Second of a two-part series on wintertime vacationing.
Looking to get out of Charm City and head toward the sunshine to avoid that winter chill? Why not check out Orlando, Fla., but sans Mickey, Donald and the whole Disney crew?
Yes, it can be done.
Not that I have anything against the cute little rodent and his furry pals, but if you’re looking for a sunny getaway that’s not Mickey-themed, the Orlando area is a great destination and a quick flight from Baltimore.
A good base for your visit is the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee. Each Gaylord — the closest one to Baltimore is located at National Harbor, just outside of D.C. — is themed to tie in with its destination, and the Florida resort is no exception. The property is lushly landscaped both indoors and out; the various areas of the resort are named for locales such as the Florida Keys; and there’s even an alligator pool with evening feedings that attract guests of all ages to see the baby gators while they’re still somewhat cute! For some pampering time, the Gaylord’s signature Relache Spa will help you shed those winter blues!
There’s a lot new to see and do in the Orlando area, including the $250 million I-Drive 360 entertainment, dining and shopping complex, home to the Orlando Eye Observation Wheel, the Sea Life Aquarium, Skeletons Museum and Madame Tussauds, Orlando.
Start with Sea Life. This up-close-and-personal interactive aquarium with its underwater tunnel and bubble tanks has proven to be a big hit. The educational-yet-entertaining look at the world’s sea life and habitats takes visitors through oceans, coastal rock pools, shipwrecks, wetlands and more. Informative guides are on hand to answer questions and offer behind-the-scene tours.
From under the sea, you can head to the top of the world, or at least the top of the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye. Start the experience with a 4-D film that brings Orlando and Central Florida to life. Then, board the 400-foot-high Eye to enjoy 360-degree views of surrounding Central Florida. The eye is the tallest observation wheel on the East Coast. The rotation is very gradual; each capsule, which can hold about 15 people, contains Apple iPad Air tablets that allow you to explore and learn more about the landmarks and surroundings in several languages.
Once you’re back on terra firma, walk over to Madame Tussauds. The friendly guides are happy to take your photos with the “celebrities,” from Walt Disney to Steven Spielberg, Tiger Woods, Katy Perry, Oprah, Audrey Hepburn and more.
After leaving the I-Drive complex, don’t overlook a visit to historic downtown Kissimmee. This former shipping town, with its roots in cattle and citrus, has a quaint vibe. Browse the stores and the shop owners are more than happy to chat about anything from their own travels to current events. But it’s also home to chic restaurants, wine bars and the 25-acre Lakefront Park (during the summer, there are weekly outdoor movie screenings).
Not far from Kissimmee is
Celebration, a master-planned community that was founded by the Walt Disney Co. in the mid-1990s (but is part of Kissimmee) and fashioned after historic small-town America, with civic buildings designed by such notable architects as Philip Johnson, Cesar Pelli and Robert A.M. Stern.
Celebration has been named one of the 10 prettiest towns in America by Forbes magazine and is a pedestrian-friendly community with restaurants, chic boutiques and a variety of housing options from condos to townhouses to grand “estates.” There’s a self-guided architectural walking tour; pick up a map at the Town Hall or celebrationtowncenter.com. Among the most architecturally interesting buildings are the Preview Center, designed by Charles Moore, the SunTrust Bank building by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown and the post office by Michael Graves.
Turns out that Orlando without your Mickey ears is just as much fun!
For information about Orlando, visit visitororlando.com, experiencekissimmee.com, or i-drive360.com.
Carol Sorgen is a Baltimore-based freelance writer.
(Clockwise from left) The Skeleton Museum at Orlando’s I-Drive 360 entertainment district, the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, and Madame Tussauds, Orlando.
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