Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
313
pint-size community that includes a construction site, park, an orange juice processing
center, and an automotive garage.
Dr. Dare's Laboratory
is a “classroom of tomorrow”
that includes interactive computer displays, and
NatureWorks
uses replicated Florida
ecosystems to teach kids about the environment. Dino Digs, TechWorks, All Aboard,
Science on a Sphere, and The Science Park are some of the other exhibits that await you.
Allow 3 to 4 hours, more if you have an inquiring mind.
777 E. Princeton St. (btw. Orange and Mills aves., in Loch Haven Park).
&
888/672-4386
or 407/514-
2000. www.osc.org. Admission (includes exhibits, CineDome film, and planetarium show) $17 adults,
$16 seniors 55 and older, $12 children 3-11. Strollers and wheelchairs free (with photo ID or credit card)
Sun-Thurs 10am-6pm; Fri-Sat 10am-9pm. Parking available in a garage across the street for $5. Take I-4,
exit 85/Princeton St. east and cross Orange Ave.
5
STAYING ACTIVE
You will most likely burn more calories than you ever thought possible by simply stroll-
ing through the theme parks. Nevertheless, if you want some exercise other than walking
the parks, Walt Disney World and the surrounding areas have plenty of recreational
options. Most of the following are open to everyone, no matter where you're staying
(I note the exceptions below). For further information about WDW recreational facili-
ties, call
&
407/939-7529,
or on the Internet, go to
www.disneyworld.com
and click
the “recreation” link.
OUTDOOR RECREATION
AIRBOATING
You can giddy-up-and-glide across the surface of local waters at
Boggy
Creek Airboat Rides
in Kissimmee (
&
407/344-9550;
www.bcairboats.com), where
you'll pay $25 per adult and $19 per child (ages 3-12) for half-hour tours; night tours
and land-only wildlife safari tours are available as well. Another choice is
Old Fashioned
Airboat Rides
in Christmas, east of Orlando (
&
407/568-4307;
www.airboatrides.
com), which charges $45 per adult and $35 per child age 12 and younger for 90 min-
utes.
BALLOONING
There are several places in the area to experience an early-morning
hot-air balloon flight, including
Orange Blossom Balloons
in Lake Buena Vista (
&
407/
239-7677;
www.orangeblossomballoons.com) and
Blue Water Balloons
(
&
800/586-
1884
or 407/894-5040; www.bluewaterballoons.com). Sunrise flights are available daily,
and all flights, which last approximately 1 hour, are followed by a champagne toast (sorry,
kids) at the conclusion of the flight and a breakfast buffet or picnic afterward. Children
who make the age grade will probably be delighted with the view and the unique sensa-
tion, unless they (or you) don't see eye-to-eye with heights. Blue Water offers hotel
pickup at no extra charge. Rates run approximately $175 per adult; children younger
than 10 ride free (with a paying adult).
BICYCLING
Bike rentals (single and multispeed adult bikes, tandems, baby seats, and
children's bikes—including those with training wheels) are available from the
Bike Barn
(
&
407/824-2742
) at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground at Walt Disney World.
Rates for each bike are $8 per hour, $22 per day (surrey bikes run $20-$22 per half-
hour) regardless of age. Fort Wilderness offers a lot of good bike trails. Many of the other
Disney resorts also offer bicycle rentals at similar rates. Either call your hotel in advance
or inquire upon check-in.
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