by Sandra Carr - 258 Reviews - 109 List
Orlando staycations are in and traveling abroad for vacation is out. Locals are finding ways to have fun, regardless of the recession, in the great outdoors, at area attractions, by the ocean (Daytona Beach, left) and in the air. Find out which destinations to visit in our Citysearch guide before planning your summer staycation this year.
Updated: September 16, 2009
Spend your vacation with Mickey and Minnie Mouse at the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios or the Animal Kingdom. Florida residents receive a discount seasonally during non-peak times of the year. And don't forget you receive free admission on your birthday, which is another reason to celebrate.
Plan a day trip to the beach. Slather your body with suntan lotion before lying on a beach blanket or swimming in the Atlantic Ocean. Bring a picnic lunch or grab a bite to eat from one of the area restaurants with the beach as its backdrop.
Take a walk on the wild side and experience one of Central Florida's oldest attractions and the alligator capital of the world, where guests can expect to have a swamp stompin? time. The 110-acre alligator theme park and wildlife preserve is the home of thousands of gators and crocodiles. The facility features shows, an aviary, breeding marsh, bird sanctuary, petting zoo, nature walk, a splash park and a train ride around the park.
Go high into the sky while hang-gliding with an aerotow over Orlando. Tandem and solo flights are available. The facility has other amenities including a swimming pool, a swing set, trampoline and rock wall for families that are waiting for their hang gliders to come down for a landing.
Make a splash while water skiing in Orlando this summer. The water sports facility offers kneeboarding, slalom skiing, surfing with a rope, trick skiing, wakeboarding and wakeskating on a cable or behind a boat.
Embark on a voyage on a 98-foot, triple-decked ship along the St. Johns River in Sanford, Fla. Experience old Florida and view nature up close along the river. Lunch and dinner cruises are three to four hours and include appetizers, fruit or a buffet for your dining pleasure.
