Orlando Adventure Guide: The Need For Speed

(COURTESY ANDRETTI INDOOR KARTING & GAMES)

The Need for Speed

Get behind the wheel of one of the powerful electric go karts at Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, and unleash your inner race car driver on the world’s longest indoor track, complete with multiple changes in elevation and banked turns. You’ll go through 10 minutes of safety training before you can don your head sock and helmet to tackle the track. Durable barriers help keep you safe as your kart zips along at speeds up to 35 mph. A multilevel track incorporates 25 feet of varied elevations plus a view of Universal Boulevard. A fast-road track offers plenty of elevation changes with banked turns and long straightaways. Kids have their own course and are able to maneuver their karts handily as they travel up to 15 mph. Prices are $24.95 per race for adults, $14.95 and up for kids 7 and older, and $9.95 and up for kids 4 to 6. Memberships and multiple-race rates are available. andrettikarting.com
—CH

(COURTESY BOGGY CREEK AIRBOAT ADVENTURES)

AirBoat Adventure

Enjoy close encounters of the wild kind—we’re talking alligators, turtles, birds, snakes and other native species—while airboating at up to 45 mph over the headwaters of the Everglades in Kissimmee. Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures’ captains give you a firsthand look at Florida’s unspoiled wild side on U.S. Coast Guard-inspected boats, which accommodate up to 17 passengers. You’ll zoom through grassy wetlands on Lake Tohopekaliga and see wildlife in its natural habitat. Each tour is unique, and ranges from 30 minutes to an hour. Private, sunset and nighttime tours, which allow you to see nocturnal hunters in action, are available. Just remember to keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times. Prices begin at $30 per adult, $25 per child for ages 3 to 10. All-inclusive packages with an airboat tour, lunch and park admission (including a visit to a Native American village and a gem mine) begin at $44.88 per adult, $34.29 per child. bcairboats.com
—CH

(COURTESY SEAWORLD)

Dive In and Explore

Discovery Cove is an all-inclusive day resort where you and your family can enjoy a one-of-a-kind opportunity to swim with dolphins, snorkel with thousands of tropical fish and rays, hand-feed exotic birds and unwind on pristine beaches. With no lines throughout the park, you can plan your adventure at your own pace. What’s included with admission? Unlimited food and beverages, along with snorkels, masks, sunscreen, wetsuits and vests, towels, lockers and much more. You are free to explore and discover on your own, but the resort is well-staffed should you need a recommendation or assistance. The Grand Reef, Discovery Cove’s saltwater, coral-reef habitat, is a must-see. It’s home to colorful, tropical fish and giant velvety rays swimming among the hidden grottos. There’s even a place to safely view sharks as you swim. The water is chilly (about 76 degrees Farenheit), but the wetsuits and vests provided will keep you warm. Prices vary, but Florida residents receive 20 percent off year-round. discoverycove.com
—CW

(COURTESY CATBOAT ESCAPES)

Purring along the Water

Imagine it’s another beautiful day in Florida and for two hours it’s just you, your favorite fellow adventurer, a cooler of sodas and snacks and nature as far as you can see. Welcome to your two-passenger catboat, which takes you across the Clermont Chain of Lakes at speeds reaching 25 mph. Think Jungle Cruise minus the headhunters and gorillas. But you will still see wildlife—bald eagles, roseate spoonbills, sandhill cranes and blue herons—set against an unspoiled Old Florida backdrop. You can explore Lake Minnehaha, the Crooked River and Lake Louisa, surrounded by cypress trees heavy with Spanish moss. Anyone 18 and older can drive a catboat. They are easy to operate, and your tour guide will ensure no one gets lost. Riders must be 10 or older and must weigh less than 250 pounds. Beach attire is recommended because you’re likely to get wet. No alcohol is permitted. Average cost is $99 per adult, $69 per child. catboatescapes.com
—CH