Orlando N

Chapter 21

Discovering Orlando’s

Other Attractions

In This Chapter

Exploring Orlando’s best smaller attractions

Getting wet outside Walt’s World

I

n Chapters 11 through 20, I covered the major theme parks in and

around Orlando. But you’re probably wondering if there’s anything

that’s more relaxed, a little — and I do mean little — cheaper, and still

offers a memorable experience.

The answer is yes.

In this chapter, I explore the city’s best alternatives to the mega parks.

To further help you out, I’ve divided them into two categories: those in

which you stay dry and those in which you get wet — the latter are very

popular options in the midst of Orlando’s summer heat and humidity

(for more about the weather, see Chapter 3).

Checking Out the City’s

Best Attractions

For a list of bargain-basement priced attractions, even easier on your

wallet than the ones I mention here, see Chapter 26.

Flying Tigers Warbird Restoration Museum

Kissimmee

A guided tour through this working restoration and museum facility allows

visitors to see, smell, and touch numerous historic warplanes, mainly

from the World War II era. The museum’s fleet — many of which are still

flightworthy — includes a B-17 Flying Fortress, a Kestrel Harrier, a P-38

302 Part V: Exploring the Rest of Orlando

Lightning, a Corsair, and three dozen others. The museum also has a

number of armament and memorabilia displays. It’s a great outing for avi-

ation buffs. Plan on spending about two hours.

See map p. 303. 231 N. Hoagland Blvd. (south of U.S. 192), Kissimmee. % 407-933-1942.

www.warbirdmuseum.com. Admission: $9 adults, $8 seniors 60 and older and chil-

dren 7–12, children younger than 7 enter free. Parking: Free. Open: Daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Gatorland

North of Kissimmee

It’s hard to miss the gigantic green jaws — a perfect vacation photo op, by

the way — marking this park’s entrance. Founded in 1949, with just a hand-

ful of alligators living in huts and pens, Gatorland, still privately owned

and operated, now houses thousands of alligators (including a rare blue

one) and crocodiles on 110-acre grounds that do dual duty as a wildlife

preserve and theme park. Gatorland has survived the arrival of Disney,

Universal, and SeaWorld in part because of its old-Florida charm and resist-

ance to becoming overly commercialized (though it hasn’t escaped entirely).

Breeding pens, nurseries, and rearing ponds are scattered throughout the

densely landscaped property, which also displays monkeys, snakes, birds,

Florida turtles, and a galapagos tortoise. Its 2,000-foot boardwalk winds

through a cypress swamp and breeding marsh with an observation tower

for those who prefer an overhead view. The park’s four shows include

Gator Wrestlin’, where, at the same time wrestlers are wrangling the rep-

tilians, they’re educating the audience about their opponents and how

they live; the Gator Jumparoo, which features the giant reptiles lunging 4 to

5 feet up out of the water to snatch a dead chicken right from a trainer’s

hand; Up Close Encounters, which showcases a variety of the park’s wildlife,

including some venomous snakes; and Jungle Crocs of the World, which fea-

tures even more of the park’s toothy reptiles. There’s an open-air restaurant

where you can try smoked gator ribs and nuggets, though more-familiar

favorites, such as burgers and hot dogs, are available as well, and a shop

where you can buy gator-leather goods and souvenirs. (Gatorland also oper-

ates a breeding farm for meat and hides.) Younger guests will appreciate

the park’s water play area, petting zoo, and train ride. The atmosphere

here is laid back. It’s always been a huge hit with my family, and it serves

up the best half-day experience in the area.

Gatorland’s Trainer for a Day program lets up to five guests get up close

and personal with the gators for a day (or part of it, anyway). The $100,

two-hour experience puts you side by side with trainers and includes a

chance to wrangle some alligators (minimum age 12). Advanced reserva-

tions are required, and admission to the park is included.

See map p. 303. 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail/U.S. 441 (between Osceola Parkway and

Hunter’s Creek Boulevard). % 800-393-5297 or 407-855-5496. www.gatorland.com.

Admission: $20 adults, $9.95 kids 3–12; advance online purchase price $17 adults,

$7.95 kids 3–12. Parking: Free. Open: Daily 9 a.m.–6 p.m., sometimes later.