Richard Petty Driving Experience and INDY Racing Experience
You can actually drive a NASCAR or IndyCar race car at the Walt Disney World Speedway, located near the entrance of the Magic Kingdom. Several experiences can place you either behind the wheel or in the passenger seat on this 1-mile track.
The IndyCar 3-lap ride-along costs $110 (with speeds up to 180 mph!), where actually driving the car costs around $400 for an 8-lap experience. The Richard Petty Experience has more options ranging from the $100 3-lap ride-along (up to 160 mph), the $450 8-lap driving challenge, to more intense (and expensive) options ranging up to a 50-lap drive costing $2,100.
You can learn more about these different options, their costs, and their time duration, as well as make reservations, at 1-800-237-3889 (Richard Petty) or 1-888-357-5002 (IndyCar).
Make sure you plan ahead so you don’t miss out on this high-octane fun.
Walt Disney World Golf Courses
Lots of families taking a Florida vacation consider hitting the links a required luxury of the trip. With 81 holes of golf around Walt Disney World, there are a lot of high-quality options for the duffers in the crowd.
DID YOU KNOW?
Twilight special pricing is available, so visit www.disneyworld.com for more information on getting your golf on for less!
The Palm and Magnolia are probably the highest-end courses, and they host an annual PGA tournament. The Magnolia is more suited to long ball hitters, where the Palm has more hazard challenges. Both get residual noise from the nearby Magic Kingdom and Motor Speedway, but it isn’t too bad. If you are looking for a photo-op, the Magnolia has the oft-photographed Mouse Ears sand trap.
Lake Buena Vista is more like a typical suburban country club course. Osprey Ridge is more rustic in its design (by Tom Fazio), and the Audubon Preserve certification means you will get a great view of nature while you golf.
All four of the 18-hole courses have GPS-equipped carts, which are required (translation: No walking) to keep up the pace of play.
Oak Trail is a 9-hole walking course, and is ideally designed for family golfing with shorter distances and well-groomed fairways.
Resort guests can make reservations 90 days in advance; all others can call 60 days out. If you stay at a Disney resort, you get complimentary club rental, and they even pick you up and drop you off at your resort!
Palm, Magnolia, Osprey Ridge, and Lake Buena Vista Rates:
• Resort guests: $109–$139 (Twilight Rate: $55–$59)
• Nonresort guests: $124–$164 (Twilight Rate: $59–$70)
Oak Trail (All Guests):
• Adult: $38
• 17-and-under: $20
To reserve golf tee times, call 407-938-GOLF (938-4653).
HIDDEN MAGIC!
Where are the Must Do! activities? Well, none of these may be labeled as Must Do! experiences because everyone has their own flavor of fun when it comes to the great outdoors. But if you are an avid golfer, NASCAR fan, or an outdoor enthusiast, the fun here is certainly on target. Make sure you work activities like these into your schedule, as they can be an ideal break from the fast-paced theme park action.
Outdoor Activities at Walt Disney World
Disney has always had the facilities to enjoy some of Florida’s natural beauty. Whether you are inclined to boating, fishing, or the high art of miniature golf, you have much of that available here as well.
For more information about most of the activities listed here, such as boating, horseback riding, tennis, and others, visit www.waltdisneyworld.com or make reservations at 407-WDW-PLAY (939-7529).
Boating
Marinas abound at Walt Disney World. Many resorts have a marina where you can rent an array of watercraft, both powered and not. Many of these marinas also offer other water sports, including waterskiing and parasailing.
Some of the more notable marinas can be found at the following locations:
• Contemporary Resort
• Polynesian Resort
• Grand Floridian Resort
• Yacht and Beach Club resorts
• Old Key West Resort
• Wilderness Lodge Resort
• Fort Wilderness Resort
• Caribbean Beach Resort
• Coronado Springs Resort
• Port Orleans Resorts
• Downtown Disney
Some special boat rentals are also available that can make for an even better time. Here are some of the noteworthy ones. Times and rates vary, so call for details.
• Grand1: This 45-foot yacht can be the setting for a romantic catered twilight dinner or for a larger group.
• Celebration Cruises: Groups of up to 10 can be driven around as they celebrate whatever their hearts’ desire.
• Sea Rays and Sea Raycers: Single and two-person rental boats, both powered and not, can make for a fun afternoon for both adult-only groups, as well as for an older child who may feel that everything on the trip had been focused on younger siblings.
Fishing
Fishing is strictly catch and release here and can be done at most any of the resort marinas. You can go out solo, or with larger groups. Supplies—even the use of a rod and reel—are included.
Tennis
Tennis is available at several resorts:
• Yacht and Beach Club resorts
• Grand Floridian Resort (clay)
• BoardWalk Inn
• Saratoga Springs Resort (clay)
• Old Key West Resort
DISNEY DON’T
You may not need to bring your fishing tackle with you when you are hitting the lakes, but don’t come here hoping to borrow a racket for a couple of sets of tennis. Tennis equipment is not available for rental or usage, so pack your own, including balls.
Jogging
Jogging tracks are available at most of the Disney resorts, so you should be able to get in that morning workout. Take a few precautions, however. First, make sure you account for the Orlando-area climate—not only for the temperature, but also for the heavy humidity—and prepare accordingly. Second, consider that most Disney vacations involve a great deal of walking, so a jog on top of that may be adding insult to injury.
Horseback Riding
The Tri-Circle D Ranch set in the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground offers horseback riding, pony rides for smaller guests, and horse-drawn wagon rides. These can offer yet another great way to relax on your vacation and possibly get a breather from the highpaced action of the theme parks. Call 407-939-7529 for pricing and availability.
Miniature Golf
You’ll find two miniature golf courses at Walt Disney World, and both offer a nice diversion for families. Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course, located near Downtown Disney, is the better of the two, with more magical decor and a generally better maintained facility. Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course, which shares a parking lot with the Blizzard Beach water park, is nice as well, themed to a yard of snow sculptures.
Other Outdoor Activities
Other fun available throughout Walt Disney World includes bike and surrey bike rentals, carriage and wagon rides, volleyball, basketball, and even Segway rides through the wooded areas of Fort Wilderness. Call 407-WDW-PLAY for information on most of these activities.
Special Events and Adult Fun at Walt Disney World
Not everything at Walt Disney World is about kids. Romance and more adult-focused fun like spas are in growing abundance. Check these out to see if you’d like to add that special touch of fun.
Weddings and Honeymoons
Walt Disney World is reputedly the number one destination in the United States for honeymoons, far surpassing Las Vegas and even Niagara Falls. When you see all the guests going around in top hats and veil mouse ears, you’ll start to believe it.
As it happens, weddings have become more than a cottage industry here as well. With wedding pavilions popping up throughout the Walt Disney World property, the locales for tying t
he knot have become numerous—and busy.
Chief among these is the Wedding Pavilion located next to the Grand Floridian Resort. It has not only the pavilion itself, but also the planning and reception facility, to boot. Other locales include the intimate but somewhat public pavilion located near the BoardWalk, the gazebo at the Yacht Club, and a special terrace at the Wilderness Lodge. You can even arrange a wedding in the Magic Kingdom or Epcot.
There’s a website for planning a wedding, vow renewal, or honey-moon: www.disneyweddings.com. They even have a full staff of wedding planners, whose work has been featured on some wedding-planning shows on television.
Spas at Walt Disney World
Three resorts offer major spas, while six others offer limited spa services. Here’s a list of the full-service spas:
• Grand Floridian Spa and Health Club (call 407-824-2332 for reservations)
• The Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs (call 407-827-4455 for reservations)
• The Mandara Spa at the Disney Dolphin Resort (call 407-934-4772 for reservations)
Select spa services are also offered at these locations:
• Animal Kingdom Lodge
• BoardWalk Inn
• Contemporary Resort
• Coronado Springs Resort
• Wilderness Lodge Resort
• Yacht Club Resort
There are advantages to each spa. Personally, I prefer the Mandara for the cool Asian-inspired ambiance. However, when it comes to choosing one from the three major spas, I think you should pick based on which one is easiest for you to get to.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney operates four cruise ships, including the original Disney Wonder and Disney Magic. In January 2011, the Disney Dream was added, and in 2012 the Disney Fantasy will debut. Most are based out of Port Canaveral, Florida, just a quick bus ride from Walt Disney World. Disney even operates its own island retreat, Castaway Cay, which is filled with activities for all ages. Cruises now include Pacific and European destinations as well.
These ships offer great entertainment and fantastic kids’ activity zones that mean parents can get some alone time, too. While they don’t have casinos like other ships, they do include larger than average staterooms, good dining, and lots of family oriented activities.
The Disney Magic cruise ship.
Photo © Disney.
Child Services
So what do you do with your kids if you want some adult-alone time on the cruise? Most cruise experts will tell you that the Disney ships have more structured children’s activities than any other cruise line. Here are just a few of the bigger ones:
• For kids age 3–12, there are two age-separated club programs. Trained staff can keep these kids occupied for the better part of the day.
• Some areas are reserved exclusively for teens, so they can enjoy the fun of a cruise ship and can get away from their parents as well. These clubs do not allow parents in but are monitored, so you can be comfortable letting your teens have some supervised fun away from you.
• For those under the age of 3, baby-sitting services are available. Note, however, that you can use this service only for a cumulative total of 10 hours on your cruise, and you do have to pay an extra fee.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Disney Cruise Line is often applauded for its civic and ecological efforts. In the 2008 World Savers awards from Condé Nast Traveler magazine, it was given honorable mentions for volunteer work in Caribbean port cities, for the use of special hull coatings to save fuel, for educational programs in the Caymans, and for sea-life conservation projects.
Dining
The dining on the ships offers the traditional cruise experience, with the addition of child-oriented meal options as well as some decorrelated fun. I am not saying that everyone has to eat mac and cheese, but the kids will easily find something that they like.
The rotational dining system ensures that you get to try all of the standard dining options with your family, each of which offers a different style of entertainment sure to mesmerize child and adult alike.
Adults-only restaurants, Palo and Remy, provide elegant and tasty escapes from the child-rich decks of the boat. Extra charges apply, but they can add a nice touch to the voyage.
To find out more about current itineraries and prices, visit www.disneycruise.com.
Summary
Disney has a great deal to offer outside of theme parks. If your stay allows you the time to try some of these other diversions, you may find that you’ll be better relaxed. They can provide the perfect break from a day-in, day-out theme park schedule. Consider them, and consider yourself fortunate that they’re available!
Chapter 24
Other Orlando-Area Attractions
In This Chapter
• Explore the Orlando area for other great vacation ideas
• Learn how you can break out of the Disney zone for a while
• See what Harry Potter has done to mix things up in Orlando
No doubt, the Orlando area was put on the map when Walt Disney World was created. Certainly, it continues to be the 400-pound gorilla of the area, employing more people than any other company, as well as having the greatest impact on the local economy.
But it’s certainly not the only thing to do in Orlando. Other parks have sprung up in the area. Hotels grow like weeds, helping house many of the area visitors. Restaurants and other diversions have followed as well. While you’re down here, you might want to sample some of these other options. Let’s take a look at the Orlando area and what it has to offer.
Theme Parks
The Orlando area is home to many attractions that vie with Walt Disney World for your time. Certainly, you can consider Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure as the lead challenger, but others are worth mentioning as well. Some offer very relaxed, unique marine experiences; others are roller coaster havens. Take a look and see if any might be worth your time.
Universal Studios Theme Parks
Universal Studios is the lead competitor to Walt Disney World in the Orlando area, and if your group is up for more thrill rides, this might be a good side trip on your vacation.
HIDDEN MAGIC!
Most people who come to Universal Studios are heading for the parks. But the CityWalk has a lot of great nightlife and dining that can help make it a great evening experience. Dining and nightlife can be had at a great variety of venues, including a Pat O’Brien’s (like the famed New Orleans bar), a Hard Rock Cafe, and an Emeril’s Restaurant.
Universal Studios is actually two theme park areas paired with a nightlife district. The parks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, are accessed after passing by the Universal CityWalk. A one-day ticket to the two parks starts at $112 ($104 for children age 3–9), but you can always find specials that also give you access to other parks, like Wet ‘n Wild. Make sure you check the website (www.universalorlando.com) for current prices and these special discount packages.
What’s the appeal of these parks? Let’s take a look.
Universal Studios Florida
Universal Studios Florida is the original Universal park in the Florida area, and it has a lot of good thrill rides. Designed to look like the backlot of a movie production facility, the park has strong movie tie-ins for all its rides. The lands within the park are not so easily defined but, as you go clockwise from the entrance, are divided into Production Central, New York, San Francisco/Amity, World Expo, Kid Zone, and Hollywood. Universal definitely aims for a slightly older crowd than the Magic Kingdom. Most of the thrills are ride simulators, but there are also some kid rides to be found.
Islands of Adventure
This park kicks up the excitement with more roller coasters than in Universal Studios. Five lands surround the lagoon in the center of the park (clockwise from the entrance): Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, The Lost Continent, and Seuss Landing.
But the real draw now is the Wizarding World of Harry P
otter. This new land has been well-themed to the Hogwart’s school grounds and nearby Hogsmeade, even down to serving butterbeer. The main attraction here is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which walks you through the castle, then sends you soaring around the castle through some innovative technology. A more tame roller coaster, Flight of the Hippogriff, gives younger fans something to ride. And for those thrill enthusiasts there’s the Dragon Challenge, a full-bore roller coaster that was re-themed to this exciting new world.
Be aware that lines into this land are still very robust, so waiting is a requirement. But if you are a fan of the book and movies series, you will likely find it worth the wait. One note, however: The lead ride has been plagued with complaints surrounding the ride vehicles. If you are larger in size you might find that you have to skip this attraction due to tighter seating. Adjustments have been made, but at times there have been restrictions for riders if they were 6’, 3” tall or taller, or had chests of 46” or larger.
If you have older teens who you think might yearn for some more up-tempo thrills, or especially if you have an all-adult group similarly inclined, you should consider at least a day at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, with an emphasis on the latter park.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Walt Disney World, 2012 Edition Page 31
