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!

One of these natural places is De Leon Springs.  Take the Interstate 4 north past Lake Mary then turn to Deltona, this is a quaint old turn of the century small town.  From here you very soon reach De Land and then follow the signs for Post Office.  Not long and you will be entering the Springs, just a small charge for your car, but I think you will find it money well spent.

Follow the road along the winding road until you reach the car park, always good to find a little shade to park under.  Bring a picnic or a BBQ with you as there is plenty to occupy all ages for a day.

Swimming in the constant temperature of the spring is a lovely way to cool down, the water gushes out of the ground at many hundreds of gallons an hour, there are areas where children can swim safely.  There are restroom facilities and changing rooms, all very clean.

If you want a little adventure why not hire a canoe or pedalo and start to explore the Creek on its way to Lake Woodruff, at a low level you really see the natural inhabitants at their best, many birds of different varieties.  We were lucky enough to see an Osprey. If you are not feeling so energetic there is always the passenger boat that will take you down the Creek and show all the interesting plants, birds and animals and not quite so close to nature.

There are several trails that you can walk at your leisure, if you have the energy, but it is well worth the effort because there are some lovely quiet corners where you can stay cool under the trees and linger.

There is a centre where you can see and learn all about the early settlers and their lifestyle, also the history of the springs from the Seminole Indians onwards.

This was a really interesting and relaxing day out.  Not too far to travel but worth the journey.

But there is an alternative. In the UK it is often called ‘crazy golf’, but this doesn’t do justice to the standard of miniature golf courses in Central Florida. There are many, often situated alongside the major roads such as International Drive, or the 192. And, of course, Disney don’t miss out, with several excellent courses of their own. So, why play miniature golf? Most of the courses are floodlit, so they can be played well into the evening, when for most of the year temperatures are ideal for a little gentle exercise. For many, the opportunity to play away from the heat of the daytime sunshine is a real plus.

The courses are themed - Disney, of course, are masters of this, but don’t discount the other courses (talking of ‘discount’, don’t forget to look out for money-off coupons in many of the free tourist magazines). Many people’s idea of miniature golf is ‘hitting a ball through a windmill’ - but that wouldn’t be good enough for Florida! The attention to detail is unbelievable.

And miniature golf is for the whole family. The youngsters can compete with the adults - and maybe even beat them. A game of miniature golf doesn’t take too long - it can fit in with the rest of the day’s activities (perhaps after the evening meal).

Where to play?
New courses are springing up regularly. Disney has 2 miniature golf courses, each with 2 separate 18 hole courses. Once in Walt Disney World, just follow the signs for ‘Fantasia Gardens’ or ‘Winter-Summerland’. Fantasia Gardens is just off Buena Vista Drive, whilst Winter-Summerland is close to the entrance of Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park. Along the 192 there is River Adventure Golf, with a Mississippi theme, Pirate’s Island and Congo River. International Drive offers another Congo River course, Tiki Island golf, Hawaiian Rumble…. This only scratches the surface - but many visitors agree that a game of miniature golf is a great attraction for all the family.

On arrival you will find plenty of car parking and there are picnic tables and barbecues available in a beautiful and shaded area so it is a great place to eat and relax. Changing rooms and restrooms are available and kept nice and clean.

There is a natural spring in the park which reaches 72 degrees and which feeds the lake where you can swim or hire floats. You can also rent a canoe or kayak or else join the cruise for a tour down the creek and across to the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge. We saw plenty of wildlife including alligators, turtles and herons but you can also see deer, otters, ibis, ospreys, eagles and kingfishers. There is a visitor centre which tells you the history of the park. There is a good choice of walking trails, and there is a 4 mile trail to walk through where you can spot various wildlife and is part of the Great Florida Birding trail. There are ancient trees, native birds and Indian burial grounds. The park has a maximum capacity of 1,000 and it has been known to close by 10.00 am at weekends in the summer because it can get really busy.

Somewhere else which is worth a visit is the Old Spanish Sugar Mill Restaurant which provides a luncheon menu and where you can cook your own delicious pancakes. The staff there provide the mix and various fillings, you cook them at your table and then just sit back once they are cooked and enjoy your meal.

An enjoyable day out and nice for a change from the busy parks.

The Candlelight Processional takes place annually in the American Gardens Theatre beginning at the end of November (normally the day after Thanksgiving) and running to the end of December with 3 shows nightly.  There is no extra charge to attend the program as it is included in your Epcot Center admission.

We attended during the week following Christmas.  We waited quite a long time in line and missed the beginning of the program.  I thought we would miss it altogether, but we lucked out when they opened up a reserved seating section in the front that had not been filled and we were fortunate enough to be ushered in to these excellent seats!  Every year, there is a very impressive line-up of celebrity narrators scheduled for the duration of the season.  We were lucky enough to be there to see Levar Burton who did a fantastic job!  He read with such passion as the choir and orchestra punctuated his oral presentation with an outstanding performance of all the Christmas favorites.  We all found the experience to be deeply moving and would recommend this to everyone!

Little did we know, but the best way to enjoy the Candlelight Processional (and be assured of the seating that we just happened to be lucky enough to get!) is with the purchase of the Dinner Package.  Along with dinner at a select Epcot restaurant, preferred seating for the show is included.   This package guarantees you good seating (front and center) without waiting in line.  Participating restaurants include:

Biergarten - Germany Pavilion

The Garden Grill Restaurant - The Land Nine Dragons - China Pavilion

Rose & Crown - United Kingdom Pavilion

Restaurant Marrakesh - Morocco Pavilion

San Angel Inn - Mexico PavilionChefs de France - France Pavilion

Coral Reef - The Living Seas

L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante - Italy Pavilion

Le Cellier Steakhouse - Canada Pavilion

Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki Dining Room - Japan Pavilion

You must eat prior to your show of choice and for those who prefer an early meal, lunch pricing is available with tickets to the first performance at 5:00 pm.

The Turnpike is in two distinct sections.  The mainline runs from the Golden Glades Interchange north of Miami to Wildwood, and is officially assigned the State Road 91(SR91).  The southern extension, built in 1974, is known as the HEFT (Homestead Extension of Florida’s Turnpike), runs around the north and west sides of the Miami area and ends at Florida City (nr Homestead), and is officially assigned the State Road 821 (SR821). 

The HEFT has tolls every 12 miles, while the rest of the Turnpike has tolls every 45 miles on average.

All motorists entering the Florida Turnpike between Three Lakes in Osceola County and Lantana in Palm Beach County receive an electronic toll card, which show the point of origin and time they travelled through the lane.  The northern and southern sections of Florida’s Turnpike employ the coin system of toll collection.

These toll cards are not a SunPass and do not allow you to travel through the SunPass lanes. 

The toll card shows all the exit/milepost markers down to Lantana where the toll card is submitted for payment, as well as the milepost marker of the service plazas.

There are eight service plazas on Florida’s Turnpike, spaced about 45 miles apart, and all are open 24 hours a day and offer fast food, gift shops, ATMs, public telephones, internet access, travel information, attraction tickets, picnic areas and men’s and women’s restrooms both with changing tables.

ServicePlaza Locations

Milepost                                               Food Outlet

299 Sumter County:                              Starbucks, Popeyes, Dunkin Donuts

263 Orange County:                             Starbucks, Burger King, Sbarro’s

229 Osceola County:                            Starbucks, Burger King, Popeyes, Cinnabon

184 Okeechobee County:                     Starbucks, Burger King, Nathan’s, Miami Subs, Arthur Treacher’s,

                                                            Freshens Frozen Treats

144 St Lucie County:                            Starbucks, Burger King, Cinnabon, Sbarro’s, Freshens Frozen Treats

94 Palm Beach County:                        Starbucks, Burger King, Nathan’s, Miami Subs, Arthur Treacher’s,

Freshens Frozen Treats

65 Broward County:                             Starbucks, Popeyes, Sbarro’s

19 Dade County:                                  Burger King and a convenience store