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Adventure
Island
Busch Boulevard, Tampa, Fl. Tel:813-987-5600
Adventure Island will reopen on March 10, 2007.
Amenities · Dining facilities throughout the park offer a variety of delights
· Surfside Cafe and Gulf Scream Soft Serve provide excellent cuisine and
cool treats · Mango Joe's Cafe serves up a tempting menu of delicious
grilled hamburgers and sizzling fajitas · The Island Surf gift shop features
a wide selection of brand-name sportswear, beachwear and other "must-have"
summer items · Beach and picnic areas · Lockers, showers and changing
areas
Adventure Island’s 30 acres of water-drenched fun in the sun features
the ultimate combination of high-speed thrills and tropical, tranquil
surroundings for guests of all ages. Within a soothing Key West atmosphere
awaits an unrivaled blend of slides, corkscrews, water falls, a wave pool,
children’s water playground and other family attractions such as outdoor
cafes, picnic and sunbathing areas, gift shops, arcades and a championship
white-sand volleyball complex.
Animal Kingdom
1-4 to exit 25B at US Highway 192;right on World Drive and follow the
signs.
Walk through the entrance and the lush landscape of The Oasis provides
the gateway to the adventures that await guests. It is a natural place
of flowering glades and tumbling waterfalls. Guests are free to explore
several lush paths that lead to natural animal habitats of miniature deer,
brilliant macaws, an anteater, iguanas and tree kangaroos. Once you’ve
passed The Oasis, you will come to a bridge spanning a peaceful river.
The bridge leads to Discovery Island, which is at the center of Animal
Kingdom. The park is laid out in a classic hub-and-spoke Disney style
with the hub being Discovery Island connecting a series of "lands." These
"lands" offer guests opportunities to discover not just animals, but many
adventures designed to educate and entertain. More than 1,700 animals
representing 250 different species make their home at Animal Kingdom,
yet you won’t see many behind bars here. Instead you can explore the spacious
habitats of the wild animals by taking a safari. Guests also can be whisked
on a wild ride aboard 12-seat rafts down the Kali River Rapids, dig for
fossils in DinoLand U.S.A., watch stage shows like The Lion King, and
much more! Live bands, "Streetmosphere" characters, and other moving entertainment
add to the non-stop fun at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Guests to Animal Kingdom
won’t want to miss Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade which is part of Disney’s
100 Years of Magic celebration. It not only features many favorite Disney
characters dressed in safari gear and cruising in jazzed-up jalopies,
but it is truly an adventure in sight and sound. Of course, guests will
find plenty of shopping and favorite eateries including the Rainforest
Cafe at the main entrance, Flame Tree Barbecue, Pizzafari, Restaurantosaurus
and the Tusker House Restaurant. I was definitely skeptical when Disney
announced this venture, but clearly they have not only won the accreditation
of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, they have won over this
guide.
Discovery Island –
Towering 145 feet above this island village of brightly colored shops
and restaurants is the giant Tree of Life, the park’s centerpiece and
principal icon. 325 images of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and
insects are intricately carved into its trunk and branches. Several species
of animals including Galapagos tortoises and red kangaroos live in pools
and meadows around its base. Within the tree is a 430-seat 3-D film/special
effects theater featuring "It’s Tough to be a Bug!" a humorous and exciting
adventure within the miniature world of insects. Bridges lead across Discovery
River to other lands and attractions.
DinoLand U.S.A. –
Begins in an open-air, paleontological dig where scientists have reassembled
gigantic dinosaur skeletons in The Boneyard, a playground for families
and an introduction to one of the park’s most thrilling adventures, DINOSAUR,
where huge dinosaurs move and breathe with life-like realism. Adventurers
take a fantastic, careening, high-speed journey back 65 million years
through a primeval forest in a desperate race to save the "last dinosaur"
from threatened extinction in the fiery crash of a giant asteroid. Nearby
Cretaceous Trail allows guests to wander through cycads and palms to discover
Chinese alligators, soft shell turtles and other survivors of the prehistoric
world. An outdoor amphitheater, Theater in the Wild, features "Tarzan
Rocks!" a live musical stage show based on the Disney animated feature
film, "Tarzan." Dinosaur Jubilee celebrates the discovery of dinosaur
artifacts, complete with genuine casts of one-of-a-kind dinosaur skeletons.
DinoLand U.S.A. is presented by McDonald’s.
Africa – Expeditions
into the wilds of Africa begin at the edge of a typical wildlife reserve
in the coastal village of Harambe, with its bustling marketplace, white-washed
walls and reed-thatched roofs typical of present-day Swahili architecture.
A huge, gnarled baobab tree, traditional icon of the African savannah,
serves as the starting point for Kilimanjaro Safaris. Traveling in large,
open-sided safari lorries, guests follow bumpy trails exploring 110 acres
of forests, rivers, hills and grasslands filled with free-roaming antelope,
rhinos, hippopotamus, zebra, crocodiles, baboons and other creatures.
The high adventure culminates in a race to save an elephant herd from
a gang of dangerous ivory poachers. The journey ends at Pangani Forest
Exploration Trail where guests can disembark and walk through a bamboo
jungle inhabited by two troops of lowland gorillas, see hippos from an
underwater viewing area and explore a forest of exotic birds. And they
can board the well-worn steam trains of Wildlife Express to Rafiki’s Planet
Watch for a backstage look at the veterinary headquarters and center for
Disney’s Animal Kingdom conservation programs. Visitors can enjoy interactive
experiences and meet wildlife experts to discover how they can help endangered
animals around the world. In The Affection Section, guests meet and touch
fascinating animals.
Camp Minnie-Mickey
– In this character greeting and show area, animal characters made famous
in "The Lion King" and other Disney classic animated motion pictures come
to life to greet visitors and perform in special stage shows including
"Festival of the Lion King," presented on huge moving stages in an outdoor
pavilion. Live animals from American forests perform with Pocahontas in
"Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends" at Grandmother Willow’s Grove. Resembling
an Adirondack summer camp, the area features themed shelters where guests
meet individually with their favorites like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse,
Winnie the Pooh and "The Jungle Book" characters.
Asia – Guests explore
an ancient palace and exotic rainforest where jungle animals inhabit mysterious
ruins along Maharajah Jungle Trek. Tigers, gibbons, giant fruit bats and
other animals roam freely and fly without apparent barriers from guests
or one another. Most thrilling of the new Asia adventures is Kali River
Rapids, a white-water raft adventure along a raging river through a rainforest
threatened by lumber operations. Caravan Stage features "Flights of Wonder,"
an exciting free-flying demonstration of the many skills of falcons, owls
and other exotic birds in performances several times each day. The open-air
theater seats 1,000. rewrite
Busch Gardens
McKinley Drive, Tampa Fl
African-themed family entertainment park with world class live entertainment
indoors and out, thrilling rides, roller coasters, animal habitats and
shows. Busch Gardens has several of the southeast's largest roller coasters
including the new Gwazi dueling wooden roller coaster.
There are thrill rides
and excitment for all ages, plus many amazing shows including KaTonga.
The show follows a day in the lives of aspiring storytellers, called Griots,
as they strive to become masters of their craft. To accomplish this rite
of passage, the performers evoke traditional African stories that mesmerize
and entertain. Masterful puppet design, magical folklore, energetic original
music, and spectacular African-inspired dance combine to create the first
theme park show of Broadway-production caliber. Other attractions include
the Land of the Dragons, the Serengeti Express Railway and King Tut's
Tomb. But you can't visit Busch Gardens without visiting the animals.
The Serengeti Plain features hundreds of exotic African animals that can
be seen from the Serengeti Express Railway, Skyride, Serengeti Safari,
and various walkways within naturalistic environments featuring rolling
landscapes, elevated terrain and lush vegetation. You can also visit the
bird gardens, birds of prey, the Clydesdales, the Rhinos and the Edge
of Africa experience - a self-guided walking tour through a scenic habitat
of hippos, hyenas, meerkats, vultures, a Nile crocodile, baboons and more.
Cypress
Gardens
6000 Cypress Gardens Blvd. Winter Haven, Fla. 33884
Get up close and personal with your critter friends at Cypress Gardens
Adventure Park. Nature’s Way is home to more than 300 hundred furry,
feathered and scaly friends, including a beautiful jaguar, Nile crocodiles
and an alligator that once starred alongside Johnny Weissmueller in
the old black & white “Tarzan” movies! The park also serves up a wide
range of daily entertainment from the graceful Living Garden to the
daring, gravity-defying feats of the ice show and world-famous water
ski show. And let’s not forget the comical pirates looking for treasure
in Cypress Cove!
Thrill
to 40 rides for children of all ages, including five coasters and the
world’s tallest spinning rapids ride! Take a heart-stopping drop on
the Thunderbolt, or brave the wooden curves and corners of Triple Hurricane.
Gentler fun is found on the Boardwalk Carousel, a double-decker beauty
full of brightly-colored, bobbing horses or the Citrus Line Railroad,
a train ride through Adventure Grove. Little tykes will giggle and laugh
on tiny thrillsters, such as Gear Jammers, Tiny Trotters and Upsy Daisy.
And the whole family will enjoy the views from the Paradise Sky Wheel
and Sunshine Sky Adventure.
Both
native and exotic plant species thrive in the gardens, placed in breathtaking
displays. The famed gazebo still stands, banked by a vast expanse of
emerald green lawn and huge beds of brightly colored annuals. Other
garden delights include Topiary Trail, a landscape of precisely-trimmed
flowers and greenery pruned into amusing shapes. The sparkling waterfall
burbles merrily through Topiary Trail and provides a gorgeous backdrop
for a favored photo spot. Snively Plantation is home to four more traditional
gardens, including herb, vegetable, rose and butterfly gardens and the
lawns of the plantation make you want to take off your shoes and stroll
through the grass. Getting back to nature has never been so beautiful.
Cypress
Gardens is off U.S. Highway 27 south of Interstate 4.
From
Orlando: I-4 WEST to exit 55 (U.S. Hwy 27 SOUTH). Continue South on
U.S. Hwy. 27. Turn right off U.S. Highway 27 at State Road 540/Cypress
Gardens Boulevard. Park is 4 miles on the left.
From
Tampa: I-4 EAST to Polk Pkwy East. Exit State Road 540 East, Winter
Lake Road. Follow to the end and turn left on Highway 17. Turn right
at State Road 540/Cypress Gardens Boulevard. Park is 3 miles on right
Disney
- Walt Disney World
Orlando, Florida
Explore the magic of the 4 Disney Theme Parks - Magic Kingdom, Animal
Kingdom, Epcot & MGM Studios
Dinosaur
World
Dinosaur World, Florida is located on Interstate 4, Exit 17 in Plant
City. This is approximately 20 minutes from Tampa and 1 hour from Orlando.
At Dinosaur World in Plant City, Florida, you can experience up close
and life-sized the amazing giants that ruled the earth for almost 200
million years. Dinosaur World, the world’s largest dinosaur attraction,
offers you and your family a unique opportunity to meet over 100 scientifically
accurate, lifelike dinosaurs in a lush subtropical jungle where you
can learn, have fun, or just relax. Search for authentic fossils, stroll
through the dinosaur museum with everything from dinosaur eggs to raptor
claws, become a paleontologist and take part in some field work...
Epcot
Exit 26B at State Road 536; follow the signs.
Gather with family and friends to celebrate the fascinating cultures
and numerous wonders of the world around you through dazzling shows,
interactive experiences and amazing attractions.Explore the world in
a day. Sail away to the distant shores of nations and imaginations as
you experience all that is possible on the planet and in the future.
Here are just a few of the wonderful attractions for the family..
Lifting
off at Epcot, Mission: SPACE® has two astronaut training levels to suit
the whole family. From the thrilling takeoff, it's an experience that
is unrivaled in this galaxy!
At
the Test Track - become a daring driver and put yourself and your vehicle
through challenges that will test your mettle!
Drop
anchor and have a chat with Nemo's sea turtle pal, Crush. This live,
interactive animated show is totally awesome, Dude!
Wherever
Professor Wayne Szalinski goes, laughs follow in the 3-D "Honey,
I Shrunk The Audience" adventure that will have you jumping, ducking,
shrieking and - of course - shrinking
Islands
of Adventure
1000 Universal Studios Plaza, Orlando, Florida 32819-7610. General Information.
Tel:407-363-8000
The Islands of Adventure theme park, in Orlando, Florida, is the spot
for serious thrill seekers of all ages. Adventure and thrills await
as you take an unforgettable journey through the five islands - Seuss
Landing™, The Lost Continent®, Jurassic Park®, Toon Lagoon® and Marvel
Super Hero Island®!
Kennedy
Space Center
KSC, FL 32899. Tel: 321-867-5000
Your Florida vacation is not complete without a trip to Kennedy Space
Center. Just 45 minutes from popular Orlando attractions and theme parks
is NASA’s launch headquarters – the only place on Earth where you can
tour launch areas, meet an Astronaut, see giant rockets, train in spaceflight
simulators, and even view a launch. Experience more on your vacation
to Orlando with a daytrip to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where
the sky isn't the limit - it's just the beginning, The Kennedy Space
Center...telling the story of how the United States built a space program
that launched men to the moon, orbited satellites, and sent probes into
distant space to solve the mysteries of the cosmos.
Your
exploration of NASA's launch headquarters traverses an amazing area
that includes towering launch pads, huge rockets, history-making technology,
and vast stretches of Florida wildlife. The NASA Up-Close tour and the
Cape Canaveral: Then & Now tour are guided by a space program expert
and take you deeper into the operations of Kennedy Space Center
NASA
Up-Close Tour: The highlight of this tour for most visitors is the A/B
Camera Stop, where visitors have the closest possible Space Shuttle
Launch Pad viewing, and ends at the amazing Apollo/Saturn V Center.
Cape
Canaveral: Then & Now Tour: You'll relive the launch of America's first
satellite at the Air Force Space and Missile Museum and see today's
active rocket program. Ends at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Reservations
are limited.
Kennedy
Space Center Tour: Included with admission and takes you to the International
Space Station Center, LC 39 Observation Gantry, and the Apollo/Saturn
V Center. Departs every 15 minutes from the Visitor Complex.
HOURS
OF OPERATION Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is open every day
of the year, except December 25 and certain launch days. Current operating
hours are from 9 a.m to 5:30 p.m. (The Astronaut Hall of Fame is open
from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.)
MGM
Studios
Exit 26B at State Road 536; follow the signs.
Salute the world of showbiz — from the Hollywood classics of yesteryear
to the best in popular entertainment. Take center stage as the star
of your own adventure: from rock 'n' roll fantasy to Broadway-style
stage spectaculars, from the silver screen to the TV screen to behind
the scenes. And when you share it as part of your Magical Gatherings
experience — now that's entertainment!
Here's
what you will enjoy at MGM
Big
Thrills
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith
Star Tours - the ultimate Star Wars™ thrill ride
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
Fun
For Little Ones
"Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" Movie Set Adventure
Live
Entertainment
Indiana Jones ™ Epic Stunt Spectacular!
Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage!
Voyage of The Little Mermaid
Lights, Motors, Action!™ Extreme Stunt Show
Mild
But Wild Thrills
Disney-MGM Studios Backlot Tour
Other
Attractions
ATAS Hall of Fame Plaza
Muppet Vision 3-D
Journey Into Narnia: Creating The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Sounds Dangerous - Starring Drew Carey
The American Film Institute Showcase
The Great Movie Ride
The Magic of Disney Animation
Walt Disney: One Man's Dream
Magic
Kingdom
Exit 26B at State Road 536; follow the signs.
Journey to imaginary lands of adventure, fantasy, the past and the future.
Sail on magic carpets, plunge down waterfalls, fly through the air like
Peter Pan, hurtle through space as you travel to places beyond your
imagination. Many attractions offer fun and thrills with Mickey and
the gang or perhaps you prefer a little swashbuckling fun with Captain
Jack Sparrow and the pirates. There are white knuckle rides, rides for
tots, shows and arcades in this fantasyland of princesses, princes,
kings, queens, heroes and villains
Big
Thrills
Space Mountain®
Splash Mountain®
Fun
For Little Ones
Monsters, Inc. Comedy Club
"it's a small world"
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Cinderella's Golden Carousel
Country Bear Jamboree
Donald's Boat
Dumbo The Flying Elephant
Fantasyland Play Area
Mickey's Country House
Mickey's PhilharMagic
Minnie's Country House
Peter Pan's Flight
The Enchanted Tiki Room
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Tomorrowland® Transit Authority
Mild
But Wild Thrills
Astro Orbiter
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Mad Tea Party
Pirates of the Caribbean
Snow White's Scary Adventures
Stitch's Great Escape!™
The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm
Tomorrowland® Indy Speedway
Recreation
Frontierland® Shootin' Arcade
Other
Attractions
Cinderella Castle
Jungle Cruise
Liberty Square Riverboat
Main Street Vehicles
Swiss Family Treehouse
The Hall Of Presidents
The Haunted Mansion
Tom Sawyer Island
Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress
Walt Disney World® Railroad
Parrot
Jungle Island
1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami. (305) 258-6453
A brand new jungle has bloomed on an island near Miami -- Parrot Jungle
Island, a $47-million park opened in June, 2003, replacing Parrot Jungle
and Gardens, a South Florida fixture dating to 1936. The new 18.6-acre
entertainment destination, between downtown Miami and South Beach just
off MacArthur Causeway, is home to some 3,000 exotic animals and 500
plant species, with animal stage shows, one-of-a-kind aviaries, jungle
trails, a petting farm and more. Parrot Jungle Island’s centerpiece
is Jungle Theater, an open-air "oooh" and "aaah" arena. Guests are "face-to-beak"
with more than 200 parrots and macaws in the Manu Encounter, the world's
only aviary replicating the clay cliffs of Manu, Peru. Everglades Habitat
recreates South Florida's "river of grass" and its wildlife. The park's
huge collection of reptiles and amphibians, including an extremely rare
albino alligator and a 21-foot crocodile, are housed in the Serpentarium.
At the 1,200-seat Parrot Bowl, shows feature antics of trained parrots,
cockatoos, and macaws. Theme park admission is not required for access
to the indoor/outdoor Lakeside Café, overlooking Flamingo Lake with
tropical fish and a sea of pink Caribbean flamingos.
Skull
Kingdom
Located at the intersection of International Drive and Universal Blvd.
Enter on American Way. Parking is located behind the castle.
Beyond the gigantic skull lies a twisted world of fright and fun. Live
monsters, robotics, strobe, fog and other special effects, as well as
sudden encounters in dark places, and ghouls around every turn await
you. Are you brave enough, or just a little chicken.
The
Magic Show is very interactive where the audiences are involved with
the act. This style not only makes the event interesting, but also makes
one feel part of the show. Skull Kingdom is proud to bring you a great
place where all the family and friends can get together to have some
fun. Magic shows are conducted twice every night.
Seaworld
SeaWorld Orlando is the world's premiere marine adventure park with
200 acres of world-class shows, thrilling rides and unforgettable animal
encounters. More than 80 million visitors have explored the mysteries
of the sea with up-close animal interactions and exhilarating thrills.
New state-of-the-art rides such as "Kraken" and "Journey To Atlantis"
twist, turn, and drench guests with unprecedented thrills, while amazing
animal encounters include killer whales, dolphins, sea lions, stingrays
and more. If you love marine life you will love Seaworld, Florida The
shows at Seaworld are amazing, from the naughty sea otter and the cheeky
seals to the world famous Shamu and the acrobatic dolphins. Seaworld
is a tropical paradise with beautiful gardens and streams running throughout.
As you stroll around the parks you will see many amazing featutes, tropical
fish in the aquariums, see sharks swim overhead in their custom made
tank or tickle the belly of a manta ray.
Location:
Intersection of Interstate 4 and FL 528 (Bee Line Expressway), 10 minutes
south of downtown Orlando and 15 minutes from Orlando International
Airport
Park
Hours: Open year-round at 9 a.m. with extended hours during summer and
holidays. Allow a full day to see all shows and attractions.
Restaurants:
Guests may choose from nine restaurants, ranging from full-service to
cafeteria-style.
Services:
Strollers, wheelchairs, lockers and indoor, climate-controlled pet kennels
are available for rental. Wheelchair seating is available at all facilities.
Diaper-changing and baby-nursing areas, first-aid, foreign currency
exchange, 24-hour automated teller machine, taxi and bus parking may
be found on-site.
Parking:
Nearly 6,700 spaces are available for vehicles. Spaces are available
to cars and motorcycles for $10.00 - recreational vehicles for $12.00.
Universal
Studios Florida
1000 Universal Studios Plaza , Orlando, Florida 32819-7610. General
Information: (407) 363-8000
Finally, you can break into showbiz and be the star for a day at this
real working film and TV studio. Universal Studios Florida, in Orlando,
is unlike any place on earth – There’s something for everyone with
full scale movie production sets you can actually walk through and
experience! With an incredible array of rides, shows, and attractions,
you’ll get deep into the action of your favorite movies and TV shows.
Universal Studios® Movie Theme Park. Ride the Movies®! At this real
working studio, an incredible array of rides, shows, movie sets and
attractions will put you in scenes from your favorite movies
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