If the typical modes of transportation just don’t seem appealing, there are many other options available in Miami. Miami has excellent public transportation. From trains to buses, people are transported from place to place on time. Timely arrival and departure times are a rarity in other major cities, but Miami makes it a priority. The [...]
If the typical modes of transportation just don’t seem appealing, there are many other options available in Miami.
Miami has excellent public transportation. From trains to buses, people are transported from place to place on time. Timely arrival and departure times are a rarity in other major cities, but Miami makes it a priority.
The Metrobus is a network of buses that run to and from all sorts of destinations in Miami and surrounding areas. Covering the majority of Miami-Dade County, the Metrobus has buses that operate 24 hours a day. Frequent travelers can purchase a Metropass, but for a one-day excursion, a day pass will due. Be sure to have exact change for the fare, which is $1.50.
The Metromover connects offices, hotels and cultural exhibits within Miami. It runs every 90 seconds on busy days and can help get people from place to place. Best of all, the Metromover is free to ride.
The Metrorail is a train that runs from 5 AM-12 AM daily. The twenty-two stations are within one mile of one another, making hitching a ride on the train relatively easy. Be sure to have exact change for the $1.50 fare. Most travelers only have to wait 6 minutes for a train to arrive at their nearby station.
Besides city-based transport, there are other alternative means of transportation that can help busy travelers make their way around Miami. Many limousine and taxi companies offer towncars, SUVs and vans for those business travelers that like to ride in class but prefer to avoid the attention of a limo. A Family Limousine is one such company. Visit www.afamilylimo.com for more information.
The Gold Coast Railroad Museum, situated on 152nd Street in Miami Florida, is a must-see attraction for railway aficionados. The museum hosts a variety of events and has a variety of exhibits and rides. The Museum was founded in August of 1956 by William Godfrey,then a business administration student at the University of Miami, who [...]
The Gold Coast Railroad Museum, situated on 152nd Street in Miami Florida, is a must-see attraction for railway aficionados. The museum hosts a variety of events and has a variety of exhibits and rides.
The Museum was founded in August of 1956 by William Godfrey,then a business administration student at the University of Miami, who thought the tracks would be ideal for an active steam engine. The steam engine was created and over the years more equipment was added until the abandoned railways finally became a museum in 1967 with the addition of parking and buildings.
In addition to the railway cars and equipment, the museum also hosts special educational exhibits. Currently, the museum is featuring a special exhibit by U.S. Sugar describing the role of sugar and railroads in Florida’s history.
All of the train rides serve as both entertainment and education.
–“The Edwin Link Children’s Railroad” is offered on weekends is suitable for both children and adults. The ride consists of a 20-minute trip down a 2-gauge line
–The Standard Gauge Coach operates daily and uses air-conditioned trains with diesel equipment. The ride lasts 20 minutes on with trains departing a 2 PM daily.
–The Standard Gauge Cab Ride uses diesel-electric locomotives and is most often available on weekends. Guests ride in the cab of the locomotive for 20 minutes on a standard gauge track where crew- members will detail the history and operation of the locomotive and describe its importance is Florida’s history. Guests must be able to climb steep ladders. Cabs typically depart every thirty minutes; however, it is necessary to call ahead and check availability.
Little Havana is just what it sounds like: a small version of Havana where both tourists and locals can enjoy the lifestyle, language, culture and music of Cuba. Little Havana is the heart of the Cuban exile community and covers a 30-block section of downtown – from SW 41st Avenue to the I-95 Bridge. Much [...]
Calle Ocho Festival - Miami, FL
Little Havana is just what it sounds like: a small version of Havana where both tourists and locals can enjoy the lifestyle, language, culture and music of Cuba. Little Havana is the heart of the Cuban exile community and covers a 30-block section of downtown – from SW 41st Avenue to the I-95 Bridge.
Much of Little Havana is covered in Spanish, giving the area more credence than other obviously touristy hot spots. The main street of Little Havana is 8th Street. For history lovers the Woodlawn Park Cemetery on SW 8th Street and SW 32 Avenue is the site of the graves of three former Cuban presidents and the Bay of Pigs Monument.
Maximo Gomez Park is home to hundred of old men who play dominos and espouse theories and hints about one of Cuba’s favorite games.
A trip to Cuba would not be complete without a cigar and Little Havana knows this. At A Traditional Cigar Co. Inc, located at 1942 SW 8th Street, you can watch master Cuban cigar rollers in action and smoke a classically Cuban cigar. The shop is the largest of the ten cigar shops in the area.
One of the best times to visit Little Havana is in early March when the main street hosts the Calle Ocho Festival (Eighth Street Festival). Twenty-three blocks of the area are closed and nearly a million pedestrians attend. The festival is considered the largest Latin American outdoor festival in the United States and is home to copious amounts of food and music. The festival was first organized twenty years ago by the Kiwanis Club but now has expanded to a citywide week long event across all of Miami.
Little Haiti, an unincorporated neighborhood in Miami, flourishes with a large population of Haitian immigrants, parks, markets and celebrations. The area, bounded roughly by 79th Street to the north, Miami Avenue to the west, Biscayne Boulevard to the East, and Northeast 36th Street to the south, is largely an ethnic enclave where Creole is spoken [...]
Little Haiti, an unincorporated neighborhood in Miami, flourishes with a large population of Haitian immigrants, parks, markets and celebrations. The area, bounded roughly by 79th Street to the north, Miami Avenue to the west, Biscayne Boulevard to the East, and Northeast 36th Street to the south, is largely an ethnic enclave where Creole is spoken and religious ceremonies and practices such as voodoo must be performed in secret due to discrimination and misunderstandings.
Little Haiti is home to both a vibrant daily lifestyle and with art galleries and shopping and an exciting nightlife with rock and traditional music venues.
The Haitian Art Factory, located at 835 N.E. 79 Street, is must-see attraction for international art lovers. The gallery features both fine and exotic pieces of art specializing in work from well- known Haitian artists such as Fritzner Alphonse, Ernst Louizor, Andre Pierre and Laurenceau. The gallery also features sculptures, woodwork, pottery and furniture.
Churchill’s Hideaway, located at 5501 NE 2nd Avenue, is host to both local and national acts. The venue is one of Miami’s oldest rock clubs.
The Little Haiti Park is undergoing renovations and will soon be a place to relax and hide from the hot Miami sun under nearby trees.
Little Haiti also holds several cultural events throughout the year and some monthly. RitmiKreyol, (Creole Rhythm) is a free monthly cultural night designed to raise money for The Haitian Awareness & Cultural Foundation, Inc. The event features poetry readings, arts and crafts, plays, food, music, dance and performances by local and international Haitian and Creole artists.
At the Miami Metro Zoo, the top three popular attractions are: Wings of Asia – Offers more than 300 exotic, rare and endangered Asian birds representing over 70 species in the largest open air Asian aviary in the Western Hemisphere. The story is that Tyrannosaurus rex is a relative of the tiny Mandarin duck! They [...]
At the Miami Metro Zoo, the top three popular attractions are:
Wings of Asia – Offers more than 300 exotic, rare and endangered Asian birds
representing over 70 species in the largest open air Asian aviary in the Western Hemisphere. The story is that Tyrannosaurus rex is a relative of the tiny Mandarin duck! They claim this is the only known zoo exhibit in the world to explain this link in such a comprehensive educational and dramatic way.
Masters of the Night — The true story of bats, the “masters of night.”
Toadstool — An interactive adventure for explorers of all ages. See Costa Rican tarantulas and the Emperor scorpion. These critters are in glass cages, so it’s safe. There are colorful poison dart frogs, the glass lizard, bearded dragon, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, snakes and butterflies.
Admission Hours and Rates
HOURS
- Open every day of the year
- Park Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Ticket Booth: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Miami Metro Zoo
- Wings Of Asia exhibit: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Toadstool exhibit: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
RATES
- Adults (ages 13 & older): $12.00
- Seniors: $11.00
- Child (ages 3 – 12): $7.00
- Children 2 and under: FREE
For some great photos of the zoo, go to http://umsis.miami.edu/~tmartin/zoo.html.
Claiming to be “where the humans are caged and the monkeys run wild,” this park is home to over 400 primates (not counting the humans). Monkey Jungle was founded in 1933 when Joseph DuMond released 6 Java monkeys to forage deep in South Florida. Their eighty-some descendents live there today, eating fruit and catching shellfish [...]
Miami's Monkey Jungle
Claiming to be “where the humans are caged and the monkeys run wild,” this park is home to over 400 primates (not counting the humans). Monkey Jungle was founded in 1933 when Joseph DuMond released 6 Java monkeys to forage deep in South Florida. Their eighty-some descendents live there today, eating fruit and catching shellfish and crabs in the mangroves. They are self-sufficient, but not too proud to accept charity from visitors in the form of raisins and peanuts.
The Java monkeys have been joined by orangutans, gibbons, spider monkeys, and the rare Golden Lion Tamarin. Native to Brazil, this endangered species has found a home here.
Monkey Jungle pioneered a style of exhibits now common in modern zoos. It was among the first to “cage” the visitors and allow the monkeys to roam free.
The shows feature the various primates at the park. “The King of Our Jungle” stars the peaceful lowland gorilla named King, “Hangin’ with Oranges” introduces visitors to the park’s orangutan troop, and “Chimpin’ with Colin & Colleen” lets the twin chimps display their learning abilities…and sometimes their unrehearsed antics. The Java monkeys show off their diving skills in their swimming pool, where they chase after fruit offered by their trainers.
The park is open every day from 9:30 AM until 5 PM. Although the last tickets go on sale at 4, the final series of shows for the day begins at 3. Admission is $16 for adults, $13 for seniors and active duty military, and $9.95 for children 4-12. Take exit 11 from the Florida Turnpike, or go on US 1 to SW 216th Street and follow the signs to Monkey Jungle.
Miami International Airport, a 4.7 million square feet terminal, is the third busiest terminal in the United States. Each year over 20 million passengers pass through Miami International Airport on their way to and from over 160 destinations worldwide. These numbers will surely rise after construction is completed and the airport expands to cover 7.4 [...]
Miami International Airport, a 4.7 million square feet terminal, is the third busiest terminal in the United States. Each year over 20 million passengers pass through Miami International Airport on their way to and from over 160 destinations worldwide. These numbers will surely rise after construction is completed and the airport expands to cover 7.4 million square feet.
Between flights, passengers enjoy a wide range of services and conveniences.
Miami International Airport offers duty free shopping in every concourse, but Concourse E includes the main duty free shopping area. A gift shop is also available there as well as in Concourses C and G. To access the duty free shopping areas passengers must present their boarding passes.
Numerous restaurants are also housed inside Miami International Airport including Pizza Hut, Burger King and the Budweiser Brew House. Each concourse features at least one bar and one restaurant and many offer snack and smaller walk-through eating options.
Other great features of the Miami International Airport include a pharmacy, an art gallery, a chapel, shoeshine services and a health club.
The airport also offers many services for passengers such as a Post Office with standard postal services on level 4, Internet access connections throughout the terminal, ATMs, bank services and currency exchange desks.
Located just nine miles from Miami, the airport offers long and short-term parking and SuperShuttle services from nearby hotels and bus and railway stations for its passengers. Once inside the terminal, passengers can take advantage of the luggage carriers, trolleys and porter services that the airport has to offer.
The Florida Mall 8001 S Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32809 407 851 7234. Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am 9:00 pm Sunday, 12:00 pm 6:00 pm You can get anything you want at the Florida Mall! Fresh from a recent $70 million expansion project, The Florida Mall is the largest shopping center in [...]
The Florida Mall
8001 S Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32809
407 851 7234.
Hours:
Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am 9:00 pm
Sunday, 12:00 pm 6:00 pm
You can get anything you want at the Florida Mall! Fresh from a recent $70 million expansion project, The Florida Mall is the largest shopping center in Orlando, and is large enough to compare favorably with any mega-mall in the country. It is open and spacious, with skylights letting in the Florida sun and tropical plants to delight the eye.
Spacious, newly decorated, and spic-and-span, the Florida Mall has a large number of anchor department stores, ranging in price from moderate to upscale. These include Burdines, Macy’s, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Lord & Taylor, Nordstrom, Sears, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
There are many smaller accessory shops, again ranging from the moderate to the expensive. For instance, Coach, purveyor of the finest leather handbags, and Sunglass Hut, which sells moderately priced eyewear, both have stores in the mall. A number of shops offer home furnishings and accessories. Also present are a number of jewelers, clothing shops for the fashion-conscious, and GapKids and the Children=s Place, among other stores catering exclusively to children (and grandmas!). Harry and David Gourmet Foods and Dylan=s Candy Bar are handy for those wanting gifts for the folks back home.
You can book a trip at Carnival Cruise Lines or Dillard Travel, have your picture taken at Glamour Shots, fix your shoes at Heel Sew Quick, and choose between Hair Cuttery and Hair Plus for a haircut or trim.
A number of fast food outlets are available for a quick bite, and plenty of restaurants cater to the sit-down crowd. The Florida Mall also has its own hotel, where the weary tourist can get lodging and refresh him or herself for another day’s shopping.
Fleaworld is located 10 miles north of Orlando, Florida, on US Highway 17/92. Featuring both indoor and outdoor shopping, Fleaworld is America’s largest flea market. Fleaworld’s 1700 booths offer an incredible array of merchandise and include six bookstores, two dozen auto supply and accessory outlets, and more than 70 jewelry outlets that specialize in silver, [...]
Fleaworld is located 10 miles north of Orlando, Florida, on US Highway 17/92. Featuring both indoor and outdoor shopping, Fleaworld is America’s largest flea market. Fleaworld’s 1700 booths offer an incredible array of merchandise and include six bookstores, two dozen auto supply and accessory outlets, and more than 70 jewelry outlets that specialize in silver, costume, or Native American jewelry. Shoppers can find pet supplies, antiques, novelties, seafood, astrologers, and even a lawyer.
Open every Friday through Sunday, Fleaworld is visited by more than 50,000 shoppers each weekend, or over 2.5 million per year. Paved parking is available for more than 4000 vehicles, including ample space for buses and campers.
Attached to Fleaworld is a family amusement park, “Funworld,” which offers a 250-game arcade, rides for adults and children, two go cart tracks, and entertainment programs under a big top pavilion. Funworld presents a different attraction every month, including magic shows, acrobatic acts, and circus-style performing animals. Funworld also offers birthday party specials in its three restaurants which include all-day ride passes to Kidsworld, a special set of rides for those 6 and under.
Flea World is open from 9 am – 6 pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Fun World hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10 am – 6 pm. Parking and admission are free. Pets are not allowed unless they are small enough to be carried. Seeing-eye dogs are an exception and are welcome at Fleaworld.
Fleaworld
4311 Orlando Ave.
Sanford, Florida 32773.
Office hours are Thursday – Sunday 8 – 6.
Call (407) 330-1792 ext. 224 or visit their website at http://www.fleaworld.com for driving directions and maps.
Disney’s not such a small world, after all. The vast array of tours offered at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom add a new dimension to visits to Disney World. For the full scoop on Disney technology, talent and special effects, the Backstage Magic tour takes guests behind the scenes at the Magic Kingdom, [...]
Disney’s not such a small world, after all. The vast array of tours offered at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom add a new dimension to visits to Disney World.
For the full scoop on Disney technology, talent and special effects, the Backstage Magic tour takes guests behind the scenes at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney-M.M. Studios and lunch at Mama Melrose’s Restaurant Italiano (seven hours; $199; guests over 16 only; photo ID required for backstage access). For a view backstage at the Magic Kingdom only, the Keys to the Kingdom tour offers an in-depth glimpse of Disney World’s oldest park (three hours; $58; guests over 16 only; photo ID required; lunch included).
Train afficionados will probably want to hop on the express track to The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains at the Magic Kingdom, a special tour that brings visitors into the Disney locomotive yards before the park opens (three hours; $40; guests over 10 only; park admission required). At the Animal Kingdom, guests can take a peek at the animal conservation and care areas and speak to wildlife experts on the Backstage Safari (three hours; $65; guests over 16 only; photo ID required).
Even guests who cannot swim can get up close and personal with marine life in the Dolphins in Depth program at Epcot, which features dolphin interaction in waist-high water (three hours; $150; guests over 13 only; 13-18 year olds must be accompanied by a participating parent or guardian. Admission includes a photo with the dolphins, T-shirt and refreshments. No personal cameras allowed). One of the only participatory tours open to children is Epcot’s Seas Aqua tour, which allows guests ages 8-up to don a wetsuit and plunge into the Living Seas aquarium (2 ½ hours; $100; guests 8-16 years must be accompanied by a participating parent or guardian; bathing suits required; admission includes gear, refreshments, T-shirt and group photo).
Disney VIP Services also offer personalized tour scheduling and visit planning at $125/hour (five hour minimum).
More information on Disney tours can be found at the Disney World website, http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/index.
If “relaxing vacation” is synonymous with “long afternoons on the green,” Disney World Resort will not disappoint. The Resort offers 99 holes of golf on six different courses in Orlando. Disney’s five regular courses are all regarded highly by Golf Digest Magazine: Eagle Pines carries a 4 and a half star (out of five) rating; [...]
Golf--Disney Style
If “relaxing vacation” is synonymous with “long afternoons on the green,” Disney World Resort will not disappoint. The Resort offers 99 holes of golf on six different courses in Orlando.
Disney’s five regular courses are all regarded highly by Golf Digest Magazine: Eagle Pines carries a 4 and a half star (out of five) rating; Magnolia, Palm, Lake Buena Vista and Osprey Ridge are all 4-star courses. Palm and Magnolia host the PGA tour’s FUNAI Classic in October. Junior golfers and adult beginners are both welcome at Disney’s sixth course, the unrated nine-hole Oak Trail.
Rates range from a low $20 for play at Lake Buena Vista after 5pm to $119 for weekend guests at Osprey Ridge. Discounts for Florida residents and summer guests are available. The $149 Summer Value Pass is probably the best deal for long-term visitors, offering free access to every course except Magnolia after 1 PM (18-hole/day maximum) all summer long. Oak Trail has separate pricing and packages, with rates as low as $10 for play after 5 PM. Tee times can be booked online at Disney World’s website.
All Disney courses are spike-free, and suitable FootJoy shoes can be rented for $7. Titleist or Cobra golf club rentals start at $45 for complete adult sets. Partial sets are available only at Oak Trail for $17. Junior clubs are loaned free of charge. All club rentals require photo ID and a $500 refundable credit card deposit.
For those looking to improve their technique, PGA instructors are on hand. Rates start at $50 adults/$30 kids for thirty-minute private lessons. For the more serious young golfer, Disney also offers week-long Junior Golf Camps and weekend family retreats during the month of July.
The Disney golf courses are scattered throughout Orlando. Eagle Pines and Osprey Ridge are close together; Lake Buena Vista stands alone. Oak Trail, Magnolia and Palm are located across the street from the Magic Kingdom’s Polynesian Resort. For those without private transportation, the easiest way to access the courses is to take advantage of the complimentary taxi service offered at several Disney resorts.
Information about Disney Golf is available online at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/moreMagic/golf/golfHome?id=GolfHomePage or (407) 938-GOLF.
Sports nuts, athletes and wannabes finally have a “world” of their own at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex. This is the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves, and the home field of the AA affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the Orlando Rays. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have also reported for training [...]
Sports nuts, athletes and wannabes finally have a “world” of their own at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.
This is the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves, and the home field of the AA affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the Orlando Rays. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have also reported for training here at the 9500 person capacity ballpark.
The Wide World of Sports hosts more than 170 amateur and professional sporting events every year. These range from the Walt Disney Marathon to the Harlem Globetrotters. The NHL, NBA, NCAA and PGA also make appearances. The latest information can be found at http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com/dwws/en_US/home/home?name=HomePage.
Athletes of all abilities can experience state of the art facilities for track and field, golf, baseball, wrestling, martial arts, volleyball, tennis, soccer and lacrosse.
This park is also home to the Multi-Sports Experience, where visitors can pretend to be part of an athletic training camp (it replaced the NFL Experience). Armchair warriors who are a bit on the hungry side can enjoy looking at the sports memorabilia displayed at the Official All-Star Café.
Tickets to the Complex are $10.50 for ages 10 and over, and $7.75 for children 3 to 9. The price does not include admission to sporting events held at the Complex. You can purchase those tickets online to insure that you can get into the event, since popular ones sell out fast. Hours are from 10 am to 5 pm. The complex is located on Victory Way, just north of US 192 and west of I-4.
Disney World, Orlando’s largest and busiest vacation resort complex, is best known as a children’s paradise. But there are plenty of activities for adults who want to experience the Magic Kingdom for themselves. Because each of the four major parks at Disney World has a different theme, each will be more or less attractive to [...]
Disney World, Orlando’s largest and busiest vacation resort complex, is best known as a children’s paradise. But there are plenty of activities for adults who want to experience the Magic Kingdom for themselves. Because each of the four major parks at Disney World has a different theme, each will be more or less attractive to adults who are not traveling with kids.
Epcot Center offers a world of attractions suited to adults. The world famous Epcot Flower & Garden Festival, held each spring from April to June, offers a different theme each weekend and includes educational presentations on subjects from the history of roses to unusual and exotic insects. The accompanying under-the-stars “Flower Power” concert series features music from the 1960s and 1970s performed by the original artists. In addition, Circle-Vision theatre presentations include movies on the land and people of China, and more than a dozen pavilions offer the sights, sounds, food, and shopping of cultures from around the world.
Disney MGM Studios offers a backstage peek into the movie-making process – including special effects generation – and an audience participation production of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”
Disney’s Animal Kingdom offers rides and movies that will take the guest through an African safari, down the Cretaceous Trail, to a stop at the Conservation Station, an exhibit that highlights Disney’s efforts to promote wildlife conservation awareness.
Of course, adults are just as welcome as kids to climb aboard a roller coaster or hug Mickey Mouse if they want to do that as well.
For more information about specific Disney World events, please visit www.disneyworld.com
Disney-MGM Studios attempts to bring movie magic to the visitor much more than other parks do. Head down to Sunset Boulevard for the most popular attractions: Fantasmic! (nighttime only, a combination of live action and video with water effects and explosions….arrive at least an hour early, maybe two in the summer), the Twilight Zone Tower [...]
Disney-MGM Studios attempts to bring movie magic to the visitor much more than other parks do.
Head down to Sunset Boulevard for the most popular attractions: Fantasmic! (nighttime only, a combination of live action and video with water effects and explosions….arrive at least an hour early, maybe two in the summer), the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (a different ride every time due to the randomness of the drops), and the Rock ‘n Roller Coaster (a definite must for Aerosmith fans).
Kids and their nostalgic parents will enjoy Jim Henson’s Muppet*Vision, featuring the Swedish Chef and the other Muppet Show characters in a 4D film, and the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, which recreates scenes and stunts from “Raiders of the Lost Ark” with a little help from the audience. You might win Disney merchandise or a Disney cruise at the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? show. People looking for a quieter experience will enjoy Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream, a movie celebrating the company’s legendary founder.
Little kids will enjoy Voyage of the Little Mermaid, but the Backlot Tour is showing its age, and the Magic of Disney Animation tour no longer features real animators at work.
Tickets are $54.75 for adults and $43.75 for children. Remember that Disney considers children over the age of 10 to be adults when charging admission. You can save money if you buy the tickets online at www.disneyworld.com, and this is the best option if you plan on seeing more than one park. This park is open from 9 am to 6 pm or 7 pm, but sometimes stays open until midnight during the summer.
Parking is $8 for most vehicles ($9 for RV’s). Be sure to write down the lot and row number, otherwise, you will forget where you left your car.
Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom is the place in Orlando to go on “safari” with little kids. The newest Disney attraction in Orlando is meant to be more of a conservation facility than the other theme parks. The animals are given more shade than the humans are, so be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen, [...]
Animal Kingdom Disney World
Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom is the place in Orlando to go on “safari” with little kids.
The newest Disney attraction in Orlando is meant to be more of a conservation facility than the other theme parks. The animals are given more shade than the humans are, so be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen, wear wide-brimmed hats and take lots of water. Central Florida can get very hot, and few attractions here have air conditioning. Most rides are accessible to disabled visitors, but keep in mind that the park is hilly, there are a lot of people, and it can be quite a hike to see it all (the park covers 500 acres). Wear comfortable walking shoes.
The best time for animal viewing is during the cooler part of the day, either when the park opens at 8 or 9 am, or near closing time at 5 pm. Those are the best times to ride the Kilimanjaro Safari. Ride the Kali River Rapids during the hottest part of the day to cool off by getting soaked, or catch one of the five featured shows.
Tickets are $54.75 for adults and $43.75 for children. Parking costs $8 for most vehicles (RV’s are $9). Take careful note of where you parked, since the signs are harder to see than at other Disney parks. Trams will take you to the front gate from the parking lot and are recommended.
Garden Gate Gifts is the place to rent lockers ($7, with $2 deposit), strollers (single $8, double $15 with a refundable $1 deposit), and wheelchairs (standard $7 with $1 refundable, electric $40 with $10 refundable). Pets can stay at the kennel just outside the park entrance for $6 a day with proof of immunization.
Disney World, Orlando’s largest and busiest vacation resort complex, is made up of four major theme parks and several smaller attractions. Because each one can be a day’s adventure in itself, Disney features a ticket plan called “Magic Your Way,” which allows guests to customize an admission ticket based on what they want to see [...]
Disney World, Orlando’s largest and busiest vacation resort complex, is made up of four major theme parks and several smaller attractions. Because each one can be a day’s adventure in itself, Disney features a ticket plan called “Magic Your Way,” which allows guests to customize an admission ticket based on what they want to see and how long they want to stay.
“Magic Your Way” begins with a base ticket that can be specified for up to 10 days in length, and each day allows entry to any one of the four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom). Addition of days to the base ticket can result in significant savings, and allows the guest to visit a different park each day. Days do not have to be used all at once, but multiple parks cannot be visited on a single day.
For those who want to visit more than one park during a day, the “Park Hopper” option is available for an added $35 per ticket. The “Park Hopper” option allows use of the Disney transportation system to shuttle between parks.
The “Magic Plus Pack” option entitles guests to visit additional entertainment and recreation venues, such as Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon water parks, Pleasure Island, DisneyQuest, or the Wide World of Sports Complex. A flat $45 charge is added to each ticket for this option, and the number of allowed visits rises with the length of the ticket.
All tickets expire two weeks after their first use unless the “No Expiration” option is added to the base ticket. This one-time charge varies depending upon ticket length.
For current ticket prices or to order tickets online, please visit www.disneyworld.com
Vintage airplane buffs can wander among the painstakingly restored World War II through Vietnam-era fighter planes and bombers at the Flying Tigers Warbird Restoration Museum. It’s possible to get really up close and watch the staff mechanics at work, since there are no ropes or fences separating you from the planes. The outside of the [...]
Flying Tigers Warbirds
Vintage airplane buffs can wander among the painstakingly restored World War II through Vietnam-era fighter planes and bombers at the Flying Tigers Warbird Restoration Museum. It’s possible to get really up close and watch the staff mechanics at work, since there are no ropes or fences separating you from the planes.
The outside of the facility looks somewhat dilapidated. The museum itself is in a hangar down a dusty road, and there is scrap metal piled up outside. The facility also sustained quite a bit of damage from the recent hurricanes. But the airplanes themselves are works of art restored to their past glory. One of the gems is a 1943 Stearman PT-17 flown by the first President Bush. Tom Reilly, the owner, is also the tour guide through the various exhibits.
Head next door to Warbird Adventures, and you are in for a special treat. The staff takes passengers up into the air aboard a vintage warplane. Photo and video services are offered to the passengers so they can have a permanent record of their flight.
The Flying Tigers Warbird Restoration Museum is located at 231 N Hoagland Boulevard (take exit 64A/US 192 from I-4, east of Disney to Kissimmee, take a right on Hoagland). It is open daily from 9 to 5. Adults are $9, seniors 60 and over and children from 8-12 are $8. Parking is free.
Small children probably would not enjoy the museum as much as their aviation freak parents will. There are no special effects to grab their attention, since the focus is on the historical aircraft. Plan on spending about 2 hours, and dress comfortably.
Universal Studios Escape is a vacation resort complex that features two full-sized theme parks, dining, entertainment, and accommodations in the City Walk area of Orlando. Combining rides and attractions based on its most popular films with some of the best-loved stories of childhood, Universal Studios Escape offers something for the adventurer in everyone. Universal Studios [...]
Universal Studios Escape is a vacation resort complex that features two full-sized theme parks, dining, entertainment, and accommodations in the City Walk area of Orlando. Combining rides and attractions based on its most popular films with some of the best-loved stories of childhood, Universal Studios Escape offers something for the adventurer in everyone.
Universal Studios Florida, the original park, takes the visitor behind the scenes of some of Universal Studios’ biggest hit movies. In addition, rides based on “Jaws” and “Back to the Future,” and special movie presentations and audience participation television shows give the entire park an “Inside Hollywood” feel.
A newer “fantasy park”, Islands of Adventure is divided into themed “islands”. Seuss Landing takes parents and kids on a magic couch ride through the pages of some of Dr. Seuss’ most famous children’s books, while the Toon Lagoon log rides allow kids to help Popeye rescue Olive Oyl and Dudley Do-Right overcome the evil Snidely Whiplash. Other islands include one filled with Marvel super heroes and another based on the Jurassic Park series of movies, complete with dueling roller coasters.
Universal Studios Escape features three hotels on its 840 acres, including the luxurious Portofino Bay, as well as the Universal CityWalk, which offers fine dining, shopping, and special events.
Tickets for all destinations and events can be purchased individually, and various hotel and ticket packages are available to allow the visitor to take in all the sights and sounds of Universal Studios Escape for one price.
For more information, including driving directions to Universal Studios Escape and a schedule of specific events, please visit themeparks.universalstudios.com.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS CityWalk® CityWalk® is the dining, shopping and nightlife hub of Universal Studio’s Universal Orlando Resort. CityWalk Dining Jimmy Buffett’s® Margaritaville®: Caribbean, Cajun and American cuisine; opens daily at 11:00 a.m.; live entertainment every night ($5.00 cover charge after 10:00 p.m.). Hard Rock Cafe® Orlando: The world’s largest Hard Rock Cafe; American cuisine; Hard [...]
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS CityWalk®
CityWalk® is the dining, shopping and nightlife hub of Universal Studio’s Universal Orlando Resort.
CityWalk Dining
Jimmy Buffett’s® Margaritaville®: Caribbean, Cajun and American cuisine; opens daily at 11:00 a.m.; live entertainment every night ($5.00 cover charge after 10:00 p.m.).
Hard Rock Cafe® Orlando: The world’s largest Hard Rock Cafe; American cuisine; Hard Rock shop; opens daily at 11:00 a.m.
NASCAR Cafe™: American cuisine; official NASCAR shop and gaming area (opens at 9:00 a.m.) restaurant open daily at 11:00 a.m.
Emeril’s® Restaurant Orlando: Emeril Lagasse’s award winning cuisine; open daily for lunch at 11:30 a.m.; reopens at 5:30 p.m.
NBA City: Award-winning American cuisine; opens at 11:00 a.m.; official NBA shop; televised NBA games, game area; voted Orlando’s Best Theme Restaurant!
Latin Quarter™: Culture, cuisine, music, art and dance from 21 Latin countries; open Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m., Saturday and Sunday at noon.
PastamoréSM Ristoranté & Market: Italian cuisine; family-style restaurant or Marketplace Café settings; Marketplace opens at 8am, restaurant opens at 5:00 p.m..
CityWalk Featured Nightspots
Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom™: Jamaican and Caribbean cuisine; Live Reggae music; opens at 4:00 p.m., cover charge $7.00 after 8:00 p.m.
Pat O’Brien’s®: Cajun cuisine and specialty drinks; gift shop; food available after 4:00 p.m., Piano Bar opens at 6pm; cover charge $7.00 after 9:00 p.m.; 21 and older.
CityJazz®: Live music every night; jazz memorabilia; opens Sunday through Thursday at 8:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m.; cover charge $7.00 (some ticketed events higher); 18 and older.
the grooveSM: Music of the 70s and 80’s, dance hits and Alternative Rock — each night is different; opens daily at 9:00 p.m.; cover charge is $7.00; 21 and older.
Hard Rock Live®: Live concerts with big name stars, call: 407-351-LIVE, or visit:
http://www.hardrocklive.com for concert information.
Universal Cineplex
CityWalk features a 20-screen state-of-the-art movie theater; box office opens at 12:30 p.m., matinee shows before 6:00 p.m.; free parking after 6:00 p.m..
Featured Shopping at CityWalk
CityWalk’s dozen shops offer you apparel, souvenirs, food and refreshments, cigars, jewelry and many other novelties plus a video arcade.
Getting There and Parking
Universal Boulevard runs right into International Drive or you can approach from either direction on I-4.
You’ll leave your vehicle in a multi-story parking lot and take a series of escalators and moving walkways to the entrance of CityWalk®.
Parking fee for Automobiles is $9.00 per day, and RV’s and Campers are $10:00 per day.
Access To Theme Parks
Both Universal’s Islands of Adventure Theme Park and Universal Studios® are a short walk from CityWalk.
CityWalk Hours of Operation
CityWalk® is fully open at 11:00 a.m., some attractions stay open until 2:00 a.m.
Admission
CityWalk® has no charge for entrance, but individual venue cover charges apply. Package ticket-deals are available for movies, food, shows and theme park admission.
“Titanic, the Exhibition,” invites visitors to re-live the short life of the finest ship ever built. Inside the world’s first permanent Titanic exhibition, the beloved story is recounted by guides in period costume as they lead visitors through replicas of the actual rooms, including the grand staircase and first class accommodations. The drama begins in [...]
“Titanic, the Exhibition,” invites visitors to re-live the short life of the finest ship ever built. Inside the world’s first permanent Titanic exhibition, the beloved story is recounted by guides in period costume as they lead visitors through replicas of the actual rooms, including the grand staircase and first class accommodations. The drama begins in the Southampton shipyard where the Titanic was assembled. Guests then board the “Ship of Dreams” to re-live the sights and sounds as it embarks on its maiden voyage to New York. Finally, visitors will feel the chill of the voyage’s unplanned end as temperatures drop to simulate those experienced by the passengers and crew when the ship slid beneath the frigid Atlantic waves.
In addition to its life sized re-creations of seventeen rooms from the ill-fated vessel, “Titanic, the Exhibition” features more than 200 artifacts from some of the finest private collections in the world – many on display for the first time – as well as memorabilia from movies about that fateful voyage, including “A Night to Remember” and “Titanic.”
“Titanic, the Exhibition” is located in The Mercado Mediterranean Village, one of Orlando’s most popular shopping centers. Open from 10am to 10pm. daily, the exhibit’s admission prices are $17.95 for adults 13 & older, and $12.95 plus tax for children aged 6-12. Children aged 5 or younger are admitted free.
Group rates and tours are available by calling the museum.
Titanic Exhibition - Orlando, Florida
For more information, please contact:
The Mercado
8445 International Drive
Orlando, Florida 32819
407-248-1166
http://www.titanicshipofdreams.com/