The address for Boggy Creek Airboat rides West, is 2001E Southport road, Kissimmee, Florida 34746. Telephone number 407-344-9550.

Directions are, take Highway 192 East to Poinciana Blvd. Poinciana Blvd is located between markers 10 and 11.Make a right on Poinciana Blvd. Go 19 miles South until it meets a dead end. Poinciana Blvd. Will change its name to Southport road.

When you arrive at Boggy Creek Airboat Rides, you discover territory that has remained unaltered by man, in the wilderness of the Central Florida Everglades. Experienced Captains pilot the boats and take you into the breathtaking beauty and natural wonders, including wetlands, cypress trees, and wildlife. We saw many alligators of various shapes and sizes. We saw turtles and a variety of birds all in their natural environment. Earmuffs deadened the noise of the huge engine and fan but this did not stop our pure enjoyment of a truly wonderful 45 minutes. I felt safe at all times in this exciting and educational airboat ride filled with surprises and fascination. We hit speeds of up to 45 mph, and then watch wildlife when we stopped.

This is something I would definitely consider going on again because you never know what you are going to see .I hear they do a one-hour Night Airboat Tour! I am not sure about this, but it may suit you.

Unlike the sprawling metropolitan area of Orlando and vast Tourist/Resort Areas surrounding it…this is a compact, walkable village offering unique boutiques, elegant dining, beautiful Art Museums, delightful walks especially through the village park where squirrels abound and most enjoyable of all - a fun but informative, wonderfully relaxing boat excursion through the many lakes surrounding this delightful village.

On board you will have the opportunity to view and admire many ‘multi-million dollar’ lake homes and hear entertaining stories relating to them as well as learning about the history and nature of the area. The 1 hour boat tour also provides a wonderful opportunity to get a great lake-side view of one of America’s leading Colleges, the prestigious ‘Rollins College’ of Arts and Sciences.

To get to Winter Park, take the I-4 East to exit 87 (Fairbanks Avenue). Then travel approx. 2 miles and turn left on Park Avenue, the main artery of the village. If you can find a parking spot along Park avenue near the intersection with East Morse Blvd., this will be a good base for walking. Or park on East Morse Blvd. if intending to take the Scenic Boat Tour.

For information, brochures and an introduction to the village you can call in at Winter Park’s  ’Welcome Center’ (open 9-5, Mo-Fri). Here you will also find Public restrooms. It is located at 151 West Lyman Avenue, Winter Park. There are also public restrooms located by the Scenic Boat Tour Office.

Strolling along Park Avenue, you will discover many interesting shops, Art Galleries and a good variety of chic, continental-style restaurants and coffee shops. We enjoy grabbing a gourmet ice-cream from Haagen-Daz and eating it whilst sitting in the adjacent village park, watching the many squirrels chasing each other from tree to tree!

For a dose of Culture, visit one of the local area Art Museums, such as:-

Cornell Fine Arts Museum - (www.rollins.edu/cfam) - Showcasing the oldest collection of Art in Florida.

Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art - (www.morsemuseum.org) - The Worlds most comprehensive collection of the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany, including Art Glass, Jewellery, Pottery and Paintings.

Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens - (www.polasek.org) - Visit the Estate including the home and galleries of this internationally known Sculptor.

For Scenic Boat Tour information, visit www.scenicboattours.com

For additional information and maps, visit www.parkave-winterpark.com

Have a Great Day!

I have been to Busch Gardens now on three occasions in two years visiting Florida and I can honestly say I think it is the best theme park experience. I have never found this theme park very busy even though I have been there in the peak months. There is so much to do there and the park is quite large with a variety of fun rides you seem to forget about the animals, never mind the various ways of getting around the park. The cable cars are a great way to get from one side to the other and so is the train!

My eight year old son Jack has a favourite ride at Busch Gardens He can’t wait to get on it as soon as we enter the park. You may have guessed it, yes the Gwazi! I must say at first sight it does look a little rickety. I don’t think I have ever seen so much wood in anything anywhere in the world.

I started off with Gwazi, which are 2 coasters in one ride. I thought this was a great rollercoaster. You know, I wondered why Busch Gardens built these old fashioned wooden coasters. You’d think with all the advances in roller coaster technology, wooden coasters would be a thing of the past. Then I rode Gwazi and I figured out why they built it. With steel coasters, even though your doing some crazy twists and turns, you never really feel like you’re about to fall out of your seat. With wooden coasters, you don’t feel so secure. I don’t know if its all the clanking or what, but when I was racing along the track on the Tiger side, it felt like if that cart took one more turn too quick I would end up on the ground somewhere. So, when I got that sensation, it prompted me to put my hands up so I could feel it even more. This is why I loved Gwazi.

Jack went on this ride again and again until he was eased off with the promise of an ice cream. I did two out of his five goes and he just kept going it was great to see his smiling face and his sheer joy when he ran to get on it again.

Regular Exhibits:

Kidstown

Interactive learning experience set in a miniature town, aimed at children under 7, includes child-size

Space Shuttle.

NatureWorks

Different Florida habitats have been recreated, with native plants and animals, where you can encounter live alligators, fish and turtles.

DinoDigs

Encounter the pre-historic world of the dinosaurs and examine fossilized eggs.

TechWorks

Experience the strength of hurricane force winds, and see the earth from an astronaut’s view point.  See a demonstration of the Scanning Electron Microscope which magnifies up to 100,000 times more than the ability of the human eye (Demos only on certain days).

Xperience Factory

Live science shows:  The Case Of The Mysterious Miss Squito & Cool Science

BodyZone

Learn how your body consumes food, how to put a skeleton together and how your brain works.

Special Exhibits:

Titanic – the experience          16 Dec 07 – Dec 08                  

Full scale recreations of Titanic’s most famous rooms, including the Grand Staircase.

Robots                                     12 Jan – 11 May08

Characters from the movie, Robots, are the guides as the history & potential of robots is explored.

Team Up                                  12 Jan – 27 Apr 08

Learn how geometry, physics, force and friction play a part in your favourite sports.

Zing                                         12 Jan – 27 Apr 08                  

Hands-on exhibit featuring sound, magnetism, motion, balance, energy transfer and machines.

Giant Worlds                            15 Feb – 9 May 08                   

Explore Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus & Neptune.  Experience the beginnings of the solar system.

Special Performances:

High School Musical                1 – 24 Feb 08

Based on the Disney Channel movie, a live stage show featuring local actors.  Sat & Sun Matinee 2pm.  Thurs, Fri, Sat 7.30pm.  Ticket purchase required.

OrlandoScienceCenter
777 East Princeton Street        
Orlando, Florida32803-1291               

Open:   Sunday – Thursday 10.00am – 6.00pm,   Friday – Saturday  10.00am – 9.00pm                                   

Closed: Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day.  ( Late Opening New Years Day)

Observatory Hours
Friday     6.00pm – 9.00pm, Saturday 6.00pm – 9.00pm

Planetarium show: Orlando By Night:       available on the first Friday & Saturday of every month

Cinedome

The world’s largest lwerks domed theatre, with 28,000 watts of digital sound.

Phone 407 514 2000 to check film times and schedules.

Café Hours

Sunday – Thursday 10.00am – 5.00pm, Friday – Saturday 10.00am – 8.00pm

Driving Directions:

From N Poinciana BLVD turn left onto Vineland Road (SR-535N). 

Continue on SR-535 for 2.3mi.

Take ramp onto I-4 E to Orlando – go 17mi.

Take exit #85/Princeton Street (SR-438) – go 0.4 mi. 

Orlando Science Centre is on the left.

Admission Prices (includes admission to Titanic exhibit)

Adult                $23.00

Youth               $18.00 (age 3-11)

Senior              $21.00 (55 & over)

Student            $21.00 (with ID)

Under 2            Free

For more information:           www.osc.org

The building is on stilts so we went upstairs and found the museum which is Ted Smallwood’s store which has been preserved in the same condition as when his daughter closed the store in 1982.  The curator was extremely helpful and told us all about Ted Smallwood, his family and Edgar Watson, whose story was told by Peter Matthiessen in his novel Killing Mister Watson.

In 1906 Ted became Postmaster for Chokoloskee and opened his general store.  As it was such an isolated area it was also used as a trading post from far and wide for such items as furs, hides, and fresh goods.  Ted remained as Postmaster until he retired in 1941 when his daughter took over the position.  His daughter ran the store until 1982 and it is reported that 90% of the original goods were still in the store.  Today the shelves are still lined with the goods that were for sale during these times.  We were told most of the apothecary items contained alcohol which was certainly borne out by the smell of several of the bottles which are still full.  It is an excellent history lesson of what it was like to live during those difficult times and it was not until 1956 that the causeway connected the island to the mainland.  There are also sections where the different tools and household items that were used and available to purchase are show. The area where his daughter lived has also been preserved, again exactly as if she had ‘popped’ out and will return later. 

If you look out the back window you can see where Edgar Watson was killed. His tale is also told in the museum.  He was a planter who is reputed to have killed lots of his hands on completion of their work at his plantation when they went to him and asked to be paid.

Although Florida is a year round destination due to its warm weather the temperature can still fluctuate and knowledge of the annual variations in temperatures can help you decide when may be the best time for you to travel.

January is my favourite month to be in Florida. The resort tends to be quiet and the temperatures are the coolest of the year reaching a low of 10 oC and a high of 22 oC. Spring temperatures in Florida are mainly high 80’s, possibly low 50’s. Although the sun shines brightly spring showers are common so pack that rainmac before you head to the parks.

The summer months of June through till September are the rainiest months although temperatures can be in the 90’s. In addition in July and August British guests or small children who are not used to the heat may struggle a bit getting used to the very hot  and humid weather. The good news is all shops, houses and cars are air conditioned (a welcome relief) and most villas come with their own pools to chill out in and cool down. Thunderstorms are possible in the late afternoons but usually last no more than an hour.

October to December still offers fantastic weather (high 80’s to low 60’s). This is the ideal weather for those who don’t want the extreme heat of the summer months.

Tropical storms and hurricanes are known in Florida and it is worth knowing the hurricane  season officially runs from the 1st June to the 30th November. Forewarnings are given for your peace pf mind well in advance of any hurricane.

Whilst a Florida holiday is great value, and your dollar will go a long way (don’t forget the shopping bargains!), you will need a few dollars.  There are several different ways to take your cash, here are our recommendations:

Credit Card

Credit cards (particularly MasterCard and Visa) are widely accepted, and will meet most of your requirements.  There are several advantages - the prime one being that you will not have surplus dollars, you will only spend what you need!  We recommend taking a couple of different cards (in case one is lost) - it is worth while advising your credit card issuer before your holiday that you will be using your card in Florida.  Card companies use sophisticated fraud detection systems, and the sudden change in use may trigger an alarm bell.

We suggest you check out how much your credit card loads the exchange rate by - most add nearly 3% to the cost, some don’t.  By choosing the right card, you can make your holiday money go further!

One additional consideration - your car rental company may require a deposit payable by credit card.  This will reduce the amount of credit you have available.

Travellers Cheques

Or checks as they are known as in the US.  These are very widely accepted - occasionally shops require additional identification (which is also occasionally the case with credit cards).  In many stores travellers cheques are as good as cash - buy them before you go, just sign and hand them over for your purchase.  The change is given in cash.  Much better to take travellers cheques in local currency - that takes away the difficulty of converting from sterling for the local traders.  If the travellers cheques are lost, most issuers can issue replacements very quickly.  On the downside, any which are not spent whilst on holiday will need to be changed back to sterling (or perhaps keep them for your next Florida holiday!)

Cash

As well as credit cards and travellers cheques, we also recommend taking some cash.  This will be useful on arrival - for tipping porters at the airport (or renting a trolley to carry your cases to your hire car).  And it is customary to tip waiters when dining out - a few dollars in cash will be ideal, although the option of adding the tip to the credit card is usually offered.  You can top up your cash at ATMs, but remember there will almost certainly be a fee.

Your feet just dangle in mid-air as you sit on pedestal-like seats, with only shoulder restraints holding you in. You have been warned!

I know what your thinking, you thought Sea World was all about animals and fishy things from the sea, you couldn’t be more wrong. Go on and give it a try if you dare!

I have to say, just watching it gave me a scare but give it a go just once!

Playhouse Disney Live on Stage is closed January 3 - 27, 2008. An updated show featuring Mickey Mouse and Clubhouse friends will debut on January 28, 2008.

Journey into Narnia is closed January 2 - May 23, 2008.

Fantasmic! will be closed January 28 - February 1, 2008.

Epcot

The American Adventure is closed January 7 - February 3, 2008. (Earlier reports set the reopening as February 18.) The American Heritage Gallery, shops, and food and beverage areas will remain open.

Spaceship Earth, presented by Siemens, has been undergoing a number of changes over the last several months. The changes combine the attraction’s time-travel adventure into the past with a new finale that provides guests the opportunity to imagine their futures. Each of the ride scenes is being enhanced, and new show scenes will be added to the attraction’s story, along with new lighting effects, costumes, set decoration, narration and musical score. Spaceship Earth’s makeover is scheduled to be fully completed in early 2008. The official reopening of Spaceship Earth has been changed to February 18. Some folks have ridden as part of the soft opening testing.

International Dinner and Illuminations Dessert Reception, offered as part of the Grand Gathering Experience, will not be offered from January 28 - February 10. The Odyssey complex will be refurbished during this time.

Magic Kingdom

Minnie’s Country House is closed for refurbishment January 1 - February 1, 2008.

Tony’s Town Square Restaurant is closed for refurbishment January 5 - 27, 2008.

Snow White’s Scary Adventures will be closed for refurbishment January 28 - February 15, 2008.

Splash Mountain will be closed from January 1 to February 15, 2008.

Tinker Bell’s Treasures is closed for refurbishment from January 6 - March 16, 2008.

Animal Kingdom Lodge

There is ongoing construction in the Lodge for conversion of deluxe rooms to Disney Vacation Club Villas. Also there is outside construction of a new animal barn and Disney Vacation Club buildings. Construction is scheduled to last through April 2009.

Boardwalk Resort

Boardwalk Resort Luna Park (themed pool area) rehab began January 7, 2008. The pool area will be resurfaced and will reopen February 16. While it is closed, guests of the Boardwalk may use the Yacht and Beach Club’s Stormalong Bay pool. In addition, both non-themed pools at the Boardwalk will remain open.

Caribbean Beach Resort

The themed pool, Old Port Royale, will be closed for refurbishment between January 7, 2008, and mid-September 2008. Small, child-sized pool slides will be temporarily added to the pools in the villages of Jamaica and Barbados.

Fort Wilderness

There will be no 9:30 p.m. show of the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue on January 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30.

Grand Floridian

The Courtyard Pool will be closed from January 14 - mid-February, 2008. The Beach Pool will remain open. Grand Floridian guests may also use the Nanea Volcano Pool at the Polynesian during this time.

Old Key West

Turtle Pond Pool and the Turtle Shack Poolside Snacks will be closed for refurbishment January 14 - February 10, 2008

Port Orleans French Quarter

The Doubloon Lagoon pool will be closed January 28 - mid-March, 2008. Riverside’s Ol’ Man Island Pool will be open. Guests may also use Riverside’s Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend Pools.

Blizzard Beach

Is closed for annual refurbishment January 6 - March 8, 2008.

Downtown Disney

Wolfgang Puck Express at Downtown Disney Marketplace is closed for refurbishment now through Thursday, March 6, 2008. When it reopens, it will offer a new menu, a faster service and an expanded indoor dining area. The West Side Puck location will remain open during this time.

Regards,

Mary

On the pre arranged day we were picked up by our pilot Bob at the crack of dawn (in fact a long way before dawn).  Bob was in contact with several other pilots and eventually a launch site was agreed upon and the race was on to get there first to secure the best take off spot.

Seven trucks with their balloons in trailers  arrived and everyone was encouraged to help unpack and prepare for the gas to be lit.  Daybreak was a wonderful site with all the balloons gradually lifting skywards.  The different colours and sizes all with one aim, take of just as the sun rose.

Eventually all was ready and we were invited to climb aboard, just two of us and our pilot, and suddenly we were airbourne, very gently we ascended for the start our journey.  We watched all the other balloons take off, what a  spectacle.  The air was very still and we seemed to hover but still managed to travel several miles. 

There is an odd sensation of floating in silence, broken only by people on the ground who you can hear clearly discussing the balloon that you are in.  (Just remember if you are on the ground every word you say can be heard clearly).

The views are stunning and make you realise just how much of Florida is still natural vegetation and swamp.  Birds seem to take no notice of you and fly close by, just to give you a great view of them from above.

Eventually the landing site was in view and slowly we descended, we were amazed at how easily the pilot manoeuvred the balloon to get within feet of our preferred landing spot.  A feather could not have landed more gently,  the basket did not tip or turn, just rested on the grass for us to step onto terra firma again. 

A relaxing glass of champagne and discussions between all the other passengers about what we had seen and heard.  The overwhelming opinion was that it was an experience not to miss.

The trucks arrived and help was on hand with the loading of the balloons.  We were delivered back to our pick up point and still it was only 8am, a wonderful way to start a day.  Time to say goodbye to Bob our pilot, but hopefully in the future we will repeat the adventure.