RECORD TRAVEL
Best way to appreciate the theme parks on an Orlando break is to find a little time to chill
WE EXPERIENCED the full drama of space exploration, graduated from Hogwarts, spotted gators in the lake and were the champions of Ninjago’s Lego wars.
But even in the face of the most spectacular tourist attractions on Earth, my kids had just as much fun making crayon shapes and wax art. And that’s the key to finding balance in this town.
Any visit to Orlando is always going to be anchored by the big name venues – but if you are packing in a week or a fortnight of adventures, the only way to appreciate the giant theme parks and resorts is to have some balance in your schedule.
Visiting Kennedy Space Center is amazing, Universal is possibly the most enjoyable day out my family have ever had and Legoland is a brightly coloured joy to behold, but it’s good to mix up the menu and we had a packed itinerary of diverse plans thanks to Visit Orlando’s Explorer Pass.
First on our hit list was the Boggy Creek airboat ride experience. An hour outside Orlando, it’s a fab little lakeside ranch and harbour where a captain will take you on a whizz across the reeds, looking for eagles and alligators.
The Crayola Experience is also one of the area’s hidden gems. For our kids Finn and Luke, the idea of a building devoted to drawing, modelling and art is heaven.
From making their own Crayola labels to their own bespoke model crayon and just plain old drawing, they could have spent the whole day here.
But we were being welcomed into the Four Seasons Walt Disney World Orlando, one of the most stunning hotels any of us has ever enjoyed.
It has its own water park in the grounds, with an air-conditioned chillout room in the middle and a great spa and sports facilities.
The dining is where it excels. You can go from sharing pancakes with Mickey Mouse and pals at a character breakfast to fine dining, in the shape of rooftop Spanish themed restaurant Capa, which has views of Disney’s fireworks.
On day three, we checked out the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, a big wheel that shares the I-Drive 360 address with the fab Madame Tussaud’s and the Sea Life Aquarium. We also spent the morning at the Orlando Science Center, a downtown house of entertaining and attractions including a mini zoo.
Our busy day concluded with WonderWorks, the upside down home to the Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show (endless beer and pizza), followed by a tour around the wacky attractions including laser tag, virtual roller
coasters, hurricane simulators and all kinds of games, and challenges.
Then came the day this big kid had been waiting for – Kennedy Space Center, the heart of America’s space programme for more than 50 years.
The Apollo centre recreates the sense of wonder and pioneering spirit of the space race and the shot to the moon, and a life-sized rocket right in the middle of the hangar.
Another out-of-town experience is Legoland, the newest addition to the bricktastic toy’s theme park family, and the biggest in the US. It has amazing rides, including a sensational Ninjago battle experience, and several 4D films, including a Lego Movie sequel.
It’s brilliant family fun, and as well as a waterpark it has two hotels, one of which takes the form of a beach resort.
Back in the city, it was time to try out Fun Spot USA. Smaller and more traditional looking than the household names, the city centre park features some of the scariest rides any of us have ever tried.
On White Lightning, Luke, five, and Finn, nine, were roaring for more while their parents screamed their way around the track.
While enjoying the delights of the city, we had moved to the B Resort hotel and Spa in central Orlando, which is a funky tower block hotel right in the middle of town, and close to some great discount stores.
We closed our trip out with a visit to Universal. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was a magical adventure for the lads, while Jurassic Park was a thrill-filled terror festival for everyone.
The studio section is great for film nuts as it brings franchises Fast and the Furious, Transformers and Minions to life with simulator rides, and after a busy day – we recommend trying out the Express Pass queue jumper upgrade – we were lucky enough to be staying on site at the Sapphire Falls resort.
The whole week was one big rollercoaster, with the highoctane thrills of the rides, blending well with the luxury stays, nature visits and the crayon extravaganza.
And like the best rides, we can’t wait to do this one again.