Filed under: Disney World, disney, orlando, orlando vacation, travel | Tags: Disney World shopping, Disney World stores, Disney World souvenirs, Orlando Premium Outlets, Orlando factory outlet stores
Establish a budget for Disney World souvenirs and stick to your budget (no matter how many cool and exotic gifts you see as you stroll through Epcot’s World Showcase!). Some of the Orlando area factory outlet stores such as Orlando Premium Outlets sell Disney merchandise at significantly lower prices than you will find at stores within the Disney World theme parks.
Filed under: Other destinations, Vacations, orlando, orlando vacation, theme parks, travel | Tags: busch gardens africa, busch gardens tampa, exotic jungle habitat, jungala
Busch Gardens Africa-Tampa Bay has unveiled plans to create Jungala, an exotic jungle habitat of fun-filled discovery and exploration. Scheduled to open in the spring of 2008, the four-acre Jungala attraction will include up-close animal interactions, multi-story family play areas, thrilling rides and live entertainment. Jungala will be nestled in the Congo area of Busch Gardens with cascading waterfalls, towering trees, flowing waterways and elaborate stone structures
The multi-tiered animal habitats at Jungala will allow guests to interact with two of the world’s most endangered species – orangutans and Bengal tigers – through treetop observation towers, subterranean caves, underwater windows, natural bridges and bamboo screens. The exotic rainforest also will be home to acrobatic gibbons, flying foxes and tomistomas.
Jungala will include two signature rides – a zip line adventure that will offer three different flight patterns high above the tree tops and another ride that will launch guests above a towering waterfall. A three-story family climbing area that includes rope bridges and a children’s water play area are also on the drawing board for Jungala. In addition, elaborately costumed stiltwalkers will parade through the Jungala village (itself anchored by a 35-foot rock formation).
Two new Busch Gardens restaurants will also be constructed at Jungala: The Bengal Bistro and the Orang Cafe. Both eateries will offer seasonal entrees, sandwiches, salads and children’s menus.
Jungala will be built on the site of the Python roller coaster, which first opened at the theme park in 1976 and closed in 2006.
“As a totally interactive wildlife habitat, Jungala will be a great addition to Busch Gardens,” said Kyle Collins, Director of Interactive Marketing for HotelsCorp.com. “And by planning ahead and purchasing discount theme park tickets online, you and your family will enjoy significant savings on your Busch Gardens next adventure.”
Filed under: orlando, orlando vacation, travel | Tags: busch gardens tampa, canaveral national seashore, central florida zoo, cypress gardens, daytona usa, disney day trips, disney world day trips, florida aquarium, kennedy space center, lowry park zoo, orlando day trips, salvador dali museum, silver springs
While Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando are all essential ingredients for any family’s Orlando itinerary, you will definitely want to take at least a day trip during your vacation to escape from all the crowds, hectic pace and total madness of these world-class theme parks. Fortunately, Orlando lies within an hour or so of a variety of diverse attractions where you can spend an afternoon far from the madding crowd. The following list features 10 of the best Orlando day trips:
1. Busch Gardens Africa: Sure Busch Gardens in Tampa is another theme park but it draws fewer visitors (4.3 million in 2006) than Disney World, Universal Orlando or SeaWorld Orlando. In addition, Busch Gardens features some eclectic thrill rides and attractions such as SheiKra, Florida’s first dive coaster, which boasts two 90º drops at 70 miles per hour.
2. Cypress Gardens Adventure Park: Opened in 1936 as Florida’s first theme park, Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven still features its beautiful botanical gardens and spectacular water-ski shows, but has added thrill rides, live concerts and the Splash Island Water Park over the past few years.
3. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex: Just 45 minutes East of Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center gives you and your family the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the incredible history of American space flight and view rockets and exhibits, tour launch areas, watch a 3-D space movie at an IMAX theater and much more.
4. Silver Springs: Billed as “ Florida’s Original Theme Park,” Silver Springs lies near Ocala and boasts colorful botanical gardens, animal habitats, live shows, rides, specialty shops and the world-famous glass bottom boat rides.
5. Florida Aquarium: Opened in 1995, the Florida Aquarium in Tampa is home to more than 10,000 aquatic animals and plants from all over the world such as alligators, tropical fish, sharks, stingrays and sea turtles, as well as interactive exhibits.
6. Lowry Park Zoo: Approximately 1,600 animals can be viewed in their natural habitats at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, which also features a Florida wildlife center, aviary, petting zoo, live shows and more.
7. Canaveral National Seashore: One of just 10 National Seashores in the United States, Canaveral National Seashore is the longest stretch of undeveloped beach along Florida’s East Coast. Popular activities here include sunbathing, swimming, surf fishing, surfing and hiking.
8. Central Florida Zoological Park: Just a short drive up Interstate 4 in Sanford lies the Central Florida Zoological Park, which is home to hundreds of animals, including alligators, cheetahs, leopards, elephants and monkeys.
9. Daytona USA: Adjacent to the Daytona International Speedway, Daytona USA features racing exhibits, motion simulator rides, the World Center of Racing Visitors Center and behind-the-scenes tours of the speedway.
10. Salvador Dali Museum: Nestled in downtown St. Petersburg, the Salvador Dali Museum boasts the most comprehensive collection of permanent works by famous surrealist painter Salvador Dali.
