Fore!

If you fancy playing some golf at Disney then look no further than Oaktrail just on the other side of the entrnace to Magic Kingdom.

Last year we decided to purchse a 5 day Hopper pass for Disney and that gave us Free rounds of Golf at Oak Trail. It is a walking course but is great for a knock around. They do not have too many rules and it is well worth the visit.

If you take the family there is a pool nearby and a small refreshment hut whilst you hits some balls around the course.

Mind you it is not an easy course. Whilst you are there you can check out the Palm Trees and Mgnolia Course which is a bit more expensive.

Even if you do not have a 5 day disney pass giving you free rounds it was only $38. Great Value. So check it out.

But things are possibly changing.  Whilst the USA will most likely continue to be associated with the National Football League, ice hockey, baseball and basketball, there is a definite sign that cricket is making inroads.

There is a long history of cricket in the States – whilst today the big international rivalries are perhaps between England and Australia, or India and Pakistan, the first ever international cricket match was between USA and Canada, way back in 1844.

Since then other sports have dominated – but that may be about to change.  At the time of writing (April 2010), a series of international matches is being planned between New Zealand and Sri Lanka – to be staged in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  And there is already a thriving cricket league in Florida.

My local club, Tunbridge Wells Borderers, play in the East Sussex League in England, but also try and play in a variety of overseas locations.  And 2008 saw the club visiting Florida to take on a couple of local sides – Silver Spring Shores and Poinciana.

The two local teams consisted mostly of expatriates from the Caribbean, and proved to be excellent hosts.  Although their hospitality was restricted to ‘off the field; - the home teams won both matches by a comfortable margin.  The wonderful Florida weather sapped the energy of the visiting English team in temperatures seldom seen on the cricket fields of England.

But, in spite of the defeats, Florida proved to be a wonderful venue for a cricket tour.  The hosts hospitality and the Florida weather provided the backdrop as the English cricket team spent their time as tourists, enjoying golf, the theme parks, plenty of shopping……and, of course, the fabulous choice of restaurants.

Our touring party stayed in villas.  This proved to be much more cost effective than hotel rooms, whilst giving us the luxury of private pools, plenty of space and the convenience of self catering.

Wallaby Ranch is in a secluded location near Davenport, surrounded by woodland, and yet only 20 minutes from Kissimmee.

Wallaby Ranch is an excellent place for anyone wishing to take their first hang gliding flight.  Normally, months of hill training are needed before you can launch from a mountain site, but with tandem aerotowing, you can experience the thrill of a high altitude flight straightaway.

A highly experienced hang gliding instructor flies alongside you on a tandem hang glider, which is towed up to 2000 feet in the air by an ultralight towplane.

Once released, the tandem hang glider will free-fly for 15 to 20 minutes, during which time the instructor shows you how to control the glider by shifting your weight.  And the return to the 100-acre take-off and landing field culminates in a smooth rolling landing.

These flights can be enjoyed by everyone from 4 years to 90 years of age.

The tandem flights are done in the mornings, and late afternoons, which is when the smoothest and calmest winds are experienced.  Flying starts everyday at 8.00am, weather permitting.

Take-off and landing can be done in any direction on the 100-acre field, and are therefore not bound by wind direction. 

Wallaby Ranch employ 10 full-time staff, which include professional tow pilots, experienced certified instructors and a gourmet chef to prepare breakfast and lunch.

Other Amenities

Tent & RV camping facilities

7-foot deep swimming pool

Cimbing wall

Children’s playground, with a Dr. Seuss tree house.

Mountain bike trails

Walking trails

Directions

Wallaby Ranch
1805 Deen Still Road
Davenport, FL  33897
Tel 863-424-0070

Take US-192 W, then join the I-4 W to Tampa.

Take exit #58 (Kissimmee/Champions Gate), onto Champions Gate Boulevard

Carry on past the shopping centre to the T-junction

Turn right onto Ronald Reagan Parkway/CR 54, and crossing over Hwy 27, this becomes Deen Still Road.

Wallaby Ranch is 1.7 miles from Hwy 27.

Look for the mailbox with 1805 on, and turn left down the driveway, and pull up at the office and ring the bell.

Prices

Standard Tandem Instruction (All Inclusive)                 $120.00

Tandem Flight with DVD                                              $180.00

3 Lesson Package                                                         $320.00

Advanced Tandem Thermal Instruction                        $200.00

(10 & 20 Lesson Packages also available)

Disney’s Wide World of Sport holds lots of races throughout the year with levels varying from full marathons to fun runs with everything in between. Whichever level race you’re looking at they are all incredibly well organised and all usually start early in the morning before the sun warms up and before the parks open. Routes vary but they always go through some part of Walt Disney World and the meeting place is either Wide World of Sports or the car park at Epcot. As usual Disney’s attention to detail is evident from the start to the finish.

In March this year I attended the Princess races which ranged from a half marathon (13 miles) to a 3k fun run. The registration process was very simple to complete on line and then we had to collect the registration pack from Disney Wide World of Sports the night before the race. This contained your number for the race, directions to the start plus some goodies from the sponsors. My husband took part in the 5k race and he ran through Epcot past lots of characters including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and Donald Duck. The race was started by Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella and Prince Charming waited on the finish line to cheer the runners in. There was lots of ticker tape and a DJ playing very loud and uplifting music at the start and finish. The atmosphere was exciting with spectators cheering on the competitors at the finish line. There were stations for water and fruit and breakfast muffins were handed to the competitors when they finished the race. Coffee tents sold refreshments for the spectators too.

If you’re interested in finding out more or when the next races are please go to www.disneyworldsports.disney.go.com

This is not your typical Florida golf course! Highlands Reserve offers remarkable scenery along with a course designed for great golf. This championship Mike Dasher design gives you pine tree-lined fairways reminiscent of the Carolinas, open spacious fairways likened to the great Scottish courses, and a bit of old Florida with citrus trees along the countryside. Large, fast, undulating greens make this course challenging and fun for all levels of golfers. Conveniently located just minutes from Disney and all major attractions, Highlands Reserve Golf Club is a Central Florida favourite! 

Mystic Dunes Golf Club at The Palms - For Tee Times Call - (407) 787-5678

PGA Tour player and NBC golf analyst Gary Koch designed this scenic challenging course located at the Wyndham Palms Resort, just minutes from Walt Disney World. The “low country” front nine is reminiscent of classic Carolina courses, meandering through wetlands and marsh; the Scottish links-style back nine features extensive mounding, large pot bunkers and expansive waste areas. The club also boasts an expansive driving range, exquisite clubhouse, and the GPS Par View system on all carts.

 Legends Golf & Country Club - For Tee Times Call (352) 243-1118

The Legends golf course is one of the finest accomplishments of famous course designer Lloyd Clifton. This beautifully manicured Clifton-Ezell-Clifton 18 hole course stretches 6911 yards from the gold tees and is a test of any golfer’s skills at a par 72 with a Slope Rating of 130 and a Course Rating of 72.9. 

Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge - For Tee Times Call (407) 656-2626

You do not have to be a great player to enjoy Orange County National; you just have to Love Golf! A Lot of golf! Orange County National has 45 fabulous holes, on 922 beautiful acres of unspoiled rolling terrain. Pure Golf, the way it was meant to be played, in peace and tranquillity with nothing to distract your game except the rugged natural beauty of your surroundings. You will feel a million miles from anywhere; yet will be just a few miles from Disney, the convention centre and all the entertainment Orlando has to offer.

Brevard Zoo

8225 North Wickham Road

Melbourne, FL 32940

www.brevardzoo.org 

Opening Times

Daily                9.30am – 5.00pm (last admission at 4.15pm)

Closed             Thanksgiving & Christmas Day

Closes at 3pm on event days (ie Safari Under the Stars, Boo at the Zoo, Great Tastes of Suntree). Most activities are outside, and may close early if there are severe weather conditions.

Prices (2009)

Adults              $12.50

Seniors$11.50

Children           $9.50 (Ages 2 – 12).  Under 2’s are free

Opened in 1994, Brevard Zoo is about an hour’s dive away from Kissimmee, and is located on the Space Coast, just ½ mile east of I95, exit 191, in Melbourne, Florida.

Covering 5 acres, Brevard Zoo contains more than 550 animals representing 165 species from North and South America, Australia and Asia.

The zoo is divided into five areas: Expedition Africa, Australia/Asia, Wild Florida, La Selva & Paws On Play.  These loops are accessed off the main loop that encircles the Indian River Play Lagoon.

Feed The Giraffes / Lorikeets
Feed the giraffes at the giraffe platform in Expedition Africa.  (Treats are $2).
Feed nectar to the lorikeets (parrots) in the Aviary in Australasia. (Nectar cups are $1).
Feed seed sticks to the cockatiels in the Aviary in Australasia. (Seed sticks are $1).

Cape To Cairo Express Train Ride
The 10 minute ride passes the Australian aviary and around Lemur Island, an island that houses the zoo’s lemurs. ($3 for ages 2 and up)

Australia/Asia
Featuring animals from Australia and Oceania, such as the red kangaroo, emu and wallaby. This also houses the aviary which is divided into three sections: bats, lorikeets and turacos. There is also a butterfly exhibit six weeks of the year in the turaco section.  Siamang gibbons are located between the entrances to Expedition Africa and Australia/Asia.

Kayaking
Choose either a guided kayaking tour of the 22 acre restored wetlands in Wild Florida, at the Wetlands Outpost, or paddle through Expedition Africa, which features white rhinos, giraffes and ostriches.  ($6 per person).

Not for under 5’s.  Children 5 - 12 must be accompanied by an adult in the kayak with them. All participants must sign a waiver in order to kayak (Under 18’s must have a signed waiver by a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian).

Wild Florida
On exhibit are otters, alligators, crocodiles and bobcats.  This is where the alligators and otters are fed.

La Selva (the jungle)
On exhibit are the jaguars, Cottontop Tamarins, Golden-headed Lion Tamarins, iguanas and vultures.

Animal Demos
Alligator and Crocodile Feeding: At 3 p.m. every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, viewed from the bridge to Wild Florida.
Vulture Feeding: At 12 noon daily in the La Selva loop.
River Otter Feeding: At 2 p.m. every Tuesday and Saturday at the otter habitat in Wild Florida.

WildlifeDetectiveTrainingAcademy
Specifically focused toward smaller children, the building houses the terrariums containing the zoo’s reptiles, amphibians and arthropods.  The children can dig up bones in a sand pit, from an ‘animal crime scene’ and an animal hospital where children learn about animal anatomy and veterinary science.  There is also a new mystery every month which children can investigate and find clues throughout the zoo. Visit Lagoonadventures.org for more information.

Paws On Play
Lots of fun for the whole family, including water play, an aquarium, fort building and animal petting area.  The Indian River Play Lagoon is a water play area that runs alongside the 20,000 gallon aquarium featuring animals found along the Indian River Lagoon. There is also a separate area for under 3’s to splash about.

The Flamingo Café and Whale’s Tail offer a large selection of food, snacks, and drinks. Open daily 10.00am to 4.30pm. 

Panther’s Paw Gift Shop:   Opens at 10 a.m.

Admission Packages:

Young Explorer’s Package (Adults $17, Seniors $16, Children $14).  Includes Zoo admission and tickets to ride the train, feed the giraffe and lorikeets..

Wild Explorer’s Package (Adults $19, Seniors $18, Children $16).  Includes Zoo admission, a choice of kayaking Wild Florida or Expedition Africa, and giraffe and lorikeet feedings.

Wild Encounter Tours, Destination Africa(Ages 5 - Adult $75, Seniors & Ages 3 & 4  $37.50, Unders 2’s are free).  An educational hour with the Zoo’s animal residents like Ollie, a black-throated monitor lizard, and Howard, one of the white rhinos. Learn how to keep these beautiful creatures conditioned, healthy, and mentally enriched, and explore first-hand how the Zoo’s skilled keepers utilize their training to interact with the animals. (For reservations call 321 254 9453 Ext. 219 or email edregistrar@brevardzoo.org  )
Tours are on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m

The Rules of the Wild

No age limit, but children 5 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times. No strollers permitted on tour.
Smoking is not permitted inside the Zoo.
Pets are not allowed inside the Zoo (service animal owners must check in with Zoo administration office.)
Shirt and shoes are required at all times.
Loitering on Brevard Zoo property, including the parking areas, is prohibited.
Weapons of any kind are not permitted on Zoo grounds.
Bicycles, skateboards, roller blades and rolling shoes (heelies) are not allowed in the Zoo.
A full-service ATM machine is located in the park, just inside the main entrance on your left. Brevard Zoo is handicapped accessible with wheelchair and stroller rentals.

Surrounding Area

Brevard Zoo is a half-day experience, probably an hour to see all of the exhibits and at least an hour to experience the Paws On children’s play area. Then the activities and animal demonstrations will require a few more hours. 

But why not explore the surrounding area as well.  Within 20 miles of the Zoo, there is Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Indialantic, Melbourne, Merritt Island, Palm Bay, Rockledge, Satellite Beach, West Melbourne, and Florida’s Space Coast. The Zoo is also only 30 miles from Sebastian and Titusville.

Special Events

For information on late night and special events, and extended opening hours on Saturday nights in summer, visit www.brevardzoo.org

We searched the internet and found the Lakeland Tigers who are affliliated to the Detroit Tigers. Best seats in the house were $7 each. It was only a 20 minute journey to get there. We didn’t expect much as it was a local team.

As we drew nearer the stadium it was more like some of the Premier Football League Grounds. What amazed us first was the massive car park they had. We arrived about an hour before the game started and got some food and drink. There are always offers depending on what night you go.

The stadium was half empty when we found our seats. But unfortunately on the first nght it started raining so they pulled on the covers (much like Wimbledon) and we waited but the game got put off. We were given a rain check for our ticket and came back the next evening when they were playing a double header against the same team. By the way they play each other about 7 times in a row and play about 160 games per year.

The follwoing night was different and we saw the whole game completed. In between innings there were little competitions for the kids and some adults who wanted to take part.

It was a real family atmosphere, nothing like out football matches at home. Everyone was made welcome the players spoke to the supporters and it was a really enjoyable evening. Make sure you check a game out!

American Football

Like baseball, American Football is the all-American game, although a mystery to some European visitors.  There are many matches held locally - for top level American Football it is necessary to travel a little further afield.  A little over an hours drive is necessary to see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who play at the Raymond James Stadium.  The regular season runs from August through to December - but make sure you have tickets before travelling, as the majority of seats are taken by season ticket holders.  If you are happy to travel further to see top sport, a trip to Miami to see the Dolphins is a must.  Miami is truly cosmopolitan, and also provides an opportunity to visit South Beach and the art-deco district.

Speedway (Motor Racing)

The world famous Daytona Speedway is in Florida - just head North along the Interstate.  The most famous race is the Daytona 500 - but around a dozen big race meetings are held each year, featuring cars, stock cars or motorcycles.  Nearer to the attractions, Disney has its own racing circuit - the Richard Petty Driving Experience, situated just alongside the entrance to The Magic Kingdom.  As well as the opportunity to watch, it is also possible to drive around the Disney speedway, with a variety of different packages on sale.

Walt Disney World Marathon

The annual Walt Disney World Marathon is a major event attracting many top athletes.  The route takes in all 4 major theme parks.  The event usually takes place in January, and draws big crowds.

Greyhound Racing

As well as being the landing point for many international visitors at the airport, Sanford also has regular greyhound racing.

Like most resort areas on Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach is blessed with miles of sugar white sand that gently slopes into the warm coastal waters. The Gulf side of the beach is a favourite for just strolling along the water’s edge, picking shells and swimming under lifeguard supervision.

The bay side tends to offer more in water craft activities that include parasailing, and jet ski riding. Here you are also likely to find several boat charters that specialize in deep sea fishing.

There are a couple of small parks in Bradenton Beach, worthy of note only because one, Herb Dolan Park, offers great views across to Sarasota and Tampa Bay whilst the other, Katie Peirola Park, is a great spot for sunsets.

The City Pier has recently reopened following hurricane damage in 2004 and is popular for fishing. It was interesting to hear that when the old wooden bridge connecting Bradenton Beach to the mainland was replaced the island side of the bridge was retained as a fishing pier. Today, after its two million dollar refurbishment the pier is home to a restaurant, tackle shop and restrooms.  Whether you are into fishing or not, this is a lovely spot for a stroll and to watch the catch coming in.

Bridge Street is the historic centre of Bradenton Beach and, as it was directly at the end of the old wooden bridge linking it to the mainland; it became a thriving and prosperous community. When the old bridge was replaced it lost some of its appeal and many businesses closed down. However, today after a major restoration project, Bridge Street has rediscovered its charm and can offer the visitor quaint little shops selling antiques, paintings and a variety other crafts. There are some lovely pavement cafes as well as more up market restaurants and bars.

At the end of the day, if the weather is good, head back to the beach, the pier or Katie Peirola Park, and be prepared to witness a spectacular sunset across the Gulf of Mexico. There is nothing better to lift the soul after an enjoyable day exploring this little piece of paradise in central Florida.