From the moment you arrive, you’ll be pampered by the staff. All meals, snacks, and drinks, as well as your snorkeling equipment and a wet suit (and a special dolphin-friendly sunscreen!) are included in your reservation, and there are plenty of sandy beaches and even private cabanas where you can get a little extra R&R.

The standard dolphin interaction is only half an hour unless you pay for their “trainer for a day” package, but by all accounts swimming with their intelligent, affectionate dolphins is a magical experience. The park only admits 1,000 visitors per day, both for the safety of the animals and to ensure that every guest gets the full attention of the park’s staff (as well as the luxury of no lines anywhere in the park!), so be sure to book in advance.

Hours:
9 am – 5:30 pm daily, but be prepared to check in around 8am

Admission:
Cost varies somewhat by season, day of the week, and how far ahead of time you make the reservation, but prices start around $400 (slightly more for extra dolphin time). Children 2 and under get in free, but all kids 3-13 (and, they advise, up to 16) need paid adult accompaniment.

Plan to reserve your spot at least a month in advance, if not more. Because spaces are so limited, especially in the summer months days sell out very quickly.
(hint: though the price of admission is pretty steep, their package deals are incredibly generous – for an extra $30-50 you can get 14 day unlimited access to many or all of SeaWorld’s other parks)

How Much Time To Spend There:
All day!

More Info:
For more info about specific day packages, costs, and what to expect, visit discoverycove.com

When you arrive at the speedway, you’ll be given a brief but thorough orientation about the vehicles and their safe operation, then suited up in an authentic racing suit, fire helm, and shoes. Whether you opt to drive yourself, or ride along behind a professional Indy Car driver, these zippy little cars will take you to upwards of 180 miles per hour around the 1-mile, 3-turn track. Though you’ll feel the thrill of breathtaking, back-breaking speeds, the focus is always on safety, so you can ride knowing that you’re in safe hands. So if you’re tired of just watching fast cars take laps, it might be time to get behind the wheel of one and experience the thrill for yourself. They’ll even snap a shot of you after your ride is over, adrenaline pumping and still suited up next to your car to commemorate the experience.

Hours:

4pm-sunset daily, weather permitting, but arrive by 3 for registration and orientation.

Admission:

Prices vary depending on the total package. To get a quote or schedule your drive or ride along, contact Shonda at (888) 357-5002 ext. 106

(hint: Since the Indy Racing Experience’s main HQ is at the actual Indianapolis track, space is somewhat limited at their Orlando location. That said, it’s also not terribly well advertised, and they welcome walk-ups. Just be aware there isn’t a whole lot of signage to help you find the track if you’re planning on wandering in.)

How Much Time To Spend There:

Arrive early, especially if you don’t have a reserved spot, giving at least an extra hour to get a tutorial about the car you’ll be driving or riding in, and to get suited up. Wear comfortable clothes and socks (they provide the shoes).

More Info:

For more information about the Indy Racing Experience, or to make reservations, visit indyracingexperience.com or call (888) 357-5002.

With access to almost a dozen rental car services from the airport itself, and more than a dozen more accessible by a quick (free!) shuttle ride, the Orlando International Airport has grown to accommodate people just like you – tourists, families, first-time travelers, and vacationers who aren’t necessarily familiar with the area. In fact, if you’re staying in part of the Walt Disney Resort, they even have a special complimentary motor coach, Disney’s Magical Express, that will take you and your luggage (no baggage claim needed) directly to the resort.

The airport itself is quite traveler friendly as well, equipped with moving sidewalks and internal trams to move you quickly to and from your gate. Be aware, though, that it’s a very large airport, with 129 gates spread out over two main terminals and four sub-terminals, and you should always arrive at least two hours early for your return flight. Especially if you have bags to check, don’t have a lot of flying experience, or are traveling in a large group or with young children, you want to be sure to give yourself ample time to make it through security and to your gate before your plane starts boarding. To streamline the process (both to and from) be sure to familiarize yourself with the TSA’s Prohibited Items, Screening Procedure, and Tips For Traveling With Children, especially if you haven’t flown recently.

Worst case, you’re overly prepared and have a little extra time to explore everything the airport has to offer. There are a wide variety of shops and restautrants, everything from bodegas to fast food to sit down restaurants, theme park souvenirs to book stores, pet supply shops, clothing stores, and even an on-site Hyatt Hotel. They even have a chapel, and a FedEx and postal drop box in case you wind up with more souvenirs than you can fit in your luggage. Venues are pretty evenly spaced throughout the concourses, so no matter where you’re departing from or arriving, you should be able to find something good to eat and a decent way to whittle away your wait.

Click on the thumbnails below to view detailed maps of the various terminals, locations for all the restaurants and businesses located inside the airport, and for more images of the gorgeous airport itself. For more information about the airport visit orlandoairports.net, and for more information about what to expect for your flight, check out tsa.gov.

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But Green Meadows is much, much more than your average petting zoo. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be taken on a guided tour of the farm. Your kids will get to see (and learn about!) all the animals the farm has to offer (including some exotic ones, like tropical birds or their Asian water buffalo) from the people who know them best. They’ll even get to milk a real live cow. Plus, Green Meadows has a kid-sized train that tours the property, free pony rides, and a grown-up sized tractor for the kids to play on.  Kids can even pick out and take home their own pint sized pumpkin during the harvest season, or a present from Santa during the holidays at no extra charge.

The whole operation is family owned and comes with the kind of gentle attention you’d expect from people who really care that you have a good time, and who really enjoy what they do. They even invite you to bring your own picnic lunch, spread out a blanket, and enjoy the day on their farm. And if you don’t bring your own food, they also have concessions and souvenirs in their rustic general store. Just be sure to wear closed toed shoes, and be prepared to get a little dirty – after all, this is a real farm with real animals! Perfect for young kids who love (or are just learning about) farm animals.

Hours:

Tours begin continuously from 9:30AM to 4PM year round.

Admission:

General Admission: $23
Child 2 or Under: Free
Senior Ticket: $19
Florida Resident: $21
Group Rate (20+ With Reservation): $10

(hint: Green Meadows Farm has a wide variety of seasonal events with take-home extras for kids 2-12, like a free pumpkin in the autumn, a gift from Santa’s bag during the holidays, and an Easter egg hunt in the spring.)

How Much Time To Spend There:

Probably about half a day to enjoy the full tour and all the attractions, plus a picnic lunch! Be aware, though, that this is a popular stop for school groups during the school year, so arrive earlier in the day (or call ahead and ask) if you want to avoid the crowds.

More Info:

For more information about Green Meadow’s various attractions and animals, or to buy tickets or make a group reservation, visit greenmeadowsfarm.com

While the Daytona 500 Experience zone itself recently closed to the public, it’s still available for events. Large groups will be able to explore historical NASCAR memorabilia at their leisure at the Goodyear Heritage Museum, as well as test their skills alongside a real NASCAR pit crew. At the Acceleration Alley, guests can compete in full motion simulation cars built 80% to scale of real NASCAR cars, and both guests and tour groups can view the NASCAR 3D film in the Coca Cola IMAX theater.

If you just have a small group, though, don’t worry – various tours will go through the Daytona 500 Experience area, especially a quick stop to see the winning car as well as gear and other memorabilia from the winning driver and crew. Each of the four tours are tailored to specific interests – a 90 minute all-access tour that takes you to where the action happens, a 30 minute history talk and tour of the speedway itself, or a VIP tour that combines both, plus access to the Daytona 500 experience and 3-D movie, and even time in the Daytona speedway archives. So if you really want to get to know NASCAR from the inside out, a trip to the Daytona International Speedway isn’t to be missed.

Hours:

Tours start between 10 AM and 4 PM daily, tickets go on sale at 9 AM on a first-come first-served basis, no reservations.

Admission:

Price varies depending on which tour you take, ranging from $15 for a short tour to $50 for the VIP tour. Tickets are less expensive for children 6-12.

(hint: Almost all tickets have to be purchased the day of, but Daytona International Speedway offers discounts and special experiences for groups of 10 or more, so if you have a large party, make sure to call ahead)

How Much Time To Spend There:

If you time it right, you can catch more than one tour, but be sure to show up early to make sure you get the one you want before it’s sold out. If you have spare time, they have multiple gift shops as well as a restaurant to enjoy while you wait.

More Info:

For more information about specific tours, the speedway, or to make group reservations, visit daytonainternationalspeedway.com

Lessons are strictly one-on-one, but you’ll be seated up front and completely in control of your own plane, with an experienced pilot in back to help you out as needed. The pilot will talk you through the entire experience, but it’ll be your hands on the controls. Flights range everywhere from a simple takeoff, landing, and a straight flight, to barrel rolls and all kinds of stunt flying that only planes of this size are capable of depending on your experience and comfort levels. Yes, you read that right – you get to do a barrel roll, flying high in the sky over Orlando, your hand on the controller and the ground… far beneath your head.

Perfect for pilots, war enthusiasts, model builders, or anyone with a love of flying or antique machinery, Warbird Adventures will even record your entire flight for you, so you can cherish the memory long after you find your feet back on the ground. They also offer helicopter flying lessons, and have a whole museum full of WWII era planes and other flight memorabilia, including a new p-51 Mustang bomber. So if you’d love to get a glimpse into aviation history – or you’d just like to see what the world looks like upside down, Warbird Adventures offers a unique opportunity to locals and tourists alike.

Hours:

Warbird Adventures flies Monday through Saturday year round, weather permitting. Flight times are scheduled when you make your reservations.

Admission:

Plane flights start at $250, Helicopter flights at $130 and go up depending on the duration of your flight. For an additional fee, you can get a series of 35mm shots taken from the wing of your plane while you fly, or a DVD of your entire flight.

(hint: Purchasing an annual pass to the Kissimmee Air Museum for just $20 will get you an extra 10% off your flight price and all gift store purchases.)

How Much Time To Spend There:

The lesson time you pay for is spent entirely in the air, s0 plan to spend a little extra time on the ground for takeoff and landing. Plus, it’s not a bad idea to show up 15 minutes or so early to account for schedule changes. If you’re as interested in the planes as the flying, reserve a little time after to see the rest of Warbird Adventures’ vintage planes at the Kissimmee Air Museum.

More Info:

For more information about specific flights, the instructors and their planes, or just to schedule your own flight lesson, visit warbirdadventures.com

Unlike Orlando’s Hot Air Balloon tours, which are at the whim of the wind and can take you soaring over everything or nothing depending on the day, with a helicopter tour you’re guaranteed to see exactly what you pay for. It’s no low-key drift, either – helicopter rides are fast, loud, and will get the adrenaline pumping. Unlike some larger tours, each International HeliTours flight is limited to three passengers, which ensures that each and every passenger will have a perfect, unobstructed view.

Helicopter tours are great for couples, too. International HeliTours even offers a late night flight for two – strawberries and champagne included – to go watch the Epcot fireworks from the sky. Perfect for an anniversary or engagement, or just a romantic evening for two, all of their night tours show off the city lights all lit up below. Whether you’re taking an intimate trip for two or have several family members on multiple choppers, the staff at International HeliTours is always ready to accommodate your needs to make your trip as memorable as possible.

Hours:

Flights depart from around 9 am until sunset, with night tours departing after dark.

Admission:

Flights start at $30 per adult, $25 per child (11 and under) with a minimum of two adults per flight. Prices go up from there depending on the duration and distance of the flight.

(hint: Each International HeliTours helicopter accommodates only 4 people, including the pilot. If you have a group larger than 3, their fleet is large enough to accommodate you, but be aware that your entire group won’t be on a single helicopter.)

How Much Time To Spend There:

Duration of the trip depends on your specific flight package, but you want to show up at least 20 minutes early to allow time for check in, photo opportunities, and a brief safety instruction before you’re escorted to your helicopter. If you don’t book your flight ahead of time, allow time for your tour selection as well.

More Info:

For more information about specific tour packages, or to book your tickets online, visit internationalhelitours.com

Owned by Bob himself and operated without incident for the last 20 years, Bob’s Balloon Flights flies 365 days a year. Unlike many larger companies, whose balloons carry 14 or more passengers, Bob’s Balloons carry no more than 6, and are reserved per-group. That means that not only do you get the best views possible, but you’ll also get a completely personalized experience. They provide transportation to the launch site, where you’ll watch your balloon being inflated before takeoff. The flight itself will last about an hour, where you’ll drift gently wherever the wind takes you. And once you land, the trip is finished off with a warm welcome and an intimate champagne brunch at one of the hundreds of affiliated sites throughout central Florida. Better still, your balloon is followed from start to finish by  the same van that takes you to your launch site, so it’ll be ready to take you back to your hotel once you’ve finished your brunch.

Not only is Bob Wilamoski an FAA certified pilot who’s been flying since 1981, he’s also a Notary Public. That means, you can even get married just outside your hot air balloon, then step on, lift off, and fly out into the sunrise as soon as you’ve said your vows. Hot air balloon rides alone are breathtaking, perfect for a one-of-a-kind experience, and Bob will go out of his way to make your trip truly memorable. Bob’s Balloon Flights offers kind of personal care you can only get from someone that really knows their stuff – and that can give you the individual attention your special trip deserves.

Hours:

Flights typically leave around dawn, sometimes around sunset as well in the winter months.

Admission:
(includes flight, transportation, champagne brunch, souvenir champagne flutes, and photo)
$175 per person.
$90 child under 90 pounds.
$475 private flight for two.
$200 weddings (in addition to the flight costs)

(hint: You can get a $10 discount simply by mentioning their website when you call or email to book your tickets. Also, gift certificate tickets are available with one month advanced purchase, and lower the per-person price to $160.)

How Much Time To Spend There:

Flights last about an hour, but the trip all together takes about three hours with back and forth transportation, setup and disassembly of the balloon, and their complimentary champagne brunch.

More Info:

For more information about the balloons, staff, safety, or locations, or to make your reservations, visit bobsballoons.com

You’ll be able to lay painlessly on a bed of nails, encase yourself entirely in a bubble you blew yourself, and even play a board game moving the pieces with nothing but the power of your mind. From more common displays like a rotating room and other illusions to a historical trip through parts of the Titanic (including touching water the same temperature as when the ship went down), the exhibits will tease and expand your brain.

Of course, that isn’t to say the place is purely educational, either, and it’s certainly never heavy handed about it. Though the Mercury Capsule and space suit are faithful replicas of the NASA originals, the fun part is getting to experience a little slice of space. And many of their displays are pure fun (with just a splash of science), like a machine that lets you create a roller coaster of your own design, and then “ride” it, with a full 360 degree experience.

If you need a break from the science, WonderWorks is also equipped with a full Lazer Tag facility, as well as a 3-story rope climbing obstacle course that caters to people of all skill levels, anywhere from three and a half feet to more than six and a half feet tall. They also have a 4-D theater that plays fantastic 3-D movies, plus special effects, in a fully moving room with seats that will buck and bounce you through one of three intense, 12-minute long adventures. Plus, if you decide to stay late into the evening, you can even catch a magic show and dinner.

A trip to WonderWorks in Orlando is the perfect way to round out a Florida summer vacation – it’ll give you a day out of the heat, your kids will have a blast, and they probably won’t even notice that they’re learning (though they might learn to like the feeling!)

Hours:

9am-12am, all year long

Admission:

Adult – $24.99
Child (4-12) and Senior (55+) – 19.99

(hint: Lazer Tag, the rope course, 4-D theater, and magic show are all charged separately, but you can get a much lower price if you buy combo tickets rather than purchasing them individually)

How Much Time To Spend There:

It will take at least 3-4 hours to tour all the exhibits, but longer if you want to experience all the attractions. You’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like!

More Info:

For more information the various attractions, to buy tickets, or schedule large group events, visit wonderworksonline.com

If love of the game – or love of the team – isn’t reason enough, the Magic’s new arena, the Amway Center, is worth a look all on it’s own. Opened in late 2010, the newly minted building is the most technologically advanced in the NBA, with the biggest scoreboard and over a thousand other digital monitors, along with several unique and exclusive restaurants and venues. Between a playoff-caliber team and a world class building, going to see an Orlando Magic game is a truly unique, big-city, pro-team experience.

Hours:

Check the Orlando Magic schedule for dates and times of upcoming games.

Admission:

Varies by seating. See their ticketing page for more details.

(hint: Some of the more spectacular venues inside the Amway Center are exclusive to special ticketholders or are by reservation, so if you want to fully experience the arena, you might want to splurge on your seating or plan your trip in advance.)

How Much Time To Spend There:

Arrive early to get your concessions, get your seats, and enjoy the pre-game… then stay late to celebrate at the swanky One80 Grey Goose Lounge.

More Info:

For more information about the current and upcoming seasons, or to buy tickets, visit nba.com/magic