Active Pursuits

You will most likely burn more calories than you ever thought possible by simply strolling through the theme parks. Nevertheless, if you want some exercise other than walking the parks, Walt Disney World and the surrounding areas have plenty of recreational options. Most of the following are open to everyone, no matter where you're staying. For further information about WDW recreational facilities, call tel. 407/939-7529, or on the Internet go to www.disneyworld.com and click the "recreation" link.

Airboating -- You can giddy-up-and-glide across the surface of local waters at Boggy Creek Airboat Rides in Kissimmee (tel. 407/344-9550; www.bcairboats.com), where you'll pay $22 per adult and $16 per child (ages 3-12) for half-hour tours; night tours and land-only wildlife safari tours are available as well. Another choice is Old Fashioned Airboat Rides in Christmas, east of Orlando (tel. 407/568-4307; www.airboatrides.com), which charges $40 per adult and $25 per child age 12 and younger for 90 minutes.

Ballooning -- There are several places in the area to experience an early-morning hot-air balloon flight, including Orange Blossom Balloons in Lake Buena Vista (tel. 407/239-7677; www.orangeblossomballoons.com) and Blue Water Balloons (tel. 800/586-1884 or 407/894-5040; www.bluewaterballoons.com). Sunrise flights are available daily, and all flights, which last approximately 1 hour, are followed by a champagne toast (sorry, kids) at the conclusion of the flight and a breakfast buffet or picnic afterward. Children who make the age grade will probably be delighted with the view and the unique sensation, unless they (or you) don't see eye-to-eye with heights. Blue Water offers hotel pickup at no extra charge. Rates run approximately $175 per adult and $95 per child (younger than 10).

Bicycling -- Bike rentals (single and multispeed adult bikes, tandems, baby seats, and children's bikes -- including those with training wheels) are available from the Bike Barn (tel. 407/824-2742) at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground on Walt Disney World. Rates for each bike are $8 per hour, $22 per day (surrey bikes run $18-$22 per half-hour) regardless of age. Fort Wilderness offers a lot of good bike trails. Many of the other Disney resorts also offer bicycle rentals at similar rates. Either call your hotel in advance or inquire upon check-in.

Boating -- With the many man-made lakes and lagoons dotting the WDW landscape, it's no surprise Disney owns a navy of pleasure boats. Capt. Jack's at Downtown Disney rents Water Sprites and canopy boats ($24-$27 per half-hour, including tax), pontoons ($42 per half-hour, tax included), and sailboats ($20 per hour, tax included). For information call tel. 407/828-2204.

The Bike Barn at Fort Wilderness (tel. 407/824-2742) rents canoes and paddle boats ($6.50 per half-hour).

At both sites, kids must be at least 12 to rent a boat and those younger than 18 cannot rent without a signed parental waiver.

The Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour (tel. 407/644-4056; www.scenicboattours.com) offers visitors another opportunity to see some of Central Florida's sights, this time while sailing along the city's historic lakes and canals. Tickets cost $10 adults, $5 for kids ages 2 to 11.

Fishing -- There are several fishing excursions offered on Disney waterways, including Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. The lakes are stocked, so you may catch something, but true anglers probably won't find it much of a challenge. The excursions can be arranged 2 to 90 days in advance by calling tel. 407/824-2621. A license isn't required. The fee is $200 to $405 for up to five people for 2 hours ($100 for each additional hour), including refreshments, gear, guide, bait, and tax. Children above the toddler stage are permitted on these tours when accompanied by an adult; however, an hour-long excursion just for kids ages 6 to 12 is available for $28.

A less-expensive alternative: Rent fishing poles at the Bike Barn (tel. 407/824-2742) to fish in the Fort Wilderness canals. Pole rentals cost $6 per hour, $10 per day (not including tax). Bait is $3.50 to $3.65. A license isn't necessary.

Outside the realm, A Pro Bass Guide Service (tel. 407/877-9676; www.probassguideservice.com) offers guided bass fishing trips along some of Central Florida's most picturesque rivers and lakes. Hotel pickup is available; the cost is $250 for one or two people per half-day, $400 for a full day; a license is $17.

Hang Gliding -- You'll get the chance to soar 2,000 feet in the air as you fly through the sky -- with a little help from some instructors at the Wallaby Ranch (tel. 863/424-0070; www.wallaby.com), located in Davenport, just south of Kissimmee. If you're a thrill-ride junkie, this is the real deal. The price depends on the number of lessons and type of flight you want (starting at $95); call or check the website for detailed information.

Hayrides -- A hay wagon departs Pioneer Hall at Disney's Fort Wilderness nightly at 7 and 9:30pm for 45-minute old-fashioned hayrides with singing, jokes, and games. Most kids will find it enjoyable, though some teens may think it corny. The cost is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 3 to 9, and free for kids 2 and younger. An adult must accompany children younger than 12. No reservations. Call tel. 407/824-2832 for more information.

Hiking -- The Nature Conservancy's Disney Wilderness Preserve (tel. 407/682-3664; www.nature.org/florida) is a 12,000-acre, little-discovered getaway from the theme-park madness. It has 7 miles of trails at the headwaters of the Everglades ecosystem, just south of Orlando. Self-guided trails range from a half-mile interpretive trail good for younger kids, to a 4.5-mile hiking trail for adults and teens. Picnic facilities are available along the trails. Admission costs $3 for adults and $2 for kids ages 6 to 17 and Nature Conservancy members. It's open year round Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. The preserve also features Sunday afternoon buggy rides ($12 adults, $6 kids) from October 1 through May 31.

Horseback Riding -- Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground offers 45-minute guided trail rides several times a day. The cost is $42 per person. Children must be at least 9 years old. Maximum rider weight is 250 pounds. If you or your children have never ridden before, the tame horses and gentle terrain make this ride a good intro experience. For information and reservations up to 30 days in advance, call tel. 407/824-2832.

The Villas of Grand Cypress opens its equestrian center to outsiders and has programs and options for riders of all ages and all skill levels. You can go on a 45-minute walk-trot trail ride (offered four times daily) for $45, though your children must be at least 10 years of age to participate. A 30-minute private lesson is $55; an hour's lesson is $100. A private junior lesson (15 min.) is available for riders ages 2 to 9 for $30. A host of other package options are offered. For more information, call tel. 800/835-7377 or 407/239-1938, or go online to www.grandcypress.com.

Another choice outside the world of Walt Disney is the Horse World Riding Stables (tel. 407/847-4343; www.horseworldstables.com) in Kissimmee. Trail rides range in price from $39 for an easy hour on a nature trail to $69 for a 1 1/4-hour advanced-level ride.

Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides -- Disney offers evening carriage rides at two of its resort locations: Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground and the Port Orleans Resort. The 30-minute rides cost $35 for up to four people. Most kids will enjoy the ride and the sightseeing opportunity. For information, call tel. 407/824-2832.

Jogging -- Many of the Disney resorts have scenic jogging trails. For instance, the Yacht and Beach Club resorts share a 2-mile trail; the Caribbean Beach Resort's 1.4-mile promenade circles a lake; Port Orleans has a 1.7-mile riverfront trail; and Fort Wilderness's tree-shaded 2.3-mile jogging path has exercise stations about every quarter-mile. Pick up a jogging trail map at any Disney property's Guest Services desk.

Parasailing -- The Sammy Duvall Watersports Centre (tel. 407/939-0754; www.sammyduvall.com) at Disney's Contemporary Resort will take you up to 600 feet above Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake on a flight that lasts 8 to 12 minutes. The cost runs approximately $95 for one rider, $160 for two riders. Kids older than 5 are eligible if they fly in tandem with someone else (minimum total weight of 125 lbs.), though you'll have to judge whether your child is up to such an experience. While older kids and teens would probably fair well, younger children likely wouldn't. Everyone who goes up has to sign a waiver and parents have to sign off on their kids' participation. You can reserve a spot up to 90 days in advance.

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling -- Believe it or not, even in an inland location such as Orlando you can scuba and snorkel in the Florida waterways. Fun 2 Dive Scuba and Snorkeling Tours (tel. 407/322-9696; www.fun2dive.com) and Orlando Dive and Snorkel Tours (tel. 407/466-1668; www.floridamanateetours.com) both offer the chance to swim and snorkel with manatees (and other wildlife) as well as other eco-tour opportunities. Prices run approximately $85 per person (with a maximum of six) to swim and snorkel with Fun 2 Dive (which also offers scuba lessons and deep sea fishing excursions). Orlando Dive and Snorkel starts at $28 per person -- rental gear is $12 extra.

Skateboarding -- On the occasional rainy afternoon (or even on a good day) Vans Skatepark (tel. 407/351-3881; www.vans.com) offers skateboarders (beginners or advanced) the chance to ride the day away on ramps, bowls, street courses, and more. Safety equipment is required (and available for rent if you don't have your own) and those younger than 18 are required to have a parent or guardian sign a waiver (in front of a Vans employee or a notary). Rates run approximately $12 per session for nonmembers, $5 for members (requiring a 1-year commitment) on weekdays, $15 and $7 respectively on weekends and holidays. Sessions are 2 hours long and run at scheduled times. Equipment is available for rent, from boards to helmets and pads (prices run $2-$5, depending on what you rent). Private lessons, camps, and birthday parties are also offered. The park is located in the Festival Bay Mall at the far north end of International Drive.

Surfing -- It's true. The creative minds at Disney have added a way for you to learn how to catch a wave and "hang ten" at the Typhoon Lagoon water park. Tuesdays and Fridays, instructors from Carroll's Cocoa Beach Surfing School show up for an early-bird session in the namesake lagoon, which has a wave machine capable of 8 footers. The 2 1/2-hour sessions are held before the park opens to the general public and are limited to 14 people. Minimum age is 8. The $140 per person cost (including tax) doesn't include park admission, which you'll have to pay if you want to hang around after the lesson (tel. 407/939-7529). You'll also need alternative transportation to get here if you're staying in Walt's World because the Disney transportation system doesn't service Typhoon Lagoon until official park opening time.

The Ron Jon Surf Park (www.ronjons.com; www.surfparks.com), set to open in late 2007 at the Festival Bay Mall, features three wave pools for surfers and body-boarders of all abilities and experience. It also sports a standing-wave and children's water-play area, and a restaurant. And the Ron Jon surf shop is right nearby in case you forgot any necessary surf or swim gear. Lessons are available at an extra cost (at press time, the park hadn't opened yet and prices were not yet available).

Swimming -- Almost all of Orlando's resorts have their own pools, some of which are rather unique, others rather extensive. If you're not satisfied with the one at your hotel, the YMCA Aquatic Center, 8422 International Dr. (tel. 407/363-1911; www.orlandoymcaaquaticcenter.com), has a full fitness center, racquetball courts, an indoor Olympic-size pool, and a heated 25m pool for kids. All pools have lifeguards. Admission is $10 per person, $25 for families.

Tennis -- There are 26 lighted tennis courts scattered throughout the Disney properties and the Wide World of Sports Complex. Most are free and open to resort guests on a first-come, first-served basis. Call tel. 407/939-7529 for more information. The Racquet Club at the Contemporary Resort, with six clay courts, all lighted for evening play, will cost you $9 per hour to play and reservations are required. Private lessons are available for $75 per hour; group clinics run $15 per person. The courts at the Grand Floridian are for Grand Floridian guests only.

The Grand Cypress Racquet Club (tel. 407/239-1944; www.grandcypress.com) features 12 courts, 5 of which are lighted. Racquetball courts, a clubhouse, and pro shop are available as well. Clinics are offered daily, with private lessons ($70 per hour, $40 per half-hour) and semi-private ($85 per hour) lessons available as well.

Water-Skiing & Wakeboarding -- Water-skiing trips (including boats, drivers, equipment, and instruction) can be arranged Tuesday through Saturday at Walt Disney World by calling the Sammy Duvall Watersports Centre at Disney's Contemporary Resort (tel. 407/939-0754; www.sammyduvall.com). Make reservations up to 14 days in advance. The cost for skiing is $155 per hour for up to five people. You also can arrange for wakeboarding for up to four people; rates run $155 for an hour. There's no minimum age, though we wouldn't recommend this for children younger than 8; definitely not for those at all uncomfortable in the water.

Outside Disney, you can get some time behind a boat or at the end of an overhead cable at the Orlando Watersports Complex, which has lights for nighttime thrill-seekers. Teens will likely think the nighttime option cool, but kids younger than 8 and those not completely comfortable in the water aren't the best candidates for this activity. The complex is located close to Orlando International Airport at 8615 Florida Rock Rd. Prices for skiing (including lessons) begin at about $22 an hour for a cable and $50 for a half-hour behind a boat. The complex offers a number of specials and discounts aimed at kids and families -- call or check the website to see what's being offered during the time of your visit. Rental fees run $2 to $45 depending on equipment and duration of rental. For information call tel. 407/251-3100 or go to www.orlandowatersports.com. Another good option is Buena Vista Water Sports (tel. 407/239-6939; www.bvwatersports.com); the setting is far more inviting and it's located closer to all the action at Lake Bryan in Lake Buena Vista. It offers Sea-Doo rentals ($50 per half hour, $90 per hour), water-ski, wakeboard, and tube rides ($70 per half hour, $130 per hour).