We have visited the two ‘murder mystery’ dinner shows on offer - and have enjoyed both of them (sufficiently that we have returned to each of them). The two shows are ‘Sleuths’ and ‘Murderwatch Mystery Theatre’

Sleuths

Sleuths is situated just off International Drive, and provides the expected choice of meal, refillable drinks and a mystery show. The show has recently relocated to a new venue, which we haven’t yet visited (that will have to wait until our next vacation) - but our experience of our previous visits has been very enjoyable. The actors proved very adaptable at responding to questions from the audience as they were cross examined, and provided a very entertaining show. Sleuths offer several different shows, so there is no need to restrict yourself to one visit. The entertainment on offer is very light hearted, and is a good addition to your vacation activities. Whilst suitable for the whole family, there is also a children’s matinee show on offer.

Murderwatch Mystery Theatre

This dinner show is situated in the Regal Sun (formerly the Grosvenor Resort) hotel just minutes walk from Downtown Disney (which is as good a place as anywhere to park). The show takes place on Saturday nights only, when two shows are often held. Again different shows are offered, so it is possible to visit more than once and see different shows (check out which show is being performed when you book). Whilst slightly less interactive with the audience than Sleuths, we reckon that this show has the edge on the food offered. Being situated in a restaurant in a large hotel means the catering facilities are on hand, and the offering is definitely of a higher standard. A 3 course buffet includes meats, pastas and salads, and the ‘all-you can-eat’ format means there is no likelihood of going home hungry. And, as with Sleuths, drinks are included with your meal.

The Verdict

We enjoyed both shows, although if pushed for a choice the quality of the meal offered at the Murderwatch Mystery Theatre gives it the edge in our view. The location within walking distance of Downtown Disney allows us to spend the rest of the evening shopping. Whichever you choose, look out for discount vouchers to save a few dollars - and have a great evening!

They seated us promptly at 4:00 and a large family style bowl of salad was at the center of the table along with a magic hat full of popcorn.   They immediately offered us drinks giving us a choice of beer, wine or soda (Pepsi products).  Shortly thereafter, they brought a hand-tossed pizza, half cheese and half pepperoni.  The service was excellent and all the food was unlimited.  We ate our way through quite a bit of pizza – it was very good!

The show began about mid-way through our meal.  It was actually more comedy than magic and though a bit on the corny side, it was quite amusing for the most part.  Unfortunately for me, I got dragged up on stage as a “volunteer” (sure!) to help the magician with a card trick.  My family enjoyed my embarrassment immensely!

After the show, we browsed through the gift shop which had a selection of souvenirs as well as candy including a wall of bulk M&Ms in 21 different colors! We then entered the exhibit area through the spinning tunnel!  My elderly parents were not able to enter that way, so fortunately, the staff were very helpful and escorted them through another entrance.  There were three floors to explore with the first two being dedicated to a variety of interactive experiences.  We had a lot of fun participating in such wonders as virtual air hockey, attempting to strike out our favorite MLB players, and creating giant bubbles.  We also got to experience simulated hurricanes and earthquakes as well as play virtual basketball and soccer.  The third floor had lazer tag and an arcade.  There was an extra charge for lazer tag, but it was included in another combo ticket that we had decided not to purchase.

Wonderworks is located right next to Pointe Orlando on International Drive.   The operating hours are from 9:00 a.m. to midnight daily.

I have to say that the writing was on the wall! The price undercut all it’s rivals and appeared to good to be true. I booked my August departure flight on the 18th of February 2008. Zoom Airways wanted payment in full. I did not want to loose my 32-night holiday so I reluctantly parted with the full amount. I booked direct flights from London Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale!

I found out not from Zoom, but from a friend of mine that my direct flight was now going via Bermuda, both my out going flight, and my flight home. I rang Zoom Airways and they told me this was indeed correct, and that if I looked at their terms and conditions that they could change the flight. I ask them was it not proper to inform the customer! I accepted their explanation and waited several months before we flew out to Florida on the 3rd of August 2008.

When we arrived at Gatwick airport we were told that our Zoom flight was suffering a seven-hour delay! This was not the start we wanted on our long haul flight across the Atlantic. It cost us a hotel room at Gatwick, and a hotel room at Fort Lauderdale! The staffs at Zoom were very polite and apologetic about the delay, and the flight was excellent!

The airline Zoom went “bust!” a week before we were due to fly back to the UK. I found out via a text message from a friend at work, whose wife is in the airline business that Zoom had ceased trading leaving passengers stranded all over the world.

I did not get official notification from Zoom Airlines until 24-hours later! I had this delay period in order to book a flight home for my family of four.

I paid for my airline tickets by credit card, and hopefully I am covered for a refund. Under section 75 of the Credit Card consumers act if I paid out more than £100 I should get some money back! Watch this space.

 Follow along the 192 and you will see signs to Celebration. There is also a large old fashioned water tower on the corner.

This is a nice town to visit, the houses are very traditional and well-kept though modern, and there are various nice walks around the lakes. There are several good places to eat and admire the view, or just have a coffee and visit some interesting shops.

During the fall, there are hourly “leaves falling”, and at Christmas there is “snowing nightly” on the hour.

WINTERPARK

 A smart northern suburb of Orlando which can be reached by taking the I4 North towards Orlando and exiting at Junction 87, Fairbanks Avenue. Then turn right. Carry on down this road and turn left on to Park Avenue. There are scenic boat trips on the lake here where you will be shown luxury lake-side properties and some wildlife to spot. The boats leave on the hour between 10.00 and 4.00 every day but Christmas. In the summer you would need to take some sun cream , as the boats are open to the elements and it can get extremely hot on the lake. There is a farmers market on Saturday mornings on New England Avenue where there is a good choice of fruit and vegetables, fresh baked goods and good browsing!  

MOUNTDORA

 A pretty lakeshore town set in gently rolling countryside and citrus groves, MountDora is renowned for its Victorian architecture and antique shops and is a good place just to browse.

Take the Orange Blossom Trail / US441north, direction Ocala, to MountDora and follow signs for downtown.

BLUESPRINGSTATE PARK

On the St John’sRiver, a 45 minute drive from Orlando, this is one of the prettiest state parks in central Florida with walking, boating and swimming opportunities. From November to March, the manatees swim to this area as the springs are at a constant 72 degrees. From the boardwalk, there is a birds-eye view of them, and dozens of different fish and turtles as well. Canoes are available and there are boat trips through the state park which point out the many different birds and you often spot alligators basking on the river bank.

Take the I4 East, direction Daytona, to Exit 114. Follow US17-92 for 2 1/2 miles south to OrangeCity. The park is signposted off to the right at the junction with W French Avenue.                  

Seaworld is of course famous for its show that feature Shamu, the killer whale, Shamu is a not a whale that have been taken from it natural environment and placed in a water zoo.  Shamu like all its predecessors have been bred in captivity and trained to perform amazing feats of skill and dexterity.  No matter how many times you see this show you will never tire of the ability of the trainers to educate Shamu to work with and actually learn the routine. He interacts with the audiences and performs amazing tricks that demonstrate just how precise and gentle this mammal can be.   A word of caution, do not sit in the front 10 – 12 rows in the audience, you will get wet, its surprising just how much water a whale can displace.

You would be incorrect to think that Seaworld is only about Shamu, the complete Seaworl d experience is about learning.  As you enter the park you are faced with multiple choices, the option to go to visit the Wild Artic which features the polar bears and see the Beluga Whales, a wonderful white whale. It is an endangered species and this rare chance to see and by a paying a little extra get to Interact with them.  This is a magical experience for adults and children alike and one you will never forget.  Or go to see the sharks as they swim in the vast tanks that makeup Seaworld, see the nursing sharks and many other predators that can found in the Ocean.  During the day you must take time to see Clyde and Seamore, this a show to amuse you and at the same time once again demonstrate the sill of the Seaworld Staff.    One of the must not miss shows is Blue Horizons, a show set to music featuring Dolphins and Birds there is acrobatics and drams to recreate a theatre in Seaworld.

Interact with the Dolphins, feed the Stingrays, see how people react to these wonderful creatures. There are thrill rides as well as the learning experience, journey to Atlantic is guaranteed to set the blood racing and guaranteed to get you going back for more (Not for the faint hearted).  Follow this by a ride on Kraken, a floorless roller coaster ride and then try a ride through the Wild Artic. Although you could say that the Anheuser-Busch stables are not a thrill ride it is a unique experience to Clydesdale Horses at their best and sample some of Americas best beers in the Brewmasters Club.

There is so much to see and do at Seaworld, you can spend days there but don’t forget you can also go to the sister parks which are Discovery Cove and Aquatica.  Discovery cove is where you can swim with the Dolphins whilst Aquatica is a newly completed water park that compares favourably with Watermania and Blizzard Beach.

Take advantage of the tickets where you can go for a day and then go back the next day free, or go to Busch Gardens (near Tampa) for the same price offer.  Whatever you do have a great time and don’t forget to take your time and enjoy this fantastic experience.

The preserve is open to the public 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and the entrance fee is $3 ( paid into an “honesty box” when we visited in the summer), and there is a lot of information available about the 12,000 acre sanctuary, as well as a trail guide leaflet.

The preserve was established in 1992, to restore the land to its original wetland state. It was previously managed for cattle and many of the original species had been lost through cattle grazing, ditching, and logging. The drained wetlands have now been repaired, and the area is now host to more than 300 wildlife species including bald eagles, Florida scrub-jays, sand hill cranes, Sherman’s fox squirrels, eastern indigo snakes, and gopher tortoises. More than 50 different butterfly species have also been spotted here.

The wilderness trail is 2.45 miles long, but you can do a small loop (1.02 miles) or a large loop (2.15 miles). In the middle of summer, the small loop was all we could manage in the heat, but there is a lot to see in the way of wild plant and birdlife.

It is recommended that you carry drinking water, wear a hat and sunscreen, and certainly avoid all contact with poisonous plants and wild animals!

There is a picnic area which overlooks Lake Russell, a shallow undeveloped lake with a wonderful view of Cypress trees and wetlands. Apparently, if you were to take a Kayak north from the lake, up through Reedy Creek, you would end up in Disney World!

We were rather impressed that the Disney Corporation should co-operate with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, the Nature Conservancy and several other public bodies to fund this project - especially as it was not advertised anywhere. We discovered subsequently that the setting up of the conservancy was to offset the wetlands lost as a result of the building of Walt Disney World just up the road, and was part of the conditions set out to allow WDW to be built. Presumably the Aviation authority was part of the co-operation for the same reason. Whatever the reasons, be they altruistic or business-based, it is good to know that the Florida authorities do ensure that natural wetlands, destroyed for building projects, are restored elsewhere.

Orlando International Airport is an easy 20/25 minutes drive away.

Another great draw of Cypress Gardens is that there is a water park within the grounds.  Like the dry side, there were no queues at all.  After spending almost an hour waiting to ride Summit Plummet and the like at Blizzard Beach, climbing the steps and then just getting on the 2 kamikazee slides, and a handful of tube slides (both with and without rings to sit in) was a new experience.  For younger children, there is a great pool area with lots of slides and waterfalls.

For the less energetic, there is a Lazy River and a wave pool.  Lockers are available for rent.

There were dozens of unoccupied sunbeds, but shade was a little more difficult to come by.

With the water park, it’s possible for you to set up a ‘base camp’  and let the kids wander around on their own, safe in the knowledge that they can get to you quickly, should the need arise.

Another attraction of the park is the water ski show.  All the acrobatics you would expect, made to look easy.

I’m not sure if it happens all year round, but when we visited in mid August, they were giving a second day’s entry free.  You just go to customer services and they exchange your ticket for a second one that can be used on any of the next 6 days. 

So, for $40, you get 2 days in a theme park / water park with virtually no queuing.  This however could be the downfall of Cypress Gardens.  They can’t possibly sustain a park with so few visitors.  Is it worth avisit?  If you have bought a set of Disney / Universal tickets, its probably not worth paying out the extra for a park that lacks the style of the Orlando parks.  If you’ve done the other parks to death, and especially if you have younger children who like the more gentle rides, then the 45 minute drive down Highway 27 could be worth a try.  The drive time will be more than made up for in the time you don’t waste queuing, and anyway, for $40 you can’t go that far wrong, especially if you get a second day free!