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Orlando: More than just that mouse

By Richard P. Carpenter, Globe Staff, 11/24/02

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If someone says "Orlando," you may immediately think of Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. That's understandable because those two razzle-dazzle megaparks are what draw many people to central Florida.

But there's another Orlando — a place for lovers of art, history, nature, theater, sports, and, yes, amusement parks. The region and its many attractions, most of them reasonably priced, are examined thoroughly in "The Other Orlando: What to Do When You've Done Disney and Universal" by Kelly Monaghan (Intrepid Traveler, $16.95, www.theotherorlando.com).

"A lot of people think that Orlando is a cultural wasteland," says Monaghan. "But it has an art scene that would be the envy of many cities. . . . Even Orlando's City Hall has an art gallery." The Morse Museum in nearby Winter Park (www.morsemuseum.org) claims the world's largest collection of Tiffany glass, and the Mennello Museum (www.menellomuseum.com) in Orlando itself is filled with folk art.

There is an active theater scene, too. The area has off-Broadway-style theater companies, ballet, opera, a comedy club, and the Orlando Shakespeare Festival (www.shakespearefest.org), with its new three-stage theater. Then there's the dinner show, where you munch on a big meal while watching elaborate horse shows, jousting knights, pirate battles, gangster types, Broadway musicals, and comic mystery shows featuring audience participation.

For fans of living things, Monaghan calls Discovery Cove (www.discoverycove.com) "the most exhilarating experience in Orlando. Here you can swim with dolphins, snorkel with colorful tropical fish, and hand-feed stingrays and exotic birds." But get your credit card out: "It's the most expensive theme park in Orlando, over $200 per person if you swim with the dolphins, but for most people it's the experience of a lifetime." A day at Discovery Cove also includes seven days' admission to nearby SeaWorld. For far less, however, you can visit the original Orlando theme park, Gatorland (www.gatorland.com), where tickets cost $17.93 for adults and $8.48 for children 3-12, and where there are alligators aplenty.

The book also has details on historical re-creations; shopping; aviation sites, including Stallion 51 (www.stallion51.com) in Kissimmee where you can pilot a jet for a mere $1,950 a half-hour; Green Meadows Farm (www.greenmeadowsfarms.com) in Kissimmee, with its many barnyard animals; sports sites; and places to go parasailing, waterskiing, skateboarding, hiking, or canoeing.

Monaghan's favorite attraction? "I love going to Wekiva Springs (www.wekivasprings.com), in the northern suburbs of Orlando. There's a crystal clear spring there, which is a constant 72 degrees year round, set in a forest dripping with Spanish moss. It's magical."

And this is a fine time to visit the area. Orlando hotels, vacation rental homes, and attractions have a fall campaign titled "Family Time. Family Place," offering specials that run from $35.95 per night at an economy property to $129 a night at a luxury resort. Many offers include items like complimentary breakfast and free transportation to the theme parks. Larger families, or families traveling together, will also find values, starting at $85 per night for a three-bedroom, two-bath home with a private pool.

Fall packages are being offered by the theme parks as well. For $74 per person, double occupancy, the Holiday Package at SeaWorld includes two days' admission, one night's hotel accommodations, a souvenir, and complimentary breakfast and transportation at selected hotels.

Universal Orlando, meanwhile, is offering two nights' accommodations at the on-site Royal Pacific Resort and two days' admission to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure for $99 per person per night with a minimum two-night stay.

Disney has savings at sea on the Disney Magic or Disney Wonder, with three-night cruise packages starting at $379 and seven-night packages starting at $799. Walt Disney World itself has an exclusive benefit for its resort guests — the Extra Magic Hour. Each day one of the four Disney parks will be open to them one hour early, meaning fewer people and more time to see Mickey.

For information on the above-mentioned discounts and many more, visit www.orlandoinfo.com. For a free vacation planning kit that includes a discount card, call 800-551-0181. Call 407-363-5872 to speak with a vacation-planning specialist from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. every day except Dec. 25.

South Beach deals

Three South Beach boutique hotels are keeping their summer rates through Dec. 26. To get the special rates, stay four nights for $345 ($86.25 a night) or seven nights for $500 ($71.43 a night) at the Blue Moon Hotel (800-724-1623), the Essex House Hotel & Suites (800-553-7739), or the WinterHaven Hotel (800-395-2322).

Call the hotels or visit www.coralcollection.com.

Tampa Bay getaways

The Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau has teamed up with 15 attractions and 12 hotels to create five getaways: the Fun, Family & Value; Real Adventure; History Buff; Culture Craver; and Deluxe packages. Rates start at $87.50 per person, tax included.

Visitors may add extra attractions, nights, and people for more money.

Log on to www.visittampabay.com. Click on Hot Deals, then Hot Deals for Visitors, then Getaways.

Key West culture

The Pier House Resort & Caribbean Spa in Key West, Fla., has a Cultural Package for $165 a person per night that includes a pass to the Hemingway House, Mel Fisher's Maritime Museum, and the Custom House, plus a sunset sail aboard the last tall sailing ship built in Key West.

Call 800-327-8340. For information on other packages as well, visit www.pierhouse.com.

"Hot Deals"

One of Florida's most pleasant areas is the Lee Island Coast, consisting of Sanibel and Captiva islands, Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, and Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs and Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island and Boca Grande, and Lehigh Acres. If you're planning a visit, consider logging on to www.leeislandcoast.com, then clicking on "Hot Deals." The offers there could save you a few dollars.

Lots of tickets

A three-night St. Augustine Holiday Escape Package, available until Jan. 31, starts at $559 for a family of four, all taxes included.

Participants get three nights at the World Golf Village Renaissance Resort; up to four tickets for the World Golf Hall of Fame, the 18-hole grass putting course, the 132-yard challenge hole, and the IMAX theater; up to four tickets for the Old Town Trolley Tour, Florida's Heritage Museum, and the Old Jail, one of the few existing 19th-century jails; and up to four tickets to one of the following: a scenic bay cruise aboard the Victory III, St. Augustine Alligator Farm, Ripley's Believe It Or Not or Potter's Wax Museum.

(The fine print: Add-ons, such as rounds of golf or lessons at the PGA Tour Golf Academy, are available but cost extra.)

Call 800-WGV-GOLF or visit www.wgv.com.

Luxe holiday package

The Chesterfield Hotel, a small luxury hotel in Palm Beach, Fla., has a Home for the Holidays package, available Dec. 15-Jan. 15, which includes three nights in a queen superior room, a full American breakfast each morning, an English afternoon tea, a Chesterfield polo shirt, and a complimentary drink in the Leopard Lounge and Restaurant. The price: $875.

(The fine print: The package is based on double occupancy, is subject to availability, and does not include taxes or tips.)

Call 800-243-7871 or visit www.chesterfieldpalmbeach.com.