| Probably the first objective for any family booking a | | | | be from outer space to not know of it by name at |
| Lake Buena Vista vacation is to spend as much time | | | | lease. But in case you have any doubts, it's a |
| and energy and money as it takes to get the most | | | | rewarding and somewhat awe inspiring trip to make. |
| out of the Disney World theme parks. | | | | The display of early space rockets left me wondering |
| And you would have to be in a pretty sad state to | | | | how the pioneers could have been so brave - the |
| find all the joys of the Magic Kingdom, Animal | | | | rockets look so small and fragile and risky, yet men |
| Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and all of the | | | | strapped themselves onto the top and were blasted |
| other enticements that Walt's successors have | | | | into space. The exhibits of the moon vehicles and the |
| provided to be unexciting. Even if you balk at scary | | | | Titan rocket are magnificent. And the Shuttle |
| rides, fun sideshows and general all round | | | | experience again confirms how brave these guys and |
| entertainment, the water parks at Typhoon Lagoon | | | | gals are. Don't miss it! |
| and Blizzard Beach plus the diversions of Downtown | | | | - Bok Tower For a complete contrast, and if you |
| Disney and Pleasure Island will consume a huge chunk | | | | want to find an ocean of peace and quiet in the |
| of your vacation time if you allow it. If that's what | | | | middle of all the theme park frenzy, try Bok Tower. |
| you get the most fun from, that's great and go right | | | | It's a site of about 250 acres close to Lake Wales, |
| ahead. | | | | about thirty to forty five minutes from Lake Buena |
| But a Lake Buena Vista vacation doesn't have to be | | | | Vista. It was established in the late 1920s by Edward |
| limited to the immediate Walt Disney World area. | | | | Bok, a famous US philanthropist, who wanted to |
| There are many other places to visit and gain | | | | create a garden for birds and people in Florida |
| enjoyment from within a fairly short driving time so | | | | because he was so in love with the place that he had |
| why not try a few? | | | | stayed at during winter months. He bought the land |
| First of all, let's put on one side Universal Studios, | | | | (the highest point in Florida at 295 feet above sea |
| Islands of Adventure and Sea World - in their own | | | | level) and created a sanctuary that has survived the |
| way they are in the same vein as Disney World, big | | | | tourist explosion. He built a carillon tower (that's a |
| expanses filled with a mixture of rides and exhibits | | | | tower with musical bells, if you're like me and you |
| and shows, but you've probably heard of them | | | | didn't know). Visit the Tower and listen to the regular |
| already and you don't need more details from me. | | | | musical recitals. Admire the beautiful architecture. |
| Suffice it to note that they are all great places to try | | | | Read the history of the place. And wander through |
| out as long as you like at least something about the | | | | the gardens to see the extensive plant life and |
| basic theme they're built around (for example, don't | | | | watch the wildlife. Just relax! |
| go to Sea World if you're allergic to or if you | | | | - Busch Gardens Africa Ok, we're back to theme |
| completely dislike sea-oriented exhibits!). | | | | parks, partly because some people are addicted to |
| Instead let's look at those attractions that could | | | | them but also because Busch Gardens offers |
| complement your Lake Buena Vista vacation by | | | | probably the biggest contrast to Disney World. And |
| providing a contrast - here's just a few to think | | | | although it's older than Disney World (Busch Gardens |
| about: | | | | originally opened in 1959), it has been regularly |
| - Tarpon Springs A small city on the Gulf Coast north | | | | renovated and improved since then. Despite the |
| of Tampa, about a ninety minute drive or a little | | | | name, Busch Gardens Africa is close to Tampa Bay - |
| more from Lake Buena Vista. The city grew up at | | | | about 75 minutes from Lake Buena Vista, along I4 |
| the end of the nineteenth century when Greek | | | | and then I75. It covers 335 acres and the theme is |
| immigrants developed the sea sponge industry and a | | | | animals: they have more than 2700 of them plus |
| 21st century visit provides a fascinating insight into | | | | some water rides and roller coasters. Animal life |
| the history and the methods of the industry. Take a | | | | includes alligators, crocodiles, monkeys and birds. So |
| walk along the main street and investigate the | | | | you can combine a bit of fun with a lot of education |
| unusual gifts available their. Best of all, try one of the | | | | about different species. It's just as exhausting and |
| short sea trips that will show you where the sponges | | | | expensive as a Disney theme park so make sure you |
| are found and also give you a chance to see dolphins | | | | have lots of energy and money. |
| and other sea life. Be prepared to experience | | | | So there you have just a few suggestions for your |
| jealousy when you see the waterfront homes. | | | | Lake Buena Vista vacation - make sure you're fit |
| - Kennedy Space Center This is on the other side of | | | | before you arrive so you can get the most out of it! |
| Florida, the Atlantic coast, and you'd almost have to | | | | |