2011

Attractions And Outdoor Activities Draw Millions To Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. – With seven of the world’s top 20 theme parks in one destination, not to mention more than 100 other fun-filled attractions and outdoor recreation offerings, it’s no wonder that more than 48 million visitors will choose to spend their free time in Orlando this year.

With so many exciting diversions to choose from, no matter where visitors stay in Orlando, they'll find plenty of entertaining options right around the corner…

INTERNATIONAL DRIVE AREA 

Congo River Golf & Exploration Co. invites guests to explore the "Congo" at one of four Central Florida locations. Its 36-hole original International Drive location features 25 live alligators.
congoriver.com Congo River International Drive: 407-352-0042
                               Congo River Universal: 407-248-9181
                               Congo River Kissimmee: 407-396-6900 

Fun Spot Action Park allows guests to "Drive the Ride" on its five multi-level go-kart tracks and 13 rides, including seven rides for preschoolers. Fun Spot has more than 100 games in a 10,000-square-foot (900-square-meter) arcade.
fun-spot.com 407-363-3867 

Grande Lakes Adventure Course is a multi-level obstacle course comprised of poles, cables and platforms with 25 traversing and climbing elements, including a 600-foot (183-meter) zipline, designed to allow every guest to choose their personal level of challenge. Newly opened is the Grande Lakes Junior Adventure Course, featuring 13 unique climbing and traversing elements, a mini swing and a 120-foot (37-meter) mini zipline.
grandelakes.com 407-393-4007 

Hawaiian Rumble Adventure Golf features two locations in the Orlando area, one on International Drive and one in Lake Buena Vista. Choose from two challenging Hawaiian-themed courses featuring a waterfall and a $100,000 musical fountain.
hawaiianrumbleorlando.com International Drive location: 407-351-7733
                                                       Lake Buena Vista location: 407-239-8300 

International Heli-Tours, located on International Drive, is a helicopter touring company that offers aerial tours of Orlando, Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, celebrity homes and more; showcasing the city's attractions, lakes and abundant wildlife. A unique tour offered is the Alligator Tour which takes guests on a journey over gator hot spots such as Lake Apopka.
internationalhelitours.com 407-239-8687 

Magical Midway is home to International Drive's most elevated go-kart tracks, intense thrill rides, midway rides and a huge video arcade. StarFlyer, the only ride of its kind in the United States, seats guests in swing chairs suspended 256 feet (78 meters) above ground.
magicalmidway.com 407-370-5353 

Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf offers two challenging 18-hole courses at both its locations. Visitors test their putting skills in a fun-filled setting of natural wonders, lavish landscaping and delightful pirate themes that offer swashbuckling fun for the whole family.
piratescove.net  Apopka-Vineland location: 407-827-1242
                               International Drive location: 407-352-7378 

Pirate's Dinner Adventure entertains guests of all ages with a display of special effects, aerial artistry, swashbuckling swordplay and dynamic duels. The dining experience features the classic story of good vs. evil with the perfect blend of action, adventure, comedy and romance.
piratesdinneradventure.com 407-248-0590 

Pointe Orlando features a collection of outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment options in the heart of the attractions area. Located on International Drive, guests can shop at more than 40 specialty retail stores, including Artsy Abode and Armani Exchange; dine at restaurants like The Capital Grille or B.B King's Blues Club; and enjoy entertainment venues, such as Regal Cinemas and the Orlando Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theatre.
pointeorlando.com 407-248-2838 

Putting Edge, an indoor putt-putt arena located at Festival Bay Mall on International Drive, takes miniature golf to a whole new level with psychedelic neon landscapes and pumping tunes that set the mood for fun.
putting-edge.com 407-248-0700 

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Orlando Odditorium is housed in a building that appears to be sinking, as though it fell victim to one of Florida's infamous sinkholes. Explore artifacts, collections, weird art/hobbies and interactive exhibits in 16 galleries of the odd and unusual from around the world.
ripleysorlando.com 407-351-5803 

iFly Orlando, a high-energy vertical wind tunnel, offers indoor skydiving in which visitors float on a column of air. No parachute, no jumping and no experience are necessary. Reservations suggested.
iFlyorlando.com 800-759-3861/407-903-1150 

The Holy Land Experience re-creates the city of Jerusalem and its religious importance between the years 1450 B.C. and A.D. 66 through costumed characters, dramatic enactments and high-tech presentations. The living Biblical museum is home to the Scriptorium, a collection of biblical antiquities dating back to 2200 B.C.
theholylandexperience.com 866-872-4659/407-367-2065

Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows presents nightly performances of original comedy mysteries with dinner and dessert. Visitors will enjoy mystery, improvisation and audience participation, as they help solve a crime or play a cameo role in the show.
sleuths.com 407-363-1985 

Treasure Tavern is Orlando's newest dining experience for adults. The two-hour dinner show features a three-course meal and comedians, acrobats and dancers themed to a Caribbean outpost.
TreasureTavern.com 407-206-5102 

Van's Skatepark is Orlando's premier skateboard park with varied riding areas and obstacles designed for beginner to advanced skaters. Includes multiple ramps, bowls, street courses and an arcade.
vans.com 407-351-3881 

Wet 'n Wild - Orlando offers a variety of multi-passenger thrill rides with loads of special effects. The Storm washes riders down a towering chute, swirls them around at high speeds and tumbles them into a splash landing while Disco H2O promises a groovy musical raft ride through the '70s. The park is open year-round with heated pools in the cooler months.
wetnwildorlando.com 800-992-9453/407-351-1800 

WonderWorks, Orlando's only upside-down attraction, features more than 100 hands-on interactive exhibits. Guests experience virtual reality and rock climbing as well as designing and riding their own roller coaster. The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show provides a high-energy comedy improvisation dinner show (separate ticket required).
wonderworksonline.com 407-351-8800 

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT 

Blue Man Group, the wildly successful live entertainment experience has a permanent home at Universal CityWalk. The group entertains audiences of all ages with their live stage show combining music, comedy and multimedia theatrics.
universalorlando.com 800-232-7827/407-363-8000 

Universal's Islands of Adventure invites guests to "live the adventure" with technologically advanced thrill rides and attractions, including The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!, the Jurassic Park River Adventure and The Incredible Hulk. The theme park welcomed The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2010 featuring rides Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Dragon Challenge.
universalorlando.com 877-688-8011/407-363-8000

Universal Studios Florida takes guests beyond the screen and into the world of television and film to "ride the movies."  Visitors ride along with Shrek and Donkey at Shrek 4-D, battle the supernatural at Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride and hang out at "Krustyland" with America's favorite animated family at The Simpsons Ride. Newly opened is Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, a thrill coaster allowing riders to choose their own musical soundtrack to listen to during their journey.
universalorlando.com 877-688-8011/407-363-8000

SEAWORLD PARKS & ENTERTAINMENT

Aquatica – SeaWorld's Waterpark features dual wave pools, two children's play areas, two lazy rivers, beaches and swimming areas, and plenty of water slides, including the high-speed tube slide, Omaka Rocka, and the Dolphin Plunge, which whisks guests through acrylic flumes amid a lagoon of jumping Commerson's dolphins.
seaworldaquatica.com 407-363-2280 

Discovery Cove is an exclusive island oasis where guests can swim with dolphins, snorkel with tropical fish and rays and hand-feed exotic birds. It is an all-inclusive, reservations-only adventure that includes a full day of activities, swim/snorkel gear, breakfast and lunch, plus a seven-consecutive-day pass to SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay or Aquatica – SeaWorld's Waterpark. The resort will also add a new attraction summer 2011 – The Grand Reef – inspired by reefs from around the world.
discoverycove.com 877-434-7268/407-370-1280 

SeaWorld Orlando features 200 acres (80 hectares) of up-close animal encounters, lavish performances and thrilling attractions, including Manta, a "flying coaster;" Kraken, Orlando's longest, tallest and fastest floorless roller coaster; and Shamu's Happy Harbor, a children's play area with pint-sized rides. The Shamu show, "Believe," combines a "killer whale ballet" of grace and agility with an original music score. Shows and animal exhibits include polar bears, beluga whales, manatees, sea lions, penguins, dolphins and more.
SeaWorld.com 800-432-1178/407-351-3600

DOWNTOWN ORLANDO/LOCH HAVEN PARK

Harry P. Leu Gardens, a 50-acre (20-hectare) botanical park, boasts the largest camellia collection in eastern North America and includes the Leu House Museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
leugardens.org 407-246-2620 

Orange County Regional History Center, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, explores 12,000 years of the area's rich history with interactive exhibits, artifacts, archives and special shows.
thehistorycenter.org 407-836-8500 

Orlando Brewing, located near downtown Orlando, is the only organic brewery and taproom in the Southeast and one of only 10 in the United States. Free tours are available daily and live music is featured weekly.
orlandobrewing.com 407-872-1117 

Orlando Museum of Art features traveling exhibitions and permanent collections of American and African art as well as lectures, art appreciation classes and children's activities.
OMArt.org 407-896-4231 

Orlando Science Center offers an observatory, giant screen theater and hundreds of hands-on exhibits on four floors which offer opportunities to explore, experiment and discover.
osc.org 888-672-4386/407-514-2000 

The Mennello Museum of American Art is best known for its extensive collection of colorful folk art by painter Earl Cunningham.
mennellomuseum.com 407-246-4278

SOUTHWEST ORLANDO

Indy Racing Experience, located at the Walt Disney World Speedway, gives race fans and thrill seekers the opportunity to drive and ride in actual cars that were used in past Indianapolis 500 events. After suiting up in authentic driver fire suits and being strapped in by a pit crew, guests can feel the speed, g-forces and pressure of true IndyCar racing. Drivers and riders must be 18 years of age or older.
indyracingexperience.com 888-357-5002/317-243-7171 

Revolution The Off-Road Experience in Clermont lets visitors take the wheel of an all-terrain vehicle, Hummer, Jeep Dune Buggy or high-speed rally car for a few hours of off-road fun. Or, guests can take to the water for wakeboarding, waterskiing or fishing.
revolutionoffroad.com 352-400-1322  

Richard Petty Driving Experience takes motorsports fans out of the grandstands and puts them behind the wheel of a stock car. Ride-and-drive programs on the 1-mile (1.6-kilometer), tri-oval Walt Disney World Speedway and 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) Daytona International Speedway are available. Drivers must be 18 years of age and riders must be at least 14 years of age.
1800bepetty.com 800-237-3889/407-939-0130 

Wallaby Ranch Hang Gliding Flight Park, located just south of Orlando in Davenport, teaches guests to hang glide 2,000 feet (610 meters) from the ground using tandem aerotowing techniques and no previous experience.
wallaby.com 863-424-0070 

WALT DISNEY RESORT 

Characters in Flight – This tethered helium balloon attraction, located at Downtown Disney, lifts guests 400 feet (122 meters) into the air to experience a 360-degree view of the Walt Disney World Resort.
disneyworld.com 407-939-6244

Cirque du Soleil's "La Nouba" in Downtown Disney West Side features a renowned blend of acrobatics and state-of-the-art special effects with more than 70 artists from around the world performing in a custom-made theater seating 1,671 guests.
lanoubaorlando.com 407-939-7600 

Disney's Animal Kingdom Park offers exciting adventures and unique encounters with real, exotic animals, plus one-of-a-kind guest experiences with fictional animals and giant dinosaurs from the prehistoric world. Not-to-miss attractions include Expedition Everest, a high-speed train adventure; "Finding Nemo – The Musical,"a live 30-minute musical show; TriceraTop Spin; Primeval Whirl!; DINOSAUR and Kilimanjaro Safaris.
disneyworld.com 407-824-4321 

Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park features one of the world's tallest, fastest free-fall speed slides in a whimsical "winter" setting.  It is the largest of Disney's water parks, with 22 water slides and "icy" bobsled runs that stay comfortably warm and thrillingly fast. 
disneyworld.com 407-939-7812

Disney's Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf course is a 36-hole golf adventure featuring Fantasia Gardens, an 18-hole miniature golf course with a theme taken from Disney's classic animated film "Fantasia," and Fantasia Fairways, an 18-hole challenge course designed with strategically placed bunkers and hazards.
disneyworld.com 407-560-4870 

Disney's Hollywood Studios is a theme park with a complete motion picture and television studio.  Feature attractions include the American Idol Experience, Toy Story Mania!; Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show; Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage!; Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
disneyworld.com 407-824-4321 

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park offers guests twisting tides, roaring rapids and relaxing rivers.  Whether navigating the nine water slides – including a water coaster thrill ride, swimming with sharks and tropical fish or conquering waves in the United States' largest wave pool, this exotic paradise promises to be the wettest water adventure known to man…or fish.
disneyworld.com 407-939-7812 

Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf course is an interactive miniature golf experience with two 18-hole wacky, elf-sized golf courses.  One course carries the zany, snow-covered Florida theme found at Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park, while the other takes a more tropical, holiday theme, with ornaments hanging from palm trees.
disneyworld.com 407-560-3000

DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park is a five-story, indoor, interactive theme park that combines Disney's magic with cutting-edge technology.  Guests climb aboard a real river raft on Virtual Jungle Cruise, ride a roller coaster of their own design on Cyber Space Mountain or become part of a human pinball game in Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam.  Some attractions require a separate charge.
disneyworld.com 407-828-4600 

Epcot takes guests to 11 nations at World Showcase and fast-forwards them to tomorrow in Future World.  World Showcase offers a kaleidoscope of nations – The American Adventure, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Norway and the United Kingdom – brought together to celebrate cultural heritage. Don't-miss rides include Mission:SPACE, simulating a real space shuttle blastoff; Soarin', which lifts guests 40 feet (12 meters) aloft inside a giant projection screen dome; and The Seas with Nemo & Friends, a whimsical and visually stunning attraction that has the stars of "Finding Nemo" swimming amid the live marine life of the huge aquarium in The Living Seas pavilion.
disneyworld.com 407-824-4321 

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex hosts nearly 200 Amateur Athletic Union events, Atlanta Braves spring training and the Pop Warner Super Bowl each year.  Sports lovers can enjoy a whole community of spectator fun with 200 acres (80 hectacres) of facilities that can host more than 30 sports.
disneyworld.com 407-939-7529                                                                                               

Magic Kingdom Park features seven magical lands with attractions, restaurants and shops based on favorite Disney themes of fantasy, yesterday and tomorrow.  Popular attractions include Mickey's PhilharMagic, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Space Mountain and The Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, an interactive adventure inspired by Disney-Pixar's "Monsters, Inc."
disneyworld.com 407-824-4321 

Sammy Duvall's Watersports Centre at Disney's Contemporary Resort – Fun in the sun is the name of the game at Sammy Duvall's, where visitors can learn to wakeboard, kneeboard, water ski and parasail. Licensed drivers age 16 and older can rent a personal watercraft (minors under age 18 must have an adult present to sign rental waiver).
sammyduvall.com 407-939-0754

SOUTH ORLANDO & KISSIMMEE

Arabian Nights is the largest climate-controlled, indoor equestrian arena for a permanent show in the world. The show, which features more than 60 horses from a variety of breeds and 40 performers, brings a fairy tale to life on horseback.
arabian-nights.com 407-239-9223 

Biplane Rides Over Kissimmee offers guests the chance to ride in—and even fly— an open cockpit 1943 Boeing Stearman, an authentic World War II trainer, over Disney and other attractions.
biplaneridesoverkissimmee.com 407-473-9142 

Fantasy Surf, the newest attraction from FantasyWorld Resort, is the first interactive water sport activity where participants of all ages can catch the "ultimate" indoor wave. Featuring the patented FlowRider system, Fantasy Surf provides the look of surfing and wakeboarding; ride of snowboarding; and tricks of skateboarding in a safe and controlled environment.
ultimateindoorwave.com 407-396-7433 

Full Speed Arcade gives visitors the opportunity to race against other riders in full-motion NASCAR simulators or play a round of golf in an 18-hole, indoor black light miniature golf course.
fullspeed.cc 407-397-7455                                                                                      

Gatorland, one of Central Florida's first attractions, is home to thousands of alligators and crocodiles, as well as a petting zoo, bird sanctuary, mini water park, eco-tour and action-packed outdoor entertainment, including daily alligator wrestlin' shows. In summer 2011, the theme park will open a new Eco Zip Line, carrying riders along 1,200 feet (366 meters) of high-flying adventure up to 56 feet (17 meters) high and near 30 mph (48 kph).
gatorland.com 800-393-5297/407-855-5496  

Green Meadows Petting Farm features a two-hour guided tour to see more than 300 farm animals. Visitors are encouraged to have a first-hand experience by petting the animals, taking train and hay rides, milking a cow and riding a pony. Picnic areas are available.
greenmeadowsfarm.com 407-846-0770

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament is set within an 11th century European-style castle where heroic knights display astounding athletic feats and thrilling swordplay on spirited horses. Guests will enjoy sturdy fare among the interior displays of medieval artifacts, coats of arms from prestigious Spanish families and spectacular shining suits of armor.
medievaltimes.com 407-396-2900 

Old Town Shopping, Dining & Entertainment Attraction features 75 unique specialty shops, eight restaurants and 18 thrilling amusement rides. This free-admission, free-parking attraction offers the look and feel of a Florida town at the beginning of the 20^th century.  Car shows every Friday and Saturday feature hundreds of classic cars.
old-town.com 800-843-4202/407-396-4888 

Warbird Adventures, Inc. offers guests the chance to fly like the aces of yesterday in the Premier Fighter-Trainer of WWII — the North American T-6 TEXAN. Whether they want a thrilling aerobatic adventure or a smooth, straight and level flight, the experience is tailored just for them.
warbirdadventures.com 407-870-7366

NORTHEAST CENTRAL FLORIDA 

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens showcases hundreds of rare or endangered animals, including cheetahs, elephants, kangaroos, baboons, leopards and some of the most powerful snakes in the world. Newly opened is ZOOm Air Adventures, a zipline experience.
centralfloridazoo.org 407-323-4450 

Hard Knocks is an indoor combat simulation arena open for entertainment, law enforcement training and corporate team building.  Visitors to Hard Knocks will have the opportunity to execute missions that challenge them to defuse bombs, rescue hostages, protect VIPs and eradicate the enemy in an urban themed combat area.  Hard Knocks also features a LAN Gaming Lounge with multiple LCD televisions and a high definition movie theatre for some of the best video gaming around.
hardknocksorlando.com 407-359-9091

NORTHWEST CENTRAL FLORIDA 

Scott's Maze Adventures, located in Zellwood,features a 6-acre (2.4-hectare) corn maze, 3-acre (1.2-hectare) tree maze, picnic area, nature walk and various entertainment attractions for public, group and corporate events. Open seasonally in the fall.
longandscottfarms.com 352-383-6900

EASTERN CENTRAL FLORIDA

Brevard Zoo, located in Melbourne, features more than 550 animals representing 165 species, from North and South America, Asia, Australia and Africa. Unique experiences including hand-feeding gentle giraffes and kayaking through wetlands.
brevardzoo.org 321-254-9453 

Daytona International Speedway, home of the Daytona 500 and Coke Zero 400 NASCAR races, offers exciting racing; guided Speedway tours; and the Richard Petty Driving Experience.
daytonainternationalspeedway.com 386-253-7223

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers tours of behind-the-scenes areas with views of Space Shuttle facilities and launch pads. Visitors can feel what it's like to blast into space in the Shuttle Launch Experience, meet a real astronaut every day and see "Space Station 3D" in the world's largest twin IMAX^® theater.  The Astronaut Hall of Fame features the world's largest collection of astronaut memorabilia, displays, exhibits, hands-on activities and simulators.
kennedyspacecenter.com 321-449-4444 

Zero-G Corporation provides a full-day experience featuring a weightless flight that only astronauts have had access to prior to now. Flights depart from the Kennedy Space Center.
gozerog.com 800-ZERO-G-800/954-756-1000

WEST/SOUTHWEST CENTRAL FLORIDA

Adventure Island is a 30-acre (12-hectare) water park featuring thrilling slides and tube rides, the Splash Attack play area, a 20-foot (6.1-meter) platform for cliff jumping, lagoons, waterfalls and more.
adventureisland.com888-800-5447/813-987-5660 

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is an exciting family adventure park offering an array of fascinating attractions based on exotic encounters within the African continent. Busch Gardens offers a unique blend of thrilling rides, one of the country's premier zoos featuring more than 2,700 animals, live shows, restaurants, shops and games. One of its many coasters, SheiKra, is the tallest dive coaster in the world. In 2011, the theme park will open Cheetah Hunt, a new high-speed coaster that features up-close animal encounters. 
buschgardens.com 888-800-5447/813-987-5777 

Citrus Tower, located in Clermont, provides a panoramic view of rolling hills, spring-fed lakes and citrus trees from three Tower Observation Decks. The Tower offers in-season fresh citrus fruit for sale, either to take along or for gift shipments. A restaurant and gift shop are also on the grounds.
citrustower.com 352-394-4061 

Dinosaur World, located in Plant City, has more than 150 life-size dinosaurs located on its grounds. Examine fossils and learn why dinosaur remains are not found in Florida. Visitors can shop for hard-to-find dinosaur toys and educational materials in the gift shop.
dinoworld.net 813-717-9865 

Drivetech Racing School at USA International Speedway in Lakeland gives racing fans the opportunity to get behind the wheel of an authentic NASCAR racecar. Guests race like the pros as they drive the laps drafting, passing and leading, setting their own pace around the track.
drivetech.com 800-678-8864/909-349-0255  

Fantasy of Flight in Polk City invites guests to explore the romance and nostalgia of flight in self-guided "immersion" experiences that chronicle the history of aviation. Guests can enjoy the world's largest private collection of vintage aircraft, flight simulators, back-lot tours, hot air balloon flights and open cockpit biplane rides.
fantasyofflight.com 863-984-3500

Florida Eco-Safaris at Forever Florida offers eco-safaris via horseback, zipline or in a swamp buggy through a nature preserve with nine ecosystems. The Zipline Safari, Florida's first zipline experience, takes guests on a treetop nature tour reaching heights of 55 feet (16.8 meters) and speeds up to 20 mph (32.2 kph).
floridaecosafaris.com 407-957-9794 

Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, located in Clermont, is Florida's largest premium winery.  Visitors can take a free tour of the winery, sample wines in the tasting room or purchase a bottle of the award-winning Lakeridge wine at the gift shop.
lakeridgewinery.com 800-768-WINE (9463)/352-394-8627 

Silver Springs, the park famous for its Glass Bottom Boat ride and Fort King River Cruise, encompasses the largest artesian limestone spring in the world. Other highlights include bear, panther and crocodile exhibits; a children's petting zoo; animal shows; a historical museum;and headline concerts.
silversprings.com 352-236-2121