Orlando
Thrills & Chills
2008 10Best Bet - Award Winners
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INTERNATIONAL DRIVE. In the heart of Orlando's tourism mecca is Air Florida Helicopters. The company gives passengers the chance to be swept high above "I-Drive" and to see the city of Orlando, as well as its lakes, parks, and local attractions, with a birds-eye perspective. The vantage point is one not many people have experienced, and "bubble" windshields offer a great opportunity to view and photograph the sights below.
DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM ®. A snowstorm in Orlando? Anything's possible with a little Disney magic. Blizzard Beach is one of Disney's two water parks. Here, guests find themselves in the midst of a Florida ski resort, complete with chair lifts, toboggan runs, and icebergs. Blizzard Beach also features America's tallest waterslide, Summit Plummet, a 120-foot run of pure thrills and chills where riders reach speeds of 55 miles per hour.
DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM ®. They say it's chilly at the top of Mount Everest. But it won't be the temperature that makes hairs stand up on the back of your neck when you give yourself over to this Disney roller coaster. Carrying visitors on a wild, terrifying train ride across and within a frozen mountain, Expedition Everest also shows evidence of an abominable snowman who calls the slopes home. Does he wait in the high peaks? You can only wonder as you board the train below...
AIRPORT AREA. The thrill of driving an exotic sports coupe or a luxury car is many a man's – and woman's – dream. At Florida Exotic Car Rental, they can make that dream come true. Cruise the streets of Orlando in a Dodge Viper, a Range Rover, or a Lamborghini Gallardo. FECR rents cars by the day, for three days, or by the week. They also have a wide range of vehicles to choose from, and they offer specials for advance booking. Minimum age to rent cars is 21 (25 for higher-end vehicles).
UNIVERSAL. When the sun goes down and the darkness of the autumn sky falls, beware. Chainsaw-wielding lunatics, evil clowns, and perennial horror favorites like Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, and Leatherface are all here and ready to scare you speechless at Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights. 2007 promises to be the scariest year ever as the Carnival of Carnage rolls into town.
KISSIMMEE. Two million pounds of ice has to provide some chills. But where in Florida can you find two million pounds of ice? Gaylord Palms has the answer. Each holiday season, artists at Gaylord Palms turn nearly two million pounds of the frigid material into a frozen fantasyland, complete with animals, castles, wooden soldiers, and even a working slide, all kept at a chilling nine degrees.
DOWNTOWN. Tour some of Orlando's most notorious haunted sites with a team of able investigators. These modern day ghostbusters lead spirit-seekers on a two-hour walking tour in search of paranormal activity. Part of the tour focuses on the history of the buildings and the secrets of their past. Later, guests actually explore a haunted building and perform their own paranormal investigations. Tours depart from in front of the Comedy Improv Theater at 129 West Church Street.
LOCH HAVEN PARK. For vinyl enthusiasts, nothing is more thrilling than finding that one rare item that's been missing from their collection. At Rock & Roll Heaven, these thrills are realized. Located in the "Bohemian" or Antique District of Orlando, R&R Heaven has been serving collectors since 1977. The store itself is a museum of memorabilia, boasting everything from dolls and posters to lunchboxes and board games.
UNIVERSAL. The Dessert Lady entices the city's collective sweet tooth with rich, thick servings of homemade confections. The business is actually a two-part operation: cafe and bakery. The café, with its sleek, classy interior, serves coffees and wines and offers bar and table seating where diners can indulge in items like flourless chocolate torte, sour cream apple cobbler, and bourbon pecan pie. Whole cakes are available for take-out, and quiche and sandwiches are available.
SEAWORLD. Embark on a simulated helicopter ride to the frigid north, where you'll visit a frozen world not often seen by man. Wild Arctic is designed as a modern research station built among the remains of an ancient wooden ship that has since succumbed to relentless ice. Around it, polar bears, walruses, and beluga whales flourish in brisk 50-degree water. Bring a sweater. Big or small, these selections make a city exciting. They include stomach-churning rides at amusement parks, river action-packed rafting trips, and even festivals that titillate the senses. You might also find places that offer once-in-a-lifetime memories, breathtaking views, or unbeatable draws. We'll chime in to let you know what the city holds that you may not have considered at first glance.
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Big or small, these selections make a city exciting. They include stomach-churning rides at amusement parks, river action-packed rafting trips, and even festivals that titillate the senses. You might also find places that offer once-in-a-lifetime memories, breathtaking views, or unbeatable draws. We'll chime in to let you know what the city holds that you may not have considered at first glance.
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