Orlando travel tips & news
November 20th, 2009 by admin
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.
Jungle Island general admission is included on a Go Orlando Card or a Go Miami Card. It can also be one of your choices with a Miami Explorer Pass.
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
September 1st, 2009 by admin
If you have a short list of things to do, the may not be right for you. In that case, The Official Ticket Center may be perfect. It’s a great place to get with discount pricing at all times and excellent customer service. They are an independent ticket agency, and they sell a lot of tickets giving them the buying power they need to pass on savings.
are easy to obtain by visiting the Official Ticket Center website, where you’ll will find a wide variety of ticket buying options. Disney tickets are always in demand, since Walt Disney World in Orlando is one of the world’s top tourist destinations. There’s good reason. Orlando has so much to offer with a variety of attractions, not to mention an incredible array of restaurants, shopping and so much more. There is something for everyone here.
Walt Disney World is definitely a “must see,” so you’ll want to get those Disney tickets early. But don’t overlook some of the other great nearby attractions, including Waterpark Fun and Downtown Disney. Oh, and did we mention that there are ways to get from The Official Ticket Center? You just might qualify!
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
May 19th, 2009 by admin
Orlando’s popular Gatorland has always drawn visitors to its 110 acre site with the promise of up close encounters with its primary inhabitants. Now there are four more reasons to spend some time at the “Alligator Capital of the World” – four of the world’s largest white leucistic alligators.
These striking blue-eyed creatures are each over 10 feet in length and weigh over 800 pounds. They are on display in a special exhibit space that allows visitors to (safely) get within a few feet for an unbelievable view of these extremely rare animals. Originally discovered in a Louisiana swamp, the white alligators were collected as babies before the liability of their lack of pigment caught up with them.
In addition to its newest residents, Gatorland has thousands of alligators and crocodiles. It also features an aviary, a nature walk, a petting zoo, rides, a restaurant, a Gator Wrestlin’ Show, and more. Now in its 60th year, admission to Gatorland is included as part of the Go Orlando Card. So stop by on your next visit to Orlando for a fascinating and fun experience.
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
April 21st, 2009 by admin
The Go Orlando Card site has a completely new look. The old site has been replaced with a new site that offers a number of improvements for customers.
First, the site has been folded in under a new top navigation bar that allows customers see all of the Go Cards and Explorer Passes offered by Smart Destinations. Previously, each Card had its own separate site which meant most customers were not even aware they could get Cards in other destinations across North America.
Second, more information has been placed at customers’ finger tips. They can learn how the card works, where it is accepted, read reviews by other customers, and see all the VIP extras on the same page.
Images and descriptions have been upgraded, navigation streamlined and improved, and other changes have also been made to the site to help customers plan their trip and get the right Card.
Smart Destinations reports that demand for the company’s attraction passes has not only been strong, but actually accelerating in 2009 as more and more people are looking to travel smarter. The fact that Go Cards and Explorer Passes let people into the top museums, tours, and attractions for a single money saving price makes sense in any economy. The expectation is the new site will further contribute to strong growth.
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
March 17th, 2009 by admin
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.
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
January 7th, 2009 by admin
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.
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
May 2nd, 2008 by susan j
Palm Beach photo uploaded by
This summer, why not rent a vacation home instead of paying for a hotel? helps you browse vacation rental listing and verifies the information for you so that you can travel with confidence. This free website works with renters and rental managers to find the best fit for everyone. Popular FlipKey destinations include Orlando and Kissimmee, Florida; North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Barnstable, Mass.
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
April 14th, 2008 by susan j
Silver Springs Nature Park photo uploaded by
Earth Day is coming up on April 22, and these days it seems like everyone in the travel industry is buzzing about ways to make vacations more eco-friendly. The City of Orlando is also concerned about environmental conservation, so late last year they launched an initiative called . The plan calls for increasing the number of trees and green spaces in Orlando, investing in green buildings, and conserving natural resources.
This Earth Day, why not visit some of the Orlando attractions that let you experience nature first-hand. From animal petting zoos to rides along the Florida everglades, here are some of our picks.
- Silver Springs Nature Park features glass bottom boats, giving passengers unrivaled views of marine life in the Silver River. Other highlights include the Big Gator Lagoon, Panther Prowl, and other animal exhibits.
- Gatorland is a 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve. The park opened in 1949 and continues to provide inexpensive family fun with educational wildlife programs, one-of-a-kind reptilian shows, and more.
- Green Meadows Petting Farm offers a two-hour guided farm tour aimed at teaching children and adults about farm life. Kids have the chance to milk a cow and touch pigs, turkeys, chickens, ducks, and more.
- Boggy Creak Airport Rides takes visitors deep into the Everglades to discover parts of Florida that remain untouched by man. The half hour airport ride is led by a certified U.S. Coast Guard captain and features views of turtles, bird, and other animals in their natural environment.
- Florida Eco-Safaris at Forever Florida covers 3,200 acres of pristine Floridian wildernes, along with the 1,500-acres Crescent J Ranch. Visitors experience life as a Florida pioneer with horseback safaris, nature trails, pony rides, a petting zoo, and more.
Anything we’ve missed? Leave a comment and let us know!
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
April 1st, 2008 by keith f
Orlando International Aiport photo uploaded by
I live and work in Orlando and fly 5-6 times per year for both business and pleasure. The airport does a commendable job at herding all those theme park families through on a daily basis but it seems to never be a consistent wait time for the same time of day. One morning for a 7:30 flight to Boston I got from the curb to my gate in 14 minutes. Last week, for the same flight it took me almost 45.
As the number of passengers continues to increase at the Orlando International Airport there is help-a service called which is like a fast pass for airport security. Clear members are prescreened and provided a high tech card which allows them “fast lane” (essentially you skip the line) access at designated airports nationwide. This allows you to pass through security with a much more predictable wait time and takes much of the stress away as well. Clear’s year 1 price is $128.
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
March 19th, 2008 by jamie a
Sunny Day in Orlando Photo uploaded by
Maps can cost a lot of money, but are beyond useful when trying to navigate a new city. After you’ve picked up your Go Orlando Card, check out these great maps for bargain travelers!
Budget Travel just alerted us to the concept of , which are free travel guides to places all over the world with local, zoom-able maps, and marked attractions.These guides are great for planning out itineraries based on your personal interests as well, providing all sorts of suggestions based on your preferences.
We’d love to hear what you think should be included for those traveling to Orlando! What are your favorite attractions? Let us know in a comment!
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
