I visited the Florida Eco Safari at the Crescent J Ranch in early January and learned that this is much more than an attraction ride through the Florida wilderness but a story about a family. Your visit starts by driving into the 4,700 acre St Cloud ranch back to the Visitor Center which is a beautiful building with a wrap-around porch and enough rocking chairs for everyone. Plan to arrive a bit early or stay a bit late to simply sit and enjoy. If you’re hungry, half the Visitor Center is occupied by the wonderful Little Cypress restaurant.
Your Coach Safari Tour begins in a theater style room with a movie/story about Allen Broussard . Allen was an avid outdoorsman, whose dream was saving a piece of the Florida wilderness after understand the ecological value of the Crescent J once he became a Wildlife Ecologist. After Allen passed way to early, his mother and father made Allen’s dream come true when the founded the Allen Broussard Conservancy for the purpose of purchasing the land and keeping it as a wildlife preserve. A portion of the proceeds from visitors to Forever Florida go to purchasing more land to be preserved. Visit http://www.foreverflorida.com/AllenBroussardConservancy/ to learn more.
Once aboard the Coach Train, you head out into the wilderness on a narrated tour where you’ll experience streams, wetlands and learn about the array of white tailed deer, alligators, birds and the occasional black bear. The ranch is a living museum for Spanish Colonial Cattle and unique Cracker Horses. There is plenty of time for picture taking and questions on top of the 8 foot high safari coach. Remember, the Coach Safari Tour is an included admission with the Go Orlando Card. See Forever Florida to learn more.
Additionally, Forever Florida offers Horseback safaris and a new Zipline Safari as well as hiking trails. Additional programs available include the full-service Cypress Restaurant, meeting planner and special event facilities, educational camp programs for kids and adults, field trip and scout programs, camping and cabin rentals.
Get your cameras ready for the Florida photo adventure of a lifetime!
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If you find your visit to Orlando is going to include a trip South to Miami, then you may want to check out Jungle Island’s Lemur Experience. This unique offering allows members of the public the chance to learn extensively about these colorful and vivacious creatures, while interacting with them in a hands-on way.
The 45-minute experience brings small groups of guests – no more than six at a time – in the park’s Lemur Nursery, where young ring-tailed lemurs, and the rare red-ruffed and black-and-white ruffed lemurs are growing up and developing. Before the interaction begins, the guests are educated about the lemurs natural habitat, diet and habits and are advised of the best way to pet them and feed them their favorite treat – juicy grapes.
When everyone is comfortable, the lemurs come out to meet their newest friends (and servers!) Quite the rambunctious crowd, the lemurs often make themselves right at home either on guests’ laps, shoulders or heads. (Don’t worry – they don’t charge for their hair styling services.) After a lemur has leaped off of your head, you’ll never be quite the same!
Native only to the island of Madagascar, lemurs are considered very rare in the animal kingdom. While some species of lemurs have actually gone extinct as a result of habitat destruction, the three types of lemurs on Jungle Island are each classified as either endangered or threatened.
As in their natural environment, the female lemurs certainly run the show. Female dominance is common in many branches of the animal kingdom (humanity arguably one of them) and the lemurs are certainly no exception. On Jungle Island, the dominant female is named Susie Q and all the males have been known to mind their P’s and Q’s around her.
Jungle Island’s Lemur Experience is offered daily, but advance reservations are suggested. The Lemur Experience costs $45 per person for the 45-minute experience and can accommodate up to six guests at a time. Reservations can be made by calling (305) 400-7275 between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm, 7 days per week.
Jungle Island, Miami’s entertainment destination, is located in the heart of the city between Downtown Miami and South Beach. The multifaceted grounds host Miami’s newest theme park, home to the world’s most rare and incredible animals. Guests marvel at the engaging animal shows and presentations, participate in hands-on interactions with fascinating animals, and are amazed by the park’s breathtaking landscapes and vistas.
“It’s not a thrill ride,” said Dan LeBlanc, chief operating officer of the Visitor Complex. “You won’t be dodging asteroids or battling any aliens. We have worked hard to ensure that it is as close as you can be to simulating the reality of a Space Shuttle launch within the confines of Earth’s gravity.”
The I-Drive 5K run will be held for the seventh time on May 9th to benefit the I Drive YMCA Aquatic and Family Center Scholarship Fund. Kids and families are able to take advantage of programs that teach swimming as an accessible and safe lifelong skill that is available to everyone regardless of their ability to pay. The 3.1 mile run/walk will draw 1,500 participants.
The run began in 2002 and has grown significantly in sponsors and participants and has raised more than $50,000. It all starts at 7:30am with the 5K and then is followed up at 8:45 with the Kids dash. The Run starts at Pointe Orlando and takes participant through the heart of the I Drive Resort Area.
Each runner receives a T-shirt and a gift bag and special offers from the Orlando tourism community. One of the sponsors is the International Drive Resort Area who operated the I-Ride Trolley. The I Ride Trolley is an inclusion with the purchase of the Go Orlando Card.
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The Atlanta Braves’ 2009 spring training schedule features an 18-game home schedule at Champions Stadium within Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Conveniently located near many Orlando area attractions and hotels (many offering great deals), this is a great family friendly complex which makes for a great way to spend an afternoon or evening.
The Braves are entering a dozen seasons of spring training baseball at the 200-acre sports complex at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando. The Atlanta Braves will host several opponents in 2009, including visits from the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies. After two weeks of workouts, the Braves will plan an 18-game home schedule that includes two World Baseball Classic Exhibition games featuring Panama (March 3) and Venezuela (March 5), as well as a pair of contest against the Yankees and Mets. For ticket information visit www.atlantabraves.com or call 407-839-3900.
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The town of Mount Dora, Florida sits about 25 miles NW of Orlando but it feels a lot further away from the fast paced world of theme parks. This tranquil little town with tree lined streets sits on the shores of Lake Dora. “Mount” because it is elevated higher than most of the Central Florida area, 266 feet above sea level.
Many visit this quaint town for the historic bed and breakfasts, antique shops and sightseeing but there are many parks for sports, fishing and picnicking. You can also make the round trip to Tavares on the Mount Dora Railway offering great views of Lake Dora, tropical foliage and wildlife from its’ open window coaches. There are numerous festivals throughout the year ranging from the Mount Dora Art Festival, the Bike Festival and the Craft Festival.
So make the trip to beautiful Mount Dora on a day you’re not using the Go Orlando Card.
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What could be better than a trip to a water park on a hot Florida day? How about a trip to a water park that’s included with the Go Orlando Card? That’s right - we’ve added Wet ‘n Wild Orlando as a bonus offer when you buy a 3, 5 or 7-day card. You can boogie to hits from the 70s at Disco H20, take a relaxing ride through waterfalls on the Lazy River, or cool off with a refreshing water ride on The Blast. Your bonus offer includes free admission and one free tube rental.
There’s over 75 specialty shops, from surf shops to beach wear, along with caricature artists to draw you a personalized souvenir to take home. Dine on fish and chips or classic hamburgers, and then grab a cone or sundae from Old Town Ice Cream Company.
Old Town also is home to many weekly and monthly special events. You can check out the full calendar and guide, which ranges from Thursday Bike Nite to Latin Sundays.
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For a relaxing day outside with the kids or with the family pet, head over to Lake Eola Park.
Nestled in the heart of downtown Orlando, it’s a favorite local spot to appreciate the outdoors. There’s a sidewalk circling the lake, which is about a mile in length, that’s perfect for runners and walkers.
If you’re more into boating, there’s even swan-shaped paddleboats and electric gondolas for rental. You can definitely make a day out of your visit by bringing a picnic lunch or dinner, with extra bread to feed the birds that flock around you.
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Founded in 1935 by the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, the festival consists of both orchestral and choral performances of the composer’s work, as well as workshops and seminars for budding musicians. Plus, The New York Times calls this festival “One of the Premier Bach Festivals in the Country.”
Check out this detailed listing of all the concerts and events with additional ticket and venue information. The two pre-festival events are free, but the rest of the festival requires tickets, so reserve yours today!
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