If you are heading for the blue skies and warm sun of Orlando, Florida, there are a few high spots that you have to hit no matter how short your stay. Spending just three days in the Orlando area is enough during the hottest days of summer, but if you can deal with the heat, stay longer.
Waterparks Win over Disneyworld
New for 2008 is Sea World's phenomenal water park Aquatica. They have taken the concept of a themed water park and created their own little patch of paradise right in the middle of the action. Water slides that shoot you through clear tunnels inside the Dolphin tank, tropical fish alongside the lazy river and gorgeous sandy beach areas. The park is really well designed and doesn't have that terrible sprawling feel of a bunch of slides thrown down in a parking lot, like some older water parks have. Aquatica has managed to create its own little world in true Orlando, larger than life, style.
Everyone knows that Florida gets sticky, sticky, hot due to high summer humidity. Being out in the sun all day has its dangers. Make sure you slap on the sunscreen and drink, drink, drink! Aquatica offers an all inclusive food and drink package that is an absolute bargain. Regular trips to the cool shade for a refreshing drink and a yummy treat is a great way to take a break from the sun.
They also offer some great deals on combo tickets for the Sea World Park and Aquatica. It really is the bargain buy for the whole family. For Around $80 each you can buy a 7 day pass for both parks. Sea World is so jam packed with attractions, animal encounters and shows that it is hard to hit them all in one day, so why try? Opt for a combo ticket and sandwich a day at the water park between two days at sea world. Cut down on the rushing and take your time.
If you are looking for a budget friendly itinerary there is no need to go anywhere other than Sea World and Aquatica. Between them they have a little bit of everything that Orlando has to offer, including a few hair raising roller coasters. The best has to be Kraken, a bone chilling Yeti encounter that regularly has screams resounding around the park.
If all the action is becoming a little wearing, but the kids are still raring to go, Sea World has one of the biggest play structures you will find anywhere. Soaring above the midway-style kids' rides, is a gigantic netted play structure with tubes, tunnels and slides. Parents are welcome to join the fun, but there are also plenty of shady spots to grab a seat and sample the strictly adult treats provided by the parent company, Anheuser-Busch.
A trip to Orlando may traditionally have meant Disney, but as wonderful as Disney is, there is a whole lot more waiting for you to discover in Orlando. If you have just a short weekend to head here, give Sea World and Aquatica a try. You certainly wont regret it, but you may just find yourself planning a 7 day visit next time.
This savvy advice for surviving a summer trip to SeaWorld provided by Julie Wood.
Find ratings and reviews for Orlando FL vacations from Expedia and VirtualTourist all in one place.