Can you visit Orlando without Disney

Think Florida and Orlando�and its�famous Disney attractions�spring to mind.�These amazingly entertaining theme parks�attract holidaymakers in droves. But does the region of Orlando and Kissimmee have anything else to offer?Driving along Irlo Bronson Highway (a segment of the 75-mile long arterial Highway 192), doesn't inspire confidence. There are fast food outlets, Disney souvenir shops and several flea markets selling tat in drab buildings.�But�you can buy 10 T-shirts for $5 and get your teeth whitened for $49.� The area was once a cow town but its cowboy history lasted less than a century when in the 1920's Walt Disney bought up the lands in the name of Mickey Mouse making the ranch owners very rich. "Those people were Crackers," said the curator at the Pioneer Museum on nearby Bass Road, "the sound of their whips as they rounded up cattle made a cracking sound hence the nickname". Dotted around this open-air museum in Kissimmee are wooden buildings made from Cypress trees in board and baton method that depict life when cowboys ruled and lived off their land. There are examples of the local stores that sold groceries and and where men went to get a close shave.Apart from steak houses, there's no sign of the ranchers�anymore except perhaps in Downtown Kissimmee. The shops�are still owned by 'mom and pop' many offering cowboy or other antique collectibles and unusual souvenirs.But what happened to all their horses? My guess is that they now appear in two shows that take place nightly along the highway. I enjoyed them both. In reality they are horse pantomimes where horses show off circus style tricks around a themed story: Arabian Nights and Medieval Nights. Both offer fantastic family fun, and come with dinner.One Saturday night I checked out a different type of horse power in Old Town, an area of tourist shops, bars blaring out music and a huge fun-fare. But as the evening draws in the place turns into a classic car parade. More than 250 owners turn up and line them up, some with their hoods up showing off gleaming engines. "I've been doing this for 14 years" Bob announced "never missed a Saturday night yet". Pointing to his 1932 Ford 5-window coupe he explains "this one is a fibre glass replica, it came with skinny wheels and fenders. I changed the horse power so I had to replace the wheels too." Will he sell it? "Sure ma'am, if I get an offer of $60,000 but that's not the reason I come. This place is known around the world. The atmosphere among the cruisers is great and we compare notes,."A rock and roll band plays in the background almost masking the screams from the nearby fun-fare rides while owners strut their stuff and show off their cars to fawning visitors. At 8.30pm the American national anthem blares out from speakers, owners ignite their motors and soon 250 classic cars of all shapes and sizes cruise around the town to howling onlookers. The noise is incredible.The region is famed for its alligators. I could have zipped over them at the 110-acre Gatorland, the region's oldest attractions, or just viewed them in their breeding marsh. But I chose to view them in the wild at Boggy Creek on board an airboat gliding through the Everglades. As I boarded alongside 16 other passengers, Captain John advised: "It gets windy so hold onto your dentures".During the 30-minute ride over carpets of yellow water lilies, through bull rushes and cat tails, Captain John pointed out several alligators (whose sex, incidentally, is determined by temperature, the hotter it gets the more likely they are to be male), turtles and various birds in their natural habitat. For me, the most surprising discovery happened when I turned off Highway 192 at Osceola Parkway. The landscape transformed from busy, noisy highway, to the most gorgeous idyllic little town of calm and beauty called Celebration.It was built by Disney to create a place where people would live and work and unsurprisingly what he created is a stunning town with a pretty lake, fine restaurants, twee shops and appealing wood homes.Finally, a spot of retail therapy is always welcome and Kissimmee offers opportunities to shop at a discount. The Nike store on the Old Vineland Road of Highway 192 has bargains galore in their warehouse, as does Puff Daddy's favoured denim store, the 13,000 square foot World of Denim (Irlo Bronson Highway) where you can get a pair of designers jeans by the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren at discounted prices.The Orlando Premium Outlets just outside town is perfect for Barney, Burberry, Armani and a clutch of other factory stores offering their bargains. Every night, it was good to retreat to my rental accommodation at Reunion Resort a beautifully put together village of condos and villas�five minutes drive from the bustle of the Highway. Mine was a three-bed (all en-suite) condo overlooking a golf course.�There's a�sensational water park, restaurants, luxury hotel and a spa and all of this is contoured around three challenging golf courses each designed by either Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson or Arnold Palmer. When I didnt fancy venturing out, I found plenty to do within the confines of this superbly manicured village.The question still remained, could I stay in Orlando and not be tempted by the beckoning call of Mickey? Truthfully, probably not. If I had kids in tow, what would be the point of missing out, however, its good to know that there are other options.�USEFUL LINKS �---AccommodationHotels in Orlando start from US$29 per room for two people sharing.We stayed at Reunion Resort, 6 miles from the Walt Disney World's West Entrance. The resort offers a large water park, with lazy river and water slides.�---TransportFind flights to Orlando:Cheap Flights with Budget Airlines�---Attractions Arabian Nights Dinner ShowSALE PRICE per person US$47.50 (regular price US$63.17) Sit down for a delicious dinner of sirloin steak, penne pasta Primavera, grilled chicken breast, certified Black Angus chopped steak and chicken fingers/ strips. You can also take advantage of unlimited beer, wine and Pepsi products. All dinners come with a garden salad and the chef's choice of dessert.While you eat, enjoy a mesmerizing show that brings a fairy tale to life on horseback. Beautiful horses from around the world are showcased in the world?s largest indoor equestrian arena for a permanent show.Medieval Times Dinner and ShowPrice per person US$54.88 Inside a fully enclosed, 11th Century-style Castle, you?ll feast on a four course medieval banquet while watching spectacular pageantry. Cheer for brave knights on horse back competing in medieval tournament games, authentic jousting matches and exciting sword fights. Gatorland Tourfrom US$49.00 per personYou can spend the day with literally hundreds of alligators and live to tell the tale. See these dangerous but fascinating reptiles in their natural suroundings, as well as a host of other exciting wildlife ? like turtles, spoonbills and ospreys.Plus, you can watch thrilling shows featuring gator wrestling, gators and crocs jumping high for food, and nail-biting close encounters of the reptilian kind. Hotel pick-up and drop-off included in the price. 30 Minute Airboat Ride in Boggy CreekUS$27.77 per person Each airboat tour is a unique experience and never the same. You will enjoy whisking across the surface of the water at speeds up to 45 mph while shooting between walls of tall grass. Orlando Premium Outlets Shopping PackageUS$40.00 Fantastic deals at 150 luxury outlets plus a $25 Gift Card and a VIP Coupon Book worth hundreds of dollars of additional savings at participating stores, and a free gift.More attractions in Orlando and the area
10 October 2011
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