Themeparks
If there is one single feature that tempts children and adults alike to Florida, it is the astounding quality and sheer number of its theme parks. Once these were all provided by Disney, but now three main players compete for the tourist dollar and the competition can only be good for us!
Disney has Walt Disney World, comprising Magic Kingdom, MGM Studios and EPCOT. Separate to WDW are Animal Kingdom, plus the two themed water parks of Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.
Universal Studios (you guessed it) operates Universal Studios and the Islands of Adventure.
Anheuser-Busch (the brewery) gives us Seaworld (with Discovery Cove) and Busch Gardens.
Disney is the biggest, but the others are catching up in terms of what they provide with both Universal and Anheuser-Busch possibly having the edge in white-knuckle thrill rides – at least in terms of numbers. Disney and Universal are the best examples of theming (a joy in itself) and as for “magic” and make-believe, these two also are vying for pole position. A summary of the relative ratings and performances is given at the end.
For beach lovers there are the Atlantic beaches of Cocoa and Daytona which are a 1 hour drive to the East, while 1 hour to the west, there's the Gulf Coast with its white sandy beaches and crystal clear blue warm water.
If golfing is your passion there are scores of glorious courses in the area. The championship coarse at Ridgewood lakes is just a few miles south and the new National and International courses at Champion Gate are only 5 minutes away. An additional site for golfing in Florida is Florida Golfing.
Know your attraction tickets
Orlando Flex Tickets
- Unlimited admission valid for 14 days to:
- Universal Studios
- Universal's Islands of Adventure
- Seaworld
- Wet 'n' Wild
- Costs less than single day admissions.
- Saves time - No waiting in line to buy tickets
- Free transport between Orlando and Parks and select hotels
- Free admission to UNIVERSAL CITY WALK. (night time entertainment complex)
- The five Park Flex Ticket adds: Admission to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
- Free shuttle bus to Busch Gardens from Orlando.
- Visit multiple parks on the same day, only paying for parking once per day.
2-5 DAY DISNEY PARK HOPPER PLUS TICKETS
- 5 Days of admission to all 4 Disney Parks:
- Magic Kingdom
- Epcot
- MGM Studios
- Animal Kingdom.
- Costs less than single day admissions.
- Saves time - No waiting in line to buy tickets.
- Unlimited use of Disney Transportation.
- Choose 2 Single Day Admissions to the following:
- Typhoon Lagoon (Disney water park)
- Blizzard Beach (Disney water park)
- Pleasure Island, (night time entertainment complex)
- Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.
- Unused admissions never expire.
3-7 DAY DISNEY PARK HOPPER PLUS TICKETS
- 7 Days of admission to all Disney Theme Parks:
- Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM Studios, & Animal Kingdom.
- Costs less than single day admissions.
- Saves time - No waiting in line to buy tickets.
- Unlimited use of Disney Transportation.
- Choose a combination of 2 extra admissions from the following:
- Typhoon Lagoon (Disney water park)
- Blizzard Beach (Disney water park)
- Pleasure Island (night time entertainment complex)
- Disney's Wide World of Sports complex.
- Unused admissions never expire.
- Free ADMISSION TO Disney quest (interactive video game complex). With purchase.