Orlando Travel Blog

Many great (and not-so-great!) Central Florida attractions have come and gone over the years such as Circus World, Boardwalk and Baseball, Jungleland Zoo, King Henry’s Feast, Mystery Fun House, Splendid China, Stars Hall of Fame, Terror on Church Street, The Guinness World Records Experience, Wings & Wheels Museum, Xanadu: Home of the Future, Skull Kingdom and Hard Rock Vault, among others.

However, a couple of classic attractions that were around well before Walt Disney World celebrated its grand opening in 1971 have stood the test of time and continue to attract new generations of visitors. For example, Gatorland is a 110-acre wildlife preserve and theme park that first opened its doors in 1949. Despite suffering a massive fire in November 2006, Gatorland has already reopened and today features fascinating live shows such as the world-famous Gator Jumparoo and Jungle Crocs of the World, as well as reptile habitats, nature walk, boardwalk, aviary, petting zoo, train ride and much more. Known as “The Alligator Capital of the World,” Gatorland is located at 14501 South Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando and open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Another classic roadside attraction, Jungle Adventures, first opened in the 1960s as Gator Jungle. A 20-acre wildlife sanctuary, Jungle Adventures offers live wildlife shows, animal habitats, a Native American Village and jungle cruise. Open daily from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Jungle Adventures lies approximately 17 miles East of Orlando in the town of Christmas at 26205 East State Road 50.

Near downtown Orlando lies another gem, the beautiful Harry P. Leu Gardens, which were donated to the City of Orlando in 1961. The Harry P. Leu Gardens boast Florida’s largest formal rose garden and the country’s largest collection of Camellias, as well as 50 acres of tropical plants and ancient oaks. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the restored 19 th-century Leu home is now a museum. The Harry P. Leu Gardens at 1920 North Forest Avenue are open from 9 AM to 5 PM daily.

Citrus Tower, which first opened in July 1956, recently celebrated its 50 th anniversary. Visitors to the Citrus Tower are still welcome to ride an elevator 226 feet to an observation deck for spectacular views of the Clermont countryside (however, today you are more likely to see sprawling suburbs than citrus trees!). Open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM, the Citrus Tower at 141 North Highway 27 also features a gift shop and Mexican eatery.

Glass-bottom boats have been cruising along Silver Springs near Ocala since the 1870s. In addition to its world-famous glass bottom boats, Silver Springs today features live shows, animal habitats, botanical gardens, attractions and rides. Billed as “ Florida’s Original Theme Park,” Silver Springs is located at 5656 Silver Spring Boulevard in Silver Springs and open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Another great day trip from Orlando is Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, which opened in 1936 as Florida’s first theme park. Cypress Gardens is located in Winter Haven, which lies about an hour Southwest of Orlando. In addition to amazing water-ski shows, Cypress Gardens features thrill rides, kiddie rides and attractions, live shows, botanical gardens and live concerts at the Star Haven Amphitheater, as well as the adjacent Splash Island Water Park. Cypress Gardens is located at 6000 Cypress Gardens Boulevard and open daily at 10 AM.“Each of these classic Central Florida attractions make the perfect day trip after you’ve already visited Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando,” said Kyle Collins, Director of Interactive Marketing for HotelsCorp.com. “And by purchasing discount attraction tickets before you arrive in Orlando, you and your family can enjoy substantial savings on your vacation getaway.”

Orlando is a city with a lot to offer, and when searching for vacation hotspots with something for everyone, fewer cities can compare. From Disney World and Universal Orlando to world class golfing, shopping, nightlife and everything in between, Orlando is indeed a vacation paradise.

Choosing Orlando as a vacation destination is easy, but how can one get the best deal that will allow them to see the sights and enjoy the experiences they desire at the best possible price?

According to Kyle Collins, Director of Interactive Marketing for HotelsCorp.com, “ Orlando is one of the few vacation destinations that offers almost unlimited package options that can be customized to meet the needs of the individual or group. While package deals to other destinations usually involve substantial savings with limited choices, Orlando can be enjoyed at a discount without having to compromise.”

Travel agencies who specialize in Orlando getaways can help vacationers find a package that suits their tastes and without breaking the bank. Still, some packages may be the most suitable yet not include the full menu of activities that are available in Orlando, “The Vacation Capital of the World.”

“The way to book a satisfying trip to Orlando,” continues Collins, “is by finding a package deal that comes closest to offering all the activities you want and then taking advantage of add-ons to complete the experience.”

Add-ons are usually sold as excursions, tours or simply tickets and can usually be had at a discount if you include them when purchasing your initial package deal. Most agencies have discounted arrangements with the providers and operators of several popular activities, from shows to golf outings and more.

“Although it can be tempting to account for every waking moment by adding various activities to the itinerary,“ warns Collins, “vacationers should remember two important points when booking. The first is that keeping a more open schedule will allow them to relax between activities and enjoy each experience without feeling rushed. The second is that, undoubtedly, travelers will encounter things they want to try while on their vacation, so having some down time scheduled will allow them to make new plans without losing out on what they’ve already booked.”