THE US FLORIDA ATTRACTIONS DESTINATIONS
About a million UK tourists head there every year. It seems we really can’t get enough of Orlando. But how well do we really know it? On a fam trip with a top-notch
team of travel pros, I hit Britain’s most-visited Florida city to try out Orlando’s lesser-known attractions. Here are eight of the best.
1
SEE YOU LATER, ALLIGATOR! The attraction: Gatorland The lowdown: No
cartoon characters here, just 2,500 jaw-snapping, real-life alligators languishing in a network of lagoons. But it’s not a case of ‘look, don’t touch’. At Gatorland, you can cradle a baby gator in the palm of your hand. Fancy starting a feeding frenzy? Go beyond the fence as part of Adventure Hour, and you’ll be within a few feet of the inmates, tossing them a bucket- load of meaty morsels for lunch. Alternatively, you can zipline over them. Yikes! The attraction’s Stompin’
Gator Off-Road Adventure ride, which launched in 2017, is a real crowd pleaser. Passengers sit in open-sided vehicles jacked up on giant wheels for a bumpy, muddy and comic journey through a redneck-themed outback. The verdict: Mark Leath, customer service representative at Attraction Tickets Direct, says: “Most clients check out of their hotel mid-morning for an evening flight – and Gatorland is on the route to the airport. It makes for
a chilled-out last day.” Book it: Admission is £25 for adults, £17 for children.
dosomethingdifferent.com
2
WHEELIN’ AND DEALIN’ The attraction: Old Town Kissimmee The lowdown: Pick
up some bargains and watch the motorcades of Old Town Kissimmee at the same time. Packed with souvenir shops, this pedestrianised area has an old- school feel, and is undergoing a sustained facelift. Fans of vintage Americana should hop along to the Saturday night classic car parade, while petrolheads will salivate at the fleet of high- performance cars that follows the same circuit through the old town on a Friday night. The verdict: Abigail Legge, sales assistant at Orlando Attraction Tickets, says: “After clients have had a pool day, they can head down and make an evening of it.” Book it: The car parades are free to attend.
3
HAVE A HOOT WITH OUTDOOR PURSUITS The attraction: Revolution Off Road
The lowdown: When in the hubbub of Orlando’s frenetic metropolis, you might never imagine just a short drive away lies a lush, green wilderness. A pair of visiting Brits fell in love with one particular swathe of it, and opened an attraction that makes the most of the tropical landscape. Revolution Off Road
is awash with boys’ toys, so guests can race ATVs, drive the amphibious Mucky Ducks through water and woodland, or try their hand at clay-pigeon shooting, archery or fishing on the lake. The verdict: Heather Owen, product executive at Gold Medal, says: “Revolution Off Road is a recent addition to our brochure and something exciting I’d recommend to anyone active or families who want to enjoy an experience in countryside surroundings.” Book it: The Orlando ATV Driving Experience starts at £80 for two hours.
dosomethingdifferent.com
4
LIVE LIKE A LOCAL The attraction: Winter Park The lowdown: Orlando
is a honeypot for tourists and you’ll bump into folk from across the globe. If your clients would rather spend some time brushing shoulders with the locals, direct them to the charming, upscale community of Winter Park. Pavement cafes, galleries, a village green and weekly farmers’ market make a delightful change of pace, plus speciality shops and boutiques offer bespoke items and the personal service visitors won’t find in the malls. There’s a golf course, too, and Winter Park is edged by lakes. The verdict: “It’s perfect for foodies, art lovers and romantics,” says Eleanor Calvert, customer support executive at
Travel Republic. “I’d particularly recommend it to clients without kids, and suggest they spend one night here during their stay.”
5
DOWNSIZE TO SAVE DOSH The attraction: Fun Spot America Theme Parks
The lowdown: In the land of bigger and better, there’s a reminder that small can also be beautiful, not to mention more economical. Fun Spot America Theme Parks, at Old Town Kissimmee and International Drive, may be pint-sized in comparison to the major players, but they deliver a lot of bang for your clients’ buck, with free parking, free entry for non-riders, free re-entry, shorter queues and a midnight closing time. Expect a traditional funfair
atmosphere with waltzers, dodgems, rollercoasters, hook- a-duck and rifle ranges, plus the two tallest SkyCoasters in the world (extra charge). The verdict: Ian May, USA travel specialist at Ocean Holidays, says: “For families on a budget, I’d definitely suggest spending some time at Fun Spot.” Book it: A one-park day pass starts at £42 for unlimited rides.
attractionworld.com
6
IT’S ALL HOT AIR The attraction:
Orlando Balloon Rides The lowdown: Orlando
is a place where you make clients’ dreams come true, from swimming with dolphins to
31 January 2019
travelweekly.co.uk87
TOP TIP
Book a combo ticket to Gatorland and
Boggy Creek Airboat Attractions for £28 – a 40% saving.
tttandt.com
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