18 USA SPECIAL - ORLANDO
Thrills galore at the theme park
capital of world I
HAVE travelled widely in the USA enjoying all my visits, including to the famed Florida beach resort of Miami with its distinct historic districts such as the legendary eternally fashionable South Beach appealing perhaps more to travellers without children. However, Florida also offers a fabulous alternative which is all about pure family fun. In 25 years of travel writing I had never visited Orlando, the theme park capital of the world, so it was here I headed recently with my wife, Leila, who herself was fulfilling a childhood ambition to visit this part of the USA. SeaWorld was to be our first call so as to bring to life those childhood memories of film images showing amazing, dazzling tricks performed by ocean creatures on gigantic aquatic stages, and soon we were enjoying SeaWorld’s classic globally famous and stunning Dolphin and Killer Whale shows.
Then we discovered what was new, SeaWorld now also offers perhaps Orlando’s most thrilling roller coaster ride – the Mako – opened in 2016 - offering a terrifying plunge from a staggering 200 feet along nearly a mile of track reaching up to 73mph.
While the established favourite, the Kraken Unleashed roller coaster, has now undergone a virtual reality makeover with riders given option of VR headsets taking them into a dark and dangerous undersea world full of deadly mystical creatures whilst enduring what is already a hairy scary ride. (
worldparks.co.uk In 2017 £108.00 Adults £104.00
Kids)
Universal Studios and the Islands of Adventure theme parks boast many famous attractions with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter sensation supremely popular - turning parts of the parks into a little Britain including a prefect scaled down reproduction of London’s Kings Cross Station where one can board the Hogwarts Express. To enjoy the whole Potter experience - Diagon Alley and Hogwarts - a park to park ticket is required. (In 2017 tickets for Adults started at £223.00).
We particularly enjoyed the all new in 2017 Race Through New York Staring Jimmy Fallon, a superbly clever ride in which we join this popular NBC TV chat show host as he takes a bumpy high-speed madcap drive through, above, and below the Big Apple. We loved the detailed look back at the history of USA TV shows and the wonderful live Barbers Shop entertainment on the way in.
Gatorland, tiny in scale in comparison to SeaWorld and Universal, was our third choice of theme park, one of Orlando’s originals dating back to the late 1940s, dedicated to getting close to those fearsome creatures
ROBIN NOWACKI pays his first visit to the theme park capital of the world - Orlando...
who rule the waterways and swamps of this part of America, the Alligator.
I am not sure which was more scary during our visit, the zip wire rides 65 feet (equivalent seven floors) above a sea of bared shinning razor sharp white Alligator teeth which make up Gatorland Park, or actually entering the enclosure of Feros Zonbi (Cajun Creole for Fierce Ghost), a huge white alligator, and actually stroking his tail!
The Screaming Gator Zip Line ‘Voted Best Zip Line in the USA by AOL Travel’ offers a total of 1200 feet of high flying costs $69USD and includes a full day entrance to the rest of Gatorland, which we found to be an affordable and enjoyable family day out. What about the legendary Walt Disney World? Well my wife and I decided to dedicate a whole return visit to Florida so as to enjoy to the full the phenomenon founded on Mickey Mouse and report back late in 2018. To fully appreciate Universal takes two to three days, SeaWorld perhaps two, and we now needed our Florida beach experience.
But first a mention for our accommodation in Orlando, the Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa 8113 Resort Village Drive Orlando, Florida 32821 T:407- 597-0214. Large comfortable apartments with open plan kitchen/dining/lounge areas and balcony, two luxury bedrooms with generous sized beds, two luxurious bathrooms - one ensuite with Jacuzzi bath. Outside there’s a large swimming pool play area with pirate ship for kids of all ages, a great bar/dinner serving America’s favourite foods and good craft beers, and a small supermarket with takeaways.
At 9am each morning there is a free bus service to most of the major theme parks for those who register their names in reception the night before.
New Smyrna Beach
Quite simply for me it could not have been better. A room with balcony in a hotel straight on to a stunning sandy beach with Turtles laying eggs by night and the Atlantic Ocean demonstrating many moods in different ways throughout each day.
The other side of Orlando, away from the theme parks and visitor attractions, fluttering American flags and white sand beaches
At times blowing a tropical storm, then within hours a hot sun baking the sand as dudes in impressive cars drive along the beach as vendors sell hot dogs and ice cream with American flags fluttering in a gentle breeze. Add a cool historic downtown area, Flagler Avenue, with great restaurants and lively bars like a small version of Miami’s South Beach.
Outstanding for award winning Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influenced gastronomic delights, wonderful service, a choice of great cocktails and craft beers - AA Garden Fusion 206 Flagler Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169, US, should not be missed for creative and imaginative cuisine in atmospheric family run restaurant.
About 1 hour 40 minutes north east from Orlando, 30 minutes to the south of Daytona Beach, it is possible to stay at New Smyrna Beach and drive in a hire car to the theme parks from New Smyrna Beach Hotel & Suites 1401 S Atlantic Avenue New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32169.
Excellent authentic Mexican restaurant Mi Mexico up some stairs two minutes from back of hotel. Best Flagler Avenue Bars – Traders, OK Bar & Chill Lounge, Flagler Tavern, often with live music. We flew with the wonderful Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick to Orlando with civilised departure time, good food and entertainment. Taxi to Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa about $45-00.
February 2018 Travel News
Leila gets up close and personal to the sea lions
Robin and Leila get close to a huge white gator - stoking its tail was a scary experience
New Smyrna Beach where turtles come to lay their eggs
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