Orlando Florida is is undoubtedly the entertainment park capital of the world, known the world over as the home of Walt Disney World. However, Walt Disney World is not one single attraction, thee Disney experience includes separate parks for the Disney-MGM Studios, Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach Water Park, Typhoon Lagoon, River Country Water Park and Pleasure Island. Just making your booking online involves over 11 pages of ticket combinations to cover all the available options!
Universal Studios Florida is actually 2 adjacent entertainment parks. Universal Studios is the number one movie studio theme park in the world with real movie sets and attractions that put you right at the center of your favorite movie scenes.
Universal Studios Islands of Adventure consists of five islands, each with its own character and offering something for everyone.
Making up the "big 3" parks is Seaworld Orlando, a renowned marine park that lives up to its reputation for making education fun. With over 200 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and a 17acre lagoon, there is absolutely no location like it anywhere else in the world.
Visitors get to explore the mysteries of the oceans, marvel at the beauty of the Arctic, come face to face with polar bears, walruses, seals, beluga whales and get to feed dolphins.
Orlando is also home to a host of other world-class entertainment parks such as Gatorland, Wet 'n Wild, Water Mania Florida and the Central Florida Zoological Park.
** Other Central Florida Visitor Attractions
The entertainment parks are naturally the #1 attractions that entice millions of visitors each year to Orlando and the adjacent towns of Kissimmee and Lake Buena Vista which are the locations for many of the park attractions. However, central Florida offers plenty to see and do apart from the theme parks.
The Harry P. Leu Gardens is located just a few minutes from downtown Orlando and consists of 50 acres of botanical magic. The gardens house one of the largest camellia collections in North America and the Leu House Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Orlando Museum of Art is considered to be one of the finest art museums in the southern USA, with outstanding collections of American art, ancient Americas and African art plus excellent educational programs.
Like everywhere else in Florida, Orlando and the surrounding areas of central Florida has numerous private and public golf courses. Many of the top resort courses are restricted to just resort guests.
Cracker Jack Stadium, completed in 2002, is the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves baseball club. The spring training matches at the stadium provides an opportunity to see the professional players up close before the regular season gets underway.
Orlando has its own basketball franchise in the NBA and the Orlando Magic play approximately 40 of their regular-season games in the 17,500-seat TD Waterhouse Center which is their home venue.
** Central Florida Natural Attractions
The Blue Springs State Park, located near Cassadaga, is about 40 miles (65km) north of Orlando. The park is an historic area that was home to the Timucuan Indians for hundreds of years and is now a leader in the fight to protect the endangered Florida manatee.
The huge Ocala National Forest Reserve is renowned for lakes and natural springs, and provides excellent facilities for hiking, canoeing, fishing and swimming. The park is near the town of Ocala, about 60 miles (96km) northwest of Orlando.
The reserve consists of three major spring areas. The beautiful Juniper Springs has crystal clear waters and is an excellent canoeing location. Salt Springs and Alexander Springs both have walking trails through cypress forests.
A popular attraction is Lake Eaton Sinkhole, 80ft (24m) deep and 450ft (135m) in diameter, with a staircase leading to the bottom. Nearby Lake Eaton provides a popular spot for swimming.
Terry Hely is the author of several destination guides that are valuable aids for for holiday planning. Find out more about Orlando vacations fas well as inspect some of the best options for Orlando hotels and resorts
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