Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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ensure that your family has the best vacation possible. I have traveled to Central Florida
more times than I can count in the past 20 years. Single, married, with kids, and without,
I've stood in all the lines, ridden the rides, and dined in the restaurants—even during the
height of summer and spring break. In other words, I've done all of the hard work so you
don't have to, and I give realistic and practical travel tips throughout this topic in order
to help you enjoy a more magical vacation. At the same time, I also give you options to
help make your vacation more affordable and to keep expenses to a minimum while still
having the maximum amount of fun. The Orlando tourism gurus will ensure your fam-
ily has a steady stream of new things to see and do.
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THE BEST ORLANDO EXPERIENCES
•
Explore Disney's Animal Kingdom.
Explore Disney's most spectacular and
wildest Imagineering to date. Trek
through the jungles of Africa along the
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail or set
out on safari across the savanna with
Kilimanjaro Safaris. Journey through
the exotic lands of Asia and embark on
an expedition to the peaks of Expedi-
tion Everest; then explore the mysteries
of Anandapur wandering the Mahara-
jah Jungle Trek. Be sure not to miss
Finding Nemo—The Musical or The
Festival of the Lion King, absolutely the
best shows in all of WDW. See p. 247.
•
Go Globe-Trotting at Epcot.
You can
travel around the world in only an
afternoon at the World Showcase pavil-
ions, rocket through space on a thrilling
mission to Mars at Mission: Space,
travel back in time to the age of the
dinosaurs at the Universe of Energy,
and dive deep below the sea to explore
the ocean's inhabitants at The Seas with
Nemo & Friends. And there's no better
way to cap your day off than watching
Epcot's IllumiNations, a spectacular
fireworks, laser lights, and fountain
show. See p. 218.
•
Take Center Stage at Disney's Holly-
wood Studios.
Though it is more
grown-up than the Magic Kingdom, it
has plenty of great shows to entertain
the kids and attractions to thrill movie
buffs. Don't miss Toy Story Mania, the
American Idol Experience, Twilight
Zone Tower of Terror, Rock 'n' Roller
Coaster, and Fantasmic!—an innova-
tive, after-dark mix of live action,
waterworks, fireworks, and laser lights
that rivals IllumiNations. See p. 236.
•
Escape to the Magic Kingdom.
It may
seem an obvious choice, but Disney's
oldest is still the most magical of Orlan-
do's theme parks. Speed through the
universe on Space Mountain, watch
Donald's antics at Mickey's Philhar-
Magic, laugh out loud at the Monsters,
Inc. Laugh Floor, or wave hello to the
ghouls of the Haunted Mansion. Cap
your day with the impressive Wishes
fireworks display. There's plenty here to
entertain all ages. See p. 195.
•
Experience Universal Orlando.
Uni-
versal Studios Florida and its sister,
Islands of Adventure, are both chock-
full of thrilling rides and spectacular
shows that combine cutting-edge tech-
nology, high-tech special effects, and
incredible imagination and creativity.
The attention to detail throughout the
parks is amazing—check out the street
sets at USF and the wildly unique land-
scapes of IOA and you'll see what I
mean. For thrill seekers, not-to-be-
missed attractions include Hollywood
Rip Ride Rockit, Revenge of the
Mummy, Men in Black Alien Attack,
Dueling Dragons, the Incredible Hulk
Coaster, the Amazing Adventures of
Spider-Man, and Dudley Do-Right's
Ripsaw Falls. See chapter 7.
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