Walking Tour
The "ginormous" Gaylord Hotel has a 4.5-acre glass-enclosed atrium with three distinctive regions modeled after the Florida Keys, Saint Augustine and the Everglades. The Saint Augustine Atrium has a real sailboat anchored in the lagoon, which houses one of the hotel's restaurants. The Saint Augustine atrium is a neat place to window-shop for high-end souvenirs and gifts. The Everglades atrium has a display of real alligators, mist rising from the reeds, the sound of water birds and a live interpretive show every day at feeding time. Fashioned after an old Florida plantation mansion, the Gaylord offers a unique environment for strolling through Florida's distinctive cities, just 1.5 miles from the gate of Disney World.
Gaylord Palms Resort
6000 W Osceola Parkway
Orlando, Flordia 34746
(407) 586-2000
www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-palms/
Free Bike Trails
Disney resorts on Lake Buena Vista have a network of bicycle trails that run on paved pathways through lakeside areas, grassy parks and shopping centers. A bike rental shop is located at The Buena Vista Palace Hotel and Spa. If you're staying at any of the Disney Resorts, use free Disney transportation to get to the bike rental facility.
Buena Vista Palace Resort & Spa
1900 Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
(407) 827-2727
www.buenavistapalace.com
Free Slips
Bring your boat to Lake Jesup, and get a free guest slip at the Black Hammock Marina. According to Black Hammock Adventures, it's the most gator-populated lake in Central Washington. Black Hammock offers camping and has a restaurant on premises with fresh alligator and catfish, as well as more traditional southern fare and seafood. If you plan on fishing the 10,000-acre Lake Jesup, be prepared for black crappie, largemouth bass and bream.
Black Hammock Adventures
2356 Black Hammock Fish Camp Road
Oviedo, Florida 32765
(407) 977-8235
www.theblackhammock.com
Article Written By Lisa Russell
Lisa Russell has been a freelance writer since 1998. She's been published in "Rethinking Everything Magazine," "Playdate" and "Home Educator's Family Times." She has a professional background in education, cosmetology and the restaurant industry. Russell studied early childhood education at Antelope Valley College, and is pursuing a degree in law.
