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Orlando Maps & Attractions Guide
Orlando maps & Attractions - Things to do
in Orlando
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Orlando
Attractions - Things to do
1. Walt Disney World
www.disneyworld.com |
What is it? Orlando's most familiar landmark is
undoubtedly the turreted Cinderella Castle that stands in the
centre of the original Disney Florida theme park, the Magic
Kingdom, at Lake Buena Vista. The park was opened in 1971 and has
been making childhood fantasies come true ever since. Today it is
just one of four Disney parks that cover more than 28,000 acres of
Orange and Osceola counties in central Florida, with accompanying
resorts, shopping complexes, hotels and waterparks. Apart from the
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Orlando now includes Epcot, a
futuristic showcase of the world's different cultures and
traditions; MGM Studios, a working animation and television studio;
and Animal Kingdom, where a huge variety of animals are kept in
themed surroundings along with a cast of Disney
characters.
Hours of Operation: Open daily, but park hours vary according to the
month and day; it is best to check on their website for up to date
information
Phone:(407) 824 4321 |
2. Sea World
www.seaworld.com |
What is it? Spread out between the Disney parks at Lake
Buena Vista and the downtown Orlando area is the renowned Sea World
attraction, which has been making a major splash in central Florida
for more than a quarter of a century. The park, owned and operated
by Annheuser-Busch, is designed to give an interactive look at the
sea and all its facets, featuring themed animal habitats from tidal
pools to iceberg lakes. In addition visitors can hug a dolphin or
kiss a killer whale, and watch the famous aquatic Sea World stars
go through their paces in various shows. The park also features fun
rides like the very popular water roller coaster thrill ride called
Journey to Atlantis. Neighbouring Discovery Cove (part of the Sea
World group) offers visitors a chance to swim with dolphins, view
wildlife, sunbathe on gorgeous beaches and snorkel amongst the
coral. See www.discoverycove.com
for details.
Hours of Operation: Daily from 9am, but closing hours vary according to
the month, closing earlier in winter
Phone:(407) 351 3600 |
3. Universal Studios
www.universalorlando.com |
What is it? Experienced theme parkers recommend that it
takes at least two days to fully appreciate all the delights on
offer at the Universal Orlando entertainment complex, which
includes two theme parks: the Islands of Adventure and Universal
Studios. The movie-themed park with its thrilling, innovative
fun-rides, production studios and film sets also has three superb
luxury on-site hotels so spending a night is a good idea. At
Universal Studios visitors are invited to go behind the scenes and
become involved in the movie action, while Islands of Adventure
offers thrilling rides, shows and attractions from five different
islands.
Hours of Operation: Daily from 9am, but closing hours vary according to
the month, closing earlier in winter
Phone:(407) 363 8000 |
4. Wet ?n Wild
6200 International Drive
www.wetnwildorlando.com |
What is it? One of Orlando's numerous water parks, Wet 'n
Wild has the distinction of being the most popular water attraction
in the area and also the world's first amusement park devoted
solely to water flumes, pools and slides. The park was designed by
George Millay, creative genius behind the Sea World parks in San
Diego and Orlando, and has been operating since 1977. Thrilling
rides like The Storm, The Surge and The Bubba Tub are there to be
enjoyed, along with numerous other attractions and
facilities.
Hours of Operation: Open daily year-round, but hours vary according to
the season. Generally the park opens between 9am and 10am and
closes between 5pm and 7pm, with longer hours during June and
July
Phone:(407) 351 1800; or (800) 992 9453 (toll-free, US
only) |
5. Orlando Odditorium
8201 International Drive
www.ripleysorlando.com |
What is it? Housed in an odd-looking building that is
tipped to one side and apparently sinking into the ground, the
Orlando Odditorium contains a remarkable collection of weird and
wonderful exhibits, amassed over a period of 40 years by explorer
Robert Ripley. Examples of the exhibits are shrunken heads and a
scale model of a Rolls Royce made entirely of matchsticks. Ripley's
'Believe it or Not' collection is world-renowned and has been
documented in television series and best-selling
books.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9am to 1am
Phone:(407) 363 4418 |
6. Orlando Museum of Art
2416 North Mills Avenue
www.omart.org |
What is it? In true Florida style, Orlando's Museum of
Art is not just another gallery but a fascinating world of creative
themed exhibitions showcasing its permanent collections of American
Art, Art of the Ancient Americas and African Art. The Museum also
has an active programme of visiting exhibitions on display in the
elegant building with its marble floors and glass ceiling. Group
tours are made memorable and educational with commentary about art
appreciation and the lives of the various artists
represented.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday
12pm to 4pm
Phone:(407) 896 4231 |
7. Kennedy Space Centre
www.kennedyspacecenter.com |
What is it? The John F. Kennedy Space Centre at Cape
Canaveral, 46 miles (74km) southeast of Orlando on Florida's east
coast, is one place in this fantasyland state where fact is just as
entertaining as fancy. Visitors to the centre follow the story of
NASA's exploration of space through interactive exhibits, movies
and tours. Guests can tour a full-size replica of the space shuttle
'Explorer'; walk through a giant model of a module from the new
International Space Station; view films about Mars and the
Pathfinder exploration; view historic authentic rockets, like that
piloted by pioneer astronaut, John Glenn; and marvel at the
Apollo/Saturn Centre, which houses all the artefacts from the
historic moon landing. The Space Centre requires several hours to
digest, and on the same site is the Merritt Island National
Wildlife Refuge, established on the land NASA did not require for
its space operations. The 220-square-mile (570 sq km) refuge
contains more endangered species than any other wildlife refuge in
the US, including the southern bald eagle and Atlantic loggerhead
turtle. The US Astronaut Hall of Fame, in the nearby town of
Titusville, is another of the area's
attractions.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9am to 5.30pm, with shuttle-bus tours departing
regularly between 10am and 2.15pm
Phone:(321) 449 4444 |
8. Fantasy of Flight
1400 Broadway Boulevard S.E, Polk City
www.fantasyofflight.com |
What is it? Midway between Tampa and Orlando, about 20
minutes drive west of Walt Disney World, the Fantasy of Flight
resort is billed as the world's greatest aircraft collection. The
attraction began as a vision of aviation enthusiast and historian,
Kermit Weeks, as a tribute to the pioneers of flight, and today it
features many rare and vintage aircraft, which actually take to the
skies. Visitors are treated to an 'Aircraft of the Day' flypast, as
well as the chance to fly themselves in a simulator. The site also
offers tours of the aircraft collection in hangars, a sight and
sound presentation detailing the history of aviation, a tour of the
'back lot' where vintage aircraft are restored, and an Exploration
Centre.
Hours of Operation: Daily 10am to 5pm; closed Thanksgiving and
Christmas
Phone:(863) 984 3500 |
Orlando Holidays guide
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Transport -Anyone staying at a Disney resort or
official Disney hotel need have no qualms about getting around the
Orlando magic kingdom.
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