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!
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April 8th, 2008 by
susan j
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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.
If dinner shows are more your speed, then you can also choose Pirate’s Dinner Adventure Show, Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show, and the Arabian Nights Dinner Show. Bonus offers are not valid on 1 and 2-day cards and must be used on one of your card days.
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April 3rd, 2008 by
jamie a
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Aside from our Go Orlando Card that saves you big bucks while traveling to the sunshine state, there’s a ton of great ways to ’stretch your vacation dollars’ in Orlando. The Orlando Visitors Bureau points out some of their tips in the article
They offer tips on finding the best budget hotels, attractions, the cheap transportation with the I-RIDE Trolley, and how to pack for your trip. Additionally, they advise parents to take advantage of those “kids eat free” signs, and to seek out free attractions. These include the Lego Store at Downtown Disney, the Harry P. Leu Gardens, and the March of the Peabody Ducks at the Peabody Orlando Hotel.
Good luck with your quest for bargains on your Orlando vacation!
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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.
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Orlando?
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March 28th, 2008 by
jamie a
Table Setting Photo uploaded by
At the end of a big day of sightseeing with your Go Orlando Card, head out to one of these awesome eateries for some big time flavor!
For fresh seafood, head over to the Oceanaire Seafood Room, a place that’s reminiscent of the splendor of the 1930s and 40s. In the fall, Cuba Libra Restaurant and Rum Bar is a great place to sip on some delicious mojitos.
At B.B. King’s Blues Club, you can nibble on some ribs while you listen to some fantastic live music. For more ribs, be sure to check out Redrock Canyon Grill, which specializes in Southwest and American Cuisine.
For international fare, there’s Taverna Opa for Greek, Gol! for Brazilian steak, and Citrus Restaurant serves American food with a distinctive Latin flair.
For a complete listing of new places to try, check out !
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Orlando?
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March 25th, 2008 by
jamie a
Enzian Theatre Photo uploaded by
If you’re a film nut, you’re in luck. The is back! Presented by the Enzian Theatre, it celebrates the best in cutting-edge cinema combined with exquisite food and wine.
This year, celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain hosts the opening day ceremonies, complete with a book signing on March 29th. The opening night screening features the film Young @ Heart, a documentary about a New England senior citizens choir that sings covers of underground rock songs. The festivities also include over 160 films from 20 countries, chosen from over 1,400 submissions.
With celebrities, tons of parties, and fantastic independent cinema, this festival is an amazing event that’s not to be missed!
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
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March 21st, 2008 by
jamie a
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After a day of sightseeing with your Go Orlando Card, be sure and check out these happenin’ spots for some !
Orlando’s three-story Hard Rock Cafe with its theater-like layout is a favorite of locals and tourists alike, making for a fun crowd. Boasting of multiple bars and 3,000 seat capacity, the Hard Rock Cafe brings in the best in music and comedy tours.
There’s also the House of Blues, with its eclectic schedule of bands, comedians, and spoken-word performers. This venue is standing room only and general admission, with a huge main bar for drinks and delicious food.
Finally, check out The Social, known as Orlando’s longest-standing independent music venue. Right on Orange Avenue in the heart of downtown Orlando, this is the place to see indie’s up-and-comers along with underground DJs.
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Orlando?
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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!
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March 12th, 2008 by
jamie a
Sea World Show Photo uploaded by
We all know that Florida is swamped with Spring Breakers this time of the year, but it can also be a great time for your family to take a break as well! Ignore the throngs of crazy collegiates, grab a , and check out this open just in time for spring, as well as other Orlando fun that’s sure to please the whole family.
There’s Sea World’s new park, , the new Simpsons ride at Universal Studios, Busch Gardens Africa, and the continuation of Disney’s Year of a Million Dreams. Plenty of your favorite attractions are having special spring events, including “Hippity Hop Adventure” at the Central Florida Zoo, great shows at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, and NBA playoff battles at the Amway Arena.
Happy spring to you and your family!
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Orlando?
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March 6th, 2008 by
jamie a
Meeting King Louie Photo uploaded by
In addition to your for the whole family, you may want some more fun ideas for your vacation to Orlando.
The Convention and Visitors Bureau of Orlando has put together a list of for everyone that visits the city! Even if you’ve been to Orlando several times or even live there, there’s plenty on the list that even locals wouldn’t think of.
You can meet King Louie, sample over 150 wines, test new toys, learn about the art of glassblowing, and even touch a stingray. The list has something for everyone, no matter what your interests are.
If you’ve got a favorite activity in Orlando, let us know in a comment. We’d love to hear your suggestions!
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
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