1. Walt Disney World® Resort
The house of The Mouse
DinoLand, U.S.A., Disney’s Animal Kingdom®
Walt Disney changed Orlando from a sleepy cattle-rearing and orange-growing town into a family vacation hot spot. Spread over four exciting theme parks, the resort’s attractions are based on cartoon animals invented 90 years ago, as well as characters out of 3-D movies. While Magic Kingdom® and Disney’s Hollywood Studios® play with the imagination, Epcot® showcases world culture and Disney’s Animal Kingdom® entertains with animal-themed rides.
Key Sights
1. Magic Kingdom® Splash down a 52-ft (16-m) mountain, learn the ways of a pirate, or wander through Cinderella Castle at the best known of the Disney parks.
2. Epcot® This park is divided into two sections: the modernistic Future World, with the iconic Spaceship Earth ride, and the World Showcase, which features the attractions, shops, and cuisines of 11 countries.
3. Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Besides thrill rides, musical shows and parades, and animals from Africa and Asia in re-creations of their natural habitats, this unique zoo also has dizzying roller coasters zipping through mountains.
4. Disney’s Hollywood Studios® High-speed rides, thrilling stunt and stage shows, and film extravaganzas – from The Muppets to Beauty and the Beast – lure visitors of all ages to this theme park.
5. Water Parks Cool off aboard one of the world’s tallest waterslides at Blizzard Beach, a snow-covered ski resort. The tropical Typhoon Lagoon has water-soaked attractions to suit all ages, including a surf pool with 6-ft (2-m) waves.
6. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground This resort has some of the best kid-centered dining options. Mickey's Backyard BBQ offers a chance to dance with Mickey Mouse.
7. Disney Springs® Live music at the House of Blues as well as interactive games and competitions at the NBA Experience are some of the highlights of this entertainment and shopping complex.
8. Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course™ Play putt-putt in two Santa Claus-themed courses: the sunny Sand Course or the wintry Snow Course.
The Lowdown
Address 4600 N World Dr, Lake Buena Vista, 32830; 407 939 6244 or 407 939 7679 (for tickets); disneyworld.disney.go.com
Bus Lynx bus 50 & 56 from Orlando to Magic Kingdom® and the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC). Many free buses and water crafts take guests to Disney Springs® as well as to other Disney parks. Free airport shuttle for resort guests. Free Disney buses connect every park. Taxi Water taxis from the TTC to Magic Kingdom®, Epcot®, Disney Springs®, and resorts. Train Monorails from the TTC to Magic Kingdom®, Epcot®, and resorts. Car From Orlando International Airport take South exit (FL 417S – toll) to Osceola Pkwy West (Exit 3) to Disney exits. Parking $20/day
Open Parks open from between 8am and 11am to between 5pm and 1am. Hours vary by park and season; check website for details. Every day, one theme park opens an hour early and closes 2 hours later for guests staying at the Walt Disney World® Resort hotels – Extra Magic Hours.
Prices $381–504 per day for Magic Kingdom; under 3s free. The Park-Hopper® Pass for multiple parks is an additional $55. Multiday tickets range from 3 days ($897–1,184; under 3s free) to 5, 7, 14 and 21 days. Check website for offers on park tickets and vacation plans at Disney hotels with discounted park prices.
Cutting the line Parks are busiest in mid-Feb, mid-Mar–late Apr, Memorial Day weekend (May), mid-Jun–Labor Day (Sep), Thanksgiving weekend (Nov) and Christmas week–New Year’s Day. A high-tech system that allows guests to book time slots for Disney World’s major attractions in advance is in place. Check the website for the latest information.
Guided tours The 7-hour Backstage Magic tour takes visitors behind the scenes at three Disney parks – Epcot®, Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, and Magic Kingdom® – and shows how thrill rides, landscaping, and parades are put together; tickets include lunch at Wilderness Lodge.
Age range The parks are most suitable for ages 7 and above. Younger kids will enjoy Magic Kingdom® the most, as well as some parts of Disney’s Animal Kingdom® and Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. Age and height restrictions apply for most rides.
Activities Some Disney resorts run kids‘ programs that feature supervised activity centers. There are playgrounds, tennis courts, and a marina with watercraft rental.
Allow At least a day for each park
Wheelchair access Yes
Cafés Many across the park
Restrooms Across the park
Good family value?
Although expensive, Disney is every child’s dream come true and an unforgettable experience.
Colorful exterior of Pizzafari restaurant, in Disney's Animal Kingdom®
Eat and drink
Each park has a multitude of dining options, from fast-snack carts to full-service restaurants and themed dinner shows (see individual entries for details). Signature restaurants throughout the parks require a credit card for reservations; if the reservation is not canceled at least 24 hours ahead, there is a $10 charge per person. Restaurants that request full prepayment will not make a refund unless the reservation is canceled sufficiently in advance.
Shopping
Find everything from toys and kids‘ apparel to housewares, and jewelry in the park’s shops. Kids will love the Captain Jack-themed gifts near the Pirates of the Caribbean® ride in Magic Kingdom®, and carved animal toys in Animal Kingdom®.
KIDS’ CORNER
Disney parks trivia
1 Which hotel does the Walt Disney World® monorail system go through, where you can see people having lunch?
2 What occupied the piece of land before Walt Disney World® Resort was built on it?
3 Which is the fastest roller coaster in Disney World?
Shoot for the sky!
At 200 ft (654 m), the Expedition Everest® roller coaster in Disney’s Animal Kingdom®, is Disney’s highest ride. It is even taller than the 185-ft (56-m) Spaceship Earth® “golf ball.”
Happy Birthday mickey!
Mickey Mouse’s birthday is officially November 18, 1928, even though he first appeared in a cartoon in May 1928. He was originally voiced by Walt Disney himself.
Riding the monorail
There are 12 trains in the Walt Disney World® Monorail System, riding on almost 215 miles (346 km) of tracks high above the Seven Seas Lagoon™ and Epcot®. The loop around the lagoon stops at three Disney hotels; ride the complete circle and see if you can name them all.
Answers:
1 Disney's Contemporary Resort. 2 An orange grove. 3 Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. Riding the monorail: 1 Disney's Contemporary Resort. 2 Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. 3 Disney’s Polynesian Resort.
Magic Kingdom®
Let the enchantment begin!
Balloon vendor at Main Street, USA®
A world full of the romance of princesses and magicians, and the frights of haunted houses – with a few nerve-testing roller coasters thrown in – Magic Kingdom® is the most popular Disney park. Divided into six areas, it is filled with rides and attractions that show off Walt Disney’s best-loved characters, and a Disney-style cartoon version of the future.
Key Features
1. Main Street, USA® Shop, dine, and see dazzling parades on Main Street, USA®. Visitors can board a steam train or a horse-drawn trolley from here for a relaxing trip around the park.
The Lowdown
Address 1180 Seven Seas Dr, Lake Buena Vista, 32830; 407 939 6244; disneyworld.disney.go.com
Bus, water taxi, or monorail from the TTC and resorts (see Walt Disney World® Resort)
Open From between 8am and 9am to between 8pm and 1am. Check the park’s "Calendar" page for seasonal variations and Extra Magic Hours.
Price see Walt Disney World® Resort
Cutting the line Avoid Mon and Thu, when the park is busiest.
Guided tours The 5-hour Keys to the Kingdom walking tour ($79 per person) highlights the behind-the-scenes workings of Magic Kingdom®, including a walk through the legendary underground tunnels. The tour is for ages 16 and above.
Age range All ages
Shows Kids will love Mickey’s PhilharMagic, a 12-min 3-D movie, and Country Bear Jamboree, a musical revue featuring singing bears. One-eyed monster Mike Wazowski will have kids laughing at the interactive Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor comedy show; contact the Guest Relations office (407 939 6244) for times.
Allow Half a day to 2 days
Wheelchair access Yes
Eat and drink SNACKS The Lunching Pad (in Tomorrowland®) serves hot dogs, chips, and beverages. FAMILY TREAT Cinderella’s Royal Table (inside Cinderella Castle) offers the experience of dining with Disney princesses and family, with a choice of breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus.
Shops Visit the shops at Main Street, USA® for Disney souvenirs.
Restrooms Many throughout the park – the least crowded ones are next to the Pirates of the Caribbean® gift shop, near the Town Hall on Main Street, USA®, and in Tomorrowland®.
Good family value?
Colorful parades, thrilling rides, and spectacular fireworks make this park a treat for all ages.
KIDS’ CORNER
Can you find the following in Magic Kingdom®:
1 Walt Disney’s brother Roy sitting next to Minnie Mouse.
2 An alien piano player.
3 A singing parrot.
Cast a spell
Go to the Fire Station on Main Street, USA® and sign up for the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom® game, which travels around the park with Merlin the magician to battle villains, find magic portals, and collect spell cards.
Welcome to the Show!
Get up early to see the Magic Kingdom Welcome Show, held in front of Cinderella Castle just a few minutes before the park opens. Mickey opens the park, with lots of dancing and singing!
Good guys and bad guys
The Magic Kingdom® parking lots are named after heroes and villains. Can you match them with the movies they are from:
1 Rapunzel (a) Toy Story
2 Simba (b) Tangled
3 Hook (c) Lion King
4 Zurg (d) Peter Pan
Answers:
1 Main Street, USA®. 2 Sonny Eclipse, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in Tomorrowland®. 3 The Enchanted Tiki Room™ and Pirates of the Caribbean®. Good guys and bad guys: 1 (b). 2 (c). 3 (d). 4 (a).
Epcot®
Back to the future
Visitors enjoying the Test Track ride
The Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (Epcot®) was Walt Disney’s neighborhood of the future, designed to connect people with technology. Enjoy exploring the history of science and technology in this complex of two different, but connected, parks. Future World takes visitors from the bottom of the sea to the outer reaches of space, while World Showcase introduces the cultures of 11 countries through their food, architecture, and music.
Key Features
1. The Seas with Nemo & Friends In this tribute to the world‘s oceans, the eponymous ride leads to the majestic Caribbean Coral Reef, a 5.7 million gallon (22 million liter) saltwater aquarium home to 6,000 underwater inhabitants.
2. The Land Parasail above global landscapes in the Soarin’™ flying simulator, and take the Living with the Land boat tour through a simulated rainforest to experimental working greenhouses.
3. Imagination! Make a dragon sing just by moving, operate the world's largest digital camera, and watch Figment create mischief in Journey into Imagination.
4. Innoventions Learn how science affects daily life in this interactive museum of the technology of the past and future. Design a roller coaster and then “ride” it at The Sum of All Thrills™ in Innoventions East.
5. World Showcase These country-specific pavilions have architectural models and replicas from Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, the United States, Japan, Morocco, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada. They house a variety of ethnic restaurants and shops.
6. Frozen Ever After at the Norway Pavilion welcomes guests on a boat ride through the wintery world of Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and friends. Meet Norsemen, enjoy Frozen-themed desserts and explore Elsa and Anna's summer cabin as part of this excciting adventure.
7. Mission: SPACE® This motion-simulation thrill ride blasts off on a realistic training mission for space travel, which leads to the Advanced Training Lab for testing of skills in space-related games, and culminates in a landing on Mars.
The Lowdown
Address 1510 North Ave of the Stars, Orlando, 32830; 407 824 4321; disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot
Bus From all Disney locations. Monorail From TTC to Future World. Taxi Water taxis from several resorts; check website. Epcot® has two entrances; park at a resort and take the water taxi to avoid the “front door” lines.
Open Future World: 9am–9pm; World Showcase: 11am–9pm. Check the park’s "Calendar" page for seasonal variations and Extra Magic Hours.
Price see Walt Disney World® Resort
Cutting the line The park is most crowded on Tue and Fri; it is busiest during the Flower & Garden Festival (early Mar–mid-May) and Food & Wine Festival (late Aug–mid-Nov).
Guided tours Behind the Seeds is a 1-hour walking tour of Living with the Land greenhouses. There are several tours inside the The Seas Pavilion. Check website for prices. Call 407 939 8687 for reservations.
Age range 3 plus
Shows Watch the World Showcase Players in the United Kingdom Pavilion, Circle of Life in the Land Pavilion, and Phineas & Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure.
Allow At least 6 hours
Wheelchair access Yes
Eat and drink SNACKS Electric Umbrella Restaurant (in Future World) has meatball subs and cheeseburgers. FAMILY TREAT Coral Reef Restaurant (in Living Sea) offers fresh seafood with views of a live coral reef.
Shops Regional choices in World Showcase, notably Der Teddybar in the Germany Pavilion, and kimonos, chopsticks, and candy in the Japan Pavilion.
Restrooms At every pavilion and restaurant. Baby care center between the Mexico Pavilion and Test Track.
Good family value?
Though pricey, the variety of rides and informative tours will engage kids of all ages, and grown-ups.
Top 10 Attractions
1. SPACESHIP EARTH
This ride travels through the 40,000-year history of communications, from hieroglyphs to computers, while Project Tomorrow, an interactive play area, lets guests play virtual reality games.
2. TEST TRACK
On this Future World ride, kids go through rigorous crash tests before riding a self-designed car along a three-story high track at 65 mph (105 km/h).
3. MISSION: SPACE®
Dodge meteors, feel the force of twice the Earth’s gravity, and train for a Mars landing on this motion simulation ride.
4. SOARIN’™
Hang-glide around the world in this ultra-realistic simulator ride in the Land Pavilion, suspended in a giant panoramic movie theater filled with the sights, sounds, and feeling of flying.
5. THE SEAS WITH NEMO & FRIENDS
Join Dory and Marlin in their search for Nemo on the sea floor aboard a “clamobile,” among live fish and colorful coral reefs in this massive saltwater tank in the Seas Pavilion.
6. FERRY ACROSS THE LAGOON
Four boats provide superb views of the whole World Showcase and a relaxing way to cool down and get from one country to another across the central lagoon.
7. JOURNEY INTO IMAGINATION WITH FIGMENT
A flying dragon explores and plays with sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste in this whimsical tour of the senses, in the Imagination! Pavilion.
8. FROZEN EVER AFTER
Climb onto the ancient Norwegian ship of Arendelle and sail through the sparkling, wintery land of Frozen.
9. TURTLE TALK WITH CRUSH
Interact with Crush, Finding Nemo’s surfing turtle, about the wonders of the ocean at this live 3-D show at the Seas Pavilion.
10. ILLUMINATIONS: REFLECTIONS OF EARTH
This nightly sound and light show uses spectacular fireworks and lasers to tell the history of the world.
KIDS’ CORNER
Find the chatterboxes!
There are three talking water fountains in Epcot®. See if you can find them.
Thirsty?
Club Cool in Innoventions West is the coolest place in Epcot®, offering free samples of soda from all over the world. Try lemon soda from Israel and a Japanese bubbly vegetable drink.
Peek-a-boo!
A surprise treat awaits at the Germany Pavilion. Stand in the middle of the square to see hidden cuckoo clocks emerge from almost every building to strike the hour.
Go around the world
1 Be sure to get a World Showcase Passport, which you can have stamped at each “country” you visit.
2 Make your way through the hedge maze in the hidden park behind the United Kingdom Pavilion.
3 Don’t miss the acrobat show in front of the China Pavilion, the juggling waiters of Serveur Amusant™ outside the France Pavilion, and the drummers of Japan.
Answers:
Outside the Mouse Gear shop, behind Innoventions West, and in the area between Future World and World Showcase, alongside the kiddie fountain.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom®
Explore the world’s jungles
Pandora – The World of Avatar
Disney invented the term “notazoo” to describe Animal Kingdom®, and it is certainly different from a traditional zoo. Families can see Asian tigers padding through ruins, daintily swimming hippos, and majestic mountain gorillas, all of whom live here happily. In addition, there are thrilling rides and even an area that takes you to an alien world.
Key Features
1. Pandora – The World of AVATAR Experience the world of Pandora, with its floating mountains and glowing plants, as you ride down the mystical Na’vi River.
2. Discovery Island® Wooden bridges and cave-like tunnels lead to giant tortoises, lemurs, kangaroos, and other exotic creatures. There is also a glass-paneled viewing area where playful otters can be seen.
3. The Tree of Life This 145-ft- (44-m-) tall structure is decorated with around 325 super realistic animal carvings. It also houses the It’s Tough to be a Bug® show.
4. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge This majestic lodge, located close to the park, has a six-story lobby with a view of the surrounding savannas, and some of the best African cuisine around.
5. Rafiki’s Planet Watch Pet the goats, sheep, and llamas in the Affection Section, then head to Habitat Habit! to meet frisky South American cotton-top tamarins.
6. Asia The Asia section of the park thrills with the Expedition Everest® roller coaster, and is the setting for tigers, Komodo dragons, and a bird show.
7. DinoLand, U.S.A. Travel under the sea with Finding Nemo – The Musical, and into the prehistoric past on the TriceraTop Spin carousel and Primeval Whirl® – two facing coasters with spinning cars.
8. Africa Explore the African savanna in the Kilimanjaro Safaris® Expedition, walk along the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail® to the gorilla habitat, and then take the steam-powered Wildlife Express Train.
Top 10 Attractions
1. FESTIVAL OF THE LION KING
This elaborate 30-minute musical show in the Harambe Theatre, in the Africa zone, features puppets, dance, and music, and occasionally invites children from the audience to dance along.
2. PANGANI FOREST EXPLORATION TRAIL®
Walk this self-guided trail in Africa to see massive silverback gorillas, exotic birds, meerkats, and hippos.
3. KALI RIVER RAPIDS®
Enter a lush rain forest, in a ride that leads through steaming geysers and misty waterfalls, on the churning Chakranadi River in the Asia section, before dropping down a 30-ft (9-m) waterfall for a soaking good time (left).
4. THE AFFECTION SECTION
This petting zoo is the only place in Animal Kingdom® where kids can touch and feed a variety of friendly, domesticated animals, such as goats, chickens, and sheep.
5. FINDING NEMO – THE MUSICAL
Performers dressed as colorful fish bring the much-loved animation to life with music, puppets, and Elton John tunes, in this live 30-minute show at DinoLand, U.S.A.
6. IT’S TOUGH TO BE A BUG!®
Inside The Tree of Life, see what it means to be a bug, as A Bug’s Life characters turn this 3-D movie into a creepy, crawly experience.
7. KILIMANJARO SAFARIS®
Hop aboard a jungle taxi to ride across a dry savanna in Africa, within feet of live zebras, giraffes, rhinos, and elephants.
8. PRIMEVAL WHIRL®
Spin on two dipping, twisting coasters that go back to the age of the dinosaurs, in DinoLand, U.S.A.
9. EXPEDITION EVEREST®
A leaping Abominable Snowman interrupts this hair-raising coaster as it goes up a treacherous mountain in Asia, at which point the car slams into reverse, to travel downhill at 50 mph (80 km/h).
10. THE TREE OF LIFE
Spot elephants, iguanas, lemurs, sea horses, and serpents among the 325 animals carved into this exquisite man-made tree in Discovery Island® (below).
The Lowdown
Address 1375 E Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, 32830; 407 824 4321; www.disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/animal-kingdom
Bus Lynx 301 from downtown Orlando. Disney buses connect from TTC and resort hotels.
Open From between 8 and 9am to between 5 and 8pm. Check the park’s “Calendar” page for seasonal variations and Extra Magic Hours.
Price see Walt Disney World® Resort
Cutting the line Avoid Mon–Wed, when park is busiest.
Guided tours Backstage Tales ($360), a 3-hour inside look at the care and feeding of the animal inhabitants, ages 16 and above. Wild Africa Trek ($876–996), small group excursions into Pangani Forest for close encounters with animals. Call 407 939 8687 to reserve.
Age range All ages
Allow 6 hours–2 days
Wheelchair access Yes
Eat and drink REAL MEAL Tusker House Restaurant (in Africa) has an extensive buffet of modernized African cuisine. FAMILY TREAT Sanaa (in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge) offers an extraordinary blend of African and Indian food. Dine while enjoying the view of the animals in their habitats.
Shops Zawadi Marketplace gift shop (in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge) has African clothing, masks, and toys. Mombasa Marketplace (in Africa) sells African art, wines, jewelry, and musical instruments.
Restrooms Throughout the park. Baby Care Center near Discovery Island
Good family value?
With several outdoor adventures alongside shows for the young ones, there’s something for everyone at Animal Kingdom®.
KIDS’ CORNER
Gorilla facts
1 Gorillas are great apes, not monkeys.
2 The male gorillas are called “Silverbacks” because of the patch of gray hair on their backs. They can live up to 50 years, and weigh as much as 500 lb (230 kg).
3 A group of gorillas is called a “band” – but they don’t play any instruments!
Hanging out
Look up above the windows in the tiger habitat in Asia … those are Indian fruit bats, with wings up to 5 ft (1.5 m) across.
The yeti’s roar
Like North America’s Bigfoot, the Abominable Snowman, or Yeti, is a mythical giant ape, said to inhabit the Himalayas near Nepal and Tibet. The Yeti howling inside Expedition Everest® is an Audio-Animatronic beast 25 ft (7.5 m) tall and weighing 20,000 lb (9,000 kg).
Tall green woman
As you go through Africa, keep an eye out for a woman on stilts. She’s covered in foliage, so even though she’s very tall, it’ll be hard to spot her. Her name is Divine, and she hangs out on the pathway between Africa and Asia, and sometimes in the Oasis near Rainforest Café.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios®
Hollywood magic meets the wizardry of Disney
Arched entrance leading to the park
From adventuring treasure hunters and swashbuckling spacemen to living toys and friendly monsters, the attractions at Hollywood Studios® immerse visitors in the history of Hollywood, Disney-style. Opened in 1989 as a working film- and TV- production facility, today it has shows and rides based on films and TV. While Toy Story Land opened in 2018, the long-anticipated Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is slated to open in 2019.
Key Features
1. Hollywood Boulevard The whole family will love the Citizens of Hollywood improv acting troupe, which calls the audience into play while bringing the silver screen to life.
2. Star Tours® – The Adventures Continue The most popular attraction in this park, “Star Tours®” uses characters and scenes from the Star Wars™ films and leads guests on a multiple-storyline intergalactic adventure in the Backlot.
3. Echo Lake The Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular! offers pyrotechnics of another sort. The Force grows stronger as 2019 and the opening of the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land approaches
4. Muppet Courtyard Enter the madcap world of the Muppets, where the Muppet*Vision 3D film, with its hilarious pre-show and 4D special effects, entertains young and old alike.
5. Sunset Boulevard Ride a runaway elevator on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ or zoom away on the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith, before ending your day at an awesome fireworks show.
6. Animation Courtyard Meet Disney and Pixar characters before the Magic of Disney Animation show. Puppets take the stage during the Voyage of the Little Mermaid live show.
7. Toy Story Land Board a spinning car in Toy Story Mania!® to practice pie-throwing and play ring toss with Toy Story characters and giant green Army men.
The Lowdown
Address 351 South Studio Dr, Lake Buena Vista, 32830; 407 824 4321; disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/hollywood-studios
Bus Lynx bus 303 from downtown Orlando to Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. Disney buses run from the TTC. Taxi Water taxis from BoardWalk and Yacht Club Resorts, as well as Swan and Dolphin resorts.
Open 9am–10pm daily. Check the park’s “Calendar” page for seasonal variations and Extra Magic Hours.
Price see Walt Disney World® Resort
Cutting the line Busiest days are Sun and Wed. Star Wars™ Weekends (May–Jun) and Christmas are the busiest periods.
Age range 4 plus
Shows Beauty and the Beast, at the Theater of the Stars, tells of the beast who was saved by love. Fantasmic! combines lasers, water, and fireworks with dozens of Disney characters. Both shows take place in Sunset Boulevard.
Allow 3–8 hours
Wheelchair access Yes
Eat and drink SNACKS Fairfax Fare (in Sunset Boulevard) has salads and specialty hot dogs. REAL MEAL Sci-Fi Dine-In (in Backlot) has sci-fi movies playing while families sit at car-shaped tables and eat burgers, pasta, and steaks.
Shops Each attraction has its own gift shop. Tatooine Traders, the Star Wars™ store, is one of the most popular.
Restrooms Throughout the park
Good family value?
It’s a little expensive, like all Disney parks, but with rides and shows geared to kids of all ages, this is an excellent place to spend a day.
Top 10 Attractions
1. STAR TOURS® – THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE
Board a Starspeeder 1000 and ride along with C-3PO and R2-D2 from Star Wars™ through a 3-D universe.
2. INDIANA JONES™ EPIC STUNT SPECTACULAR!
Amid explosions and fire, daredevil stunt artists re-enact scenes from Raiders of the Lost Ark in this 30-minute show in the Backlot.
3. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST LIVE ON STAGE
The magic and romance of the film are re-created in this kid-friendly live show in Sunset Boulevard, featuring dancing, music, brilliant colors, and hilarious characters.
4. VOYAGE OF THE LITTLE MERMAID
Experience the land of Ariel and friends in this 15-minute live show in Animation Courtyard, in which water, lasers, music, and glow-in-the-dark puppets re-create scenes from the movie.
5. TOY STORY MANIA!®
Located in Toy Story Land, this carnival-themed ride is straight out of the beloved Toy Story movies. Kids can shoot virtual darts and eggs at 3-D targets, as Woody, Buzz, and Jessie offer helpful hints and cheer them on.
6. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOREVER: A FROZEN SING-ALONG CELEBRATION
This 30-minute live show is a crowd favorite, with live actors and a movie screen bringing to life the Frozen saga and inviting the audience to sing along to some of the movie’s popular songs.
7. MUPPET*VISION 3D
Join Jim Henson’s creations on a 17-minute, multiscreen kids’ delight while Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Fozzie sing, dance, and play along inside the theater, in Muppet Courtyard.
8. THE TWILIGHT ZONE TOWER OF TERROR™
Take a ride on an out-of-control elevator in the Hollywood Tower Hotel, where guests are taken to a height of 170 ft (52 m) in a dizzying combination of lifts and faster than gravity drops.
9. MAGIC OF DISNEY ANIMATION
Go behind the scenes with real Disney animators and discover the tricks of making cartoons like Mulan, Aladdin and The Lion King, in Animation Courtyard.
10. ROCK ‘N’ ROLLER COASTER® Starring Aerosmith
Rock out on this very fast, very loud roller coaster in Sunset Boulevard, where guests sit in souped-up limousines and are launched from a full stop to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 2.8 seconds, upside down, in the dark.
KIDS’ CORNER
Hollywood quiz
1 Who originally wrote The Little Mermaid?
2 On which book is the movie The Wizard of Oz based?
3 What is Indiana Jones’s profession?
4 Can you name the icy kingdom where the story of Anna and Elsa in the movie Frozen takes place?
Mind your manners
Don’t tell your parents, but when eating at 50s Prime Time Cafe in Hollywood Boulevard, the servers watch to see if anyone puts their elbows on the table – they could even send your dad or mom to stand in the corner!
HONORARY TOYS
In Toy Story Land, guests feel like they are tiny toys from Andy’s toy box. Can you guess Woody’s actual height, and the width of his cowboy hat?
A great backyard adventure
Find the giant shoe-print, and then notice how many things are made of toys: TinkerToy street lamps; a lunch box where lunch is served; blocks for tables and chairs. How many more can you find?
Answers:
1 Hans Christian Andersen. 2 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum. 3 Archaeologist. 4 Arendelle. Hidden fun: There’s a key under the mat; pulling the rope triggers responses from Dr. Dunfor Pullit, an out-of-sight archaeologist supported by the rope.
Blizzard Beach
A water park – with snow
Walt Disney World® Resort’s creatively designed winter ski resort-turned adventure park looks like a snowy wonderland, and has plenty of thrilling rides. The waterslides of Summit Plummet shoot straight down 120 ft (37 m) at 60 mph (97 km/h) and the twisty-turny double slides of Downhill Double Dipper are 50 ft (15 m) high and 200 ft (61 m) long. Try the family white-water raft ride Teamboat Springs, which drops down 1,200 ft (366 m) of waterfalls, or take a water-slicked bobsled ride down Mt. Gushmore on the eight-lane Toboggan Racers. The Winter Summerland mini-golf course is right at the entrance.
Take cover
If inclement weather threatens, head to the Coronado Springs Resort (disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/coronado-springs-resort). It has many dining options, including Pepper Market, which offers buffet-style breakfast and lunch, and the quick-service restaurant Café Rix, which serves delicious salads, paninis, and freshly baked goods.
The thrilling 90-ft- (27-m-) high Slush Gusher ride, Blizzard Beach
The Lowdown
Address 1524 W Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, 32830; 407 824 4321; disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/blizzard-beach
Bus Disney bus from the TTC and resort hotels
Open Hours vary by season; check website for details.
Price $195–260; under 3s free. Winter Summerland: $40–52; under 3s free
Cutting the line The park is least crowded from mid-Feb to mid-Mar, and mid-Sep to early Nov.
Age range 2 plus. Swim diapers required for toddlers.
Allow 2–6 hours
Wheelchair access Yes
Eat and drink SNACKS Cooling Hut (near the entrance) offers pretzels, nachos, muffins, tuna sandwiches, and popcorn. REAL MEAL Lottawatta Lodge (straight ahead from the entrance) serves chili dogs, chicken wraps, french fries, salads, and burgers.
Restrooms Throughout the park
Typhoon Lagoon
Ten ways to get really soaked
This Disney water park has everything from gentle raft rides for the whole family to daredevil waterslides for the fearless. The tropical island theme is reflected in the park’s lush palm trees and the white-sand beach. The incredible Surf Pool with its 6-ft (2-m) waves tempts experienced board riders. The roller-coaster-like slides of Crush ‘n’ Gator let three people take the plunge, and the slides of Gang Plank Falls can take four people for a wet ride. Go over the edge at the three raft rides of Mayday Falls, the winding waterways of Storm Slides, or the five-story high-speed drop of Humunga Kowabunga.
A water ride at the Typhoon Lagoon
Take cover
While getting wet is the whole point of a water park experience, an escape can be found at Disney Springs®. It has a variety of shops and restaurants, an extensive LEGO® Imagination Center, as well as a massive movie theater.
The Lowdown
Address 1195 E Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, 32830; 407 824 4321; disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/typhoon-lagoon
Bus Disney bus from the TTC and resort hotels
Open Hours vary by season; check website for details
Price $195–260; under 3s free
Cutting the line The park is least crowded from mid-Feb to mid-Mar, and mid-Sep to early Nov.
Age range 2 plus. Swim diapers required for toddlers.
Allow 2–6 hours
Wheelchair access Yes
Eat and drink SNACKS Happy Landings Ice Cream (near the shallow end of Surf Pool) serves ice cream sundaes and sodas. REAL MEAL Typhoon Tilly’s (between Hidaway Bay and Castaway Creek) offers shrimp, fish, and salads.
Restrooms Throughout the park
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Hoop-Dee-Doo!
More than just a themed camping resort, the Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground offers visitors the opportunity to hike, ski, and take horse-drawn carriage rides, or sit by the campfire and sing along with Chip and Dale behind the Meadow Trading Post. Families come year after year, and during the holiday season, the campground is ablaze with lights. Kids will enjoy the dinner show Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue.
Letting off steam
Kids will have fun climbing and sliding at Creekside Meadow and at the Bay Lake in the beach area.
The Lowdown
Address 901 Timberline Dr, Lake Buena Vista, 32830; 407 824 3200; disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/wilderness-lodge-resort
Bus Disney bus from the TTC and resort hotels
Price Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue: $180–240
Guided tours A 45-min guided trail rides around Fort Wilderness ($46 horseback; $45 carriage ride). Wilderness Back Trail Adventure is a 2-hour Segway tour of the grounds ($96 per person; must be 16 or above).
Age range 3 plus
Activities Rent a bike or pontoon boat or take a pony ride at the Tri-Circle-D Ranch.
Allow 1–3 hours
Wheelchair access Yes
Eat and drink SNACKS The Roaring Fork (in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge) has sandwiches, burgers, and omelets. FAMILY TREAT Artist Point (in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge) serves specialties from the Pacific Northwest, including seafood, sirloin, and game.
Restrooms In all comfort stations
Disney Springs®
Everything at this attraction is really big
Disney Springs® has no shortage of options to occupy the whole family’s time. In addition to some superb dining venues, West Side is home to Cirque du Soleil® and to the 24-screen AMC. Marketplace has the world’s largest Disney merchandise outlet, a Harley-Davidson store, a gigantic LEGO® Imagination Center, and even a three-story Planet Hollywood®. To sample world cuisine, head to Morimoto Asia, Raglan Road Irish Pub, and Paradiso 37.
Letting off steam
Take a quick trip on the Disney bus system to the Typhoon Lagoon.
A variety of plush toys in the World of Disney® store, Disney Springs®
The Lowdown
Address 1590 E Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, 32830; 407 828 3800; www.disneysprings.com
Bus Disney bus from the TTC and resort hotels
Open Hours vary; check website
Price Cirque du Soleil®-La Nouba™: $228–540; under 3s free. DisneyQuest®: $170–200; under 3s free
Activities Play interactive virtual reality games such as virtual jungle cruise, Buzz Lightyear’s Astroblasters, and design-your-own roller coaster at DisneyQuest®. Splitsville (in West Side) combines family bowling and billiards with dining. The Characters in Flight ($80–100; under 3s free), a hot-air balloon ride, takes 29 guests a breathtaking 400 ft (122 m) above Disney Springs®.
Wheelchair access Yes
Eat and drink SNACKS Earl of Sandwich (1750 E Buena Vista Dr, 32830; 407 938 1762; www.earlofsandwichusa.com) offers soups, salads, and sandwiches. FAMILY TREAT Fultons Crab House (1670 Buena Vista Dr, 32830; 407 934 2628; www.fultonscrabhouse.com) serves some of the freshest fish in town.
Restrooms At all restaurants, some shops, and Cirque du Soleil®
KIDS’ CORNER
Spot from the top
Pause at the top of Mt. Gushmore at Blizzard Beach and see if you can spot all four Disney Parks in different directions. Look for:
1 The spires of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom®
2 Epcot®’s giant sphere, Spaceship Earth®
3 The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®
4 Disney’s Animal Kingdom®’s Tree of Life
Brick snake
The 30-ft (9-m) LEGO® sea serpent at Disney Springs® Marketplace is made of 170,000 bricks.
Surf in a water park
The Surf Pool at Typhoon Lagoon holds 3 million gallons (10 million liters) of water – or 44,000,000 cups! For a special thrill, stand at the big red line in the pool – that’s where the wave comes down.
One on top of the other
Next to the Wilderness Lodge Mercantile is a totem pole, featuring several very rugged Disney characters. Can you name them all?
Answers:
Humphrey Bear at the base supports Donald Duck; Goofy is on Donald’s shoulders. Sitting above Goofy is Mickey Mouse.
2. Universal Studios Florida®
Rock ‘n’ roll and lots of aliens
Universal Globe at the entrance to Universal Studios Florida®
This Universal Orlando® Resort theme park takes movies and television very seriously, but in a fun way. See Hollywood’s history come alive through classic horror films, characters from famous movies, and vintage cartoon creatures that younger guests may not know. The thrilling rides, based on Harry Potter’s adventures, mummies, aliens, and animated ogres, incorporate state-of-the-art technology in themed zones.
Key Features
1. Hollywood Hang out with Hello Kitty and her friends at the Hello Kitty Shop, and meet a cyborg time traveler at Terminator 2®: 3-D Battle Across Time.
2. Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone® Everything young kids could hope for is here, from Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster® and the E.T. Adventure®, to the Curious George Goes to TownSM playground, with its cartoonish buildings and plenty of activities for toddlers.
3. Production Central Shrek 4D lets guests ride a dragon, while Despicable Me Minion Mayhem hosts a dance party. But the highlight is the thrilling 17-story-high Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit® coaster.
4. London The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™: Diagon Alley™ is a hair-raising ride from Gringotts Bank™, through Platform 9¾™, and onto the Hogwarts™ Express, heading to Hogsmeade™.
5. Lagoon front Embark on a thrilling adventure in the heart-stopping world of Fast & Furious: Supercharged. Guests can enjoy high-octane underground racing on this Hollywood action series ride, or alternatively, face realistic fears in the interactive Fear Factor Live show.
6. World Expo Wily aliens await in the streets of New York in MEN IN BLACK™: Alien Attack™, and Bart and the gang hang out at Krustyland at the simulated The Simpsons Ride™.
The Lowdown
Address 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, 32819; 407 363 8000, or 407 224 7840 (for tickets); www.universalorlando.com
Bus Lynx bus 40 ($2 one way) from downtown Orlando. Car From Orlando International Airport to Interstate 4 East. Parking $15 per day. Park at Loews Royal Pacific Resort to take the free water taxi to CityWalk®.
Open Park usually open 9am–7pm; closing times vary; check website for seasonal hours. Universal CityWalk®: 11am–2am
Price $352–460. $510–680 park-to-park pass for both parks. Multiday packages available; check website for details.
Cutting the line The park is busiest Tue–Fri. Avoid visiting in the months of Mar–Aug, Oct, and late Nov–Dec. Most hotel guests get a free Express Pass ($99 for non-hotel guests) that helps in avoiding queues.
Guided tours VIP guided walking tours with Express Pass to rides: $600 one park; $740 both parks.
Shows Little ones adore the big purple dinosaur at A Day in the Park with Barney™. Families love Universal’s Horror Make-Up Show, and older kids will get a kick out of Fear Factor Live.
Age range 3 plus. Age and height restrictions apply for most rides.
Allow 1–2 days
Wheelchair access Yes
Restrooms Throughout the park
Good family value?
Every moviegoer’s dream, this park brings blockbuster movies to life and offers a variety of rides and attractions for both kids and adults.
Letting off steam
Enjoy a round of sci-fi and horror film-themed golf at CityWalk’s® Hollywood Drive-in Golf™ course.
Eat and drink
Picnic: under $25; Snacks: $25–50; Real meal: $50–80; Family treat: over $80 (based on a family of four)
PICNIC Richter’s Burger Co. (near the Lagoon) has cheeseburgers, salads, and sandwiches to take away.
SNACK Kid Zone Pizza Company (in Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone®) has pizza, chicken, and salads.
REAL MEAL Classic Monsters Cafe (at Production Central) offers a kid-friendly menu in themed environs.
FAMILY TREAT The Kitchen (at Hard Rock Hotel) has fine dining with a rock ‘n’ roll attitude.
Shopping
Everything movie- and cartoon-related can be found at Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone®, in stores such as The Barney® Store, E.T.’s Toy Closet & Photo Spot®, and Universal’s Cartoon Store, while stores such as the Simpsons’™ Kwik-E-Mart have customized goodies. There are also acres of shopping in CityWalk®.
Children explore a themed golf course at Hollywood Drive-in Golf™
Top 10 Attractions
1. THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER™: DIAGON ALLEY™
Ride the rails at Escape from Gringotts™, shop for quills, robes, Quidditch™ brooms, and wands, then hop on the Hogwarts™ Express and head for Hogsmeade™.
2. THE SIMPSONS RIDE™
There are many surprises and twists on this flying, crashing visit to the Krustyland carnival with the Simpson family, in World Expo.
3. MEN IN BLACK™: ALIEN ATTACK™
Join the famous alien hunters in their underground headquarters, and then ride through the streets of New York blasting escaped aliens – who may shoot back.
4. TERMINATOR 2®: 3-D BATTLE ACROSS TIME
Join forces with Terminator robots in this live show that pits humans against futuristic cyborgs in Hollywood.
5. REVENGE OF THE MUMMY®
The mummy awakes, along with fiery fireballs, and attacks in total darkness during the coaster’s twists and turns on this New York ride.
6. SHREK 4-D
Ride on a fire-breathing dragon, plunge over a churning waterfall with Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey, and gallop through a haunted forest in Production Central’s hilarious motion simulation movie adventure.
7. DESPICABLE ME MINION MAYHEM
The mischievous minions, as well as other characters from the hit film, join guests on a tour of Gru’s house in this Production Central ride that ends in a wild dance party.
8. WOODY WOODPECKER’s NUTHOUSE COASTER®
Visit the woodpecker’s Nut Factory for a wacky kid-friendly ride full of small thrills, silly jokes, and gentle ups and downs.
9. HOLLYWOOD RIP RIDE ROCKIT®
Pick your music and then strap in to a high-tech car on Orlando’s highest coaster, which climbs 17 stories above the park before plummeting at 65 mph (104 km/h).
10. E.T. ADVENTURE®
Bring E.T. back to his home on this part-movie, part-virtual flying bike ride that ends with a personalized farewell from E.T. himself.
KIDS’ CORNER
Keen eyes
1 Look carefully in the treasure room of the Revenge of the Mummy® ride for a golden King Kong statue. This building was once an ape-themed ride called “Kongfrontation.”
2 Pick your targets on the Men In Black™ ride: shoot Frank the Pug near the Crashed Spaceship, and zap the alien holding up Steven Spielberg’s head next to the Locksmith.
Say cheese
Make sure you collect the pictures taken of you on these thrilling rides – Revenge of the Mummy®, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit®, and The Simpsons Ride™.
A Melodic Coaster
It took an entire year to build the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit® roller coaster, where you get to pick a song out of 30 choices for the ride. But pick fast, because you get only 45 seconds before the coaster blasts off!
Create your own amusement park
1 Which movies do you like the best? Can you plan an amusement park around them?
2 What kind of rides would you like in your park, and which characters would you want there? Try drawing the rides and then color them in.
3. Universal’s Islands of Adventure®
Where superheroes hang out
The Pharos Lighthouse at the entrance
When the snow-covered Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ opened here in 2010, Potter fanatics snatched up a year’s worth of Butterbeer™ and Ollivanders™ wands in its opening weeks, and it continues to be a popular draw. But there’s a lot more at this Universal Orlando® Resort theme park, including stunning pyrotechnics, thrilling roller coasters, and rides for younger kids, inspired by everyone’s favorite movies.
Key Features
1. Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ Explore Hogwarts™ Castle, ride the fun Hippogriff™, enjoy a thrilling Quidditch™ match, or shop for Bertie Bott's Every Flavor beans in Hogsmeade™ Village.
2. Lost Continent® Witness legends, myths, and heroes at the Eighth Voyage of Sindbad® Stunt Show, or talk to the Mystic Fountain, which squirts water in reply.
3. Marvel Super Hero Island® Meet your favorite superheroes and villains on the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man® 3-D ride, the Incredible Hulk Coaster, and Doctor Doom’s Fearfall®.
4. Jurassic Park® Dinosaur-fueled excitement awaits, from the 85-ft (26-m) drop inside the Jurassic Park River Adventure® to the fun of the sky-high Pteranodon Flyers®.
5. Toon Lagoon® Children love the crashing log-ride adventure of Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls® and the water-based action of Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges® and Me Ship, The Olive.
6. Seuss Landing™ From the house of The Cat In The Hat™ to the spinning fun of the Caro-Seuss-el™ and One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish™ rides, this is the place for Dr. Seuss fans. Don’t miss the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!™.
Take cover
Blue Man Group, the colorful show at Universal CityWalk®, offers guests a remarkable evening of outrageous humor, dance, and theater.
Eat and drink
Picnic: under $25; Snacks: $25–50; Real meal: $50–80; Family treat: over $80 (based on a family of four)
PICNIC Blondie’s (in Toon Lagoon®) has towering made-to-order sandwiches for the family, with fresh meat, vegetables, and a variety of cheeses and dressings.
SNACKS The Watering Hole (in Jurassic Park®) has hot dogs, nachos, and chicken wings, as well as soft drinks.
REAL MEAL Three Broomsticks™ (in Wizarding World of Harry Potter™) offers authentic British food such as fish and chips, Cornish pasties, and shepherd’s pie.
FAMILY TREAT Mythos Restaurant® (in Lost Continent®), built inside a rocky cliff, is one of the best restaurants in Orlando. It serves great soups and appetizers, excellent seafood, and fabulous desserts.
The award-winning Mythos Restaurant® in Lost Continent®
Shopping
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ has fun stuff, from Chocolate Frogs™ at Honeydukes™ to screaming yo-yos at Zonko’s™ Joke Shop. Kids will also enjoy the shops at Toon Lagoon®, Marvel Super Hero Island®, Seuss Landing™, and Jurassic Park®.
Top 10 Rides
1. INCREDIBLE HULK COASTER Dive underwater and rocket upside down on this thrilling coaster on Marvel Super Hero Island®.
2. HARRY POTTER AND THE FORBIDDEN JOURNEY™ Fly a broomstick with the Hogwarts™ gang in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, an amazing 3-D experience that is one of the most popular attractions here.
3. HARRY POTTER COASTER A new Harry Potter-themed coaster, scheduled to open in 2019, will take visitors on a thrilling ride deeper into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™.
4. SKULL ISLAND: REIGN OF KONG Enter the wild terrain of King Kong, and voyage through an ancient temple and a series of caves, to eventually meet the legendary ape.
5. AMAZING ADVENTURES OF SPIDER-MAN®
Spidey and his friends swing off the page in this 3-D living comic book on Marvel Super Hero Island®.
6. POPEYE AND BLUTO’S BILGE-RAT BARGES®
Head to Toon Lagoon® for a ride along rapids on giant rafts, as onlookers shoot water cannons.
7. JURASSIC PARK RIVER ADVENTURE®
Journey on a river, past quiet lagoons, before the raptors attack and the only escape from a giant T-Rex is an 85-ft (26-m) dark plunge.
8. THE HIGH IN THE SKY SEUSS TROLLEY TRAIN RIDE!™
The storytelling trolley in Seuss Landing™ roams over carousels and roller coasters, and even through the Circus McGurkus Café.
9. THE CAT IN THE HAT™
Join Things One and Two on this wacky tour of The Cat’s home in Seuss Landing™.
10. PTERANODON FLYERS®
Fly under the outstretched wings of a pteranodon as it glides over the playground in Jurassic Park®.
The Lowdown
Address 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, 32819; 407 224 4233 or 407 224 7840 (for tickets); www.universalorlando.com
Bus Lynx bus 40 ($2 one way) from downtown Orlando to Universal Studios® parking garage. Park at Loews Royal Pacific Resort and take the free water taxi to Universal CityWalk®. Car Rent a car from Orlando.
Open 9am–6pm daily; check website for variations. Universal CityWalk®: 11am–2am daily
Price $350–500; call for current prices. Multiday packages are available; check website for details and discounts.
Cutting the line The least crowded months are mid-Jan–Feb, Sep & early Nov. The busiest days are Mon–Fri. A Universal ExpressSM pass to skip lines for rides is available; check website for details and discounts. An Unlimited ExpressSM Ticket allows unlimited skipping of lines; check website for details.
Age range 7 plus
Allow 1–2 days
Restrooms Throughout the park
Good family value?
Although expensive, the park has something to offer everyone, and Harry Potter™ fans will be thrilled to see the books brought to life.
KIDS’ CORNER
Where can you find these characters on Marvel Super Hero Island®?
1 Dr. Bruce Banner
2 Professor Xavier and Magneto
3 Peter Parker
4 The Fantastic Four
Water fight
The Me Ship, The Olive playground has water cannons and hoses that can be aimed right at the riders on Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges®. Go get ‘em!
It’s A Wonky World
There’s something odd about Seuss Landing™ – look at the trees, buildings, and streets and you’ll see that there aren’t any straight lines anywhere!
Wonders of the Wizarding World
1 Stand by the Owlery clock when it strikes the hour to see the owl “cuckoo clock.”
2 Watch the big boar head hanging on the Hogshead Bar – you might see it moving!
3 Want to see a screaming mandrake root? Check out the Dogweed and Deathcap shop.
4 Watch your fingers when you're in Dervish and Banges™ – The Monster Book of Monsters is kept in a cage for a reason!
Answers:
1 Incredible Hulk Coaster. 2 Storm Force Accelatron®. 3 The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®. 4 Doctor Doom’s Fearfall®.
4. SeaWorld®, Aquatica, and Discovery Cove®
A splashing good time
Logo of SeaWorld® Orlando
SeaWorld®, and its sister parks Aquatica and Discovery Cove®, are located close to each other, and provide opportunities for families to learn about marine life while having fun. Kids will enjoy the entertaining seals, sea lions, and penguins, and the thrilling rides at SeaWorld® and Aquatica, while Discovery Cove®, a resort-like park, features rivers and white sandy beaches.
Key Features
1. Thrill Rides SeaWorld® offers some of the fastest, wettest rides in town, such as the high-flying Manta®, the upside-down Kraken®, and Journey to Atlantis®, a flume-ride and roller-coaster hybrid – filling the air with screams of delight.
2. Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin® follows the fictional adventures of a penguin named Puck, before exploring the icy world of a penguins’ colony.
3. The Animals Feed bottlenose friends at Dolphin Cove®, pet velvety rays in the Stingray Lagoon, and play with sea lions at Pacific Point Preserve®, in SeaWorld®.
4. Undersea Life SeaWorld®’s Manta® Aquarium holds 3,000 animals, from sea horses to octopuses. In Shark Encounter®, see thousands of sharks through glass.
5. Aquatica This water park features giant surfing pools, zooming underwater mazes, and racing rapids, as well as Loggerhead Lane, the laziest river in town.
6. Clyde & Seamore’s Sea Lion High® is a fun-filled show that follows the comic adventures of sea lions, walruses, and otters in an aquatic-themed high school.
7. Discovery Cove® Experience marine life: take an underwater stroll in a diving helmet, or meet otters and marmosets.
The Lowdown
Address SeaWorld®: 7007 SeaWorld Dr, Orlando, 32821; 407 351 3600; www.seaworldorlando.com. Aquatica: 5800 Water Play Way, Orlando, 32821; 1 888 800 5447; www.aquaticabyseaworld.com. Discovery Cove®: 6000 Discovery Cove Way, Orlando, 32821; 1 877 557 7404; www.discoverycove.com
Car Rent a car from Orlando International Airport. Parking: SeaWorld® $14; Aquatica $12; Discovery Cove® free
Open SeaWorld®: 9am to between 6 and 10pm. Aquatica: 9am–6pm. Discovery Cove®: 9am–5:30pm. Check websites.
Prices SeaWorld®: $316; under 3s free. Aquatica: $196. Discovery Cove®: $510–690 (inclusive of meals; cheapest in Sep). SeaWorld®/Aquatica 14-day unlimited entry: $556. Add $100 to Discovery Cove® for unlimited 14-day access to SeaWorld® and Aquatica. SeaWorld® All Day Dining Deal: $110–40.
Cutting the line The Quick Queue pass gives front-of-the line access to Manta®, Kraken®, Journey To Atlantis®, and Wild Arctic® ($60–100). The parks are busiest late May–Sep and Nov. Thu–Sun are crowded.
Guided tours There is a 90-minute SeaWorld® Behind the Scenes tour and a Wild Arctic® Up-Close Tour.
Age range 2 plus. Age and height restrictions apply for most rides.
Allow 1–3 days
Wheelchair access Yes
Restrooms Across the parks. Diaper-changing tables in restrooms near SeaWorld®’s front entrance.
Good family value?
Though pricey, the three parks have many entry options that ensure a great family experience.
Letting off steam
Shamu’s Happy Harbor® is a great place for kids to burn off energy, with plenty of shady spots for parents.
Eat and drink
Picnic: under $25; Snacks: $25–50; Real meal: $50–80; Family treat: over $80 (based on a family of four)
PICNIC Mango Joe’s (near Wild Arctic®, SeaWorld®) has delicious fajita sandwiches, wraps, and salads for a quick picnic in the park.
SNACKS Captain Pete’s Island Hot Dogs (in Dolphin Cove®, SeaWorld®) serves funnel cakes and hot dogs in an island atmosphere.
REAL MEAL Seafire Inn (in Waterfront, SeaWorld®) has stir-fry and pasta, as well as fish and chips.
FAMILY TREAT Sharks Underwater Grill (in Shark Encounter®, SeaWorld®) serves exceptional seafood with a view of a massive glass-walled shark tank.
Shopping
Across the parks, visit Emporium for hats, Coconut Bay Traders for souvenirs, and Fins for plush toys.
Find out more
DIGITAL Watch Shamu and the SeaWorld® penguins on webcams at www.tinyurl.com/7t2umlf.
Guests enjoying a seafood meal at Sharks Underwater Grill, SeaWorld®
Top 10 Attractions
1. CLYDE & SEAMORE’S SEA LION HIGH®
Enjoy the fun adventures of these amazing animals in their wacky quest of high-school diplomas.
2. MANTA®
Ride this manta ray-shaped suspended coaster in SeaWorld® that includes an up-close encounter with manta rays and other sea life.
3. JOURNEY TO ATLANTIS®
Travel through the ruins of a sunken city on this part-boat, part-roller coaster in SeaWorld®, and explore dark passageways before being plunged into the waters below.
4. KRAKEN®
This spiraling, upside-down, high-speed monster of a thrill ride suspends riders high above the Serpent’s Lagoon in SeaWorld®.
5. ANTARCTICA: EMPIRE OF THE PENGUIN®
Get up close with penguins and see what it’s like to live on ice on this magical SeaWorld® ride, where the adventure is different every time.
6. DOLPHIN COVE®
Observe bottlenose dolphins during feeding time in this massive but peaceful lagoon in SeaWorld®.
7. SHAMU’S HAPPY HARBOR®
Younger kids will love this SeaWorld® mini-park that has boat rides, teacup spinners, an octopus carousel, and the Shamu Express teeny coaster.
8. DOLPHIN PLUNGE®
This thrilling Aquatica ride has side-by-side enclosed tubes that slide through the underwater home of black-and-white dolphins.
9. TURTLE TREK®
Witness the journey of a sea turtle in the world’s first 3-D, 360-degree domed theater, surrounded by giant aquariums and thousands of fish, in SeaWorld®.
10. WALHALLA WAVE® & HOOROO RUN®
In these two connected Aquatica waterslides, guests can ride through a six-story tunnel maze, which then takes them over the edge and racing to the bottom.
KIDS’ CORNER
See more at SeaWorld®
1 Stop by the SeaWorld® Information Center (right of entrance turnstiles) to find out when you can see or even help feed the mammals.
2 Head to the Lakeside Patio to dance with Shamu at the all-day Shamu’s Party Zone.
3 Climb the 400-ft (122-m) rotating Sky Tower for a bird’s-eye view of Orlando, Walt Disney World® Resort, and Universal Orlando®.
“Secret” events
Shamu & Crew sign autographs at the SeaWorld® front gate from 9am to noon, and there is a special pre-show, held just before Clyde & Seamore's Sea Lion High®..
Trick a grown-up!
Tell your parents to sit in the front row on the Journey to Atlantis® coaster, but don’t tell them how wet they’ll get!
Whirlwind spin
Aquatica’s quiet Loggerhead Lane lazy river has a thrilling secret: from the island in the middle, climb the tower and dive into Tassie’s Twisters – a series of lightning-fast tubes that spin into a giant bowl – for a dizzying ride back into the river.
5. ICON Orlando
For a view from the top
This stunning observation wheel is a fairly recent addition to the spectrum of Orlando's attractions. Similar to the installation in London, ICON Orlando takes visitors on a 20-minute ride in an air-conditioned capsule, traveling to a height of 400 ft (122 m). The ride offers spectacular views of the Orlando skyline and the lights of International Drive. The theme parks and lakes are all within sight, and on really clear days, visitors can catch sight of the Vertical Assembly Building at Cape Canaveral, nearly 60 miles (97 km) away. At night, the the wheel is set ablaze with 64,000 lights, and is an incredible spectacle visible for miles.
The ICON Orlando wheel is part of the ICON Orlando 360 complex, which includes Madame Tussauds (see International Drive), with its many waxworks of celebrities from the worlds of music, movies, television, science, art, history, sports, and popular culture, as well as Skeletons: Museum of Osteology, and the Orlando Starflyer – the world’s tallest swing ride at 450 ft (137 m).
Located close by, SEA LIFE Aquarium Orlando offers visitors a glimpse into the underwater lives of more than 5,000 sea animals, scattered over 32 displays. These are arranged in tanks reflecting the different oceans of the world, such as the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. There are varieties of sea creatures – from beautiful, dangerous jellyfish, green sea turtles, and eels, to playful octopi, such as the Giant Pacific Octopus, that wanders and drifts through a shipwreck. Sharks and manta rays swim above and below visitors walking through a 360-degree ocean tunnel, making it an arresting and intensely visual experience. In one room, sardines swim in a silvery vortex above visitors’ heads; another area offers starfish and other rock-pool inhabitants.
Staff members are at hand to offer visitors information on rescuing, protecting, and breeding the animals. The aquarium has also set up six sea animal sanctuaries that are currently situated around the world. As many as 150 seals and turtles have had their injuries treated, in order to be released back into the wild.
An I-Ride Trolley that helps visitors get around in the International Drive area
Letting off steam
For rides that defy gravity, Starflyer mega-swings, and go-karts, visit Magical Midway (7001 International Dr, 32819; 407 370 5353, www.magicalmidway.com), located less than two miles (3 km) from ICON Orlando. There are arcade games and low-key rides as well, such as merry-go-rounds and bumper boats, which the kids will love.
ICON Orlando, offering visitors a grand view of the city
The Lowdown
Address ICON Orlando 360: 8401 International Dr, 32819; 866 228 6438; www.iconorlando.com. SEA LIFE Aquarium Orlando: 8449 International Dr, 32819; 866 602 0607; www.visitsealife.com/
Bus Lynx bus 8, 38, 42, 50, 58 & 111 to International Dr. I-Ride Trolley (407 354 5656; 8am–10:30pm daily) on the Green Line to south-bound stop G9, and on the Red Line to north-bound stop 17. Car Rent a car from Orlando. Take exit 74A onto Sand Lake Rd off I-4 to International Dr.
Opening times ICON Orlando: 10am–10pm Sun–Thu, 10am–midnight Fri & Sat. SEA LIFE Aquarium Orlando: 10am–9pm daily
Price ICON Orlando: $78–104; under 3s free. Combination tickets for SEA LIFE Aquarium, Madame Tussauds, or Skeletons: Museum of Osteology: $120–$160. Book online to get discounts.
Guided tours ICON Orlando offers private rides ($375 per capsule; book ahead).
Age range 5 plus
Allow 1–3 hours
Wheelchair access Yes
Eat and drink SNACKS Friendly’s (8418 International Dr, 32819; 407 345 1655) offers good diner fare and delicious ice-cream. REAL MEAL Brick House Tavern and Tap (8440 International Dr, 32819; 407 355 0321; www.brickhousetavernandtap.com) serves pizzas and burgers, and fun starters for kids, such as pork meatballs and pretzels.
Restrooms At all venues
6. Crayola Experience
Sculpt, create, and play
Founded in 2015, Crayola Experience offers over two dozen distinct attractions for children to be creative, and to play with colors. Digital versions of art, projected onto the walls, can be created at Art Alive!, while charming spin-board art can be fashioned from wax at the Drip Art station. At Melt & Mold, kids can create cars, seahorses, rings, and much more, with the help of crayon wax and a machine. Imaginative shapes can be sculpted out of tinted clay at Modeling Madness. Visitors should begin at the Crayola Factory, where Scarlet and Turk (short for turquoise) guide you through the Crayola manufacturing process, while the resident 'Crayonologist' answers questions about Crayola's products.
Over the years, the company has expanded phenomenally and its products are innumerable, from markers and colored pencils to pigments and fine art supplies. Stop by at the Crayola Store for a taste of this – and catch eccentric crayon names like Macaroni & Cheese, Robin’s Egg Blue, and Inchworm.
The colorful entry welcoming young children at the Crayola Experience
Letting off steam
There are two children’s play areas in the Florida Mall – one near Macy’s, and the other next to American Girl. You can also find several stores that sell children's games and toys, such as Build-A-Bear Workshop (407 438 8882; www.buildabear.com).
Entrance to the Florida Mall, where the Crayola Experience is located
The Lowdown
Address 8001 S Orange Blossom Trail, Florida Mall, 32809; 407 757 1700; www.crayolaexperience.com/orlando
Car Rent a car from Orlando. Take the Sand Lake Rd exit off I-4, or Exit 8 from eastbound, or Exit 4 from westbound
Opening times 10am–8pm daily
Price $96; under 2s free
Cutting the line The best time to visit is before noon.
Age range 2 plus
Allow 3–4 hours
Wheelchair access Yes
Shop The Crayola Store (on site) sells Crayola products, plush toys, and customized apparel.
Eat and drink SNACKS Café Crayola (on site) has a choice of sandwiches, pizzas, and gluten-free items. REAL MEAL Spoleto Italian Kitchen (8001 S Orange Blossom Trail, Florida Mall, 32809; 561 274 9404; www.spoletoitalian.com) offers customized dishes with over 30 sauces and toppings options.
KIDS’ CORNER
Colorful beginnings
While Crayola had a humble start in the mid-1800s, today it produces over 1,500 different items.
1 Do you know what Crayola first produced?
2 In 1903, Crayola released a box of wax coloring sticks. How many colors did the box contain?
3 What were the original colors in the pack?
4 There are several popular phrases used today, that involve color. Can you guess what "I'm feeling blue" means?
COLOR BLIND?
Being color blind doesn't mean you can't see colors – it just means your perception of specific colors is inaccurate. You simply may not be able to see a green leaf or a red fire engine the same way others do.
The Highest Eye
ICON Orlando offers a panoramic view from the sky, but it is still not the highest!. There are four Ferris wheels in the world that are taller than ICON Orlando – in London, China, Singapore, and Las Vegas – the last of which is the tallest, at a whop-ping 550 ft (168 m).
Answers:
1 Industrial pigments. 2 Eight colors. 3 Green, yellow, orange, red, violet, blue, brown, and black. 4 It means "I'm feeling sad".
7. International Drive
Watch out for falling buildings
With Universal Studios Florida® at one end and SeaWorld® at the other, I-Drive features more great attractions for kids. It is hard to miss the upside-down building of Wonderworks and its science-oriented exhibits, or the giant wheel of ICON Orlando towering over the whole area. Monkey Joe’s has wall-to-wall bouncing fun for ages 4 to 12, and an adult lounge for parents. The dramatically tilted building of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium contains the world’s largest collection of weird stuff, and Madame Tussauds keeps its life-like wax statues in air-conditioned surroundings.
Letting off steam
Head to Fun Spot Action Park (5700 Fun Spot Way, 32819; 407 363 3867; www.funspot.tutengraphics.com) for go-karts, bumper cars, Ferris wheels, and tilt-a-whirls. Or try the 14-slide water park at the Coco Key Resort (7400 International Dr, 32819; 407 351 2626; www.cocokeyorlando.com).
Bizarre-looking building housing Wonderworks, International Drive
The Lowdown
Address Wonderworks: 9067 International Dr, 32819; 407 351 8800; www.wonderworksonline.com. Monkey Joe’s: 9101 Inter-national Dr, 32819; 407 352 8484; www.monkeyjoes.com. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium: 8201 International Dr, 32819; 407 345 0501; www.ripleys.com/orlando. Madame Tussauds: 8401 International Dr, 32819; www.madametussauds.com/orlando
Car Rent a car from the airport.
Open All sights open daily; times vary
Price Wonderworks: $96–108; under 4s free. Monkey Joe’s: $14–26. Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Odditorium: $60–75; under 3s free. Madame Tussauds: $70–90; under 3s free
Cutting the line I-Drive is quieter on weekdays.
Age range 4 plus
Allow 2–8 hours
Eat and drink SNACKS McDonald’s (6875 West Sand Lake Rd, 32819; tinyurl.com/btarxwk) at I-Drive has a two-story playroom and a huge aquarium. FAMILY TREAT Benihana (12690 International Dr, 32821; benihana.com) thrills kids with at-the-table Japanese cooking.
8. Marsh Landing Adventures
Gators and wildlife galore
Head out onto the water at Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho to locals), one of Florida’s largest lakes. To take in the natural beauty and get a taste of Florida’s wild side, climb aboard one of Marsh Landing’s five airboats. Tours range from a one-hour overview of the lake and its environs, to a four-hour adventure that includes a picnic stop on a remote island. Coast Guard trained captains stop by often to share knowledge, as the boats pass moss-laden cypress trees and grassy swamp lands. Wildlife includes herons, egrets, pelicans, and bald eagles, along with alligators, deer, and wild pigs.
A Marsh Landing Adventures’ airboat zipping through the water
Letting off steam
After zipping across the water, visit the Partin Triangle Neighborhood Park (on site) that offers a shaded playground with swings as well as tennis and racquetball courts. Pavilions offer shade, and the picnic area has grills, the perfect place for an after-boating meal.
The Lowdown
Address 2830A Neptune Rd, Kissimmee, 34744; 407 572 3561; www.orlandoairboattours.com
Bus Bus 441 from the central station to Kissimmee Intermodal Station, then change to bus 10 for St. Cloud. Train On weekdays, take the SunRail to Kissimmee Intermodal Station, then change to bus 10 for St. Cloud. Car State Rd 441 to Kissimmee, then Neptune Rd east
Open 9am–6pm daily
Price $50–85; under 3s free
Cutting the line Fall is the best time to visit, but tours run year-round.
Guided tours The boat captains are all locals and have wide knowledge of the swamps and wildlife in the area.
Age range All ages; under 6s must wear lifejackets
Allow 2–6 hours
Wheelchair access Yes
Eat and drink SNACKS Front office offers drinks and snacks, including ice cream in the summer. Boats have coolers too. REAL MEAL The Catfish Place (2324 13th St, St Cloud) Florida catfish, shrimp, chicken, and southern desserts.
Shop Ticket office sells sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats and sunglasses.
Restrooms In the ticket office
Orlando, Winter Park, and around
Visitors aboard a boat tour, Winter Park
Entertainment, gardens, and the promise of warm winters have been luring visitors to Orlando since the 1880s. About an hour’s drive from both east and west coasts, it usually escapes the worst of the hurricane season while benefitting from pleasant temperatures in winter. Bordering greater Orlando, Winter Park’s appeal lies in its great museums, cafés, and scenic waterways.
SEE MAP
The Lowdown
Getting around Bus The Lynx bus system (www.golynx.com) links the airport, theme parks, and downtown Orlando. Car There are several municipal parking garages and lots, mostly around the Amway Center and Church Street in Downtown. Main street parking is metered or has restricted hours. Parking in Winter Park is free.
Visitor information 8723 International Dr, Suite 101, 32819; www.visitorlando.com
Supermarkets Publix, 741 S Orlando Ave, Winter Park, 32789; www.publix.com Markets Downtown Orlando Farmers’ Market, www.orlandofarmersmarket.com; 10am–4pm Sun. Winter Park Farmers’ Market, www.cityofwinterpark.org; 7am–1pm Sat
Pharmacy Walgreens, 1920 Aloma Ave, 32792; 407 628 1899 www.walgreens.com
Nearest playgrounds Lake Eola Park, 712 E Washington St, 32801, 7am–midnight daily. Langford Park, 1808 E Central Blvd, 32803; 5am–sunset daily
9. Orlando Science Center
Explore the past and the future
Exterior of Orlando Science Center
Walking across the glass bridge from the parking garage into the Science Center’s spaceship-like rotunda is like stepping into another world. Science-hungry kids and curious adults alike will enjoy the interactive exhibits, live programs, and films on giant screens. Hands-on learning and tricks teach kids about the small wonders of science, while astronomy exhibits and an observatory let them consider the enormity of the universe.
Key Features
1. NatureWorks Exhibits of animal habitats and diverse ecosystems start with an exhibit on Florida’s natural fish and alligator habitats.
2. DinoDigs Find fossils buried in the Dig Pit, look into a triceratop’s eye, and see life-size replicas of a T-Rex and a 40-ft- (12-m-) long plesiosaur skeleton.
3. Kinetic Zone Kids can learn about gravity and electricity, and build their own creations, such as rockets and air cars.
4. KidsTown Young visitors float boats on a multilevel waterfall, work in an orange grove, and interact with creative exhibits that accelerate cognitive development.
5. Our Planet Explore the stars, and learn how planets were formed, what happens when galaxies collide, and why the sky is blue.
6. Engineer It! Create prototypes of anything imagined, from bridges and LEGO® boats to much more, and develop the model, so that you can test it here.
7. Dr. Phillips CineDome Watch films about the bottom of the sea and the Grand Canyon on this spectacularly huge screen.
Letting off steam
Kids can tire themselves out harvesting plastic oranges and loading crates by hand in the juice factory in KidsTown. Lake Eola Park, 3 miles (5 km) south, offers lots of running space, a jogging lane around the lake, and boating.
Swans on the grassy banks in Lake Eola Park, south of the Orlando Science Center
Eat and drink
Picnic: under $25; Snacks: $25–50; Real meal: $50–80; Family treat: over $80 (based on a family of four)
PICNIC Ethos Vegan Kitchen (601-B S New York Ave, 32804; 407 228 3898; www.ethosvegankitchen.com) has meat-free sandwiches and salads to take away for a picnic at Loch Haven Park.
SNACKS SUBWAY (Level 1) is a sandwich shop that also has fresh salads and kids’ meals.
REAL MEAL Hawkers Asian Street Fare (1103 Mills Ave, 32803; 407 237 0606; www.eathawkers.com) presents a menu of street food delights from China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore in small sharing plates.
FAMILY TREAT Mesa21 (1414 N Orange Ave, Orlando, 32804; 407 930 8000; www.mesa21.com) is a popular place for authentic Mexican food. Located in a beautiful park, it overlooks the picturesque Lake Ivanhoe, and also has a play-ground for kids.
SUBWAY on Level 1 of the Orlando Science Center
The Crosby Observatory This silver dome on top of the Orlando Science Center hides a custom telescope powerful enough to see Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s moons, and distant stars.
Science Live! Mad scientists in training will enjoy conducting experiments at Dr. Dare’s Lab, and observing images of Earth, the Moon, and Mars projected on the hovering Science on a Sphere globe that hangs high above the audience.
The Lowdown
Address 777 E Princeton St, Orlando, 32803; 407 514 2000; www.osc.org
Bus Lynx bus 125 from downtown Orlando or SunRail commuter train to SunRail Florida Hospital Health station. Car Rent a car from Downtown Orlando and head onto Interstate 4, exit 85. Parking $5
Open 10am–5pm Mon–Sun. Hours vary; check website. Crosby Observatory: Sat and some Fri
Price $57–72. $165 for an annual family membership
Cutting the line Visit during extended hours to avoid crowds. Members have the benefit of the members-only line.
Age range All ages
Activities Live Science! Programming brings science to life with demos for visitors around the building.
Allow 3–6 hours
Café SUBWAY
Shop The Science Store (Level 2) sells puzzles, interactive science kits, and toys.
Restrooms On each level near the elevator
Good family value?
From dinosaurs to space exploration, this museum has a great variety of exhibits and activities for the whole family.
Next stop…
Head to the Orlando Museum of Art located in the Loch Haven Park, close to the Orlando Science Center. Here, you can see ancient Aztec pottery share space with contemporary American art, along with African handicrafts and many incredibly fascinating touring exhibitions.
KIDS’ CORNER
Spot the animal
All these animals live at the Florida’s Habitats exhibit. Can you guess what they are?
1 This animal grows from just 10 inches (25 cm) to 13 ft (4 m) in length.
2 This aquatic animal has “tree” in its name.
3 These reptiles have different kinds of marks on their hard shells.
FOssil files
Fossils are the remains of living organisms from a long time ago that have been preserved in rock formations. Paleontologists study fossils to link up extinct species with the ones around us today. Fossils can vary in size from a small bacterial cell, to dinosaurs and trees.
Set a personal record at the Science Center
1 Keep standing during a 5.6 Richter scale earthquake simulation.
2 Fly a simulated jet fighter plane without crashing.
3 Talk in the middle of a 70 mph (112 km/h) hurricane.
4 Design a gravity-driven wooden car and race it against the others on the 70-ft (21-m) pinewood derby track.
Answers:
1 Alligator. 2 Cuban tree frog. 3 Turtles.
10. Loch Haven Park
Art in the green
Strolling along a lush lawn in Harry P. Leu Gardens, Downtown Orlando
This extensive park is a cultural mecca, home to the Orlando Science Center, and several theaters and museums. The Orlando Shakespeare Theater performs plays by the Bard and modern playwrights, as well as children’s theater and productions from the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival. Across the parking lot, the multiple galleries of the Orlando Museum of Art hold American contemporary art, glass works by Dale Chihuly, and large collections of African handicrafts. Behind the Shakespeare Theater is the small Orlando Fire Museum, with rebuilt engines, and pumpers dating from 1911.
Letting off steam
Cool off at the College Park Pool (2411 Elizabeth Ave, 32804; 407 246 2764), located just a few minutes away from Loch Haven Park.
The Lowdown
Address Orlando Shakespeare Theater: 812 E Rollins St, 32803; orlandoshakes.org. Orlando Museum of Art: 2416 North Mills Ave, 32803; www.omart.org. Orlando Fire Museum: 814 E Rollins Rd, 32803; 407 246 2033
Bus Lynx bus 102 from Winter Park Car Rent a car from the airport.
Open Orlando Shakespeare Theater: check website. Orlando Museum of Art: 10am–4pm Tue–Fri, noon–4pm Sat & Sun. Orlando Fire Museum: 9am–3pm Fri–Sat
Price Orlando Shakespeare Theater: prices vary with events; check website. Orlando Museum of Art: $35–40; under 4s free
Cutting the line Busiest during the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival in May.
Guided tours Free docent-led tours of Orlando Museum of Art at 1:30pm Thu
Age range 4 plus
Allow 2–8 hours
Eat and drink SNACKS Tako Cheena (932 N Mills Ave, 32803; 321 236 7457) has tacos stuffed with exotic fillings. REAL MEAL White Wolf Café (1829 N Orange Ave, 32804; 407 895 9911; whitewolfcafe.com) serves pasta dishes, steaks, and seafood.
Restrooms In all attractions
11. Downtown Orlando
Basketball, great food, concerts, and pretty gardens
The heart of Orlando is the corner of Church Street and Orange Avenue – with nightclubs, restaurants, and bars. Visit the Amway Center for concerts, circuses, and to watch the NBA team Orlando Magic. The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts often has children’s theater and shows. Church Street’s restaurants serve some great food, and Lake Eola has an iconic fountain and an easy, mile-long walking path. The Orange County Regional History Center houses exhibits representing Orlando’s past, present, and future. Nearby are the vast Harry P. Leu Gardens, with roses, azaleas, a giant bamboo collection, and more.
The Lowdown
Address Amway Center: 400 W Church St, 32801; 407 440 7000; www.amwaycenter.com. Orange County Regional History Center: 65 E Central Blvd, 32801; 407 836 8500; thehistorycenter.org. Harry P. Leu Gardens: 1920 N Forest Ave, 32803; 407 246 2620; www.leugardens.org. Dr. Phillips Center, 445 S. Magnolia Ave, 32801; 844 513 2014; www.drphillipscenter.org
Bus Lynx bus 102 from Winter Park
Open Amway Center and Dr. Phillips Center: check website Orange County Regional History Center & Harry P. Leu Gardens: daily
Prices Amway Center and Dr. Phillips Center: check website. Orange County Regional History Center: $22–28; under 5s free. Harry P. Leu Gardens: $25–30; under 5s free
Age range 2 plus
Allow A day
Eat and drink SNACKS Beth’s Burger Bar (24 E Washington St, 32801; 407 650 4950; www.bethsburgerbar.com) serves burgers with inventive toppings. REAL MEAL The Rusty Spoon (55 W Church St, 32801; 407 401 8811; www.therustyspoon.com) uses organic produce from local farmers, served in a casual, upscale setting.
12. Winter Park
Art and culture in the suburbs
Suburban Winter Park became a warm-weather escape for wealthy Northerners in the early 1900s, and today its museums, high-end stores, and great restaurants retain an air of sophistication.
At the north end of the beautiful one-mile stretch of green called Park Avenue stands the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, which holds the world’s largest collection of art, stained glass, jewelry, and furnishings made by Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933). At the south end of Park Avenue is Rollins College, the oldest university in the southeast, which is home to the Cornell Fine Arts Museum. The museum has a stellar collection of American and European art.
Elegant Tiffany lamps in the Morse Museum, Winter Park
Letting off steam
Next to Rollins College is Dinky Dock, a public park with grills and tables for picnicking, and a sand beach with opportunities to swim.
The Lowdown
Address Morse Museum: 445 N Park Ave, 32789; 407 645 5311; www.morsemuseum.org. Cornell Fine Arts Museum: 1000 Holt Ave, 32789; 407 646 2526; www.rollins.edu/cfam
Train Amtrak or SunRail train from downtown Orlando. Bus Lynx bus 102 from Downtown Orlando
Visitor information Winter Park Welcome Center & Chamber of Commerce, 151 West Lyman Ave, 32789; 407 644 8281
Open Morse Museum: 9:30am–4pm Tue–Sat, 1–4pm Sun. Cornell Fine Arts Museum: 10am–4pm Tue–Fri, noon–5pm Sat & Sun
Price Morse Museum: $12–14; under 12s free. Cornell Fine Arts Museum: free
Cutting the line Busiest during the two annual arts festivals in March and October.
Guided tours Morse Museum has docent-led tours during public hours.
Age range 5 plus
Allow 3–8 hours
Eat and drink SNACKS Panera Bread (329 N Park Ave, 32789;) offers bagels, sandwiches, and a kids’ menu. REAL MEAL Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen (2203 Aloma Ave, 32792; www.tibbys.com) has authentic New Orleans gumbo, and po-boy sandwiches.
13. Winter Park Scenic Boat Tours
Behind the scenes and houses of Winter Park
The Scenic Boat Tour glides along a chain of magnificent lakes, past some of the finest homes in Florida. The lush canals that connect Lake Osceola, Lake Virginia, and Lake Maitland were renovated in the 1930s especially for tourism, and the flat-bottom pontoon boats have been plying them ever since. Mansions built by Goodyear and Walgreen, the Rollins College campus, and the home of noted American architect James Gamble Rogers II can be seen on the tour. Decades-old palm trees, bamboo, papyrus, and flowering vines overhang the canals, providing a cool break from the bright sun, but be sure to carry sunscreen and hats. Kids can spot gray herons, sunning anhingas, turtles, and even the rare alligator on the cruise.
Letting off steam
Go 11 miles (18 km) southwest to Bill Frederick Park and Pool (3401 S Hiawassee Rd, 32835; 407 246 4486), at Turkey Lake, for boat rentals, largemouth bass fishing, and a wooden playground with a maze of tunnels and swings.
Boat cruising along a picturesque canal in Winter Park
The Lowdown
Address 312 E Morse Blvd, 32789; 407 644 4056; scenicboattours.com
Car Rent a car from the airport.
Open 10am–4pm daily. Tours depart on the hour.
Price $35–42; under 2s free
Cutting the line Tour early or pick late tours (no reservations), when the sun isn’t directly overhead.
Age range 2 plus
Allow 1 hour
Eat and drink SNACKS Powerhouse Café (111 E Lyman Ave, 32789; 321 441 4888; www.powerhousecafe.com) serves healthy juices, smoothies, and Middle Eastern snacks. FAMILY TREAT Armando’s (463 W New England Ave, 32789; 407 951 8930) serves classic Neapolitan food.
Restrooms At the boathouse
KIDS’ CORNER
It’s all in a name
“Orlando” means “famous country,” but nobody is quite sure why the city is named so. Some say it is for a character in Shakespeare’s As You Like It, or because of a soldier in the Seminole Wars, Orlando Reeves, who is buried on the south side of Lake Eola Park. Find his memorial to learn the whole story.
Here comes the train
Listen for the train whistle while walking down Park Avenue in Winter Park – freight and passenger trains travel right through the middle of the park!
Swan counting
You’ll see many black swans as well as white ones at Lake Eola. If you’re here in spring or early summer, you can also see little balls of gray feathers swimming around – those are baby swans, or cygnets. And the giant swans at the Amphitheater are paddle boats you can rent.
Tiffany treasures
When you visit the Morse Museum, you will notice that many of the Tiffany lamps feature designs inspired by nature. Can you spot lamps with designs depicting:
1 A wisteria
2 A dragonfly and water
3 A lily
4 A cobweb
14. LEGOLAND® Florida Resort
Not just another brick in the wall
LEGO® model of Windra, one of the characters found in the World of Chima™
Built on part of the former site of Cypress Gardens, Florida’s oldest theme park, this LEGOLAND® has captured everyone’s imagination. With 50 acres (20 ha) of attractions, including a section of the original Cypress Gardens park, LEGOLAND® Florida Resort is the biggest of the seven parks of its kind across the world. A tribute to the popular little Danish building blocks, this spectacular park is full of roller coasters, rides, and shows that challenge as well as entertain. The inventive and often humor-filled constructions make adults giggle, while children gaze in awe as they discover an entire city made of LEGO® bricks.
Key Features
1. The Beginning This colorful area right at the entrance features the Island in the Sky, a 150-ft (46-m) rotating platform that offers a panoramic view of the park.
2. Fun Town Stroll past the Island in the Sky to enter this area, which is home to the 700-seat Wells Fargo Fun Town Theater. See how LEGO® bricks are transformed from raw plastic into building blocks in the Factory Tour. Younger kids will enjoy riding the two-tier Grand Carousel.
3. DUPLO® Valley Playgrounds, planes, and trucks designed for little kids with big imaginations can be found in this play area. Don’t miss the DUPLO® Farm, full of plastic animals, fire engines, and drivable cars.
4. LEGO® Kingdoms Little princesses and knights joust and battle wizards in this medieval castle. Climb aboard the Dragon coaster for a ride through the LEGOLAND® castle, before heading to Royal Joust for a quiet time on the cantering LEGO® horses.
5. Heartlake City The LEGO® Friends line of toys comes to life with a live stage show, an interactive musical fountain, and the Mia's Riding Adventure disc coaster ride.
6. Land of Adventure Steer around brick jungle beasts on the Safari Trek, or brave the rollicking wooden tracks of Coastersaurus that rumble past giant LEGO® dinosaurs. Shoot back at glowing skeletons and spiders to score points in the Lost Kingdom Adventure.
7. Miniland USA Marvel at miniature LEGO® replicas of American cities spread over seven themed areas. Look for movie stars in Los Angeles in California and street musicians in Times Square in New York, and see the space shuttle smoke and rumble at the Kennedy Space Center. Then check out the battle of miniature galleons at Pirate’s Shores.
8. LEGO® City Children can learn to drive at one of the two Ford Driving Schools, steer a boat in hopefully the right direction at the Boating School, and soar in the air on Flying School, a thrilling roller coaster. Rescue Academy gets the whole family to pump, drive, and fight fire in a muscle-powered fire engine.
9. LEGO® TECHNIC™ Filled with hair-raising rides on the ground, in the water, and in the air, this area is the most extreme of all the zones in the park. Hop onto the wind-powered speedsters at AQUAZONE Wave Racers to dodge water blasters or cycle the way into the sky on Technicycle.
10. Imagination Zone Budding engineers can build and program real MINDSTORM™ robots in LEGO® MINDSTORMS® or build and race brick cars in Wheels Zone. There are other areas as well, for kids to design, build, and test their LEGO® creations.
11. LEGOLAND® Water Park Toddlers will love the DUPLO® Splash Safari with short slides and interactive DUPLO® creatures. Older kids can choose between racing their own boats at Build-A-Boat, the 375-ft (114-m) waterslides at Twin Chasers, or the playground with a 300-gallon (1,135-liter) bucket drop in Joker Soaker.
12. World of Chima™ Get soaking wet on a fun interactive boat ride in The Quest for CHI™, battling with water cannons to help Laval the Lion Prince defeat Cragger the Crocodile King. Meet characters from the LEGO® Legends of Chima in a 4D movie experience. Little ones will enjoy playing with water in the Cragger's Swamp splash area.
KIDS’ CORNER
Sharp spotting
It could take hours to find everything tucked in Miniland USA, but here are a few fun things to keep an eye out for:
1 Cats. Find the cats jumping through flaming hoops in Key West, and a lady with kittens on the roof in California.
2 Pirates. Not only is there a big sea battle at Pirate’s Shores, but there’s also a Las Vegas version at the Treasure Island Hotel.
3 A giant chicken, and men lifting weights in Miami Beach.
4 People turning into babies at the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine.
5 Penguins and parrots in Central Park in New York.
Brownie points
Take aim at the cobra in the Lost Kingdom ride in Land of Adventure, and keep shooting to rack up tons of extra points!
Old, old tree
Unsuspecting visitors will be astonished by a massive banyan tree – the giant trunk and roots having grown in this spot since 1939. Look out for the tree’s “knobbly knees” for a giggle.
LEGO® mania
1 Kids around the world spend 5 billion hours a year playing with LEGO® bricks.
2 More than 400 billion LEGO® bricks have been produced since 1949. Stacked on top of each other, this is enough to connect the Earth and the Moon ten times over!
3 All the LEGO® bricks sold in one year would circle the world five times.
The colorful entrance to the attractive LEGOLAND Hotel
Letting off steam
Run around in LEGOLAND® Florida Resort, or go to Rotary Park (300–398 6th St NE, Winter Haven, 33881) to burn off excess energy. The park offers a skate park, a sand volleyball court, and walking paths.
Eat and drink
Picnic: under $25; Snacks: $25–50; Real meal: $50–80; Family treat: over $80 (based on a family of four)
PICNIC Castle Burger (in LEGO® Kingdoms) serves grilled chicken salads, burgers and fries. Picnic in the shaded area in the Land of Adventure by the Safari Trek.
SNACKS Granny’s Apple Fries Stand (in Fun Town) is the place for a tasty fried snack of warm apple sticks coated in cinnamon and sugar served with a vanilla cream dip. Adventure Snacks (in Land of Adventure, next to Dino Ice Cream) dishes out hot dogs, nachos and cheese, and chips.
REAL MEAL The Market Restaurant (in The Beginning) serves coffee and pastries in the morning, and rotisserie chicken and Asian fusion dishes later in the day.
FAMILY TREAT Harborside (2435 7th St SW, Winter Haven, 33880; 863 293 7070; www.harborsidefl.com) offers a superb view of Lake Shipp, especially from the Canal Deck. The upscale menu concentrates on seafood such as oysters and shellfish, to go with meaty steaks, ribs, and some lighter dishes. A selection of wines and cocktails is also available.
Logo of Granny’s Apple Fries Stand, Fun Town
The Lowdown
Address One LEGOLAND Way, Winter Haven, 33884; 877 350 5346; www.legoland.com/florida
Bus Daily shuttle bus (8401 International Dr, 32819; www.legoland.com/florida/planning-your-visit/getting-here; $5 per person) leaves from I-Drive 360 (outside the parking deck near the ICON Orlando back entrance) at 9am and returns at park closing. Reserve online 24 hours in advance. Car Hire a car from Orlando Airport. Parking $12; preferred parking $20
Open Parks usually open from 10am to between 7pm and 8pm. Closed Tue–Wed year-round except Jun–Aug. Check www.legoland.com/florida/planning-your-visit/park-hours for details.
Price $277–366; under 3s free. Additional fee of $20 for the Water Park. Second day add-on available at the park for $15. Discount coupons are some-times available at fast food outlets, on LEGO® kit boxes, and for AAA (Automobile Association of America) members. Lockers are available for rent in The Beginning and inside LEGOLAND® Water Park.
Age range 2 plus
Show Rescue Academy (in LEGO® City) features the City Volunteer Fire Department in a superb interactive show full of music and dance. Shows at 11am, 12:45pm, 2:15pm, & 4pm
Allow 1–2 days
Wheelchair access Yes
Cafés Many across the park
Shops Many across the park
Restrooms Plenty throughout the park. The Baby Care Center in DUPLO® Valley has baby-changing facilities, high chairs, and bottle warmers.
Good family value?
A mix of educative and entertaining attractions, as well as beautiful gardens, makes LEGOLAND® Florida Resort superb as a family destination.
Shopping
Find everything from LEGO® toy sets and LEGO® exclusives to T-shirts and souvenirs in the LEGO® Studio Store (in Fun Town). Pick up Star Wars™, The LEGO Movie™, NEXO KNIGHTS™, NINJAGO™, and other such toys. There are also bins of individual parts for imaginative builders at Pick-A-Brick (in Fun Town).
Star Wars™ LEGO® sets lining the shelves of LEGO® Studio Store, Fun Town
Find out more
DIGITAL LEGO® Club offers “Master builder” videos, how-to instructions, comic books, and a free magazine with discount coupons for toys and park admission. Check out www.lego.com/en-us/club/member for more information.
Next stop...
FROM PRETTY GARDENS TO A RANCH Head 8 miles (13 km) southeast of LEGOLAND® Florida Resort to the Bok Tower Gardens (1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, 33853; 863 676 1408; boktowergardens.org), a huge botanical garden and bird sanctuary. Named for Edward W. Bok, an influential publisher, the gardens boast the Singing Tower, which is known for its 45-minute live carillon concert at 1pm and 3pm daily. Dotted with camellias, magnolias, and azaleas, these woodland gardens have plenty for families – picnic areas with sandboxes and toys, reading benches, a vine-covered arbor tunnel, and even secret garden areas.
Alternatively, the Westgate River Ranch (3200 River Ranch Blvd, Frostproof, 33867; 863 692 1321; wgriverranch.com), 33 miles (53 km) southeast of LEGOLAND® Florida Resort near Lake Wales, holds a live rodeo every Saturday night, with bucking broncos, bull riding, rodeo clowns, and genuine cowboys. Kids will love petting and feeding barn animals such as lambs, calves, and baby goats in the petting farm. There are also pony rides on offer.
The striking Neo-Gothic and Art Deco Singing Tower, Bok Tower Gardens
Top 10 Rides
1. LOST KINGDOM ADVENTURE
Pick up a laser pistol and get points for firing at ancient Egyptian targets in this dark and slightly scary ride in the Land of Adventure.
2. COASTERSAURUS
Ride this old-fashioned and noisy wooden roller coaster, in the Land of Adventure, as it zooms through a land filled with brick dinosaurs.
3. BATTLE FOR BRICKBEARD’s BOUNTY
Watch this exciting live-action water battle featuring water-skiing pirates on Lake Eloise in Pirates' Cove. Those wanting to get soaked can sit in one of the first five rows.
4. AQUAZONE WAVE RACERS
Daring riders get to control the speed of their jet skis by starting out slowly and then spinning out to dizzying and soaking heights in this LEGO® TECHNIC™ ride.
5. MERLIN’S CHALLENGE
Battle a LEGO® Merlin as the wooden train spins around a roller coaster track in wild and possibly magical circles in LEGO® Kingdoms.
6. SPLASH OUT
Climb to the highest point in the park, then plummet down one of the three 60-ft (18-m) slides to drop into the pool below in LEGOLAND® Water Park.
7. FLYING SCHOOL
Board a suspended coaster and zoom above LEGO® City on this winding, twisting, and diving ride.
8. BUILD-A-RAFT RIVER
Design and build a one-of-a-kind boat and launch it on a 1,000-ft- (305-m-) long lazy river in LEGOLAND® Water Park.
9. WELLS FARGO FUN TOWN THEATER
Immerse yourself in the 4D movie experience with The LEGO® Movie™ 4D: A New Adventure and LEGO® NEXO KNIGHTS™: The Book of Creativity.
10. PROJECT X
Race a full-size TECHNIC™ car along a twisting roller coaster track full of sharp twists and turns on this ride in LEGO® TECHNIC™.
Where to Stay in Orlando and the Parks
Orlando and the theme parks have lodgings to suit all tastes. Whether a night under the stars in a tent, or the luxury of a family suite in a tower appeals, there’s no lack of choice, and most places offer pools, in-room entertainment, and more. Rooms range from standard to suites with kid-friendly themes.
AGENCY
HomeAway
www.homeaway.com
This website connects visitors with the private owners of a variety of accommodations ranging from a luxury pool home to a room in a condo.
Price Guide
The following price ranges are based on one night’s accommodation in high season for a family of four, inclusive of service charges and additional taxes.
$ Under $150 $$ $150–300 $$$ over $300
