GO USA:There were many is-this-actually-happening moments for vertigo sufferer CIAN NIHILLon a visit to some of Florida's top theme parks, but it's the animal encounters – like swimming with dolphins – that he will remember most
WHILE STUMBLING for balance aback an open top truck, flashbacks of childhood trips to the then legal turf bogs of Galway were quickly forgotten as 15ft giraffes cantered towards us beneath the scorching Florida sunshine.
It was a case of ‘Is this actually happening?’ as we petted and fed these icons of Africa while still being able to hear the screams of thrill seekers who had evidently ventured onto one of the park’s roller coasters a few hundred feet away.
Bizarrely at Busch Gardens, amid its world class rides, there lies a large and thoroughly entertaining “safari” that is home to numerous animals such as lions, tigers, rhinos, zebra and antelopes.
A trip spent sampling the attractions at Florida’s SeaWorld family of parks (SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Aquatica and Discovery Cove) can leave you with that sense of disbelief at times, as there is far more than just stomach-churning roller coasters for entertainment.
Three of the parks in Orlando are within walking distance of each other with Busch Gardens the exception, about an hour’s drive away in Tampa.
Visitors can choose to either buy individual park tickets at the various entrances or can purchase a package deal that will include entry to a number of them, often for an unlimited amount of times for two weeks.
Each park offers something different: Discovery Cove is geared towards relaxation; Aquatica is a classic water park; SeaWorld meshes both being a theme park with big roller coasters and an aquarium that includes dolphin and killer whale shows; while Busch Gardens is everything roller coaster enthusiasts could hope for as well as offering a zoo-like experience with countless animals on show.
My first ‘Is this actually happening?’ moment of the trip occurred while in Busch Gardens as I sat at the bottom of a newly designed and totally unnecessarily high roller coaster.
Like many with a fear of heights, I had long ago committed to never go on any attraction that included a massive drop as one of its selling points.
New to the park (opened to the pubic in late May), the Cheetah Hunt ride is slightly different to most roller coasters in that there is no painfully slow climb prior to that inevitable drop. Instead it launches you at high speeds from the start and sends riders up its towering heights at speeds of 60mph.
Informed by those more experienced in such matters, that this would leave me no time to even consider how high I was, I sat into a middle row seat and prayed for time to jump forward to when I was stepping out onto firm ground once again.
With no such luck in cracking the mysteries of time travel, I experienced every inch of what is now Florida’s longest roller coaster. Although I’d never readily admit it, for fear of being convinced to go on a traditional coaster, I loved it.
It is a very different experience to most roller coasters that use the fear of the impending drop as one of their main selling points. The Cheetah Hunt uses speed and tries to recreate the twisting and turning of a hunting cheetah to produce a unique experience.
A day at Busch Gardens offers a dozen different rides, each providing something different, its most famous and probably most terrifying being Sheikra, a 200ft drop at 90 degrees where designers thought it needed a little bit of extra spice so decided to leave riders dangling right on the edge of that drop for some four seconds before plummeting.
Besides the coasters and animals, Busch Gardens also boasts an excellent kids’ Sesame Street themed area and several stage shows held frequently around the park.
If you love roller coasters, you’ll love Busch Gardens. Even if you don’t, there is still more than enough to keep you occupied while the unusual Cheetah Hunt might just be worth a go if only to say that you at least did one big ride.
Top among the other attractions is the safari open top truck ride, which costs extra and includes a chance to feed and pet giraffes, as well as see a host of other African animals up close.
Although containing two massive coasters itself (Manta and Kraken) SeaWorld is a very different experience. It flips the script on Busch Gardens by making the animals the focus and the rides the secondary attraction.
After making headlines worldwide in February 2010 when a trainer was drowned after a killer whale pulled her underwater, SeaWorld Orlando is once again staging killer whale shows.
Understandably however, the trainers no longer enter the water with the animals but it is still a thoroughly entertaining production.
Similar to the dolphin show also in SeaWorld, it is amazing to watch the extent to which these animals can be trained to perform jumps and tricks, all in sync with music and instructions from the trainers. The shows are not to be missed.
Another jaw-dropping moment that is a must on any trip to SeaWorld is a journey through the shark tunnel. A travelator moves you along in the middle of a large tank, home to various sharks, including great whites, leaving you almost nose-to-nose with one of the most intimidating predators in the world.
Although it may be tempting to jump at the chance to visit Busch Gardens first – considering a trip to Orlando is probably inspired by a love of theme parks – SeaWorld is your best option for day one.
There is more to see and learn there than could be accomplished in one day while it still offers two big coasters to get you in the spirit as well as several other smaller rides.
The most exclusive and expensive option for your journey is one that includes Discovery Cove. If you are willing to pay, a ticket to Discovery Cove also provides unlimited admission to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Aquatica for 14 days (although only one trip to Discovery Cove).
Your admission fee includes all food and drink in the resort, so should you wish to simply sit at the bar and drink beer all day, they keep on coming, free of charge, as does the food.
Such a decision is unlikely given the facilities available, including one of the truly surreal moments of the trip, a chance to swim with dolphins.
The oddity of having a dolphin swim by you as you run your hand along its back cannot be overstated, nor the feeling of holding onto it as it carries you back to shore.
Despite the thrill of the dolphin swim, Discovery Cove is a place of relaxation. For one, it is far less crowded than most parks with a limit of 1,000 guests a day enforced. This means there is never any problem securing a lounger along one of the man-made beaches or finding a place to paddle among the thousands of fish in their reefs. Visitors can wade into waters occupied by stingrays (which have their stingers clipped) or dip into the tropical heated pool.
One feature that is somewhat of a hidden gem is its extremely lengthy lazy river which even includes a stretch through the park’s aviary. Along with the fun of the currents, the river throws up little waterfalls and small caves along the way for a really relaxing float that can take up to an hour if you see it all the way through.
A day at Discovery Cove should ideally come at a midway point in your trip. It is a place of relaxation, the perfect antidote to the hustle and excitement of the surrounding theme parks and, bar all else, is worthwhile for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (for most of us) to swim with dolphins.
The fourth park of the family, Aquatica, is pretty much your typical water park. While its signature ride, The Dolphin Plunge, is a little bit disappointing and on the short side, it has lots to keep the family occupied with all the usual water park type attractions.
Unlike the slow ambling streams in so many parks, Aquatica also has a genuinely rapid river with currents so strong, just getting out at the exits can be a problem, albeit a fun one.
Between the four parks there is easily enough to keep you entertained for a 10-day holiday, with Busch Gardens and SeaWorld worthy of multiple visits.
Although you may come for the thrill of the rides, it will probably be the memories of the animal encounters that will stay with you and your family the longest, and is what will separate this break from others.
Florida where to . . .
Stay
Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, 6677 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, Florida. Tel: 00-1-407-351-5555, marriott.com. Located across the road from SeaWorld, its large open central area looks somewhat like a shopping centre and provides everything you need for your stay in big comfortable rooms.
Fairfield Inn Suites Orlando at SeaWorld, 10815 International Drive, Orlando, Florida. Tel: 00-1-800-228-2800 or marriott.com. Also directly across from SeaWorld, the Fairfield Inn is a great option and although smaller than the Renaissance, has an excellent selection of restaurants on its doorstep as well as a nice outdoor pool and bar to pass away the long evenings.
Hyatt Regency Tampa, 211 North Tampa Street, Tampa. Tel: 00-1-813-225-1234 or see tamparegency.hyatt.com. If your trip is likely to include several days at Busch Gardens then this might be the choice for you as it is less than five minutes away and has everything expected from a hotel, such as a heated pool, dining facilities and spacious rooms.
Tickets
For a range of ticket options visit seaworld.com as prices vary greatly depending on what dates are selected. Prices listed here are an estimate.
For a day at Discovery Cove you will need to buy its "Ultimate" package which includes a day reservation at Discovery Cove (with 30-minute dolphin swim, all meals, snacks and beverages) plus 14-day unlimited entry to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Aquatica. Prices start from €140 per person.
A "Three Park Ticket" includes unlimited entry to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Aquatica for 14 days. Prices start from €90 per person.
A "Two Park Ticket" includes unlimited entry to SeaWorld and either Busch Gardens or Aquatica. Prices start at €82 per person.
Individual park prices: Aquatica – €30 per person; Busch Gardens – €50 per person; and SeaWorld – €56 per person.
Get there:Aer Lingus (aerlingus.com) has three weekly flights between Dublin and Orlando on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Cian Nihill was a guest of SeaWorld Parks Entertainment and Aer Lingus.