Governor Charlie Crist has proclaimed July as Parks and Recreation Month in Florida. To celebrate, they are offering a calendar with 31 fun outdoor activities. From scalloping and birding to an ol’ fashioned picnic at The Barnacle Historic State Park in Coconut Grove, there are lots of activities to keep you and your family and friends busy.

Take special note of the FREE day at Florida state parks. Saturday, July 17 will be free entry to all state parks, except the Skyway Fishing Pier. Canoe rentals, camping and other activities will be normal price.

Swim at the beach, snorkel in a crystal-clear freshwater spring, tube a lazy river, splash in the pool at Hillsborough River or slide into Weeki Wachee Springs at Buccaneer Bay. Hike. Bike. Sit under a shade tree. All are fun, cool and perfect for a hot summer’s day. Just go outside.

Southwest Airlines has honored the State of Florida with the unveiling of Florida One, a Boeing 737 emblazoned with an artist’s rendering of the state flag. Southwest Airlines’ top Leadership celebrated the high-flying tribute to the State of Florida.

“We are thrilled to honor Florida with this beautiful aircraft; it is truly a demonstration of our dedication to Florida and a tribute to our more than 2,500 hard-working Florida Employees,” said Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and CEO Gary Kelly. “Our pride for Florida will fly high over the 68 cities Southwest serves.”

Since beginning service to Florida in January of 1996, Southwest Airlines has grown from 17 daily nonstop departures to 284 daily nonstop departures. Southwest now carries 20 percent of all air traffic to the state of Florida. Southwest Airlines began service to the new Panama City Airport and its seventh Florida city, Panama City Beach, on May 23, 2010.

More than 200 Southwest Airlines Employees and community leaders celebrated the unveiling today at Tampa Airport. Following the unveiling event in Tampa, the aircraft began a tour of the airline’s Florida cities. At each stop, the airline will host a celebratory event in the Southwest gate area to display the aircraft to Employees and Customers.

“Florida is proud to have such a strong Southwest Airlines presence in Florida,” said Governor Charlie Crist. “Not only is Southwest employing thousands of talented Floridians, but is also making Florida more easily accessible and affordable for visitors. I am grateful for their continued commitment to Florida.”

Florida One joins thirteen other 737s in Southwest’s fleet that carry a unique paint scheme: Arizona One, California One, Illinois One, Lone Star One, Nevada One, New Mexico One, Maryland One, three Shamu aircraft, Silver One, Triple Crown One, and Slam Dunk One.

The newest aircraft in the Southwest Airlines fleet is truly a work of labor and art, requiring 32 people at the Boeing Company working three shifts over the course of eight days to paint. More than 46 gallons of paint and 16 different colors make up Florida One.

Southwest Airlines serves six airports in Florida, soon to be seven, and the airline is the largest intra-state carrier in Florida, carrying 46 percent of all intra-Florida airline traffic.

Orlando, FL – World-renowned frozen drink fun spot, Fat Tuesday, debuts at Universal CityWalk, offering guests a party atmosphere along with some of the coolest concoctions east of the Mississippi. Channeling the high-energy, eclectic spirit of Bourbon Street, where the original concept began more than twenty years ago, this popular venue offers a wide variety of colorful frozen daiquiri drinks.

Situated on the upper level between Pat O’Brien’s and the groove, Fat Tuesday guests can enjoy unique concoctions and combinations like the venue’s signature cocktail, the “190 Octane,” known for its orange punch, and “Peachy Senorita,” made with peach nectars and purees, as well as frozen favorites, such as creamy pina coladas and strawberry daiquiris.

“Fat Tuesday’s brings the exciting, dynamic sprit of New Orleans straight to Universal Citywalk,” said Ric Florell, senior vice president and general manager of resort revenue operations and Orlando Attractions. “It adds an entirely new level of fun for our nighttime entertainment guests.”

Fat Tuesday joins a powerful lineup of national brand offerings at CityWalk, including Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Co, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville and Hard Rock Café. This new addition began in 1984 and is a sister concept of New Orleans Original Daiquiris. Fat Tuesday’s popularity has led to more than 20 locations in nine states with stores in cities, including Key West, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Myrtle Beach, Las Vegas and Miami. Universal CityWalk’s location is the only one in Orlando.

When I was 16, it was June and we had just moved to Florida. I was so excited I could picture that golden tan I was going to get. I remember distinctly my father’s words as we headed off to the beach with our towels and radio in search of the perfect tan. “Be careful this Florida sun is stronger than you’re used to, you need to have something on with at least an SPF Sunscreen of 15 at all times, 30 is better but I’ll be realistic, and reapply it often.” We rolled our eyes as we left but took the bottle he held out to us. Guess what; it turns out he was right. The first time I was ever consciously aware of the heat from the Florida sun was years later. Fast forward to ten summers; I was on a plane heading home to Central Florida from New York, sitting in a window seat with my arm resting on the window ‘sill’. I was wondering how much longer to Orlando when the pilot came on telling us to look out the window to see Cape Canaveral, it was also at that moment I noticed that my arm, still on the sill, had gotten considerably warmer. The truth is that much of Florida’s climate is considered sub tropic so the sun is stronger here than the rest of most of America.

Here are some of the best tips to remember when headed to the beach this summer:

First of all follow a doctors advice – Use Sunscreen. They have everything from SPF 2 to SPF 60 but what does SPF mean and what does it do? SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and is calculate in minutes – the number of minutes it takes unprotected skin to turn red compared to protected skin. You get 10 minutes for every number meaning an SPF of 2 gives you twenty minutes of protection in the sun before fair skin starts to turn red, if you have darker skin it varies.

Always make sure children are well covered, they have sunscreens made specifically for kids that now come in convenient sprays so you can get it on them quick and let their squirming bodies go play in the sand. For the rest of us protection still comes in lotions, oils and gels, there are even lighter versions for your face and ones that protect your skin from the UV rays too. When applying sun protection let common sense rule, reapply it after you’ve been swimming or if you’ve been sweating, like after playing volleyball. When you start to feel your skin getting hot cover up or it may even be time to go in. A good hat will also keep the sun off your face.

Another wonderful shade provider can be Umbrellas. They are popping up more and more on the beaches these days, they come in all shapes and sizes and are very useful in keeping the sun off of you. They are great for families with small children and for people who like being on the beach but don’t want to get much, if any sun.

Beach chairs are also making a comeback, again in all shapes and sizes, some come with carrying cases and umbrellas attached, you can even get ones with cup holders and foot rests if you’d like to really stretch out without being in the sand. They have short ones that sit right in the surf sand and ones that are taller and better in the looser sand more up shore.

Many of the best Florida beaches have lifeguards on duty, if you have small children with you it is recommended that you take advantage of this service and frequent these beaches. Lifeguards stations are dotted along the beaches and easy to spot because a lot of them are brightly colored. Lifeguards are trained in CPR, basic first ad and normally have a direct line to police and emergency services. What if you go to a beach that doesn’t have a lifeguard and find yourself in an emergency situation? Fortunately in this day and age there are people with cell phones everywhere but you should always carry some small first aid kit with you or at least in your car and know where the nearest help is located.

Two of the most common emergencies on our beaches seem to be jellyfish stings and rip currents. You can tell when you’ve been stung by a jellyfish because the affected area will start to burn or will become itchy, it can turn red and may swell up or get bumpy. Seeking medical evaluation is preferable depending on the severity of the sting but if none is readily available there are things you can do. First of all remove all tentacles that you can see but be sure to protect yourself from getting stung while doing this, also don’t rinse the area with fresh water, this may release more toxins and cause a further reaction on the area, use salt water or don’t rinse at all. White vinegar will help decrease symptoms too, it is also recommended that the person be given either acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain, barring any allergies, always be sure to ask about allergies. Immobilize the area to keep the toxin from spreading and keep the person as still as possible. Have them sit or lie down until help arrives or help them to a waiting car for transport to further medical care.

Rip currents are, unfortunately, somewhat common in this area. Rip currents, simply defined are areas of water rushing back out to sea from the shore and are especially prevalent on windy days. The best way to free yourself from a rip current is to swim parallel to the shore. The worst thing you can do should you find yourself trapped in a rip current is panic, this uses up your breath and can cause you to drown. Remain calm and, if there is one near, try to get the attention of a lifeguard. If there is no lifeguard near swim along the shore until you feel the pull is gone, keeping in mind you can escape so try not to panic.

Ever go to a beach and see one of those little colored flags flying? Hopefully you have. These flags are meant to be a way for swimmers to know what, if anything, is going on in the water so even if you go to Florida beaches that doesn’t have a lifeguard you can still be safe in the water. Here are the colors commonly used and what they generally mean:

Green – Conditions are favorable for swimming, low hazard
Yellow – Medium Hazard
Red – High Hazard
Purple – Marine pests present
Red Over Red – DANGER. Water closed to public use

When you get to the beach, if there is a hazard flag flying and a lifeguard nearby, you can ask for more details.

So go, enjoy beach, and be safe out there.

When I think of Daytona Beach several things come to mind. I remember hanging out on the beach during the day getting ‘the perfect tan’ then going back to the room to freshen up, out to dinner and then clubbing all night. I really enjoyed meeting all the people from all over the country there to party and have a good time.

Auto Racing

Speed Week happens and other popular races such as the Rolex 24 hour race and the Daytona 500 are run at the Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR was born from stock car racing which was born from boot legging in the Appalachians during prohibition. Bootleggers, as they were called, needed fast car to outrun the cops as they made their deliveries, many drivers did their own modification to their cars to increase the cars speed and handling. It all started back in 1947 when a gentleman named William France Sr. and some friends founded a small organization they called NASCAR.

When prohibition ended in 1933 the need for bootleggers dried up but some of these guys came to love the speed and excitement of driving down twisty mountain roads. They continued to work on and improve their cars and by the late 1940’s the races for bragging rights and money began. These races were held mostly in rural North Carolina run using modified street cars.

There are also several truck races and events that take place during the week but theses are the main racing events. Then at week after the qualifying events the Daytona 500 is run. The Daytona 500 is run for 200 laps, 500 miles on the two and a half a mile long track of the Daytona International Speedway and it’s considered the biggest, richest and most prestigious race of the NASCAR series. Touted as “The Great American Race” families save of all year and make the week their traditional family vacation. I’ve been to the infield after Speed Week and have been amazed by all the things left behind, arm chairs, sofas and all sorts of other things, it’s an awesome sight.

Bike Week

Many of the bars of Daytona Beach are on the Main Street strip. One of the draws to Daytona Beach is Bike Week 2010, held in February and March. Bikers from all over the country and world converge on Daytona Beach for a few days of booze, bikes and babes. The Hogs Breath, Dirty Harry’s, Froggy’s and the Boot Hill Saloon, the Bank and Blues club; these are just a few of the names you’ll see. If you go to any one of these places during Bike Week or Biktoberfest you’ll find a party going on, wet t-shirt contests, live music, drink specials, food, fun and some fabulous bikes, its well worth the trip.

Daytona Beach

The Main Street pier is reminiscent of the Coney Island style pier, all our friends from the North East can appreciate. They have several restaurants with fare including ‘by the slice pizza’ hot dogs, corn dogs, cotton candy, popcorn, you know, all the junk food one would associate with a good time. They have a midway will all the games and prizes you’d imagine plus some hair raising thrill rides like the big swing where you go up some hundred feet then they drop you to swing up and out, it’s quite breath taking. You can also fish off the pier so it makes for a great family day. Up at the other end of Main Street there’s a different kind of fun to be had.

Drive on the Beach

One of my favorite things about being on the beach at Daytona is the fact that you can drive on some of the beaches there, you have to be respectful of the dunes so they have where you can and can’t drive clearly marked. They also have beach patrols there in case of an emergency so don’t be afraid to suntan there it’s not like you’ll be run over form all the cars. Every year they have runs for charity and good causes on the beach, one I know of is around the Easter holiday every year it’s appropriately called the Easter Beach Run. It runs right by the Main Street Pier which is a great place to spend the day.

There is so much to do all year long in Daytona Beach I guess that’s why I called it one of my favorite cities in this big state, oh and on your way out of town if it’s the weekend and you’re headed to I-95 go under the over pass and on your left there is a great little flea market called the Daytona Flea and Farmers Market. Actually it’s rather a large flea market and voted by USA Weekend one of the top 5 markets in the country not a bad way to spend a few hours.

Lake Buena Vista, FL – Over the River & Through the Woods! To grandfather’s house we go; The horse knows the way, To carry the sleigh, Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!

The same seasonal magic that brings “snow” flurries to central Florida during Disney Parks holiday events now gives guests the opportunity to experience a horse-drawn “sleigh” ride during Christmas in Florida. And where? Over the river and through the woods, of course!

This year, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground at Walt Disney World in Florida is offering sleigh rides through the secluded beauty of the 700-acre backwoods resort. From Nov. 29-Dec. 30, 2009, four adults – or two adults and three small children – can climb into a shiny, fire engine-red sleigh, decked out with garland and twinkling holiday lights, and take a relaxing, 25-minute sojourn into the lush forest.

And while the resort’s woodland paths may not be blanketed with drifts of driven snow to glide through, the magic-makers at the resort’s Tri-Circle-D Ranch utilize sleighs equipped with tires to insure a smooth sleigh ride behind one of the ranch’s gentle steeds.

Cost is $60 per sleigh. Children ages 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Sleighs depart from the Blacksmith’s Shop near the Settlement area inside Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. Guests driving to the resort can park at the entrance of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground and board a Disney motorcoach to be transported to the Settlement area. For reservations and more information, guests can call 407/WDW-PLAY.

The New Year’s Eve at Disney World will include nine parade performances – including one on water – topped off with five fireworks extravaganzas. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Live performances by in-park band “Mulch, Sweat and Shears,” back-to-back with a DJ at Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat and much more. Disney always throws one of the best Florida New Year’s Parties and this year is no exception. Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be a great way for the kids to celebrate New Year’s eve with a 3:45 pm parade named “Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade”. The Animal Kingdom will be open 9 am – 7 pm New Year’s Eve.

Some in the Florida legislature are proposing oil exploration and drilling within 10 miles of the Florida coastline. According to Environment Florida:

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita destroyed over 100 drilling rigs and platforms and over 450 pipelines. The Minerals Management Service estimated almost one million gallons spilled during the hurricane from offshore facilities; the Coast Guard documented an estimated nine million gallons from onshore and offshore oil facilities were spilled.

Based on the experience of other Gulf drilling operations, small spills, like the 500 gallon spill off a Louisiana rig a few years ago, would be common. A catastrophic spill, one that could close down coastal tourism for weeks or months, is a real possibility.

Florida’s tourism economy is dependent on clean Florida beaches. We should not allow shorted sighted politicians to jeopardize our beaches.

Key West, Florida Keys - The 24th anniversary of shipwreck salvor Mel Fisher’s discovery of the sunken Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha is to be commemorated Thursday through Sunday, July 16-19, during Mel Fisher Days on the island the late salvor called home.

Fisher and his crew uncovered a $400 million cache of Atocha treasure and artifacts on July 20, 1985, after a 16-year search. The galleon sank approximately 35 miles southwest of Key West during a 1622 hurricane.

Fisher’s son Kim Fisher and grandson Sean Fisher lead the continuing search for Atocha artifacts and treasures remaining on the ocean floor. Each year, Fisher family members and friends present the festival.

Mel Fisher Days activities are to benefit Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, 200 Greene St. Key West, where objects from the Atocha and other shipwrecks are conserved, studied and displayed. Museum visitors can view items including gold and silver bars and coins, cannons and smaller weapons, rare navigational instruments, ornate jewelry and even a 77.7-carat emerald.

Festival events are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 16, at the Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St. in Key West’s Historic Seaport.

The evening’s highlight is the presentation of the Mel Fisher Lifetime Achievement Award, to be granted posthumously to Deo Fisher, Mel’s wife and partner in adventure, who died in January 2009. A video tribute is planned to honor her.

Other attractions at the Schooner Wharf kickoff include games, contests, live entertainment, raffles and more than $4,000 in authentic treasure prizes.

At 5 p.m. Friday, an exuberant parade on Key West’s Duval Street is to celebrate the Atocha saga. A “hard times pub crawl,” recalling Fisher’s financial woes before the shipwreck find, is to start at Rick’s Bar, 208 Duval St.

Saturday, July 18, those possessing Mel’s optimistic spirit can try their luck at a Midnight Gambler Poker Tournament set for 8:15 p.m. to 2 a.m. aboard Sunset Watersports’ Party Cat catamaran.

The festival culminates in a reunion of the “golden crew” that searched for the Atocha with Fisher. The reunion and pool party are scheduled 1-3 p.m. Sunday, July 19, the day before the anniversary of the historic discovery, at Dante’s Key West, 951 Caroline St.

For more information, visit www.melfisher.com or call Sharon Wiley at (305) 296-6534.

Located in Okalossa County, Florida, Fort Walton Beach is a fishing and beach resort phenomenon. Named one of the Top 100 places to live, it is also teeming with visitors all spring break and summer long. Fort Walton Beach has 24 miles of powder soft beaches to walk upon while you enjoy things such as the sun set, fishing, swimming in the ocean or catching some waves. Families can enjoy one of the beachside parks and the elders can hit up one of the many golf courses for an 18 hole game. There’s so much to do, and what there is to do is only limited by your imagination, so follow me as I describe to you some of the places you can enjoy and leave your mind to wonder.

Your vacation destination is here, or perhaps it’s a place you’d like to live? Once you visit, you won’t want to leave! Let’s start off with the beaches, and as I mentioned before, there are 24 miles of beach stretching east to west. Rated the one of the Top 10 safest beaches in the Country, this beach allows jogging, swimming, sand castle building, tanning, fishing, wind and kite surfing as well as board surfing. It’s the perfect place to kick back and get some rays while the sun is setting on the west coast. Along the beaches, there are four renovated beach front parks and six mini parks, all including showers, benches, bathrooms and ADA accessibility.

It’s time to get some food, as you will need energy to continue to enjoy these extensive activities. The best place you can head for the most variety is the Wayside County Park, also know as, The Boardwalk. Facilities at the Boardwalk sit on the largest stretch of public beach in the area. It includes a 400-seat seafood restaurant, a two-level beach club, a dueling piano night club, a children’s playground, beach volleyball, 3 beach accesses with showers, 6 public pavilions, picnic tables and public restrooms. Two places to eat that will catch your eye are The Black Pearl and The Crab Trap, both specializing in sea food, but also offering a variety of steaks, burgers, salads and sandwiches. In the mood for Japanese style sea food and steaks? Then head a bit more towards the mainland to Okinawa Japanese Steak and Seafood House for the best in shrimp, steak, chicken and scallops, all under the roof of this Four Star establishment! How about some French-Italian-Thai style meals? Then stay beach-side for Mulhollow’s Bistro 215, where the name “fusion cuisine” comes into play with a wide assorted menu to please all three tastes; tastes such as seafood on sandwiches, seafood on salads, seafood sauteed and blackened, Thai and Italian style pastas, as well as throwing a grilled to perfection steak on almost anything that you can think of as well.

Well if you don’t want to wine and dine, how about catching your own dinner? Besides the fabulous Panhandle beaches, there is a little, or should I say, rather long secret I should tell you about. If you’re on the beach, you shouldn’t miss it. It’s the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier, and “Large fish are what we’re famous for”, say the local fishermen. The pier originally opened in 1972, at a grand total length of 962 that stretched out into the Gulf of Mexico; however, it was rebuilt and reopened in 1998, with a new length of 1262 feet. This new length allows for a chance at catching even larger fish that prefer the deeper water farther off shore. The size and number of fish caught here compete with and have even beaten fish caught off shore in boats around the same area. Here’s the deal about this place: you don’t have to bring a thing with you! So if you’re on vacation and didn’t bring the rod and reel or a bucket for bait, you can rent them all here for $7-8 depending on the size of the fishing rod. But if fishing isn’t your thing, then perhaps site seeing is. Head out to the end of the pier to see 8 miles of ocean, east, west and south for 180 degrees in all three directions. Come watch Dolphins jump; see fishermen catch tarpon weighing over 100 pounds, as well as tuna, king mackerel, cobia, and dolphin. Watch in awe pelicans and seagulls beg for food or steal a fisherman’s catch; spot the boats floating around or see surfers from the back as they catch monster waves off of the beach. If that fisherman’s catch begins to look good enough to eat raw because you’re starving, then don’t worry, there are plenty of snacks and drinks all located on the pier.

Our last stop will be for the nightlife. Stick around the beach for an awesome night at The Swamp, featuring live music from local and nationally recognized bands like Hoobastank, Trapt, Salavia, Fuel, Cracker and Papa Roach. An enormous dance floor makes it an endless night as the live DJ’s place dance, trance, techno, pop, hip-hop and R&B. Drink it up and dance it down, for what a better way to end the night here at Fort Walton Beach, than to dance it all away.

Summer is coming, and the family is getting anxious to get out and about. Well there is not a better time to head down to Orlando, Florida, for some fun in the sun. Orlando is the epicenter for fun, entertainment, theme parks, and the home of Disney! So, when it’s this time of year, the air is very warm and the sun is hot, so you need a place to cool off; what you’re thinking about is a water park! Central Florida has many themed water parks, such as the well known Wet N’ Wild, the two Disney parks of Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, and the famous SeaWorld’s new, Aquatica Waterpark in Orlando, which opened in April of 2008. But if you’re not looking for an entire water park to spend the entire day at, then there is also a Water Resort, ran by Nickelodeon, adeptly named the Nickelodeon Family Suites. Whither you’re a veteran of the Orlando area, the Orlando water parks themselves, or a newbie to the entire shebang, you’re in for a Wet N’ Wild ride, literally!

This brings us to our first stop: Wet ‘N Wild. It is Orlando’s oldest standing Water Park, which is now owned by Universal Studios, with its claims to “Orlando’s most exciting Water Park” and a “must see Water Park”. I must say, from my personal experience, this park is best experienced with a large group of people, but is still enjoyable with family or even just a few friends. Take a trip down one of 10 Trill Rides, or relax on the lazy river. There is also a wake pool, which is designed to recreate the look and feel of a real beach surrounded by rocks. Located all around the park, you will find friendly staff who will supply your every need, such as food, beverage, directions, map orientation, and life guard support. Yes, this place is filled with life guards to assure you of your safety in the event you fall in the water unconscious or get in over your head in places like the Wake Pool. Other attractions, which are the thrill rides mentioned above, include: Brain Wash, a 2-4 person tube ride that vertically drops 53 feet, The Black Hole, which is a 2 person tube that drops through twist and turns in pitch blackness, The Storm, a cyclone style single person drop into fast moving water, and The Blast, which takes you down a ruptured pipeline where water pressure is exploding. Chill out on the Lazy River, where little to no effort is required to enjoy the cool and refreshing water and trees that surround it. Are you a surfer dude? Doesn’t matter; you can ride the waves with your body or simply jump over or under them at the Wake Pool.

Our second stop is a relatively new park, brought to us by the Dolphins at SeaWorld! No, the Dolphins didn’t design it, but it was engineered to their liking, as will it be to yours. Opened in April of 2008, this park has been jam packed with guest since the doors were ajar. Filled with over 10 different thrill rides, a double sided wake pool, two food grills and a Kiddy Play area, it speaks major competition for the original Wet N’ Wild goers. I have to say something about the Wake Pool; which is, did I mention it had two sides? Yes, that’s right, two contrasting wake pools that have different styles of waves. At Cutback Cove, the waves are fierce with high tension for instant action. Over on the other side at Big Surf Shores, the waves are random and can be large or small for a more surprising feel. When I said the Dolphins did not design the park, I was excluding Dolphin Plunge. The ride has two side-by-side tubes that drop down into and below the water; water that is inhabited by the Dolphins, whom love to swim around beside you as you race by. Go down Roa’s Rapids for a white water experience or Whanau Way for a quadruple slide tower race. This is a place even Orlando veterans will probably have missed out on in the past and must not be missed now, so go visit!

Now, a park that can be considered both a theme park and a water park is the famous SeaWorld. Creator of the new Aquatica, SeaWorld has long been Orlando’s home for aquatic and polar animals. From Shamu’s Believe show to Journey to Atlantis, you’re bound to get soaked! This isn’t you’re typical water park, but it is right around the corner from Aquatica and of course is in Orlando. I’d recommend it for the whole family, as there are more than just a few chances to get wet. You can watch Shamu do insane tricks with their trainers or dance to rock music, walk beneath the swimming sharks over at Shark Encounter, swim with the Dolphins, or ride the under water monster of a roller coaster, the Kraken! But as I said before, it’s not your typical swimming style of a water park. But at Florida Water Parks there are plenty of chances to get wet and have a ton of fun even staying dry.

No trip to Orlando, Florida, is complete with out a visit to Disney. Knowing this fact, Disney created many different amusement parks of all sorts in order to serve every need and desire, which includes, but is not limited to, two Water Parks. The first of the two is Typhoon Lagoon; this park is made up of fast water slides, tubular rides, water falls, and includes a surf pool that launches out 6 foot waves.