Eyeworld

O rlando may be dominated by Disney, but there are plenty of things to see be- sides Mickey Mouse. Escape the Magic Kingdom and spend a day at one of Orlando's many museums and parks. Harry P Leu Gardens 1920 N. Forest Ave. 407-246-2620 www.leugardens.org The Gardens is a beautiful landscape of flora in Orlando where you can take in palms, cycads, and flowering trees, and azaleas, vines, bromeliads, and tropical philodendrons. It houses a butterfly garden, located in the center of the grounds, with more than 100 different plants that attract butterflies 12 months a year. The Garden House on the premises is a site to see, and it houses art exhibits throughout the year. Kennedy Space Center State Road 405 E. Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 321-449-4400 www.kennedyspacecenter.com Located 45 minutes outside of Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center offers visitors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore a hub of technology and discovery, where many of mankind's greatest accom- plishments take place. At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Com- plex, you get the unique chance to tour NASA's launch and landing fa- cilities. Experience interactive simu- lators, live shows, and jaw-dropping encounters with massive rockets. Visitors also have the opportunity to meet a real member of NASA's Astro- naut Corps. EW AAO PREVIEW 24 September 2011 compiled by EyeWorld staff Orlando theme parks compiled by EyeWorld staff Orlando attractions W hen tourists think of Orlando theme parks, one name is obvious: Disney. Visitors might be delighted to find out, however, that Orlando is home to other exciting park destinations, and the experiences range from holy to Hogwarts. Walt Disney World Resort Lake Buena Vista, Fla. 407-824-4321 www.disneyworld.disney.go.com The Walt Disney World Resort, the world's largest and most-visited recreational resort, is a series of theme parks, including Magic King- dom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Water parks include Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Other attrac- tions include Downtown Disney, Disney's BoardWalk, and Walt Dis- ney World Speedway. There are 33 resorts and hotels located on the property, ranging from deluxe to campground. Fun Spot USA 2850 Florida Plaza Blvd. Kissimmee, Fla. 407-363-3867 www.fun-spotusa.com Need a break from the major theme parks? Fun Spot USA is a less expen- sive alternative. There are no park entrance or parking fees. Discount all-day armbands can be purchased online for thrill rides, "extreme" go- kart tracks, and pre-school rides. Fun Spot USA also includes two floors of arcades. Gatorland 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail 407-855-5496 www.gatorland.com Gatorland, also known as "the alligator capital of the world" is home to thousands of alligators and crocodiles on display on more than 110 acres of land. The park also includes a petting zoo (without gators!), nature walk, aviary, and an observation tower that looks over a breeding marsh. There are a variety of reptilian shows, including the Gator Wrestlin' Show, Gator Jumpa- roo, and the Up-close Encounters Show. Holy Land Experience 4655 Vineland Road 407-447-7235 www.holylandexperience.com For those looking to combine theme parks and religion, the Holy Land Experience might be the answer. A ministry of the Trinity Broadcasting Network, the Holy Land Experience seeks to bring alive the sights and sounds of biblical times. "The struc- tures and exhibits characterize the style, architecture, and settings that existed in the Holy Land 2000 years ago," according to the park's web- site. Exhibits include the Garden Tomb, Qumran Dead Sea Caves, Great Temple and Plaza, Jerusalem Model, and Wilderness Tabernacle. LEGOland 1 Legoland Way Winterhaven, Fla. 877-350-5346 florida.legoland.com With construction nearly complete, LEGOland, which is located 45 min- utes southwest of Orlando, is sched- uled to open October 15. The 150- acre theme park will feature rides, shows, restaurants, shopping, and interactive attractions. LEGOland is geared toward families with kids ages 2 through 12. SeaWorld Orlando 7007 SeaWorld Drive 888-800-5447 www.seaworld.com SeaWorld, a marine life-based zoo- logical park, combines with Discov- ery Cove and Aquatica waterpark to make up a larger theme park com- plex. Highlights include live shows with killer whale and dolphin per- formances. Sea lions and otters also have their own comical presentation and stadium show. Universal Orlando 1000 Universal Studios Plaza 407-363-8212 www.universalorlando.com Universal Orlando is home to TV- and movie-based Universal Studios, Islands of Adventures, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Wet 'N Wild Waterpark. Universal Studios is a real, working TV and film produc- tion company that also includes rides, shows, and movie sets. Harry Potter fans will be delighted by visit- ing Hogwarts and Hogsmeade and riding Harry Potter and the Forbid- den Journey, considered one of the best theme park rides in America. EW Orlando, October 22-25, 2011

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