Looking for a great get-away? Looking for something different, new and exciting? Orlando has long been the destination for family fun, but it can also be the place for those without a pint-sized prince or princess in the house. Here are some great Orlando destinations for grown-up-sized fun.
Discovery Cove
Ever dream of swimming with dolphins? What about snorkeling with rays and thousands of tropical fish on a coral reef? Perhaps relaxing on pristine white sandy beaches is more your speed? Discovery Cove offers guests all that and more. Limiting its number of daily guests to only 1,000 ensures that your visit will be an enjoyable, unhurried, away-from-the-crowds kind of day. And a full day it will be! From your Continental breakfast between 8 and 9am, until the park closes at 5:30pm, you'll be wrapped in a tropical paradise. You can float down Wind-away River, past cascading waterfalls, sandy beaches and through a cave. The crystal-clear waters reveal the world below the surface as you travel along. Serenity Bay is a freshwater pool, kept at 80 degrees, perfect for swimming and splashing in the waterfalls. Relax in a hammock on the beautiful sandy beach for a mid-day snooze. The Cabanas will provide you with a delicious gourmet luncheon experience, everything from grilled salmon to seafood Jambalaya. Dip into the quiet, tranquil beauty of Tropical Reef and snorkel with thousands of exotic fish and other coral reef dwellers. Wade into Stingray Shallows for the thrill of a lifetime as you reach out and touch the velvety smooth wings of dozens of the graceful, majestic animals welcome you to their home. Spend an exhilarating, unforgettable 30 minutes one-on-one with a bottle nosed dolphin, hugging, playing and getting to know one another in the shallow waters of Dolphin Bay before a dorsal fin tow ride out in deeper waters. Dry off and get your land legs back in the Explorer's Aviary, a free flight fancy of feathered friends. Watch and listen as hundreds of tropical birds soar and sing above you. Discovery Cove offers a tropical island paradise experience right in the heart of Orlando.
Thompson Aire
Seven days a week at sunrise, weather permitting, the hot air balloons of Thompson Aire lift off over Orlando. You'll experience Central Florida as never before, soaring along with the wind. Help with the set up and inflation of you morning's "ride." Launch a helium balloon to double check the wind. Skim the waters of the lake, fly at treetop level or soar in the clouds. Below you pass natural beauties never touched by human hands. Watch as the sun rises over the horizon as you float as the wind takes you. Enjoy the all-you-can-eat breakfast when you are once again on terra firma. Afraid of heights? No problem! Thompson Aire offers the well-grounded guest the opportunity to serve alongside their chase crew. You'll experience everything from the pre-flight meeting prior to traveling to the launch site, to the champagne toast on touch down, except that one hour up in the air. Thompson Aire can give you that once-in-a-lifetime chance to really get away from all and soar above the rest.
Universal CityWalk Orlando
The best in Orlando shopping and night life come alive at CityWalk. Covering 30 acres, you'll find everything from dinner and a movie, to some of the best in live entertainment, dancing, shopping and more. Spend the night on the stage of the Rising Star, CityWalk's live music karaoke club, where YOU can be the entertainment as the lead singer of a real live band! CityWalk Orlando is home to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, where the dinner is just as good as the dancing and live music after. Shop Margaritaville for all your ParrotHead supplies, as well as great souvenirs of your visit. Visit the newest and hippest of the CityWalk's night clubs, the Red Coconut Club, where intimate tables inside lead to a balcony outside fit for romantic star-gazing. Whether dancing your socks off to the best of 70's and 80's beats at the groove, or jammin' at Bob Marley's, or trying your hips to the salsa at the Latin Quarter, CityWlk offers a variety of places and opportunities to kick up your heels and party the night away. Don't forget about CityWalk's shopping, either. Get all your tropical gear at Fresh Produce. Take home some new ink from Hart and Huntington Tattoo Company. How about new beach wear from the Surf Shop? Or a nice after-dinner smoke, courtesy of Cigarz at CityWalk? Happy Hour isn't a time - it's a lifestyle at Universal CityWalk!
WonderWorks
From the moment you see WonderWorks upside down house facade, you'll know you're in for a something a bit different. While WonderWorks does cater to families, there's something for everyone inside. Over 100 exhibits range from a realistic simulated earthquake to landing the space shuttle. Ever dream of being a fighter pilot? You can be with our F-16 simulator. Enter the world of the Desert War through virtual combat. Zap your mate in a high powered game of Lazer Tag. Then, after all the fun and games are over, prepare to be amazed and astonished by our Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show, with its unlimited supply of hand-tossed pizza, salad, and drinks accompanied by spectacular magic tricks, hilarious comedy and lots of audience participation. Voted Orlando's best dinner show in 2008, it's not to be missed!
Arabian Nights
Twenty Years ago, Arabian Nights opened for business. It was, and still is, one of the best dinner shows Orlando has to offer. In its long history, it has twice been awarded the ODYSSEY award from the American Travel Industry. From 2001 to 2003, Arabian Nights held the distinction of being named Orlando's Most Romantic Restaurant. Combining the best in equestrian showmanship on beautiful, majestic Arabian, Andalusian and American Quarter Horses with fine dining, Arabian Nights is a must-see experience for everyone, young and old alike. Bringing a fairy to life on horseback, the show is a spectacular combination of horsemanship and high tech lights and sound. This is no old-fashioned rodeo gig. Arabian Nights is high class entertainment at its best!
