2010-11-30
Orlando, a city that draws tourists from around the country and the world, offers a wide range of activities and events for all ages. From theme parks and water parks to art, fine dining, and entertainment, there is truly something for everyone who visits this modern, fast-growing vacation destination.
Walt Disney World - Magic Kingdom®
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom
Hours: Fri. 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sat. 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Sun. 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Mon. 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tues. 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wed. 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Admission: Magic Your Way Ticket: Base tickets offer entry to one theme park a day each day of the ticket. Tickets are $79 for ages 10 and up, $68 for ages 3 to 9.
Magic Your Way Ticket + Park Hopper® Option: Add this option to visit multiple theme parks on the same day for the entire length of the ticket. Tickets are $131 for ages 10 and up, $120 for children ages 3 to 9.
The Magic Kingdom has 48 attractions in seven themed “lands.” Designed like a wheel with the hub in front of Cinderella Castle, pathways spoke out across 107 acres and lead to the seven lands.
Walt Disney World - Animal Kingdom®
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/animal-kingdom
Hours: Fri. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sat. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sun. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Mon. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tues. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wed. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Magic Your Way Ticket: Base tickets offer entry to one theme park a day each day of your ticket. Tickets are $79 for ages 10 and up, $68 for ages 3 to 9.
Magic Your Way Ticket + Park Hopper® Option: Add this option to visit multiple theme parks on the same day for the entire length of the ticket. Tickets are $131 for ages 10 and up, $120 for children ages 3 to 9.
The Animal Kingdom is one of our theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort. The park is divided into seven areas and reflects Disney’s dedication to nature and conservation.
Epcot®
1510 Avenue of the Stars
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot
Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Admission: Magic Your Way Ticket: Base tickets offer entry to one theme park a day each day of the ticket. Tickets are $79 for ages 10 and up, $68 for children ages 3 to 9.
Magic Your Way Ticket + Park Hopper® Option: Add this option to visit multiple theme parks on the same day for the entire length of the ticket. Tickets are $131 for ages 10 and up, $120 for children ages 3 to 9.
Epcot is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort. The park is dedicated to international culture and technological innovation.
Universal Studios®
6000 Universal Boulevard
www.universalorlando.com/Home
Hours: Fri. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sat. 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sun. 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Mon. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tues. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Wed. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Admission: 1-Day Base: Base tickets offer entry to one theme park a day each day of the ticket. Tickets are $79 for ages 10 and up, $69 for children ages 3 to 9.
Go behind the scenes, beyond the screen, and jump right into the action of your favorite movies at Universal Studios.
Islands of Adventure®
1000 Universal Studios Plaza
http://www.universalorlando.com/Amusement_Parks/Islands_of_Adventure/islands_of_adventure.aspx
Hours: Fri. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sat. 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sun. 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Mon. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tues. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Wed. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Admission: 1-Day Base: Admission to all of the Islands’ attractions. Tickets are $79 for ages 10 and up, $69 for children ages 3 to 9.
Universal’s Islands of Adventure, which boasts the world’s most cutting-edge rides, shows, and interactive attractions, brings your favorite stories, myths, cartoons, comic book heroes, and children’s tales to life.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (located within Islands of Adventure)
1000 Universal Studios Plaza
www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter
Hours: Fri. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sat. 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sun. 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Mon. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tues., 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Wed. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Admission: 1-Day Base: Admission to all of the Islands’ attractions. Tickets are $79 for ages 10 and up, $69 for children ages 3 to 9.
Visitors will be swept into the adventures of Harry Potter. Fly with Harry, ride on a dragon, sample Butterbeer, eat exploding sweets, and experience all the magic and adventure of the Harry Potter books and films.
Holidays at Universal Orlando® Resort
6000 Universal Boulevard
http://www.universalorlando.com/Events/holidays
Enjoy a musical celebration of holiday fun and excitement at Universal Orlando Resort. Celebrate Grinchmas™ at Islands of Adventure, and join in the fun of the Macy’s Holiday Parade™ at Universal Studios, featuring larger-than-life balloons from Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® in New York City.
Sea World Orlando®
7007 SeaWorld Drive
www.seaworld.com/orlando
888-800-5447
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Fri.-Sun. from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Admission: $78.95 for ages 10 and up, $68.95 for children ages 3 to 9.
A theme park devoted to Earth’s oceans and the array of life that inhabits them.
Shamu Christmas Miracles
7007 SeaWorld Drive
www.seaworld.com/sitepage.aspx?PageID=542
888-800-5447
Show times: 22-minute show times during Sea World hours. Check the website for schedule.
Admission: $78.95 for adults, $68.95 for children ages 3 to 9.
This captivating show helps guests celebrate the holiday season as a time filled with hope and peace, and, just possibly, miracles.
Cirque du Soleil – “La Nouba”
1478 East Buena Vista Drive
www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/lanouba
Show times: Fri. and Sat. at 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Admission: Tickets range from $69 to $120 for ages 10 and up, $56 to $97 for children ages 3 to 9.
The show name “La Nouba” originates from the French phrase “faire la nouba,” which means to live it up. Blending acrobatics, dazzling choreography, whimsical characters, and live music, this show stimulates the imagination from beginning to end.
Hard Rock Cafe and Hotel
6050 Universal Boulevard
www.hardrockhotelorlando.com
Hours: Mon.-Sun. from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight
Hard Rock Cafe Orlando is the largest in the world, boasting more pieces of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia than any other location.
The Mall at Millenia
4200 Conroy Road
www.mallatmillenia.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat. from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sun. from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m.
Orlando’s premier luxury shopping destination features an amazing selection of luxury retailers and unique decor and finishes that accentuate the mall’s upscale atmosphere.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
www.kennedyspacecenter.com
866-737-5235
Hours: Daily from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Admission: $41 for adults, $31 for children ages 3 to 11.
NASA’s launch headquarters is the only place where you can tour launch areas, meet a veteran astronaut, see giant rockets, train in spaceflight simulators, and even view a launch.
Eagle Creek Golf Club
10350 Emerson Lake Boulevard
www.eaglecreekgolf.info
866-324-5342
Admission: 18-hole rate for December not available at press time.
Designed by world-renowned golf course architects Ron Garl and Howard Swan, Eagle Creek’s Orlando golf course is an extraordinary 18-hole 7,198-yard, Par 73 championship course with five sets of tees for golfers of all skill levels.
Orlando Science Center
777 East Princeton Street
www.osc.org
Hours: Sun.-Tues. from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thurs.-Sat. from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Admission: $17 for adults, $16 for seniors (55+), $12 for children under 11.
Hundreds of engaging hands-on exhibits, a giant screen movie theatre, an observatory, and live science demonstrations offer guests the chance to discover the amazing world of science.
The Best of Florida Christmas
6000 W. Osceola Parkway
www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-palms/best-of-florida-christmas
Hours: Daily, 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Admission: $23.99 for adults, $21.99 for seniors, $9.99 for children.
The atrium at the Gaylord Palms Resort is transformed into a magical Christmas wonderland. A majestic 54-foot Christmas tree adds to the elegant and whimsical decor.
Blue Man Group
1000 Universal Studios Plaza
www.blueman.com/tickets/orlando
Show times: Fri. at 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., Sat. at 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., Sun. at 7:00 p.m., Mon. at 8:00 p.m., Tues. at 8:00 p.m., Wed. at 8:00 p.m.
Admission: $64 for adults, $25 for children ages 3 to 9.
Blue Man Group is best known for its widely popular theatrical shows and concerts that combine music, comedy, and multimedia theatrics to produce a totally unique form of entertainment.
Mad Cow Theatre – “She Stoops to Conquer”
105 S. Magnolia Avenue
www.madcowtheatre.com
407-297-8788
Show times: Thurs.-Sat. at 7:30 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m.
Admission: $28 for adults, $26 for students and seniors.
Central Florida’s award-winning theater company is one of Orlando’s most respected professional theatre companies presenting compelling works of theatre for a wide range of audiences.
Orlando Shakespeare Theater – “Chaps! A Jingle Jangle Christmas”
812 E. Rollins Street
www.orlandoshakes.org/THE_PLAYS /1011/Chaps.html
Show times: Fri. at 8:00 p.m., Sat. at 8:00 p.m., Sun. at 2:00 p.m.
Admission: Tickets range from $20 to $38 for adults.
It’s Christmas Eve, 1944. America’s favorite singing cowboy Tex Riley and his troupe are late for a special holiday broadcast at the BBC in London. A frantic young producer grabs whomever he can and shoves them in front of the studio audience. The resulting performance is one that England will never forget! Full of Christmas songs and boy-howdy humor!
Theatre Downtown – “A Christmas Carol”
2113 N. Orange Avenue
www.theatredowntown.net
407-841-0083
Show times: Thurs.-Sat. at 8:00 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m.
Admission: $18.00 for adults, $15.00 for students and seniors.
Since its first production in 1989, Theatre Downtown has proven to be an invaluable cultural resource for the Central Florida Community, producing hundreds of plays from classics to cutting-edge productions.
Orlando Museum of Art
2416 North Mills Avenue
www.omart.org
Hours: Tues.-Fri. from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sat. and Sun. from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.
Admission: $8 for adults, $7 for seniors (65+), $5 for children ages 4 to 17.
Founded in 1924, the Orlando Museum of Art is a nonprofit, educational institution whose mission reflects the continued growth of Florida. Two exhibitions will be on view through December 31: “Of Cloth and Culture II” and “The American Collection.”
Comma Gallery
813 Virginia Drive
www.commagallery.com
407-894-4505
Hours: Tues.-Sat. from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Admission: Call to inquire
A gallery created to showcase contemporary, original fine art by nationally known and Central Florida artists.
Millenia Fine Art
555 S. Lake Destiny Road
www.milleniafineart.com
407-304-8100
Hours: Mon.-Fri. from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Among the largest art galleries in the Southeast, this Orlando gallery exhibits the work of both contemporary international artists and modern masters with an unparalleled collection of works in mixed media, photography, bronze, and glass sculpture.
Orange County Regional History Center
65 E. Central Boulevard
www.thehistorycenter.org
800-965-2030
Hours: Mon.-Sat. from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sun. from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
Located in the restored 1927 Orange County Courthouse in downtown Orlando, The History Center, a Smithsonian affiliate, offers four floors of dynamic changing and permanent exhibitions.
Harry P. Leu Gardens
1920 North Forest Avenue
www.leugardens.org
Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Admission: $7.00 for adults, $2.00 age 18 and under.
Features paved scenic walkways that wind through 50 acres of southern-styled gardens.
Orlando Balloon Rides
6375 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
http://orlandoballoonrides.com
407-894-5040
Hours: Flights daily at sunrise
Admission: $165 per adult
Flights take place every morning at sunrise in the Disney area of Orlando. All flights are one hour. Champagne toast, full buffet breakfast, and souvenir flight certificate included.
Gatorland
14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail
www.gatorland.com
800-393-5297
Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Admission: $22.99 for adults, $14.99 for children under 12
Internationally known as the Alligator Capital of the World, Gatorland’s 110-acre theme park and nature conservatory combines “Old Florida” charm with exciting, new exhibits and entertainment.
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