One of our favorite family vacations was a spur of the moment trip to Orlando. We packed our bags, found a cheap flight and headed south for some fun in the sun. You probably assume our visit included a castle or a mouse. Not this time! While we love the magic or adventure of the theme parks, this trip was all about the extraordinary, out-of-the-ordinary attractions. What else can you do with your group in Orlando? Read on to find out!
WonderWorks Will Wow Your Group
WonderWorks is an experience (or experiment!) in fun like no other. As soon as the building is visible, it’s clear that things are not as they seem! The upside-down façade is explained as a “once top-secret laboratory located in the Bermuda Triangle” in which an experiment gone wrong landed it in its current destination- upended!
Inside, the atmosphere at WonderWorks is charged with fun, excitement and more than 100 interactive displays and exhibits. Science is at the heart of the experience, and all the activities are geared for maximum play. Lie on a bed of nails, conquer the indoor ropes course, or move at the speed of light. Challenge your mind, body and imagination in the Wonder Zones or dazzle your senses with the mystery of magic. Take in a 4D-XD movie or light it up in a black-lit laser tag arena. There’s so much to do in this world of “edu-tainment!”
Believe it or Not, Ripley’s is Great for Groups
Ripley’s Believe It or Not® is an astonishing collection originating from the private coffers of Robert Ripley (1890-1949). Ripley spent 35 years traveling to 201 countries seeking “the odd, the unusual, and the unexplained.” These unique acquisitions are the foundation of the Ripley’s attractions.
Ripley’s features every macabre or ridiculous item conceivable, as well as many that you won’t be able to wrap your brain around! Displays are a careful conglomerate of “the strange, the shocking, and the beautiful.” You may find a shrunken head, a micro-miniature sculpture or a 22-foot tall car parts robot.
Students will love the interactive displays and unexpected surprises around every corner. It’s so much fun to wander through and imagine what Robert Ripley must have been thinking when he encountered some of these treasures! He once noted “I have traveled in 201 countries and the strangest thing I saw was man.” I think that’s a sentiment to which most of us can relate!
This is the Spot for Fun
Ready to ride without the crazy lines? Fun Spot offers thrills and excitement right in the heart of International Drive. Featuring Florida’s tallest wooden coaster, Fun Spot also boasts the world’s tallest Skycoaster, multi-level go-kart tracks, incredible attractions and a midway packed with the classic games. It truly is a great spot for family-friendly fun!
Experience the Holy Land
The Holy Land Experience brings 2000 years of history to Orlando in this spectacular, interactive Bible encounter. Authentic sights, sounds and tastes of ancient Jerusalem greet you as you pass through the gates of the walled city. It’s an historically significant and undeniably inspirational living Biblical museum. Faith-based groups, homeschool families and others will want to add the Holy Land Experience to the “must-do” list of Orlando attractions.
Groups Go Wild at Wild Florida
When the group is ready for adventure, Wild Florida is up for the challenge! Tucked away in the headwaters of the Florida Everglades and just a short drive from Orlando, Wild Florida is a hidden gem. U.S. Coast Guard certified airboats skim the waters for an up-close view of alligators, wild hogs, turkey and more. The Gator and Wildlife Park has more than 200 hundred exotic animals on display. It also offers interactive programs that are perfect for students!
Orlando is an outstanding group destination with a surprising number of noteworthy attractions. Our impromptu family trip proved that it’s possible to skip the better-known parks and still have an amazing time (and probably for a lot less money)!
