Busch Gardens Tampa Bay - Although located about an hour southwest of Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a popular Orlando destination in combination with SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Studios® Florida. Combination Flextickets for unlimited entry to all of these attractions: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and the Orlando attractions of SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Studios® Florida, Universal Studios® Islands of AdventureSM and Wet-n-Wild® Orlando can be purchased at any one of the aforementioned sites. Deluxe shuttles run daily to and from Orlando to Bush Gardens Tampa Bay, call for pick-up, locations, rates and schedules - 800-511-2450 (FREE transportation provided with Flexticket!) (For more details on what attractions Busch Gardens has to offer, click on our Orlando Day Tripping section) / Exit 54 off I-75 and follow Busch Gardens signs to 3000 East Busch Blvd. / Tampa / 813-987-5082

The Holy Land Experience - Orlando's newest attraction, modeled after the ancient holy city of Jerusalem and designed as a living Biblical museum. Reproductions of Herod's Temple, the Tomb of Jesus and the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found are some of the highlights of the park. It is a trip back in time with biblical re-enactors going about their daily business that lets visitors grasp what it was like to live in the Holy Land over 2000 years ago. / Vineland Road / (407) 872-2272

SeaWorld Adventure Park
Open 9 am to 10 pm / 7007 Sea World Drive / Orlando / 407-351-3600
The most fun on a hot day can be had at SeaWorld Adventure Park. When the heat gets a bit much, get a "natural" cool down by sitting in the "soak zone" of one of the marine shows. If you bring a camera, you might consider sitting further back to get a great action shot of the family getting splashed by a few dolphin or a whale. Big Tip: After any soaker-ride like Journey to Atlantis or a live dolphin and whale shows, dry out thoroughly in the sun before entering the chilly atmosphere of the Penguin Encounter or the Wild Arctic section of the park. Temperature variations can be quite startling, which is a benefit to the animals, but can give outside visitors a serious case of the chills.

Hands-on experiences in the park include feeding the sea lions at Pacific Point Preserve and the petting and feeding of stingrays in Key West at SeaWorld(sm). Plus there's a lot to learn about endangered species. Get a close-up view of Florida’s gentle manatees at Manatees: The Last Generation? or view the rare Kemp’s Ridleys of Turtle Point. SeaWorld is a rescue and rehabilitation center for both manatees and sea turtles. When these animals recover from wounds or cold-stress, they are tagged and released back into the wild. Addition to rescue, Seaworld’s killer whale breeding program is the most successful in the world. Check out their whale breeding program and marine mammal nursery at Shamu: Close Up!

Children may want to wear or bring swimsuits for those "splashy" moments including a visit to Shamu's Happy Harbor, a wet and dry playland full of wonderful adventure. Kids and parents alike will enjoy Pets on Stage, where pets found at an animal shelter were adopted and trained to do tricks. One of the funniest shows in Orlando is Clyde & Seamore Take Pirate Island, where some hilarious sea lions and a quirky mime steal the show.

Adults and teens will enjoy the awesome 7 inversions, 2 corkscrew Kraken, the largest floorless coaster of its kind in Orlando. And they will also like the Intensity Water Ski Show where athletes perform some daring stunts on skis and water boards! Other attractions at SeaWorld include the Budweiser Beer School, Bud Frogs & Louie the Lizzard, The Shamu Adventure, Shamu Rocks America, Cirque De La Mer, Key West Dolphin Fest, Terrors of the Deep, Tropical Rain Forest, Artist in the Sand, Dolphin Nursery and Caribbean Tidepool. SeaWorld, a truly “see”-worthy adventure!

• Make note of an additional SeaWorld offering: It's a nightly feature, the Aloha Polynesian Luau Dinner and Show, call for reservations and rates. / 407-351-3600

SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove - One of Orlando's newest attractions, guests must have reservations made well in advance (about 6 months ahead) to spend the day in Discovery Cove, a true Island Paradise in the heart of Orlando. It's a day with nature that you will never forget! The per person rates may seem steep for one day of adventure, but this can be a once in a lifetime experience. For the price of admission, guests become part of a six person pod that includes in its many activities, a 45 minute swim with several dolphins. Wet suits, life vests and snorkel equipment are provided as are lounge chairs and beach umbrellas, changing rooms and showers. Access to the aviary, lagoon river, coral reef swimming area and sting ray pool are all included in the admission price as well as a hardy lunch. Children must be 6 and over to get in the water with the dolphins. Return vouchers are available for weather delays or exhibit closures. / Open 9 am - 5 pm

Reserve Early ...while your preferred accommodations are still available.