Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Snorkeling Tours
(
&
407/322-9696;
www.fun2dive.com) and
Orlando Dive and
Snorkel Tours
(
&
407/466-1668;
www.floridamanateetours.com) both offer the
chance to swim and snorkel with manatees (and other wildlife) as well as other ecotour
opportunities. Prices run approximately $90 to $100 per person (with a maximum of six)
to swim and snorkel. Fun 2 Dive also offers scuba lessons and deep-sea fishing excursions.
SKATEBOARDING
On the occasional rainy afternoon (or even on a good day)
Vans
Skatepark
(
&
407/351-3881;
www.vans.com) offers skateboarders (beginners or
advanced) the chance to ride the day away on ramps, bowls, street courses, and more.
Safety equipment is required (and available for rent if you don't have your own) and those
younger than 18 are required to have a parent or guardian sign a waiver (in front of a
Vans employee or a notary). Rates run approximately $12 per session for nonmembers,
$5 for members (requiring a 1-year commitment) on weekdays, $15 and $7, respectively,
on weekends and holidays. Sessions are 2 hours long and run at scheduled times. Equip-
ment is available for rent, from boards to helmets and pads (prices run $2-$5, depending
on what you rent). Private lessons, camps, and birthday parties are also offered. The park
is located in the Festival Bay Mall at the far north end of International Drive.
SURFING
It's true. The creative minds at Disney have added a way for you to learn
how to catch a wave and “hang ten” at the Typhoon Lagoon water park (p. 255). Tues-
days and Fridays, instructors from
Ron Jon's Surf School
show up for an early-bird
session in the namesake lagoon, which has a wave machine capable of 8 footers. The
2
1
/
2
-hour sessions are held before the park opens to the general public and are limited to
14 people. Minimum age is 8. The $150-per-person cost (including tax) doesn't include
park admission, which you'll have to pay if you want to hang around after the lesson
(
&
407/939-7529
). You'll also need alternative transportation to get here if you're stay-
ing in Walt's World, because the Disney transportation system doesn't service Typhoon
Lagoon until official park opening time.
SWIMMING
Almost all of Orlando's resorts have their own pools, some of which are
rather unique, others rather extensive (and discussed in more detail in chapter 4). If
you're not satisfied with the one at your hotel, the
YMCA Aquatic Center,
8422 Inter-
national Dr. (
&
407/363-1911;
www.ymcaaquaticcenter.com), has a full fitness center,
racquetball courts, an indoor Olympic-size pool, and a heated 25m pool for kids. All
pools have lifeguards. Admission is $10 per person, $25 for families.
TENNIS
There are 20 lighted tennis courts scattered throughout the Disney properties
and the
ESPN Wide World of Sports
complex. Most are free and open to resort guests
on a first-come, first-served basis. Call
&
407/939-7529
for more information. The
courts at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, all lighted for evening play, will cost you
$10.65 per hour to play, and reservations are required. Private lessons are available for
$80 per hour; group clinics run $15 per person. The courts at the Grand Floridian are
for Grand Floridian guests only (Contemporary Resort guests will temporarily be allowed
access until that resort's Bay Lake Tower has been completed).
The
Grand Cypress Racquet Club
(
&
407/239-1944;
www.grandcypress.hyatt.
com) features 12 courts, 5 of which are lighted. Racquetball courts, a clubhouse, and pro
shop are available as well. Clinics are offered daily, with private lessons ($89 per hour,
$49 per half-hour) and semiprivate ($45 per hour) lessons available as well.
WATER
SKIING & WAKEBOARDING
Water-skiing trips (including boats, drivers,
equipment, and instruction) can be arranged Tuesday through Saturday at
Walt Disney
317
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