Never embark on a trip to Orlando
without first obtaining an Orlando Magicard, a discount pass enabling
you to save up to $500 at 103 area establishments (attractions,
restaurants, dinner theaters, ground transportation, golf courses,
shopping malls, hotels). Request it from 800/551-0181 or
http://www.orlandoinfo.com or
in person at Orlando's official visitor center, 8723 International Drive
(corner Austrian Row).
Brian MacTavish (my West Highland White terrier) and I
headed from Connecticut to Florida for three weeks in November of 2001.
Route followed is somewhat longer, but does cut out the Baltimore and
Washington, DC, beltway nightmares. We followed Route 91 to Route
84 to Route 81 to Route 77 to Route 95 to Route 4 for Orlando, Florida.
Since virtually all of the campgrounds in the Northeast closed as of
October, overnight possibilities included Wal-Marts' parking area (you can pick up an
Atlas in any Wal-Marts which gives you their locations, some right off
the major interstates. Another option is staying at an established
truck stop. The advantage here is that they are open 24 hours for
restroom facilities and have restaurants which are open very early in
the morning and close very late at night; some (Travel America) are open
24 hours. Flying J is a very popular overnight truck stop for RVs.
I stayed at one of the Flying J's for my last night prior to arriving
home and enjoyed both a buffet supper that night and a buffet breakfast
the next morning. There is no charge for overnighting at these
facilities. Another option is through RVovernighters. I
stayed at a very nice shopping mall in Darien, Georgia, right off I-95 -
no charge and received a number of discount coupons for shopping.
Disney World
Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
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Golf Cart, bicycle, and boat rental available
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Direct boat transportation to the Magic Kingdom
from the Marina
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Swimming pool
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Meadow and Settlement Trading Post for groceries and
supplies
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Pioneer Hall - Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue dinner
show featuring "all-you-care-to-eat homestyle "fixin's" and a
foot-stompin', handclappin' Western revue
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Campfire program - sing along with Chip 'n Dale and
watch a classic Disney movie
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Trails End Restaurant featuring breakfast, lunch and
dinner buffets
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Evening hay rides at 6:45 and 9:15 p.m.
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Campsites are equipped with 115/220-volt electrical
outlets, a charcoal grill, water, a picnic table, waste container
and sanitary disposal hook-up. Preferred loops also include
cable TV access.
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Laundromats
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Petting farm
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Horseback riding
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Tennis
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Water-skiing or parasailing
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Swamp trail along a natural section of Florida
cypress swamp
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Please click on appropriate name for photos from this attraction:
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PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN THE ORLANDO AREA
I RIDE TROLLEY SERVICE
7081 Grand National Drive, Suite 104
Orlando, FL 32819
Tel: 407-354-5656
http://www.iridetrolley.com
The I-RIDE is a theme transportation system of 11 hand-crafted
trolleys that serve the International Drive resort area,
exclusively, and operate year round, 7 days week, from 7 am
to midnight. Cash fares and unlimited ride passes available.
LYNX
445 West Amelia Street, Suite 800
Orlando, FL 32801-1128
Tel: 407-841-8240
http://www.golynx.com
Public bus service with 5,000 stops in 3 counties. Just look
for the Paw signs. Some of the Lynx buses have a bus stop at Magic Kingdom
Transportation Center with destinations such as Sea World and
Universal Studios. This was a great way to get around the
Orlando area if you have a motor home and no towed vehicle.
Check on the 7-day, 14-day or month's pass, particularly if you
qualify for a senior discount.
Shuttle Service from Orlando to Tampa:
“Daily luxury shuttles from Orlando with convenient service from
over 40 locations for only 10.00 per person. Free transportation
when presenting a 5-park Orlando FlexTicket and/or Adventure
Passport. Call 1-800-221-1339 for pickup locations and schedule.
Prices, pickup locations and shuttle schedule subject to change.”
I called the 1-800
number, and there are four local pickup points: Universal Studios
parking lot, Sea World, Old Town and Mercando Shopping Plazas.
Time is dependent upon the pickup point – leaving between 8:15 and
9:15. They leave Busch Gardens at 6:00, arriving back in Orlando
at 7:00. As long as you get your admission ticket stamped at
Busch Gardens, on your way out and back to the bus, there was no
charge for the shuttle from Orlando to Tampa and return!
Good deal, or what!
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