SEAWORLD, DISCOVERY COVE
AND AQUATICA, SEAWORLD’S
WATERPARK
Splish and splash at the SeaWorld Parks.
There is a lot to love at SeaWorld, and
a move towards more educational
programming doesn’t mean less fun —
really! The animal experiences are a neat
way to get up close and personal with a
variety of sea life and inspire a love of all
creatures, great and small. Away from
the touch tanks and aquariums there are
thrilling rides and roller coasters. The
newest attraction at SeaWorld Orlando is
Infinity Falls. Built for families, riders (42”
and taller) will brave the rapids before
shooting down the world’s tallest drop on
a river raft ride! Aquatica is a state of the
art waterpark featuring relaxing spots for
adults, kid-friendly play areas and extreme
slides for the most adventurous. Discovery
Cove is an all-inclusive day resort that
includes aquatic activities like snorkeling
and gear, animal experiences, and food and
drink for the day. Discovery Cove admission
doesn’t come cheap, but it does include 14
consecutive days of access to SeaWorld and
Aquatica, which makes the sticker shock
sting a little less.
UNIVERSAL RESORT ORLANDO
Older kids in tow? Budget your time for
Universal Resort Orlando. Families with
kids beyond the elementary school years
may want to spend a few days at Universal
Studios and their sister park, Islands of
Adventure, with some wet and wild fun
at Volcano Bay — the newest theme park
at Universal. Whereas a day may be long
enough to hit all the things that will hold
the interest of pre-tweens, older ones
may wish to use their Orlando vacation
time on the thrills at Universal rather than
the gentler fun at say, LEGOLand or The
Magic Kingdom. Fans of the boy wizard
won’t want to leave without visiting
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter —
Hogsmeade (Islands of Adventure) and
Diagon Alley in Universal Studios. There is
a lot to do for the younger set, but unlike
some of the other parks, little ones are
not the focus. The latest attraction set to
up the thrill factor when it opens in Spring
2018 is Fast & Furious Supercharged! Get
up close with the cars and characters from
the movie franchise before embarking on a
harrowing escape adventure.
WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT
The granddaddy of the Orlando theme
park family is the Walt Disney World
Resort. Beloved by generations of visitors,
Disney has built an empire out of making
magic for families. Divided into 4 parks
(plus 2 waterparks, the “town” of Disney
Springs and the ESPN Wide World of Sports
Complex), you could spend your entire
vacation without leaving the massive 40
square mile Disney property.
The Magic Kingdom is the oldest, and
some might argue, the best loved part of
Disney World. Centered around Cinderella’s
Castle, the six themed “lands” of the Magic
Kingdom are a perennial favorite. Here is
where you will find classic attractions like
Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain
and Princess Fairytale Hall.
Under the towering Tree of Life on Discovery
Island, The Animal Kingdom is home to a
menagerie of exotic animals in Africa and
Asia, a prehistoric world of dinosaurs in
DinoLand USA and at Pandora — The World
of Avatar, guests can leave Earth for a bit to
explore the world of the Na’vi.
A familiar geodesic sphere beckons visitors
to Epcot, where the world of tomorrow is
on display at Future World. Explore new
technologies and our planet from the
ocean floor, on land, and from above with
interactive displays and rides. Epcot also
houses a World Showcase, with pavilions
highlighting the best of 11 countries.
The magic veers to the silver screen sort
at Hollywood Studios. Brand new for the
summer in 2018 is Toy Story Land. Woody
and Buzz will be joining the likes of Elsa and
Anna from Frozen, Indiana Jones and a host
of folks from Star Wars.
GETTING
THERE
Dulles International Airport (IAD) and
Reagan National Airport (DCA) both offer
multiple nonstop daily flights to Orlando
International Airport (MCO), making it quick
(120-minute flight) and easy to get there.
United Airlines and Frontier Airlines both
offer nonstop flights from IAD to MCO,
while JetBlue Airways and American Airlines
offer nonstop flights from DCA to MCO.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at
Walt Disney World Resort
WHERE TO
STAY
For a vacation that is the perfect balance of
Disney meets luxury, stay at Four Seasons
Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort.
Have as much or as little Disney as you like with
plenty of adult activities like world-class dining
and spa as well as complimentary childcare so
parents can recover from theme park hopping
with a day at the only adults-only pool on
Disney property.
An exclusive Four Seasons Resort Orlando
amenity is access to the Disney Planning
Center. Located in the lobby and staffed by
Disney Cast Members, guests can use the
Disney Planning Center to purchase Park
tickets, upgrade their tickets, request Disney
services such as a VIP Tour, make Disney Dining
reservations, and have any Disney related
questions answered.
Four Seasons also offers multiple opportunities
for Disney Character Experiences from a
twice weekly breakfast “The Good Morning
Breakfast with Goofy and Pals” or for a more
exclusive encounter, a breakfast with Anna and
Elsa from Frozen can be arranged at one of the
resort’s private event spaces.
Explorer Island offers multi-generational fun
with a 5-acre water park with two water slides,
a family pool, splash zone, lazy river winding
around a “ruined” mansion, climbing wall,
and more. Look forward to beach volleyball,
basketball, a video gaming center, outdoor
movie nights on the Starstruck screen, oversize
checkers, you name it!
www.fourseasons.com/orlando
SUMMER 2018 51 FLYWASHINGTON.COM