just a couple of them however but over 5,000 of them! Here you will find every possible gator attraction possible including wrestling with the things and the jumparoo where 15 foot long gators jump out of the water to be fed with chickens. There is also a snake pit where handlers confront rattlesnakes and for the ultimate souvenir why not et the kids pose holding an alligator and a boa constrictor around there neck... why not? If you fancy a pair of gator skin boots or the like then head for the boutique and if you feel a bit peckish head for Pearls smoke house where you can dine on the delights of smoked gator ribs and buy gator chowder to take back home.
Price $10.55, children $7.37
Open 8 AM to dusk every day.
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Mini golf seems to be big business in Florida and one of the best are the two Pirate's Cove courses, one on International Drive near the Mercado Center (See shopping) and one on the way to Kissimee. The courses are 18 hole but you can just do 9 holes. The courses are nicely landscaped with waterfalls and are nice to play on a night when they are lit up.
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Near Universal Studios this house has magic floors, laughing doors and mini-golf. Also here is a laser game, Starbase Omega.
Price $7.95, starbase omega $5.95
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Ripleys....Believe it or not!
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Located on International Drive you cant miss Ripleys as the building looks as though half of it has sunk into the ground and is well worth a quick visit (it only takes about an hour to look round) if you haven't visited one of the Ripleys in Blackpool or Great Yarmouth. Robert Ripley was an explorer who for fourty years explored the world looking for and finding uncanny places, events and stories. Included are such things as shrunken heads from South America, a Chinese man with a candle inserted into his head and a six legged cow as well as many other things that you believe....or not.
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If you fancy yourself as a bit of an iceman then this is for you. Based at Kissimee-St. Cloud airport and run by US Air Force pilots you can be up in a plane within an hour. Although you are only in the co-pilots seat and may not be the cheapest add on to your holiday it will certainly be one you remember especially as there is a video produced of each trip.
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The only decent 'beach' you will find in the Orlando area is at Typhoon Lagoon but seen as most people will have the use of a hire car here are some real beaches that are all a relaxing drive away from Orlando.
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Cape Canaveral National Seashore - includes 72 miles of unspoilt beaches and nature trails for wildlife viewing. No driving is allowed on the beach. Only 1 hours drive from Orlando.
Cocoa Beach - About 1 hours drive from Orlando and is famous for Ron Jon's (the worlds largest surf shop). There are about 12 miles of sandy beach here.
Daytona Beach - One of the worlds most famous beaches is located 1.5 hours from Orlando. You can drive on the beach for about $3.
Ormond Beach - Located in the northern area of Daytona Beach. You can drive along the beach here (although no faster than 10 mph). No alcohol is allowed and there modest charge to drive on the beach (was $3). About 1.5 hours from Orlando.
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Clearwater beach - About 1.5 hours drive from Orlando.
St. Petersburg Beach (St. Pete) - Located about 1.5 hours drive from Orlando this is part of the Pinellas Suncoast. No driving is allowed on the beach.
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If you enjoy shopping (and all women do) then you will enjoy Orlando. Here are a few places to visit. There are also plenty of places down International Drive to do some shopping be it souvenirs or food and drink.
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Belz Factory Outlet World
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Located only a 10 minutes drive from central International Drive this 'Mallplex' has over 160 outlets. Obviously theres now way of listing every shop here (it would be best to list what isn't there). One thing that you will certainly find cheaper over here is clothing and trainers (sneakers). Expect to save half of what you would pay at home for trainers. The Belz outlet has masses of shops just for trainers and shoes. Jeans are also cheap and there is a Levis second (very slightly) shop at the outlet. Computer software is also cheaper over here. You will normally find you pay the same amount of $ as you would pay ú at home. Finally there are plenty of knick knacks you wont of seen at home yet. Happy shopping!
Open 10AM - 9PM Monday - Saturday and until 6PM on a Sunday.
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If shopping in the Disney parks was not enough heres another chance to buy every Disney item imaginable. Before we look at the shopping you can also get away from it here at Cap'n Jack's Marina where boats can be hired and fishing arranged. But back to the shopping. Heres a quick look at some of the 19 shops. Childrens toys are available at You And Me Kid while every Disney souvenir available is at Mickey's character shop. Speciality foods and cooking gadgets are available at the Gourmet Pantry, trendy gear is available at The City while all sorts of sports gear is available at Team Mickey's Athletic club. For a good selection of US and imported beer, wines and drinking apparel there is Village Spirits. There are also restaurants here.
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This is the largest shopping mall in Florida with more than 170 shops. As well as all the main US department stores such as JC Penney there are also shops such as the Levi's shop and also a food hall where every imaginable fast food is available. The mall is open 10am-9pm Monday - Saturday and 11am - 6pm on Sunday.
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Located on International drive the Mercado shopping centre isnt just for shopping as it contains excellent eateries as well but is a good base for night shopping as it is located on International drive. The Mardi Gras entertainment show is also here.
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| Some 70 shops can be found here located in Kissimmee. Most are speciality shops and there is also entertainment. |
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