Archive for the ‘Trip Ideas’ Category

Wallet Friendly Animal Encounters

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is the official home of Winter the Dolphin, who has achieved world-wide fame in the recently released film, A Dolphin’s Tale. The true story began in 2006 when 3-month old Winter was found stranded in the Mosquito Lagoon (nr Cape Canaveral) with her tail caught up in a crab line by a fisherman. He alerted authorities and stayed with her until she was rescued which took several hours.

Once taken to the CMA Winter lost her tail, but was nurtured by staff around the clock and learnt to swim by using her movement to side to side rather than up and down. Worried about the effect of this on her spine, the CMA reached out to leading Prosthetic manufacturer Kevin Carrol. The collaborative efforts of Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc., with Dr. Mike Walsh, a leading marine mammal veterinarian, took 18 months and around $150,000 of the companies own money to get the tail right. Along the way a special gel was invented to soften the impact of the tail on Winter’s skin – this has proved to be hugely effective for human recipients too!

Winter is just one of four Dolphins in permanent residence at the CMA. Hope and Nicholas were both found as orphaned babies and lack the skills of hunting that a mother would have taken years to impart. Panama is a senior citizen dolphin found stranded, anaemic, sunburnt and underweight. Once returned to health it was decided that she would be unsuitable for release because of her habit of begging from fisherman – a practise that causes much ill health amongst dolphins. Other residents, either permanent or temporary include otters, nurse sharks, turtles and sting rays. The list of released creatures makes interesting reading including 8 Atlantic bottlenose Dolphins, 2 pan-tropical spotted dolphins, 111 turtles, 9 otters and a sperm whale (in 2001)!

Winter the DolphinThere are a variety of activities on offer at CMA including behind the scenes tours and sea life safaris and with general admission prices for adults at just $14-95 this will come as a welcome change from Central Florida attractions!

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EcoSafaris

Monday, July 11th, 2011

Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida (www.FloridaEcoSafaris.com) is the location of a groundbreaking new ecotourism experience. The Cypress FlyCycle will take guests on a fun and relaxing cycle ride through the treetops of the 4700 acre Forever Florida Wildlife Conservation Area in St. Cloud, Florida. Yes you read that right, cycling through the treetops.
Opening during July 2011, the innovative new attraction will be the first of its kind in the United States. Guests will set off on a one hour journey as they pedal along on specially designed FlyCycles; think of them as reclining bicycles suspended from a network of high tension steel cables. The course will take guests on a winding journey over the pine flatwoods and through Turkey Slough, a beautiful area of forested wetland. Guests will also get to pass over a pond housing George, a popular thirteen foot alligator that has called Forever Florida home for the last sixty plus years.

Located east of Kissimmee and just one hour southeast of Orlando, Florida EcoSafaris has carved out a unique niche for itself as Central Florida’s premier eco‐tourism attraction. They made history back in 2009 when they opened the first full scale zipline canopy tour in the state of Florida. Known as the Zipline Safari, the attraction has since hosted tens of thousands of guests from around the world on a thrilling journey through the conservation lands reaching speeds up to 25 mph and heights of 55 feet. The new Cypress FlyCycle is designed to compliment the Zipline Safari, providing amazing new views of the conservation lands, relaxation and plenty of fun.

The conservation efforts at Forever Florida are largely funded by the revenue generated by visitors to Florida EcoSafaris. Forever Florida has been identified by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as a biological hotspot hosting one the highest concentrations of endangered and threatened species in the state.
The ride technology for the new Cypress FlyCycle was developed by ECO‐Adventure Technologies and has been successfully operated for 4 years at the Hidden Worlds Adventure Park in Tulum, Mexico. When it opens in July 2011, the Cypress FlyCycle will be the second FlyCycle in the world and the very first in the United States.

Tickets for the new Cypress FlyCycle will be $45 per person. Participants will need to be at least 10 years old and weigh no more than 275lbs. Adventurers will be able to save with a combination Zipline Safari and Cypress FlyCycle ticket for just $120, a $10 savings. Other adventures offered by Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida include the fully guided Horseback Safari and Coach Safari. Advance reservations are required and can be made by calling 407‐957‐9794 ext 1. For more information, visit www.FloridaEcoSafaris.com.
Directions: Forever Florida is located at 4755 N. Kenansville Road in St. Cloud, Florida. From east or west, take US 192 to Holopaw, turn south on US 441 and drive 7.5 miles. Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida will be on the east (left) side of the highway.

Other Fun Summer ideas:
A brand new water sport has been launched in Key West with another location due to open at Marathon in the next month. The sport involves strapping on a seawater fuelled jetpack that allows the operator to fly about thirty feet above the surface of the water. Each pack trails a pipe which also tethers the flyer to the small boat that houses the pump. Flyers can circle, swoop and climb using intuititive flight controls whilst being held in an upright position. Despite the $250 price tag for a half hour session, this is bound to catch on. For further information look at www.jetpackadventures.comEcosafaris.

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Rock Springs, Kelly Park

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

Within one hour of Orlando and US 192 is an original and all natural lazy river. Typhoon lagoon has always been our favourite water park with its laid back, relaxed atmosphere, mass of trees and plenty of space. But nothing that Disney can do can hold a light to the natural spring at Rock Springs. Rising up from the Florida Aquifer inside caves within the park, the water heads off at a smart pace down a half mile length of maintained waterway that can be swum, walked, or more invitingly ‘tubed’!
We headed up the new beltway, 429 to Apopka and turned right at the top towards Apopka on US 441. Just as we reached the busier part of town we took a left onto SR 435/Park Avenue. About five and a half miles later the road bends right, and on the left is the “World Famous” Rock Springs Bar and Grill. Here you can hire large tyre inner tubes for around $5 per day. We negotiated them down to $3 per tube. There is a place a little back that advertises tubes at $1 but it doesn’t open early in the mornings, and the early morning is the best time of day at this state park. So, tubes collected we headed into park.
There is a large car park amongst the trees, and we spotted large wild turkeys and plenty of squirrels as we walked down to the main pavilion where the concession stand and restrooms are located. We then headed down to the springs. As you approach down the board walk you arrive at the main swimming lagoon which is large, reasonably shallow and filled with fish. There is plenty of seating, or you can claim an area of grass either in or out of the shade.
The head of the springs is accessed by returning halfway to the main pavilion and then heading off to the left (or on your right if you are facing the water). Follow the boardwalk all the way to the end as the springs wind around to your left. At the top there are a couple of access points, right up by the caves there is a large flat rock and you can climb aboard your tube amongst the deep rocks here where the flow is fastest, or just slightly back, there is another access point which may be a little easier, particularly if you are not tubing. Then the water just propels you along while you enjoy an unrivalled view of the surrounding natural flora and fauna. Fish are your constant companions in the water, we also saw turtles, although this was much further down, and three deer browsing for leaves alongside the river. They were not at all fazed by the passing ooh’s and aah’s but had made themselves scarce by the late morning when the spring breakers arrived! Because we were there by 9.30 on a Monday morning, there seemed to be only about eight other people in the park and it was just perfect.
The river is full of water hyacinths and water lilies, along with the occasional rock to remind you to keep your posterior up in the tubes! The trip down the very lazy river takes about half an hour and along the way you pass through the main swimming lagoon before heading out again to the final bridge beyond which swimming is not permitted. The bottom of the river is sand or fine gravel and many people just swim or walk the river in perfect comfort, but a tube is really the most relaxing way to enjoy this trip. Trees drip with the evocative Spanish moss, palm trees reach for the sky, and shrubs light up the way with their joyful flowers.
At the end of this beautiful journey there is a sandy pool filled with many small freshwater shells and masses of tiny gold fish. A quick detour onto the bridge shows how the river looks where it is not maintained for the public – still picturesque, but the many logs lying in the water give a clue as to its potential.
A short walk along the boardwalk brings you back to the main swimming lagoon, picnic benches, bbq’s and even a play park for younger children. Our two mini adventurers spent a happy hour chasing fish without even once so much as touching one whilst we picked a good observation spot to recline in our tubes. If you do have folding chairs then they would be worth putting in the car for this one. There are ramps for disabled access to the level ground, plenty of toilets and covered picnicking areas.

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Animal Kingdom on course for new attraction

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

Navigating a rickety footbridge over a river chasm can be dicey enough for explorers. In an all-new Disney adventure, what lurks below that bridge may quicken their step to get to the other side: Crocodiles!

A ravine of menacing-looking crocs, pools of hippos, bushwalks along untracked terrain and other thrills await guests on Wild Africa Trek, a unique wildlife experience scheduled to launch in early 2011 into the deepest, most-remote reaches of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Reservations can now be booked for the three-hour, expert-led adventure that will immerse guests in the realms and wildlife thrills of far-off Africa – without leaving Walt Disney World Resort. In small groups, guests on the Wild Africa Trek will enjoy an “up-close-and-personal” experience with African wildlife species that make their home in Pangani Forest as well as other areas of the park’s Harambe Wildlife Reserve. As part of the adventure, guests will clip onto a lifeline as they step to the very edge of a cliff to get amazingly close to the hippos and crocs waiting just below. Talk about cliff-hangers!

Adventure-minded guests will have the experience of a lifetime as they get immersed in an authentic African safari experience that only Disney can deliver,” said Michael Colglazier, vice president of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. “We are thrilled to be offering this unique outdoor adventure aimed at active vacationers, taking interactions with the incredible animals that inhabit the Harambe Reserve to the next level and literally blazing new trails in our park.”

Highlights of what’s in store for guests on this add-on adventure:

  • Navigating through fern and vine forests on a bushwalk that sets a course for adventure.
  • Trekking with experienced guides through areas of Harambe Wildlife Reserve that aren’t explored during regular Disney’s Animal Kingdom experiences.
  • Clipping into a harness attached to a safety line, crossing a seemingly precarious rope bridge over the Safi River and cliff-hanging at the edge of gullies that are home to hippos and crocodiles.
  • Experiencing the thrill of “over-landing” in customized open-air vehicles following the edge of a magnificent, wide-open savanna.
  • Unwinding from an unforgettable adventure at a private safari camp for wildlife viewing. At this station elevated above the savanna, guests savour sample tastes of Africa as their adventure draws to a relaxing and satisfying close.

    • Wild Africa Trek will be offered several times daily at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Groups will be kept small, consisting of no more than 12 trekkers per safari.

    Reservations for Wild Africa Trek can be arranged by calling 407-WDW-TOUR (939-8687). Pricing for this unique adventure will vary seasonally. Guests who reserve a booking from Jan. 16-Feb. 26, 2011, may take advantage of an introductory offer starting at $129. Park admission is required for participants.

    While Disney Transportation is always available and complimentary, it can involve quite a bit of waiting about for buses.  At certain times of day like park entry and closing the buses can be overwhelming.  Consider hiring your own car for some flexibility – you don’t have to pay for parking if you are staying on site – and then you have access to cheaper shops and restaurants away from Disney World.  You could well save the cost of your car hire in cheaper meals and food by going off site a few times!

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    Hyperion Wharf – new attraction at Walt Disney World

    Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

    Work will soon begin on a completely re-imagined Pleasure Island and other one-of-a-kind experiences as Walt Disney World Resort continues to bring new stories to life at Downtown Disney. Combined, the projects are expected to create an estimated 1,200 new jobs over the next three years.

    “We have made great progress since first announcing our vision to bring new shopping, dining and entertainment experiences to Downtown Disney, many of which can’t be found anywhere else and have already become guest favourites,” said Keith Bradford, vice president of Downtown Disney. “We look forward to providing even more ways for our guests to enjoy Downtown Disney, while at the same time creating new jobs for Central Floridians.”

    A nostalgic yet modern take on an early 20th century port city and amusement pier will evolve Pleasure Island into “Hyperion Wharf.” By day, the bustling port district will draw guests in with its stylish boutiques and innovative restaurants and by night, thousands of lights will transform the area into an electric wonderland. Taking its name from Hyperion, the Greek god of light, as well as the street on which Walt Disney built his first major animation studio, the wharf district also will feature a relaxing lakeside park and enhanced pedestrian walkways. Its diverse eateries will expand dining availability at Downtown Disney by more than 25 percent.

    “Hyperion Wharf will offer guests of all ages a vibrant atmosphere and new experiences that can be enjoyed by day or by night,” said Bradford. “Whether looking for a great place to dine with the whole family or a place to relax and enjoy live music, Hyperion Wharf will provide the perfect setting for guests to make new memories with us.”

    Downtown Disney is a free-entry area of the Walt Disney Resort in Florida and is a great destination for evenings and lazy days whether you are staying in Disney World or not.

    To get the most out of your stay, hire a car in Florida so that you can access all the attractions at any time, at your own convenience!

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    Daytona 500 side trip

    Saturday, February 6th, 2010

    February 14th is Valentines Day for some people. For others with a rather different love, of cars, it is the day of the running of the 52nd annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Raceway Florida.

    Here, one of our regular clients tells us of his visit in 2009.

    The race is 500 miles long which is 200 laps of a banked oval with cars, which look very similar to the every day American drivers, circulating at 200 miles per hour. ‘Awesome’ as the Americans say! As my wife and I had done the trip to Florida many times before we hired a Mitsubishi Gallant from Budget Rent a Car through Carhireflorida.net. The nice touch with carhireflorida.net is that Elle is able to pre-register the car before we arrive and we go straight to the garage at Orlando International Airport thus avoiding all the long lines at the rental desk which is not what you want after a 9 hour flight. The other nice touch about this system is that you get none of the high pressure selling trying to upgrade the car etc. Literally within 2 minutes you are underway and I would recommend everybody to do this. [Thank you for the plug John!]

    A few days were spent before the race at our house in Kissimmee doing maintenance jobs etc before 2 very good friends of ours joined us to go and see the race. They both race back in the UK with Dave sharing my car in speed hill climbs. After a couple of days showing them around the sites it was time to go racing.

    We left home on the Sunday morning, after a leisurely breakfast, at 9.00 am and enjoyed an equally leisurely drive on the Greeneway toll road to Sanford and then on the Interstate 4 to Daytona. For the previous 4 days rain has been forecast for the race but we have a nice warm sunny day and hopefully it will stay away although a 60% chance of rain is forecast!

    We arrived about 11.00 am and eventually found our free car park at the back of the Airport. After parking and walking a ½ mile to the complimentary school bus ride we get on a bus and are taken to the circuit. Daytona is a 2 mile steeply banked oval and is huge with seating for about a quarter of a million people. Every ticket sells including the tickets from the touts outside the circuit. If you haven’t been before you must get a cushion to sit on as the aluminium seats get a bit hard after a few hours. Every team has a trailer selling goodies including cushions and our friends purchase one each. We get to our seats at about 1.00 pm and start to watch all the pre race show including a live rock show, air display, marching bands and the driver parade.

    After the very moving National Anthem was sung the inevitable “Gentlemen start your engines” was proclaimed by the Governor of Florida at 3.00 pm. The Pace car, driven by Tom Cruise of ‘Days of Thunder’ fame, leads the pack round for 2 or 3 laps and the green flag is dropped. The noise is amazing and is similar in volume to being by the side of a Jumbo jet taking off. The sight of 44 odd NASCAR race cars each having over 800 horse power and dashing into turn 1 which is banked at 37 degrees is stunning. For the first 15-20 laps everybody stands up when the cars go past but then the race begins to develop some semblance of order and we are able to watch the race all the way round the circuit on a big, and I mean big, screen TV. The inevitable yellow flags come out every time there is an incident, then every body has to follow Tom Cruise around the track in the Pace car.
    We are supporting Juan Pablo Montoya, ex Formula one driver, who this year has gone into team ownership as well as driving and he starts to make good progress but is involved in several incidents and slips back down the field. After several more incidents it starts to get a little cloudy and the spot lights at the track are gradually turned on so that you would not even notice that it was getting dark.

    The big crash of the day came between Dale Earnhardt Jr and Brian Vickers coming off turn 2 where we were. The eventual winner was able to pick his way through the pack, which was spinning everywhere, without any damage. Ten or more cars were put out of the race at this time. The inevitable rain brought the Daytona 500 to an early finish and Matt Kenseth was declared the winner after leading only the last green-flag lap of an eventful Sprint Cup series season-opener. Kenseth overtook Elliott Sadler entering turn one to lead the race for the first time all night on lap 146, right before Aric Almirola made contact with Kasey Kahne on the backstretch, bringing out the caution flag for the eighth time during the day. While running behind the pace car, a slight drizzle that had kept teams with an eye on strategy and the weather radar, transformed into a heavy downpour that ended up washing out any chance for Kenseth’s rivals.

    Following 20 minutes of waiting under the red flag, the 2003 Sprint Cup champion was declared the winner. Given that the race was past its halfway-mark and with the radar not showing any hope of the rain stopping, NASCAR decided to make the result official after 380 of the scheduled 500 miles.

    We now leave the circuit to be taken back to the parking lot by the ubiquitous yellow school bus ready for the journey home. Our friends went home a few days later and then we settled down to relaxing in Florida for another 4 weeks. The Daytona 500 is a great day out for any motor enthusiast.
    www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com for details.

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