It’s a vibrant and energetic city smack in
the middle of the
USA’S SUNSHINE
STATE,
with superb all-year-round
weather, great entertainment, a plethora
of
sporting activities and a healthy
smattering of history and culture. There
are opportunities to look back on a more
genteel Southern way of life, and to look
forward into a high-tech future. So, in
celebration of RCI
®
’s 40th birthday, here
are 40 fabulous things to do in Orlando.
1.
OK, let’s get this one out of the way first. Walt
Disney World attracts more than 52.5 million
visitors a year, and is the dream destination of
virtually every child across the world – young
and old. Sprawled across 42 000 acres, the
resort has four theme parks (Magic Kingdom,
Epcot Centre, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
and Disney’s Animal Kingdom); two water
parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach);
24 themed resort hotels; four golf courses and
enough restaurants, shops and entertainment
venues to make your head spin. Prepare to be
overwhelmed. And don’t miss the nightly Magic
Kingdom fireworks.
2.
Universal Orlando Resort incorporates
Universal Studios Florida – a theme park with
a host of attractions and rides that will literally
make your favourite movies and TV shows
come to life – and Islands of Adventure. The
Universal CityWalk entertainment complex will
keep you awake long past pumpkin hour.
3.
Indulge in some Florida Keys island style
and all-American Southern cuisine at Jimmy
Buffett’s Margaritaville. Margaritas and Key lime
pie are musts.
4.
Be blown away by thrilling shows featuring the
world’s most famous orca, Shamu, at SeaWorld
Orlando. And if that’s not enough water for
you, there’s also SeaWorld’s Aquatica waterpark,
Adventure Island and Discovery Cove.
5.
Zillions of building blocks make model magic at
LEGOLAND Florida, one of the region’s newest
theme parks. It has more than 50 rides, shows
and attractions.
6.
Wet ‘n Wild – Orlando has multiperson rides,
so the entire family can get soaked together.
Blastaway Beach features a 60-foot sandcastle,
15 slides, two pools and over 160 soakers, jets
and water cannons. Yee-ha.
7.
Just to ensure you get your fill of waterparks,
Flamingo Waterpark Resort has slides,
interactive rainfalls and water jets, and a lazy
river and splash zone.
8.
Still with water but keeping a safe distance from
it, Gatorland boasts thousands of alligators
and crocodiles (including rare white gators), as
well as other birds and beasts. And because it’s
Florida, also a host of fun and thrill rides.
9.
Adrenaline junkies will love IFLY Orlando
Indoor Skydiving – a freefall skydiving
experience without the bother of having to
jump out a plane. Hold on to your trousers!
10.
Speed freaks can get their groove on at the
Daytona International Speedway – home to the
Daytona 500 and the Coke Zero 400.
11.
Always wanted to drive a NASCAR-style stock
car? Do it at Richard Petty Driving Experience
at Walt Disney World® Speedway. Not Daytona
but close.
ENTERTAINMENT,
WILDLIFE, CULTURE
AND MORE
WINTER | 2014
29
RCI.co.za
