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ONLY LIMITED DATES AVAILABLE FOR JUNE AND JULY
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Regal Palms Resort - Area Information
We love Florida as it has to so much to offer. Regal Palms resort is located on the I-27 which give you easy access to the Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios, Universal Studios, Island of Adventure, Gatorland, our favourite - Seaworld, Aquatica, Discovery Cove etc. But you are also not far away from the Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico, about 1 hour and 15 minutes drive.
If in spite of all the facilities available at Regal Palms you still have time to visit other attractions, have a look at the links below as they might give you some helpful information.
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For general information on Orlando visit:
You might also find the following website of interest. 
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Information on this page
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Anheuser Busch Parks |
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Popular shows are Blue Horizons, Believe (with Shamu the killer whale), Clyde and Seymour sea lion show. These shows are brilliant. The picture on the left shows Shamu just before hitting the water - yes you do get wet if you sit in the "soak zone" - the bottom section of the stadium. For the Clyde and Seymour show, arrive at least ten minutes prior to the show for some pre show entertainment. If you are there in the summer, do watch the evening Clyde and Seymour show, it is hilarious and better than the Shamu Rocks show. There are lots of animals to see and to feed, especially the dolphins, rays and sharks. Watch the manatees, penguins etc. Lots to do.
Popular attraction is Kraken, a roller coaster and Journey to Atlantis. For the children there is Shamu's little harbour where you will find a lovely play area and water play area. Twice we booked Shamu dinner, a very good experience with excellent food and a chance to meet a trainer, although this option is more limited in the busy periods. For a map of Seaworld, see Map of Seaworld
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Discovery Cove is a great place to spend the day. Snorkel through the warm tropical river and resort pool, visit the aviary, and snorkel through the coral reef amidst tropical fish. Or just relax and sun bathe. As in all Anheuser Busch parks, the food and service is excellent.
We opted for the swimming with dolphins package. Daniel loved the experience with the dolphins - swimming to the middle of the lagoon and then be brought back by the dolphin, holding its back fin. A fantastic experience for all of us - his expression of delight was worth the expense of the day. We also have some lovely photos to show for it.
Make sure you book the date of your visit before travelling as Discovery Cove only admits 1,000 visitors a day. Breakfast and lunch, all drinks and snacks, towels, sun loungers, locker, snorkel and use of mask are all included. Even car parking for the day is free.
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This park opened in 2008. The wave pools are really good, with the left hand pool producing large waves, or float through the rapids. The children can play in the "walkabout waters", a large play area set in water, or use the smaller water slides. If you like big water slides, try the Twister, the Dolphin Plunge (try to spot the dolpins), the Racer, the HooHoo Run or the Whanau Way. There is plenty to keep you busy for the whole day. Towels and a locker can be hired at a fee and a large number of sun loungers are available. For a map of Aquatica see Map of Aquatica. |
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A train will take you around the park and the guide will provide a very lively commentary along the way. There are a large number of impressive rides, including Griffon, where you hang still for a second or so, slightly hanging over the edge at the top of the ride. When slowing down at the bottom of the ride, a big wave of water is created and the kids love standing near the wall trying not! to get wet - bring a change of clothes.
They have a great animal show Pet Shenanigans, it is amazing what the animals are able to do. Have a go at the Rhine River cruise, the log flume, Loch Ness Monster, Escape from PompeII, the wild reserve, land of the dragons - too much to describe here in detail. For a map of Busch Gardens see Map of Busch Gardens. |
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Must sees at Magic Kingdom: Monsters Inc Laugh Floor, Mickey's Philhar Magic, wishes Nighttime Spectacular (impressive fireworks), Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Space Mountain, the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. There are a large number of attractions, including for kids, and it is worth checking the website for more details. There are also parades and meet and greet the characters sessions, and of course Character dining. Map of Magic Kingdom |
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Must sees at Epcot: Rise to New Heights on Soaring' over California, the Seas with Nemon and Friends, Mission Space, Test Track, Turtle Talk with Crush, Illuminations Reflections of Earth - fantastic fireworks. Character dining is also available and there is lots of live entertainment. Map of Epcot
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They have some really good shows - our favourites are the car stunt shows, Indiana Jones stunt show, Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area, Star Wars ride, Studio Backlot Tour. There are also some really good street shows and of course the Parade. We have visited a few times and still not seen everything. Map of Hollywood Studios |
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We found it slightly disappointing, but there are still some really fun things to do - try the Kilimanjaro Safari, Kali River rapids, Maharajah Jungle Trek, Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, go on the Expedition Everest ride (or if you are like us, watch the ride and hear people scream when they come down the mountain!). Map of Animal Kingdom |
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We have not visited this park, but there are a variety of different level slides, including: the Summit Plummet, Downhill Double Dipper, Slush Gusher, Teamboat Springs, Cross Country Creek, lazy river, and for the kids Tike's Peak. Map of Blizzard Beach |
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Again, we have not visited this park, but attractions include: Humunga Kowabunga, Mayday Falls, Castaway Creek, Surf Pool or the kids water play area. Have a break at the sandwhite beach. Map of Typhoon Lagoon |
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The water parks, or some of the attractions, can be closed in the winter months for refurbishment and when travelling in the winter months, check that the water parks are open.
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Other Attractions |
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Although this park is advertised as a half day attraction, we managed to stay here for a whole day, and even came back for another day at our next visit to Florida. There are four great shows, all worth visiting, Gator wrestling, Upclose encounters, Critters on the go and the one not to miss, Gator Jumparoo - watch the gators jump out of the water to catch their food.
The entrance prices are very good and it is worth paying for the Adventure Tour and feed the alligator in an enclosure (see bottom photo). The alligators on the photo are real and very close to us, but they were well fed by this time.
Visit the breeding marsh with boardwalk and observation tower, aviary, petting zoo, swamp walk, railway, and for the kids a splash park. There are hundreds of crocodiles and alligators to see, in all sort of sizes.
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Do not forget to visit Kenney Space Centre, it is a little bit further away but it is worth your time. If you are lucky you can see a real shuttle launch, check the website for launch dates. You have to reserve a ticket for the rocket launches and tickets are quickly sold out.
For two years the family did not want to go as they thought it would be boring. Last time I bought tickets and they had to come along!. Guess what, they had a great time and found it very interesting and educational and wished they had not waited that long to visit the Space Center. A bus will drive you to different areas, where you can embark and join a later bus again to go to the next area. One of the areas is the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where you will see the rocket displayed in the hall, and you will be able to walk through some sections of the rocket. Very impressive. During the bus trip you will see the Vehicle Assembly Building, a huge building where they assemble the space shuttle. Climb some steps and from a platform you will see the launch pads. It is too much to describe here. We went in the shuttle launch experience, something you have to try, but make sure your pockets are empty!.
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We booked the pirates dinner show and had a fantastic time. We paid an additional fee and sat near the front of the dining area (around the pirate ship). The entertainment was very good. As we sat near the front, Daniel was brought in to help the soldiers fight the pirates, together with some of the other children near the front, and they were all dressed up as tin soldiers with wooden guns. They looked really good and of course the soldiers won! The kids looked brilliant, but we had to promise Daniel not to pay extra next time as he did not like the dressing up. This is something you just have to try at least once. |
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Festival Bay - including a large Bass Pro Shop and a Ron Jon Surf shop
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Medical Care |
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Do make sure you have a good travel insurance. Medical care and hospitals are very good, but as we found out, quite expensive. We used an NTC Urgent Care Centre on the I-27 (from the 192 join the I-27 but at the intersection turn right towards Clermont and follow this road for a few miles (past Walmart, from the house join the I-27 towads the 192 but keep following the road past Walmart). The NTC will be in a white building on your right. You do not have to make an appointment for this service and all basic facilities are available, including X-rays. This service, as well as other medical services, is a "Pay as You Go" service! NTC Urgent Care Centre, Four Corners.
We also used the Florida Hospital Celebration, which is located on the 192 going towards Kissimmee (when the 192 goes under the I-4 intersection you will find the entrance to the hospital soon after the junction on the right hand side). Florida Hospital Celebration, 400 Celebration Place, Celebration, FL 34747. Tel. 407 - 894 - 4405. |
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