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Home , Discovery Cove, Downtown Disney, Gatorland, SeaWorld Orlando

AACAP FAMILY ACTIVITIES GUIDE TO ORLANDO

Welcome to Orlando- “The City Beautiful,” one of the most popular meeting and recreation destination sites in the world! We have a wealth of different indoor and outdoor activities and tourist attractions for parents/families. They range from world renowned theme parks of World, Universal, Legoland, and Seaworld’s - where you can swim with the - to a variety of fun and interesting other adventures and distinct neighborhoods. Don’t forget the exciting Orlando Magic basketball team at the Amway Center, airboat rides, and the Orlando Science Center!

Information about what to do in Orlando for a few hours, half a day, a whole day, or longer will be provided at the hospitality Desk the week of the meeting October 22-27 or can be previewed on the website: visitorlando.com by clicking on “Things to Do.”

Weather in Orlando in October ranges from the low 80s Fahrenheit on average to cooler weather at night with low temps in the mid- 60’s Fahrenheit, so pack a sweater and light pants for evenings.

CHILDCARE:

You have a couple of different options for Disney Babysitting Services. You can use Kid’s Nite Out, which provides a babysitter that comes to your room (or even accompany your family to the parks). Or, older kids (4-12 years old) can enjoy the Children’s Activity Centers located at various Disney resorts, including the Swan and Resort’s Camp Dolphin.

If a babysitter is needed throughout your stay, recommends using the services of Kid’s Nite Out- for prices and more info: 800-696-8105 or 407-828-0920. Kid’s Nite Out Caregivers can provide one-on-one in- room childcare in the comfort of your Resort room or can just hang out with your family if you need a father’s/mother’s helper. The sitters are over the age of 18 years and are certified in child/infant CPR and basic first aid. Reservations can be made up to two months in advance and require at least 24 hour notice.

Camp Dolphin at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort is a Children’s Activity Center open 5:30 p.m.-12:00 a.m. and provides supervised activities for children ages 4-12 years old including sports, games, movies, arts and crafts, as well as special events. Dinner and dessert for the children are offered at a resort restaurant. Reservations: 407-934-4000, ext. 4241.

THINGS TO DO IN ORLANDO:

This guide includes family adventures and recommendations for energetic children as well as easier trips for families with toddlers. Most of the activities require either shuttle bus transportation from the Walt Disney Dolphin Resort or rental car transportation. The good news is that Disney shuttle transportation is free if you’re staying at a Disney resort and going to another Disney resort site, such as Downtown Disney. This guide is based on the opinions of AACAP members who have enjoyed family-friendly attractions and sites in the Orlando area. Recommended: go to visitOrlando.com and select Orlando Area Maps. Check out Theme park apps on the website, too.

Twelve Great Family Recreation/Activity Areas in Orlando (theme park and Non-theme park adventures):

1. THE WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT IN THE LAKE BUENA VISTA AREA: Here, you’ll find the four Disney theme parks- , , Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios, as well as Disney’s water parks- Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Website: Disneyworld.disney.go.com

Recommended family-friendly nightlife in the Disney Resort area includes the DOWNTOWN DISNEY site, which is great place to stroll- with its multiple waterfront restaurants, shops (over 40), and attractions, including Cirque de Soleil’s La Nouba for dazzling theatrical acrobatics, DisneyQuest for an indoor interactive (virtual reality) theme park experience. Watch a movie at the AMC Movie Theater which has in-theater dining. Good fun and food to be had at restaurants including Gloria’ Estefan’s Bongos, Rainforest Café, Ghirardelli’s Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop, Fulton’s Crab House. Zip around or fish on the lake with a guided powerboat rental. Usually there are community performers playing classical and other unique types of music outside on many nights. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/downtown-disney/

For other fun strolling in the Disney resort area, visit the DISNEY BOARDWALK, which has the advantage of being attached- within walking distance- from the World Swan and Dolphin resort, if you’re staying there. It’s a quarter mile entertainment, dining, shopping area also located like Downtown Disney on a waterfront. There you can find dueling pianos, street performers, water taxis, Surrey Bike for four, view live sports events at a ESPN themed restaurant and get great desserts. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/boardwalk/

2. SEAWORLD ORLANDO: If you’d like more of a marine themed theme park, Seaworld Orlando Theme Park is worthwhile. It’s Shamu () show One and dolphin show Blue Horizons are dazzling and if you go, not to be missed. Or, you can swim with the dolphins at Seaworld’s Discovery Cove (877-434-7268). In the South area. You’ll need a rental car to get there if you’re staying at the Disney resort Complex. http://seaworldparks.com/seaworld-Orlando/

3. : Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are the two big theme parks in this complex, walking distance from each other- the complex is east of the Disney area and is located in the International Drive (I- Drive) North area. Islands of Adventure is probably more exciting for middle-school and high school aged kids with it’s Harry Potter Attraction, Spiderman ride, and new Transformers Ride. There is also a Universal waterpark nearby - Wet and Wild. https://www.universalorlando.com/

You can make a half day or day of it at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure then dine and stroll later at UNIVERSAL’S CITYWALK, which is comparable to Disney’s Downtown Disney area. Universal City Walk has shops and entertainment- including Blue Man Group, AMC Universal Cinemas, Hollywood themed mini-golf- as well as a variety of dining such as at Emeril’s, NASCAR Sports grill, great burgers at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, Bubba Gump Shrimp Factory, and NBA City.

Special Mention: Another Emeril Lagasse restaurant besides his signature restaurant at Universal CityWalk is called Tchoup Chop- Asian fusion food- beautiful and delicious- located at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort, also located at the Universal Orlando complex. You may want to get a babysitter if you want to try this restaurant and have a child younger than 10 year old.

4. WONDERWORKS at POINTE ORLANDO: on I-Drive South, 9067 International Drive (407-351-8800), This is an interactive attraction for all ages; it’s located in an “upside down building” which is impressive within an outdoor shopping/dining area called Pointe Orlando. http://www.wonderworksonline.com/

5. ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER: Interesting and educational science exhibits in a beautifully designed building. Discount coupons available from Visitorlando.com or at AACAP’s Hospitality Desk during the meeting. http://www.osc.org

6. NBA ORLANDO MAGIC BASKETBALL at the AMWAY ARENA: The fall schedule still being finalized but if you’re a basketball fan, watching the Magic live is a thrilling experience. http://www.orlandomagic.com/ 7. AIRBOAT RIDES: closest to Orlando: Boggy Creek Airboat Rides, 2001 East Southport Road, Kissimmee, FL 34746, 407-344-9550, www.bcairboats.com/

8. : An attraction featuring live gators of all sorts. 14501 South Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL, 32837, 800-393-5297, www.gatorland.com/

SPECIAL NOTE: It has a ZIPLINE RIDE (Screamin’ Gator Zipline ride) that boasts taking you over alligators and crocodiles.

9. ORLANDO WETLANDS PARK: Open sunrise to sunset; manmade wetlands park of 1650 acres- maintains habitat of multiple species of birds and animals. Plenty of jogging, bicycling trails, bird watching and great for nature photography; not open to vehicular traffic. 407- 568-1706, 25155 Wheeler Rd., Christmas, FL 32709, www.cityoforlando.net/wetlands/

10. RIPLEY”S BELIEVE IT OR NOT! MUSEUM ORLANDO ODDITORIUM: 8201 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819, 407-345-0501, www.Ripleys.com/Orlando/

11. KENNEDY SPACE CENTER VISITOR COMPLEX: About an hour away from Orlando, but well worth the trip if you’d like to see Atlantis, one of the few space shuttles on exhibit in the United States, as well as get up close tours of NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Bldg., Launch Control Center, and Launch Pad. You’ll need to travel east on the B-Line (Route 528 East from Orlando to Cocoa Beach). Address: Mail Code DNPS, State Road 405, KSC, FL 32899, 321-449- 4400, www.kennedyspacecenter.com/

12. LEGOLAND : Fun for families with children 2-12 years old if you don’t mind traveling about 1-2 hours away from Orlando. An interactive 150 acre theme park with 50 Lego themed rides and shows. One Legoland way, Winter Haven FL, 33884, www.florida.legoland.com/

Finally, there are so many more family friendly activities and attractions in the beautiful Orlando area. Additional lists can be found at VisitOrlando.com under “Official Attractions Guide” and “Unexpected Orlando” or at www.OrlandoMeetingsInfo.com under “Orlando Attendee Guide.”

Please feel free to stop by the Hospitality Desk during the AACAP 60th Anniversary Meeting; we local folks would be happy to help you!