Top Villas Blog

There’s more to do than ride the roller coasters close to your Orlando villa.  Orlando is like a wonderland of experiences and opportunities to try new things.

DiveQuest at Epcot

1. Epcot’s DiveQuest
You have to be a Scuba-certified to enjoy this dive in Epcot’s Caribbean Coral Reef aquarium.  If you are you can dive for 40 minutes in this huge 5.7 million gallon salt water tank and meet over 6,000 sea creatures including sea turtles, angelfish, dolphins, eagle rays and sharks.

You must be 10 years old or over to take part and 10 – 12 year olds must be accompanied by an adult.

2. Animal Kingdom’s Backstage Safari
Learn all about the animals and how Disney staff care for them in this 3 hour backstage tour.  You see how 3 tons of food is prepared for the 1,700 animals everyday.  You get to talk with the animal keepers, visit the vet’s hospital and see many other things.  Visitors must be 16 years old or older.

Take a look at our special deal tickets which include Animal Kingdom and Epcot.

3. iFly Orlando
Something for the whole family to try – skydiving.  This simulated experience in a wind tunnel is just like the real thing and will literally have you floating on air.

4. Kennedy Space Centre
You can meet and talk to a real life astronaut, take a behind the scenes tour of Launch Control and experience astronaut training.  Visit the Rocket Garden where old rockets can be admired in all their towering glory.

Balloon rides

5. Balloon rides over Orlando
Take one of the daily Balloon Rides to enjoy Orlando from the sky.  You’ll see all sorts of wildlife as you calmly cruise the skies – maybe deer or turkey and many types of bird.

6. The Science Center
Orlando’s Science Center has lots to do that will interest all ages.  Kids can create their own laser show or visit the dinosaur exhibition; they can discover what’s under a city street or watch how bees build their hive.  The family can take in a demonstration or join the astronomers at the Observatory to see the Orlando sky every Friday and Saturday night through the summer.

7. Visiting a Preserve
There are several protected preserves in the Orlando area including the Disney Wilderness Preserve.  If you love nature and seeing wildlife in their natural habitat then this is for you.  You might even spot red shouldered hawks and sandhill cranes before you even enter the preserve.  Once you get inside you can be sure of seeing a multitude of plants and animals:

• The bald eagle
• Florida scrub-jay
• Big-eared bats
• Sherman’s fox squirrel
• The indigo snake
• Gopher tortoise

See trees and plants like the longleaf pine, grasses, saw palmetto, Catesby Lilies, orchids and much more.

Here’s just a taste of the alternative entertainment you could indulge in when you stay in a villa near Disney in Florida.  Happy learning!