On the Town - Orlando
On the Town Orlando
© JAMES LEMASS/PHOTOLIBRARY
THE HIGH LIFE
SIGHTSEEING IN ORLANDO BECOMES A SERENE EXPERIENCE WHEN DONE BY AIR. BY JILLIANNE PIERCE
WALLABY RANCH HANG GLIDING FLIGHT PARK
During the peaceful Tandem Discovery Flight, a small airplane tows you and an instructor up 2,000 feet before you are released to enjoy a gentle, gradual descent. As you soar above the scenery, you’ll make out orange groves, Spaceship Earth (the Epcot ball) and Highway 27 and Interstate 4 snaking through acres of forest and swamps. On a clear day, you can even see downtown Tampa. Far from the adrenaline-pumping ride one might expect, hang gliding is a calm activity for people of all ages; Wallaby Ranch has accommodated visitors as young as 3 and as old as 100.
$120 for training and tow, about 20 minutes of free-flight
1805 Deen Still Rd, Davenport, FL (33 miles from MCO); 800-925-5229; www.wallaby.com
SKYDIVE SPACE CENTER
This center claims to have the highest tandem jump in the world (18,000 feet) and has the only jump zone with views of Kennedy Space Center. You’ll fly directly over the runway where the shuttle lands and behold impressive views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River. According to jumpmaster Nick Celinksi, there’s no need to feel anxious because you don’t feel a falling sensation; a change in speed is what creates this feeling, but since you jump from a moving aircraft, you’re changing direction rather than speed. “You’ll be scared until you jump out of the plane, and then it’s all fun,” he says.
$189 for training, flight, 1-minute-10-second freefall and 7- to 8-minute canopy ride
476 N Williams Dr, Titusville, FL (42 miles from MCO); 800-823-0016; www.skydivespacecenter.com
ORLANDO BALLOON RIDES
The fleet here includes three of the largest hot air balloons in the world. The colorfully striped crafts, which can comfortably fit 16 to 18 people, slowly rise above the treetops to more than 1,000 feet, where passengers are treated to a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the area. On this slow-moving tour, you’ll have time to enjoy the sunrise as you identify local landmarks and spot wildlife. But don’t write hot-air ballooning off as an “easy” adventure—the landings can be bumpy enough to rattle your head.
$175 for 1 hour of flight time, champagne toast and breakfast buffet; children ages 4 to 10 fly free with a paying adult
6375 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee, FL (30 miles from MCO; 407-894-5040; www.orlandoballoonrides.com
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