Oh, Orlando! Disc
About the article
This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from April 1996.
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Central Florida's attractions range in mind-boggling depth and diversity.
They can cater to people in the scores or thousands at a time. They include establishments spread over a few thousand square feet to acres of play areas and picnic grounds, from water-based activities to communing with nature and petting animals.
There are theme parks, evening attractions, water parks, go-carts/mini-golf courses; unique options and shopping. Listed below is a selection of the main attractions.
Theme Parks:
World of Orchids: This is claimed to be the world's largest permanent exhibition of orchids where one can also buy orchids retail or wholesale.
Busch Gardens: A family entertainment park, it features thrill rides, live entertainment, animal exhibits and a top zoo.
Cypress Gardens: This is an action-packed theme park comprising botanical gardens, ski shows, butterfly conservatory, rides, exhibits and annual flower festivals.
Cypress Island: On offer are airboat and tour boat trips which features a two-mile nature tail, free-roaming exotic animals and nighttime airboat alligator safaris.
Gatorland: It features a huge number of alligators and three shows - Gator Jumparoo, Gator Wrestling and the Snakes of Florida. Green Meadows Petting Farm: It offers a two-hour guided tour of over 200 farm animals.
Children may learn to milk a cow and ride a pony. Tractor-drawn hayrides are available.
Jungleland Zoo: Over 500 exotic rare animals, birds and reptiles are featured in a lush tropical setting. Included are alligator and reptile shows and a petting area.
Kennedy Space Centre: Adults and children can visit the gateway to Launch Complex 39, from where the space shuttle is launched, and can witness IMAX movies.
Sea World of Florida: New Wild Arctic polar expedition and Baywatch live water adventure are among over 20 major shows.
Splendid China: This features 60 detailed miniaturised exhibits of China's most historic landmarks including the Great Wall stretching over a half mile.
Universal Studios Florida: More than 40 rides, shows and attractions are available where guests literally "ride the movies" on Jaws, Back to the Future, Kongfrontation, ET Adventure and Earthquake.
Disney-MGM Studios: Guests can experience thrilling attractions, backstage action and on-stage spectaculars including "Spirit of Pocohantas", based on the movie.
Disney's Epcot: This is a world of science, technology, energy and health to explore and 11 different countries' pavilions to visit and experience their food, music, shopping and culture.
Disney's Magic Kingdom Park: There are seven theme sections with over 40 attractions including Main Street USA, Adventureland, Fantasyland, Liberty Square, Frontierland, Mickey's Starland and the new Tomorrowland.
Evening Attractions:
Aloha Polynesian Luau at Sea World: This south
seas experience includes a generous family style Hawaiian feast and show.
American Gladiators Orlando Live: The 90-minute action-packed entertainment show including dinner in a 1,600-seat arena where gladiators compete live as seen in the popular television show. Arabian Nights: Diners can watch a two-hour extravaganza featuring magnificent horses and thrilling riders.
Blazing Pianos: It offers family nights Sunday through Thursday. People can sing along to their favourite songs.
Capone's Dinner and Show: A buffet dinner is combined with dance, romance, comedy and intrigue in a Broadway-style show.
Church Street Station: Downtown Orlando's dining, shopping and nighttime entertainment complex features jazz, country and rock 'n roll classics in a special atmosphere.
King Henry's Feast Dinner Show: Featured is King Henry VIII's banquet hall, reminiscent of merry old England. On hand to entertain are a sword swallower, fire blower, aerial ballerina and a four-course feast.
Medieval Times: Visitors can feast on a banquet while watching "daring knights" on horseback in jousting matches and sword fights. A tour of Medieval Life goes free with the dinner.
Pirates at Colossal Studio: This recent dinner entertainment complex features a live, action-packed performance with special effects and sets.
Planet Hollywood: It brings the magic of Hollywood to the restaurant where diners can enjoy food and entertainment memorabilia.
Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show: Diners get to solving the crime. They get to experience the world of mystery, intrigue and comedy while enjoying dinner and drinks.
Terror on Church Street: This is a year-round, night time horror attraction incorporating theatre, live actors and special effects.
Disney World's Pleasure Island: Night time entertainment is offered at seven night clubs, stage shows, live outdoor concerts and a nightly New Year's eve party.
Wild Bill's Wild West Dinner Extravaganza: Diners at a four-course meal can hoot and holler in the mess hall of Fort Liberty, a stockade fort recreated from around 1876 on an 11-acre site. Wild Bill's features trick roping, dancehall girls, Comanche Indians and frontier marksmanship.
Water Parks:
Adventure Island: This 36-acre water theme park features water play areas, championship volleyball, outdoor cafes, picnic areas, arcade and gift shop.
Buccaneer Bay: A natural spring water park, it has water slides, white sandy beach, picnic area and children's play area, adjoining Weeki Wachee Springs. Walt Disney World Resort:
It offers three major water attractions. Blizzard Beach - A special feature is Summit Plummet in which you plunge 60 miles-an-hour in a free-fall slide.
River Country - Adults and children can enjoy a relaxing atmosphere of water rides, sandy beaches and nature trails.
Typhoon Lagoon - Roaring rapids, waterways and rivers are featured. Another memorable attraction is shark reef.
Water Mania: This is an alcohol-free park offering 36 acres of "thrills, spills and sun-soaked fun" with features like Abyss - where one twists and turns in 300 feet of total darkness, Screamer with a free fall from a seven-storey tower and Rain Forest designed just for kids.
Wet 'N Wild: An elaborate children's playground, it also features the new Fuji Flyer - a six-storey, four-passenger toboggan ride over 450 feet of exciting curves.
Wild Waters: Open Spring through September, the park features a 450,000-gallon wave pool and water slides ranging from the Tornado and Hurricane to the Silver Bullet speed flume and Bunyan's Revenge. huge maze game for the entire family where participants can explore the maze or capture eight international flags and exit while trying to beat the clock.
Airboat Rentals U-Drive: "You drive" airboats, electric boats and canoes along miles of coast featuring centuries-old cypress trees, birds, wild animals and alligators. Eagle Nature Cruises: Offered are one-hour narrated cruises on Lake Tohopekaliga, headwaters of the Everglades and home to bald eagles, wading birds and alligators.
Europa SeaKruz: Six-hour cruises sail twice daily offering gourmet buffet, live entertainment on two decks and Las Vegas-style casino action.
Fantasy of Flight: It features more than 30 antique aircraft and exhibits recapturing and simulating the feel of aviation's formative years.
Fighter Pilots USA: This is the real thing. It gives a chance to become a fighter pilot for a day. You can fly aerial combat with guidance from F-16 pilot instructors in a Marchetti fighter trainer. This is no simulation. The cost is around US$750.00 + tax.
Flying Tigers Warbird Restoration Air Museum: This is a flying and working museum specialising in the display and restoration of World War II aircraft.
Haunted Grimm House of Old Town: Over 4,000 feet of "frightening fun" is featured across two floors with 20 rooms, live characters and special effects.
Heritage Lake Tours: Offered is an hour-and-30-minute narrated trip viewing alligators, birds, turtles and other wildlife aboard a covered pontoon boat.
Horse World Poinciana Riding Stables: Horseback riding is available on 750 acres of wooded trails. Nature or private trail rides are also available as are pony rides for children, hayrides and picnics for group functions.
Kissimmee Rodeo: Cowboys Cont'd on page A12
