Parks and recreation
SAM CARROLL TAKES A VIP TOUR OF ORLANDO’S FAMOUS THEME PARKS AND ENJOYS A FEW ACTION-PACKED MOMENTS ALONG THE WAY
PERCHED at the top of Splash Mountain, about to plunge back towards earth, the entirety of Disney’s magnificent, forever-flowing park came into view. The moment lasted for a second in reality but forever in my mind. Even now it’s still there, the lights buzzing, the fantasy atmosphere softly cradling us in our mock-wood log flume.
This is, of course, Disney’s Magic Kingdom – like I’d never seen it before.
By day, the famous theme park is a whirring blur of children, families and adults re-creating youthful whimsies, but by night the park become something even more special – if that’s possible.
The unmissable Happily Ever After show, followed by our soaking on Splash Mountain and sojourns to Big Thunder Mountain and Haunted Mansion – bizarrely, one family had decided to take their six-month old baby on the spooky ride – came after dinner at Wine Bar George where, with a choice of more than 130 specialist wines, there was something for everyone.
But Florida, the magic capital of the world, has something for everyone in every way imaginable.
Universal Studios, Harry Potter World and the accompanying thrills that come alongside the main attractions are well documented but, on our trip, we sampled a little more besides.
After the night at Magic Kingdom, we rose early and headed to Wallaby Ranch.
I know hang-gliding will not be everyone’s cup of tea. It definitely isn’t mine, but instructor Malcolm, who referred to himself as the ‘Tiger Woods of Hang Gliding’, put me instantly at ease.
Pulled high into the clouds by a small aeroplane – yes, you’re reading that correctly – there was a momentary pause in the sky before a small snapping sound.
“Er, Malcolm, the rope has disappeared,” I said, gripping the glider until my knuckles turned purple.
Malcolm laughed, and explained we were now totally at the mercy of the elements – and his expert guidance, of course.
After initial reluctance to relax and enjoy it, Malcolm’s persuasion eventually allowed us to drift blissfully at a height of 400 feet.
He told me we would have soared higher but for inclement weather (a cool 2,000 feet was mentioned) and I wasn’t too disappointed.
Upon landing, we were snappily whisked off to Gatorland. A short journey away from the hand-crafted, micro-managed fun of Disney and Universal, this was potentially the best moment of the trip.
Real experts, real animals and real fun... with a little danger thrown in for good measure!
The VIP tour offering, although a little more pricey than regular entrance, was worth the money and more. Taken into crocodile enclosures by the experts, our group fed, watched and wrestled (well, sat on the back of ) creatures that were previously only accessible via Planet Earth.
Dinner that evening was at Shula’s Steak House – an American football-themed restaurant – which served some of the most succulent cuts of meat I have ever enjoyed.
As well as Disney, Florida, is of course, home to Universal Studios, with its awesome simulators (Reign of Kong and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man were especially impressive) and hairraising rides such as Hulk,
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and Dr Doom’s Fear Fall –the latter left me screaming across, I was later told, the entirety of the theme park.
Then there’s Harry Potter World, which caters for every budding Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley – though, hopefully not the next Voldemort – while Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure has recently opened for the latest foray into wizard-based wonders.
But the real joy, for me, across the entirety of the trip was the endless fun on offer for all.
Without doubt, a holiday of this standard is expensive. A VIP tour of Universal and our rooms at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin probably cost more two even three trips to Spain or Portugal. But it is worth it when you are talking about a holiday of a lifetime.
Riding a float during the Mardi Gras Parade; grabbing dinner at Antojitos on Universal CityWalk; a boat tour of Winter Park; cocktails at the trendy and emerging Boxi Park – it was these smaller, quieter, off-the-beat moments that truly opened my eyes to the allencompassing thrill of Florida.
There is magic to be had, wherever you look, when you visit Disney.
But if you dig a little deeper, and are prepared to step out of your comfort zone a little, the magic will last a long time in your memories. Take me back to the top of Splash Mountain!