March, 2004 -- If we're ever in doubt, and we confess that at times we are, we only need to look into the eyes and smiles of our grandsons, and the tens of thousands of other kids we see on a visit to Orlando, to come to one conclusion: This is a magical place where children and families are the real VIPs. Thank Walter Elias Disney and his wannabes for that.
Uncle Walt laid the foundation for what, in the past 3 decades, has become America's No. 1 vacation destination for the young and young at heart. Until his heirs opened the Magic Kingdom in 1971, water-skiing and alligator wrestling shows were the only attractions. Nowadays, The Kingdom That Walt Built tries to make you a POD -- Prisoner of Disney -- by tempting you with four theme parks, a dozen smaller attractions, two nightclub districts for when mom and dad need a rest, tens of thousands of hotel rooms including timeshare holdings, scores of restaurants, and two cruise ships. Universal Orlando and SeaWorld add four theme parks, while the smaller fry ante up 80 lesser attractions.
There's an intangible price to pay for this abundance: anxiety. There are so many things to see and do that a 2-week stay and deep pockets won't allow you the time to hit all of the parks and attractions. That unravels some travelers and can leave the unwary family feeling slightly frazzled.
But here comes the cavalry. Us. Over the years, we have explored the parks with our kids and grandkids, dined with many a child at Orlando's restaurants, and snooped around and inside area resorts and hotel so that we can give you an inside track. Our job: to make your family vacation easy to arrange and as enjoyable as possible so you'll be able to relax while you're here and feel like you're kids again (and your kids will feel like they've hit the theme-park jackpot). At the same time, we're going to give you options to choose from lesser known, but no less exciting Orlando's attractions. Our tourism gurus will make sure your family has a steady stream of new things to see.
Spend a day at Epcot. This is a great stop if your kids are old enough to have inquiring minds. You can travel around the world at the World Showcase pavilions, get your thrills riding Mission: Space and Test Track, then have a different look into the future at Innoventions, where space-age products and interactive games await you. And, what better way to cap your day than watching the IllumiNations fireworks show!
Star Gaze at the Orlando Science Center. 777 East Princeton Street Orlando, (tel. 407/514-2000 or 888/OSC-4FUN; www.osc.org) But the planetarium is only part of the fun. Your heirs can dabble in Weird Science, KidsTown, and lots more at this popular downtown attraction.
Visit Disney-MGM Studios. Walt Disney World Re (tel. 407/824-4321; mgmstudios.wdwfanatic.com) This park has lots of great things for kids and movie buffs. If you have kids over 8, don't miss Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. The whole family should see Fantasmic! -- the after-dark fireworks, live action, and laser lights show.
Check Out Gatorland. Located between Orlando and Kissimmee, at 14501 S Orange Blossom Trl (tel. 407/855-5496; www.gatorland.com) this throwback park is a great way to spend a half day at less than half the price of the major theme parks. Make sure to see Gator Jumparoo, which has been the signature show since the park opened in 1949. If you have deep pockets and your kids are over 12, they (or you) can be a Trainer for a Day. And don't forget a visit to the gift shop if the boys (and some girls) in your party want an offbeat gator gift.
Experience Universal Orlando. Universal Studios Florida, 1000 Universal Studios Plaza (tel. 407/363-8000; themeparks.universalstudios.com) and its sister, Islands of Adventure, 1000 Universal Studios Pl (tel. 407/363-8000; themeparks.universalstudios.com) combine cutting-edge, high-tech special effects with great creativity, though the latter is more appealing to preteens, teens, and adults. Not-to-be-missed attractions: Back to the Future...The Ride, Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time, Men in Black Alien Attack, Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast, Dueling Dragons, the Incredible Hulk Coaster, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, and Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls.
Explore Eco-Entertainment at SeaWorld and Discovery Cove. Journey to Atlantis and Kraken give SeaWorld,6600 Sea Harbor Dr. (tel. 407/351-3600; www.seaworld.com) a little zip, but it's still better to come here looking for what this place best offers -- hands-on encounters with critters and up-close views of animals ranging from polar bears to killer whales (kids of all ages will be entranced). Its newer sister, Discovery Cove, 6000 Discovery Cove Way (tel. 407/370-1428; www.discoverycove.com) gives you a chance to swim with dolphins (alas, at press time it cost $229) as part of its package.
Become a Monorail Co-Pilot. If there's no one but the pilot aboard, ask to sit up front and you and your kids can pretend to drive Disney's monorail (monorail.wdwfanatic.com). This won't work at peak times such as the opening or closing times of the theme parks, and your best chance is if you can board at the Grand Floridian, Contemporary, or Polynesian resorts.
Chills & Thrills
For parents and older children (who meet the mandatory height requirements) looking for the ups and downs of a good ride, here are the top stomach churners and G-force generators in Orlando
Incredible Hulk Coaster (Islands of Adventure). You'll blast from 0 to 40 mph in 2 seconds, spin upside down, and endure seven rollovers and two plummets on this glow-in-the-dark roller coaster.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (Disney-MGM Studios). You'll launch from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and go into the first inversion as 120 speakers in your "stretch limo" mainline Aerosmith at (yeeeow!) 32,000 watts.
Dueling Dragons (Islands of Adventure). Your legs dangle as you ride through five inversions at 55 to 60 mph and-get this-three times come within 12 inches of the other roller coaster.
Summit Plummet (Disney's Blizzard Beach). This one starts from a 120-foot-high perch and turns into the world's fastest body slide, a test of your courage and swimsuit as it has you moving sans vehicle at 60 mph.
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Disney-MGM Studios). The free-fall experiences (there are several scenarios) are more than thrilling-they're scary (one of the ride's designers is too scared to get on it). Once your legs stop shaking, some of you will want to ride again.
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man (Islands of Adventure). 3D doesn't get any better than this ride that has you twisting, spinning, and soaring before a simulated 400-foot drop that feels awful real.
Mission: Space (Epcot). If you're claustrophobic or prone to motion sickness, stay clear of this ride that simulates liftoff and G-force, and gets the seal of approval from the NASA astronauts who helped design it.
Kraken (SeaWorld). This floorless, open-sided coaster uses speed (up to 65 mph), steep climbs, deep drops, and seven loops to create a stomach-churning ride that lasts far too long for some folks.