About the Author
About the Authors Jim and Cynthia Tunstall are the dummies behind this guide. Jim has been an editor and writer for The Tampa Tribune since 1978. Cynthia is a freelance writer and photographer whose work has appeared in Better Homes & Gardens, Elegant Bride, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, among others. Together, they've authored six travel guides, including Frommer's Walt Disney World & Orlando 2001 and Florida for Dummies, which you can find in bookstores in late 2000. The Tunstalls are native Floridians who live in Lecanto, Florida — a radar blip that's 70 miles west of the Magic Mickey. They currently share space with two horses, two dogs, two cats, a parrot, and a lot of cranky wildlife, including a gopher tortoise named Ike.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
The major players in Orlando’s vacation business (no surprise) are its numerous theme parks. You can spend your entire vacation inside these mega-amusement centers without running out of things to do. From Cinderella’s Castle to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, everyone loves the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s original park, but there are also other great things to try inside Walt’s World and around Orlando. Here’s a list of exciting places to visit:
At Epcot, you can travel around the globe in the World Showcase, pump up your adrenaline on such thrill rides as Body Wars and Test Track in Future World, and have a hands-on experience with the interactive games at Innoventions. Disney–MGM Studios is a ton of fun for all ages. Take a plunge down the Tower of Terror, ride the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, and enjoy the spectacle of Fantasmic!, an after-dark mix of live-action, waterworks, and fireworks.
Universal Studios Florida and its sister park, Islands of Adventure, combine cutting-edge, high-tech effects with great creativity. Their not-to-be-missed attractions include Back to the Future, Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time, the Incredible Hulk Coaster, the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, and Dueling Dragons.
With the opening of Journey to Atlantis and Kraken, SeaWorld has made headway in its battle to compete with Disney and Universal. But it’s best to come here for the hands-on encounters with critters and the up-close views of polar bears, killer whales, and other creatures.
SeaWorld’s new sister, Discovery Cove, offers a chance to swim with dolphins (for a premium) as part of a daylong package.
If you’re a night owl, you’ll find it hard to call your trip complete without spending an evening at Church Street Station. Dance halls, old-fashioned saloons, dining rooms, and shopping make this downtown Orlando’s prime place to party the night away
