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Posts Tagged ‘Central Florida’

Florida Family Vacation – Things To Do In Orlando

July 19th, 2009 No comments
by John Iseda

Despite how busy Orlando is, it is not the biggest city in Florida, not even the second, but the sixth largest, situated in an area called Central Florida. Orlando boasts very pleasant weather and some of the greatest theme parks in the world. There are plenty of things to do in Orlando, especially when you are on a family vacation.

Tourism is one of the city’s biggest income sources. A number of people who enter the area annually is estimated at stunning 52 million. In order to meet the requirements for the family vacation capital of the USA, Orlando is constantly developing at a rapid pace.

When thinking of Orlando, there’s one place that immediately comes to mind. Walt Disney World is one of the main reasons for the city’s popularity. Apart from its world famous theme parks, Disney World now offers a lot more lodging possibilities than it used to not so long ago.

Sea World is another very popular theme park and although there are only a couple of rides there, it really doesn’t matter as a family will find plenty of entertainment from all the sea creatures there including shows from dolphins and killer whales which should not be missed. However, many other shows are constantly going on where it is possible to get really close to sea creatures and you might find it hard to fit all the shows in with just one visit.

While Disney is a major attraction in Orlando, the Universal theme parks are also well worth a visit and so is the now famous Titanic Exhibition, located along International Drive. Be prepared to be moved by the fascinating and sometimes eerie tour.

However, if you are not a big theme park fan, the Arabian Nights show might be the thing for you. It features sixty trained horses and provides great entertainment for the entire family.

When it comes to hotels, you can easily find something suited for your budget in Orlando. There’s plenty to choose from; from cheaper options to luxury hotels, usually beautifully situated, with excellent sports facilities.

As you can clearly see, Orlando does have a lot to offer for everyone. The Disney World, while amazing, is definitely not the only attraction of this great city. If you decide to spend your family vacation in Orlando, you are guaranteed to have an unforgettable time.

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Do Something Different On Your Lake Buena Vista Vacation

March 27th, 2009 No comments

So you’ve decided to come back for another Lake Buena Vista vacation and although perhaps you will spend a couple of days going to the Disney or Universal theme parks you would like some alternative places to visit. Perhaps you would like a different sort of theme park for say half a day so you can spend the rest of the day chilling out by the pool. Well here are a few ideas.

Gatorland is the place to see some of Florida’s oldest inhabitants – alligators. Dating back to prehistoric times, these fascinating creatures live wild all over the State and at Gatorland’s Jumparoo you will get the closest of close ups that anyone could want, plus lots of facts to educate you and an introduction to other animals..

For more excitement you can watch in awe as the trainers wrestle with these huge animals. Remember to take a change of clothes for when you want to cool off in the splash park. You will find Gatorland at 14501 South Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, Florida 32837 about 1 mile north of Osceola Parkway.

Slightly farther away but also worth adding to your list of highlights is Jungle Adventures. This is a nature park and a zoo and will allow you to get very close to baby alligators, snakes and other wildlife. There are about 200 alligators altogether and some of them like to wrestle! Jungle Adventures is on Highway 50 to the east of Orlando.

The park takes longer to get to than Gatorland but it does have a wider range of animals including raccoons and even a Florida Panther (an endangered species in Florida). Another attraction is the tour of a replica Native American village that includes examples of tools produced by today’s Native Americans.

If you prefer a more gentle and relaxing experience then a visit to Historic Bok Sanctuary in Lake Wales would certainly fit the bill. You can wander through the magnificent gardens with their meandering paths enjoying the perfume of the flowers and looking out for the many different birds and butterflies that are attracted to the Sanctuary.

All around the gardens are benches and grassy areas for you to relax and experience the tranquility. You can take a picnic and settle down on the grass and enjoy reading a book while enjoying the peace or sample a more substantial repast in Carillon Cafe.

Every hour from the superb marble and coquina bell tower you can hear beautiful carillon music. There is also an opportunity to step back in time with a tour of the Pinewood Estate which was built as a winter retreat for Charles Austin Buck and still contains most of the original furnishings and decorations.

Another peaceful place to visit is Lake Louisa State Park which is located at 7305 US Hwy 27 Clermont, Florida 34714. There are many activities to enjoy especially if you are the outdoor type. Take your binoculars with you and wander down the nature trails to see birds, butterflies, deer, opossum, wild turkeys and many other mammals. Don’t forget to wear suitable shoes if you are going hiking, sunscreen so you don’t get burnt and maybe some insect repellent.

Lake Louisa is loved by anglers because they can use four of the six lakes as long as they have a license. The Lake does offer the opportunity to swim, which can be very welcome after a hot few minutes or hours on the hiking trails, but pay attention to the restrictions highlighting the water areas to avoid. Also, be sure to take your own food and drink as none is available to buy inside the park.

So there you are – these are just a few of the many alternatives to Disney and Universal that can make your Lake Buena Vista vacation just that little bit more special.

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What You Should Know About Vacation Rentals in Kissimmee

September 3rd, 2008 No comments
by Ray Lam

So you’re in charge of planning a trip to Central Florida, the place with all the rides, songs, sunshine and amusements. You’re excited but dreading it a little, too. Dealing with travel arrangements and finding a suitable hotel is your least favorite part of vacationing, but once it’s done you always feel better. Why not make it easy on yourself? Rent a vacation property in Kissimmee, a place that will house your family in comfort while keeping you safely removed from the major crowds yet conveniently near to the hotspots your companions are breathlessly awaiting.

Kissimmee is less than ten miles from those thrilling magnets known as theme parks, less than twenty from the airport you’ll likely be flying into, and just an hour or so away from a handful of amazing beaches. In other words, everything you need to check off your must-see list will be within easy reach. Be advised, however, that Kissimmee itself is quite magnetic, and if you’ve taken the advice to rent a cozy condo or charming cottage, it might even be hard to tear yourself away from “home” sweet home.

Being found in Central Florida, Kissimmee experiences a more general type of weather. It is usually sunny and humid during the day and gentle at night. The average temperature during the winter months is 60oF while in summer months it averages between 70oF to 90oF. As a whole, the weather in this city is fair throughout the year.

Sometimes while traveling people find themselves packing up early in the morning and then running around until late that night, when they return to their lodgings and collapse into bed. This may be the case for the Disney days, but for the rest of your Kissimmee vacation it doesn’t have to be that way. There’s enough to do in this town and it’s all close enough together to make slipping home for a nap, a snack or a shower no trouble at all. This simple logistical fact will add immeasurable relief to your trip, and you’ll get to enjoy living in an appealing house, to boot.

Families who are a little slow out the door or who want to bask in the warm Florida weather away from the crowds will certainly want to spend some time out back near the private swimming pool. Catch a little sun as you float around the pool or work a little exercise into your vacation by swimming laps around your kids, who have plenty of room for games in your spacious oasis. After a long day on the rides and following the kids around the Magic Kingdom, you can retreat to the hot tub for the perfect cap to an eventful day while the kids sleep restfully in their own rooms.

Meals can be a difficult part of a family vacation since you need to get everyone ready to head out to a restaurant when stomachs begin to grumble. With a vacation rental, however, you can stock up on a few groceries at the beginning of your trip and use your reserves when you simply do not have the energy to make the family presentable for an evening out. The fully-stocked kitchen awaits to make your breakfasts and dinners a little less stressful since you can whip up a quick meal that will satisfy appetites and calm your nerves.

All of these extras would be meaningless, however, if your drive to the Disney theme parks was long and stressful. Fortunately, there are numerous Kissimmee vacation rentals available only a few minutes from your favorite attractions so everyday begins only a short car ride away from an exciting adventure. Forget about the kids squirming in their seats, asking how much longer until you arrive, since the magic of every theme park is always within easy reach.

Visitors who want to experience thrill and wildlife environment can try the Boggy Creek Airboat & Swampy Buggy Rides. Participants are taken for a ride in the wilderness by riding an airboat. During the tour, you can see different animals like snakes, eagles and even alligators in the area.

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