subject: Off The Disney Path [print this page] Some people go on vacations to major resort towns like Orlando precisely because there are already guaranteed activities for them to do. Parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios are world-famous for offering something for the entire family. But if you're the type who thrives on the discovery of new and odd things, here are a few activities in Orlando that are definitely off the beaten path.
Sadly, The Doors Do Not Burp When Closed Properly
The Tupperware corporation was founded in 1946 in Orlando. With an innovative direct marketing approach, the brand provided post-WWII women with opportunities to have their own home business; the plastic storage containers became famous through 'Tupperware parties' hosted in homes across the country. You can visit the Tupperware Brands Confidence Center, located in South Orlando, to celebrate Tupperware's influence on the American home and learn more about its history and legacy. A new set of containers is a must-have from the new Confidence Center Store!
Take an Airboat Ride
Some people wait their entire lives to commandeer an airboat. Others may be unsure of what one is, or just how much fun it can be! Airboats, with their gigantic fans, may seem like a bizarre mode of transportation, however, they're one of the best ways to cross a swamp or marshland, where a submerged-propeller vessel would be impractical or dangerous. Airboats are flat-bottomed and have no below-water moving parts, so they are able to go into very shallow areas and even travel over frozen lakes. There are many companies which offer day trips of the local marshes; guided by your airboat operator, you'll have a chance to glimpse alligators, herons, eagles, and other animals in their natural habitat, and see Florida's wild side.
Full of Hot Air
Do you look up at hot air balloons and sigh with longing? Do you have the urge to gently float above the Earth and see all there is to see? Do you have a nagging feeling that Disney World is shaped like Mickey Mouse, but need an aerial vantage point in order to prove it? A hot air balloon ride is the answer to all of these dilemmas and more. There are countless balloon companies who can launch from all over the Orlando area, and will take you on a lovely day's ride high in the skies, complete with champagne lunches and chatting with unsuspecting bystanders. Book a romantic getaway, bring your best camera, or just enjoy the feeling of escaping the laws of gravity for a few hours.
A Trip to Sink Your Teeth Into
Most people consider alligators something to avoid. However, there's no denying that gators and crocodiles are fascinating, because they seem like refugees from another period in time. Wandering out into the Florida swamp lands is a bad way to see some alligators; instead, try a visit to Gatorland in Orlando. This 110-acre park is home to thousands of crocodiles and gators, including several leucistic specimens whose skin is creamy white instead of brownish green. You can watch a professional wrestle a reptile in the park, zip line over an alligator pool, or just explore the petting zoo.
