Orlando Teems With Animal Attractions

Take a safari adventure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, watch killer whales perform at SeaWorld Orlando, swim with bottlenose dolphins at Discovery Cove and witness the world-famous “Gator Jumparoo” at Gatorland. All of these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and much more are available in Orlando – “The Vacation Capital of the World.”

Make Disney’s Animal Kingdom the first stop on your fun-filled tour of Central Florida animal attractions. In addition to live shows and thrill rides, Animal Kingdom is home to a variety of diverse animal habitats. Highlights of Animal Kingdom include Kilimanjaro Safaris, where you will ride in open-side safari jeeps through the Harambe Reserve to view African elephants, rhinos, hippos, giraffes, lions, crocodiles, baboons and more; Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek, two walk-through attractions that allow you to view an abundance of wildlife; Affection Section, a petting zoo for kids; Flights of Wonder, an exotic bird show; and the walk-through Oasis Exhibits, which are full of exotic animal habitats.

Next on your itinerary should be SeaWorld Orlando, the home of the world-famous killer whale, Shamu, as well as great live shows such as Believe, Clyde & Seamore Take Pirate Island, Blue Horizons and Pets Ahoy! Animal habitats at SeaWorld Orlando include Dolphin Cove, Dolphin Nursery, Manatee Rescue, Pacific Point Preserve (California sea lions and harbor seals), Penguin Encounter, Shark Encounter, Stingray Lagoon and Turtle Point. Don’t miss the opportunity to view magnificent Clydesdale horses at the Clydesdale Hamlet next to the Anheuser-Busch Hospitality Center.

At Discovery Cove, SeaWorld Orlando’s sister theme park, you can interact with bottlenose dolphins, sharks, barracuda and stingrays, as well as snorkel through a colorful reef full of exotic fish. Note: Reservations are required for Discovery Cove. Other nearby animal attractions include Gatorland, known as the “Alligator Capital of the World”; Green Meadows Petting Farm, an interactive, two-hour guided tour of a working farm; NatureWorks at Orlando Science Center, which features alligators, snakes and turtles; and Reptile World Serpentarium, home to more than 50 species of snakes from around the world.

Seeking a day trip from Orlando? You can choose from several eclectic animal attractions that lie just an hour or so from Disney World such as Busch Gardens Africa, which is full of animal attractions, as well as thrill rides and live entertainment; Central Florida Zoological Park, a 100-acre zoo that lies in Sanford, North of downtown Orlando; Jungle Adventures, a 20-acre nature park and wildlife sanctuary; Brevard Zoo, which features approximately 500 animals that represent 130 different species; and Silver Springs, “Florida’s Original Theme Park,” which is home to unique live animal shows and habitats.

“The sheer variety of attractions throughout Central Florida makes it the ideal destination for family vacations,” said Kyle Collins, Director of Interactive Marketing for HotelsCorp.com. “And with a little research, you can find discount tickets as part of an Orlando vacation package that will allow you to enjoy incredible savings for your next vacation getaway.”

Orlando, Florida Guide, the most comprehensive online guide to Orlando and Walt Disney World, also features discount Disney World tickets, incredible deals on Orlando hotels and individually tailored Orlando vacation packages.

Orlando: A World-Class Golf Destination

With dozens of championship golf courses, Central Florida has evolved into a true golfer’s paradise. Whether you are a beginner who wants to take lessons at one of the area’s renowned golf academies or a more experienced golfer who seeks new challenges, you will find a golf course in the Orlando area to meet your specific needs.

Walt Disney World Resort itself boasts five championship golf courses: Osprey Ridge, Palm, Magnolia, Eagle Pines and Lake Buena Vista. Designed by legendary architect Tom Fazio, Osprey Ridge is arguably the most difficult course at Disney World. The Palm course has been rated 4 stars by Golf Digest. The Magnolia course is known for the abundance of beautiful Magnolias that line the fairways. Eagle Pines is a par-72, 18-hole course designed by Pete Dye. Opened in 1971, the par-72 Lake Buena Vista course features 6,819 yards of golf. Disney World also offers the nine-hole, par-36 Oak Trail golf course.

Plenty of championship-caliber golf courses lie just minutes from Walt Disney World Resort. For instance, the award-winning MetroWest Golf Club was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and offers a wide range of challenges, including numerous bunkers and plentiful water hazards, as well as expansive fairways. Celebration Golf Club, which lies just 5 minutes from Disney World, was also designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., along with his son Robert Trent Jones Jr. ChampionsGate Golf Resort boasts 36 holes of championship golf and is also home to the world-renowned David Leadbetter Golf Academy. Designed by Ron Garl and Howard Swan, the par-73 Eagle Creek Golf Club boasts five par 5 holes. The new Shingle Creek Golf Club has already received the “Greens of Distinction” award from Corporate & Incentive Travel magazine.

Two area courses, Grand Cypress Golf Club and The Golden Bear Club at Keene’s Pointe, were both designed by “The Golden Bear” himself, Jack Nicklaus. The award-winning Grand Cypress Golf Club features three nine-hole courses, as well as the 18-hole New Course. It is also home to the Grand Cypress Academy of Golf. Amenities at the Golden Bear Club at Keene’s Pointe include a 24,000-square-foot clubhouse, full-service restaurant, fully stocked pro shop and driving range.

Orlando also hosts several golf tournaments on the PGA tour such as the Arnold Palmer Invitational (formerly known as the Bay Hill Invitational) at Bay Hill Golf Club in March and the Walt Disney World Resort Classic (formerly known as the FUNAI Golf Classic) at Walt Disney World Resort’s Palm & Magnolia Courses in mid-October. Both of these immensely popular tournaments draw some of the top professional golfers in the world such as Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson.

“The presence of championship golf courses, along with world-class theme parks, makes Orlando the ideal destination for family vacations,” said Kyle Collins, Director of Interactive Marketing for HotelsCorp.com. “Visitors can choose from a variety of discount vacation packages that allow them to experience Disney World and also enjoy some quality time on the links during their stay.”

Orlando, Florida Guide, the most comprehensive online guide to Orlando and Walt Disney World, also features discount Disney World tickets, incredible deals on Orlando hotels and individually tailored Orlando vacation packages.

Thrill Rides Abound at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World’s four world-class theme parks – Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom – each boast not-to-be-missed thrill rides with names like Expedition Everest, Rock ‘n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Mission: SPACE, Test Track and Splash Mountain. Be sure to check height and medical restrictions that are listed at the entrance to each of Disney’s thrill rides.

One of the most popular new Orlando-area thrill rides, Expedition Everest, can be found in Asia at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Expedition Everest, which towers nearly 200 feet high, is a thrilling train adventure through icy canyons and mountain caverns toward a terrifying encounter with the ferocious Yeti or abominable snowman. You must be at least 44 inches tall to ride Expedition Everest.

At Disney-MGM Studios, thrill seekers have their choice of Rock ‘n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, a classic indoor roller coaster that features classic songs from the legendary rock group; and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, which features a scary, 13-story plummet aboard a faulty elevator within a decrepit, 199-foot-tall Hollywood hotel. You must be at least 48 inches tall to ride Rock ‘n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and 40 inches tall to ride The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Epcot is home to Mission: SPACE, which opened in 2003 and takes you on a simulated space flight to Mars (complete with motion sickness bags) at the “International Space Training Center.” Each member of the four-person crew is assigned a specific role – pilot, commander, navigator and engineer. Adjacent to Mission: SPACE lies Test Track, a six-passenger vehicle that cruises onto 50-degree banked curves at speeds up to 65 miles per hour. You must be at least 44 inches tall to ride Mission: SPACE and 40 inches tall to ride Test Track.

Space Mountain, the original thrill ride at Walt Disney World, still draws huge crowds in Tomorrowland. Two roller coaster tracks wind their way through the 183-foot mountain at speeds of 28 miles per hour in total darkness. You must be at least 44 inches tall to ride Space Mountain.

Two other classic thrill rides at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, lie within Frontierland. Splash Mountain takes you on a wild flume ride as you visit characters such as Brer Rabbit, Brer Bear and Brer Fox from Disney’s 1946 classic, Song of the South. However, the real highlight of Splash Mountain is the five-story free fall at a 45-degree angle into the splash pool below at 40 miles per hour. Adjacent to Splash Mountain lies Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a “runaway train” that winds its way through an Old West mining town around mountains, through caves and over sulfur pools. You must be at least 40 inches tall to ride both Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

“When you plan your itinerary around Disney’s popular thrill rides, make sure you take advantage of Disney’s FASTPASS, a free reservation system that will help you avoid long lines,” said Kyle Collins, Director of Interactive Marketing for HotelsCorp.com. “To use FASTPASS, simply visit the FASTPASS ticket machine at the entrance to the ride and insert your admission ticket. The FASTPASS ticket you receive will indicate a time frame that allows you to return later without waiting in line.”

Orlando, Florida Guide, the most comprehensive online guide to Orlando and Walt Disney World, also features discount Disney World tickets, incredible deals on Orlando hotels and individually tailored Orlando vacation packages.

What's New at Disney World for 2007

A magical lineup of new attractions, live entertainment and special events will make their debut at Walt Disney World Resort as part of Disney’s “Year of a Million Dreams” celebration, which lasts until December 31, 2007. To top it all off, Disney cast members will award “a million dreams” to guests selected through a random process daily during the “Disney Dreams Giveaway.”

New “Year of a Million Dreams” attractions at Disney World include Finding Nemo – The Musical at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Epcot. Based on Disney’s animated classic, the Broadway-style Finding Nemo – The Musical boasts music, dance, acrobatics, puppetry and incredible animated backdrops. Finding Nemo – The Musical takes place at the state-of-the-art Theater in the Wild. The Sea with Nemo & Friends allows you to ride aboard a “clamobile” and revisit all of your favorite Finding Nemo characters, including Nemo, Dory, Marlin and Crush. The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion (formerly The Living Seas Pavilion) boasts a 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium.

Other special events and attractions that will take place at Disney World during the “Year of a Million Dreams” include Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial (Adventureland), The Happily Ever After Party (Cinderella Castle), Woody’s Cowboy Camp (Frontierland), High School Musical Pep Rally (Tomorrowland), the Dream Along With Mickey stage show (Cinderella Castle), Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club (Tomorrowland) and Main Street Family Fun Day Parade (Main Street, U.S.A.).

In addition to the “Year of a Million Dreams,” Disney will introduce a new after-hours event for 2007, Disney’s Pirate & Princess Party, which enables children to dress up as their favorite princess or pirate and seek out royal beads and chocolate doubloons, explore pirate coves and take part in princess courts, as well as enjoy a variety of great activities throughout Disney’s Magic Kingdom such as Disney’s Enchanted Adventures Parade and the “Magic, Music and Mayhem” fireworks display.

Disney’s Pirate & Princess Party runs during select days during January, February and March from 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM. Advance ticket prices are $36.95 plus tax for ages 10 and over and $29.95 plus tax for ages 3 through 9.

Visitors to Downtown Disney will also notice some new changes and a few construction projects underway for 2007. One popular addition to Pleasure Island is Raglan Road, a lively Irish pub that features authentic Irish cuisine and four bars, as well as live Irish music and dance. Within The World of Disney Store at Downtown Disney Marketplace lies the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, a “magical salon” that offers princess makeovers by “Fairy Godmothers-in-Training.” Finally, construction is scheduled to begin in late 2007 on the T-Rex Café, “A Prehistoric Family Adventure” that boasts life-size dinosaurs, waterfalls, geysers, a fossil dig site and much more. The T-Rex Café will be located next to the McDonald’s in Downtown Disney Marketplace.

“With Disney World’s constantly evolving entertainment options, it’s more important than ever to plan ahead and craft your itinerary so you will get the most out of your Disney vacation,” said Kyle Collins, Director of Interactive Marketing at HotelsCorp.com. “By seeking out discount Disney World theme park tickets, accommodations convenient to Disney attractions and individually tailored Disney vacation packages before you arrive in Orlando, you will enjoy significant savings when you treat the whole family to a once-in-a-lifetime getaway to Walt Disney World Resort.”

Orlando, Florida Guide, the most comprehensive online guide to Orlando and Walt Disney World, also features discount Disney World tickets, incredible deals on Orlando hotels and individually tailored Orlando vacation packages.

Disney World Not Just for Kids Anymore

Once upon a time, Disney World was synonymous with family vacations centered on the entertainment needs of the very young. Today, however, it’s commonly known that not only the young but also the young at heart can find the vacation they are searching for in the Magic Kingdom.

Disney World has truly become an all ages destination, with many activities available that cater to adults. Of course, spending quality time with the family is still the most popular option, but for singles, couples without children or those who wish to keep the kids entertained while they get some much needed rest and relaxation, all the amenities of an adult getaway are available and ready to be enjoyed. From golfing and spa treatments to nightlife and shopping, few travel destinations offer the sheer number of activities that Disney World can. Additionally, there are many activities available for those who want to explore their inner child, at least for an afternoon.

Within reach of the Magic Kingdom, there are no less than 5 championship caliber golf courses, each of which can be enjoyed while staying close to Disney World. From the challenging play at Eagle Pines to the natural beauty of Osprey Ridge, golf lovers can get their fix of 18 holes in a morning or afternoon with easy booking and without extensive travel.

Disney offers several world-class spas to choose from, some of which are located near the Magic Kingdom. From massage therapy to customized workouts, facials to aromatherapies and everything in between, you can be looking and feeling your best without having to go to an exclusive spa resort.

For those who love to shop, Disney offers an incredible array of well known chain stores as well as specialty shops loaded with unique and exciting merchandise. Whether it’s clothing, accessories, beauty products, sports equipment, jewelry or anything else under the sun you seek, you can find it within the Magic Kingdom.

For food lovers (and let’s face it, that includes all of us), Disney has every dining possibility covered. From mouth-watering steak and seafood to regional cuisine from around the globe, you can enjoy five-star dining or a quick meal on the go while tantalizing your taste buds.

Disney also offers several fun-filled exploration activities for couples and singles, including a wildlife safari, the Haunted Mansion and the France Pavilion, to name a few. Of course, you can also take advantage of the many nightlife experiences to get your pulse pounding on the dance floor.

No matter what you enjoy, you can experience a vacation you’ll never forget at Disney World.

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