If eight theme parks, four water parks, and all their attendant distractions aren’t enough to occupy your Central Florida vacation, there are a couple of other area attractions to check out.
Founded in 1949, Gatorland (14501 S. Orange Blossom Tr., Kissimmee, 407/855-5496, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily, $22.99 adults, $14.99 children) is a Central Florida icon, attracting Northern tourists who made their way down the once-scenic Orange Blossom Trail decades before the Magic Kingdom [1] was even a glint in Walt Disney’s eye.
The basic premise is unchanged: Visitors tromp around decks that overlook lakes filled with gators, occasionally taking time out to watch one of the many feeding shows that happen throughout the day. There are also gator-wrestling exhibitions and an extensive trail-and-boardwalk system that winds through the 110-acre property.
Zipline Safari (4755 N. Kenansville Rd., St. Cloud, 866/854-3837, www.floridaecosafaris.com [2], groups depart hourly 10 a.m.–4 p.m., $85, participants must be at least 10 years old and weigh 70–275 pounds) is one of the most recent additions to the to-do list of active travelers in the area. It’s the only zipline in Florida [3]… and the only one in the world designed for flat land.
The lines run through the forests and ranchlands of Osceola County, hurtling riders at speeds of up to 20 mph as they hang more than 50 feet in the air.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/florida/walt-disney-world-and-orlando-s-theme-parks/walt-disney-world/magic-kingdom
[2] http://www.floridaecosafaris.com
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/florida