Discovery Cove and other Orlando, FL Things to Do Tips

Fabulous day - worth every dollar (when you add up whats included its actually value for money). Arrive early (8am onward) pools were emptied around 5.30pm. Couldn't resist repeatedly returning to the pool with the fish and rays (see photo) where you can snorkel to your hearts content. More magic than Disney could ever produce.

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Address: Next to Sea World, International Drive

Universal has always been on our list of "to do's" and having now been to Orlando 3 times it is still one of our favourites.

Rides for the adventurous and not so adventurous, with a unique atmosphere to just soak up if that's what suits you.

I love Jaws, Terminator, Back to the Future, Shrek and can't wait to try the Mummy ride next visit (only missed it opening by days last year). Love the "streets" and scenery and always enjoy the Blues Brothers and the Graveyard Revue.

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Address: Universal Studios - off the top end of I-Drive
Directions: Turn off I-Drive roughly opposite Wet&Wild
Website: http://themeparks.universalstudios.com/orlando/

Definitely favoured by the teenagers for the thrill rides. It has the wettest ride of any we have experienced anywhere in Dudley Do's Ripsaw Falls.

Seem to be lots of rides for the younger kids as well.

Don't miss Spiderman or the Hulk.

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Address: Off top end of I-Drive
Directions: turn off I-Drive roughly opposite Wet & Wild
Website: http://themeparks.universalstudios.com/orlando/

An excellent family day out with education thrown in if that's what you want. Atlantis and Kraken provide the thrills. The whales, dolphins, sea lions, manatees etc etc etc provide the awe.

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Address: Centrally located off I-Drive
Website: http://www.seaworld.com/seaworld/fla/default.aspx

Disney MGM is my favourite Disney Park even if it is pretty small. You can comfortably do it all in a day and if you pick up the fast passes you may get more than 1 go on your favourite ride.

For thrills you must do Tower of Terror - at least once! Aerosmith's Rock'n Roller Coaster is also worth a wait. Star Tours is great fun.

Take time out to watch the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular and be sure to do the Backlot Tour.

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Directions: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

About a hour and a half's drive from the hub of the Orlando parks, less if you're staying in Kissimmee. If you have a car or the chance of a shuttle you should make the trip.

Excellent white knuckle coasters, lovely setting, opportunities to escape from the rides if you wish. Great family day out. We have always been blessed with quiet days there. The atmosphere is more relaxed than at Disney or Universal but for the thrill seekers the rides are definitely more challenging, however there are of course lots of rides that smaller kids can enjoy. If you time your lunch right you can eat in Morroco at the Desert Grill and take in a 25 minute show at the same time.

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Phone: 1-888-800-5447 (toll free)
Address: 10001 N. McKinley Drive, Tampa, FL 33612
Directions: Travel West on I-4 then North on I75 to jct 265 (Fowler Avenue). Take left onto Fowler then left onto McKinley Drive (approx 3-4 miles). Follow signs. Very easy drive.
Website: http://www.buschgardens.com/bgt/default.aspx

Another location that is well worth the drive if you're based in Orlando. Take the tour bus to see the launch pads and the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

Marvel at the bravery of those guys who entrusted their lives to some heavyweight tinfoil which is what the lunar landing module appears to be made of.

Allow time to see one of the IMAX films. Meet an astronaut - the list goes on and there's much that I still haven't experienced there yet.

On my third visit I said we'd only spend a half day there and drive on down to Cocoa Beach but guess what - we spent a whole day there yet again!

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Phone: Florida 321-452-2121
Address: Kennedy Space Centre. Florida FL 328
Directions: Visit their website for info
Website: http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/

On one of your "easy" days take time to take the family to Gatorland. The kids will love it and the adults may find more there than they expect.

I was a bit worried about the Gator Wrestling I had heard of but in fact it was more of an educational thing and these creatures were in much better conditions than the ones swimming around rubbish polluted pools in some Crazy Golf venues.

Marvel at the quantity of birds nesting inches from your fingertips as you walk around the trails. Hold a large snake if you have the nerve - and I didn't!

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Address: South Orange Blossom Trail Orlando, FL. 32837
Directions: Head north from Kissimmee up the Orange Blossom Trail, it's on the right.
Website: http://www.gatorland.com/

A traditional wooden coaster ride right near the park entrance so you tend to start on this one but it's not for the faint hearted or those of a delicate disposition. Be prepared to have every bit of your body shaken. I felt like my brain had been scrambled!

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Address: Busch Gardens, Tampa
Directions: See my Busch Gargens tip
Website: http://www.buschgardens.com/bgt/ar_gawazi.aspx

Floorless with a 90 degree drop - does that sound like your kind of ride? Alton Towers Oblivion ride in the UK is like an advert for this one - SheiKra is the real thing.

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Address: Busch Gardens, Tampa
Directions: see my Busch Gardens tip
Website: http://www.buschgardens.com/bgt/ar_sheikra.aspx