Nature Conservancy's Disney Wilderness Preserve, hiking trails: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 miles south of Kissimmee on Pleasant Hill Road; $3 adults, $2 ages 6-17; 407-935-0002.
Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area, fishing, hiking and camping: 8 a.m.-sunset daily; 3365 Taylor Creek Road, Christmas; $3 per person; 407-568-5893.
Wekiwa Springs State Park: 8 a.m.-sundown daily; 1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka; $5 for 2-8 person vehicles, $3 single occupant vehicles, $1 pedestrians/bicyclists; 407-884-2008.
Museum of Arts and Sciences, American and Cuban art, planetarium, sculpture garden and more, Pleistocene fossil wing with exhibits and audio-visual overview of Pleistocene Florida: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; 352 S. Nova Road, Daytona Beach; $12.95 adults, $10.95 seniors, $6.95 ages 6-17, free age 5 and younger; 386-255-0285.
Orlando Science Center, interactive exhibits, Crosby Observatory, giant screen movies, planetarium, permanent exhibits including "Dr. Dare's Laboratory," "NatureWorks," "KidsTown," also "The Science of Milk," "Hatching the Past: The Great Dinosaur Egg Hunt" (through May 25), "Grossology" (through April 27), "H2Now" (through spring 2009): 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today-Tuesday and Thursday; 777 E. Princeton St., Orlando; $17 adults, $16 seniors and students, $12 age 11 and younger ($5 parking); 407-514-2000 or osc.org.
Seminole Community College Planetarium: public astronomy shows, with "Stories of the Night Sky" at 8:30 p.m. today; 100 Weldon Blvd., Sanford; $6 adults, $4 seniors and students K-12; 407-708-2409.
U.S. Space Walk of Fame Museum, space-exploration history organized by former Kennedy Space Center workers: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday; 4 Main St., downtown Titusville; free; 321-264-0434.
Busch Gardens, African-themed park and zoo, wilderness gardens, Edge of Africa walking tour, Sheikra roller coaster, Clydesdale Hamlet and other attractions, also "Katonga — Musical Tales From the Jungle": 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. today, 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday (with "Viva La Musica" festival and RKM & Ken-Y concert Sunday); 8 miles northeast of downtown Tampa at 40th Street and Busch Boulevard; $69.95 plus tax general, $59.95 plus tax ages 3-9, free age 2 and younger; 813-987-5082.
The Daytona 500 Experience, NASCAR theme with displays, games, trivia, interactive activities, big-screen racing movie: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily; 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach; $24 plus tax adults, $19 plus tax seniors and ages 6-12, free age 5 and younger with paid adult; 386-947-6800.
Discovery Cove, interplay with dolphins, exotic birds, fish, stingrays: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily; adjacent to SeaWorld Orlando, off BeachLine Expressway at Interstate 4 southwest of Orlando; $289 plus tax with dolphin-swim, $189 plus tax without, must be age 6 and older to participate in dolphin swim (includes lunch, swim gear and 14-day pass to SeaWorld Orlando or Busch Gardens, upgrade to include Aquatica pass for $70), "Trainer for a Day" packages available $488 plus tax; 1-877-4-DISCOVERY.
Disney's Hollywood Studios, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, The American Idol Experience: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. today-Saturday and Tuesday, 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sunday-Monday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday (with "Block Party Bash" at 3 p.m. daily; "Fantasmic" performances at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, 8:30 and 10 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday); off Interstate 4 southwest of Orlando; parking $12, one-day pass $75 plus tax general, $63 plus tax ages 3-9, free age 2 and younger; 407-824-4321 or disneyworld.com.
Epcot, showcase of technology and foreign cultures in Future World and World Showcase, with "Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival" (opening Wednesday, through May 31): Future World 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily; World Showcase 11 a.m.-8 p.m. today, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday-Thursday (with "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth" at 8 p.m. today, 9 p.m. Saturday-Thursday); off Interstate 4 southwest of Orlando; parking $12, one-day pass $75 plus tax general, $63 plus tax ages 3-9, free age 2 and younger; 407-824-4321 or disneyworld.com.
The Holy Land Experience, 15-acre "living biblical museum," including "Praise Through the Ages" multi-media musical presentation, "The Oasis Outpost" children's area, "Then Sings My Soul" Gospel music show: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 655 Vineland Road, Orlando; $35 adults, $30 seniors, $20 ages 6-12, free age 5 and younger; 407-367-2065 or theholylandexperience.com.
Islands of Adventure, roller coasters and thrill rides including Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Dueling Dragons and Incredible Hulk coaster, Cat in the Hat, Jurassic Park River Adventure: from 9 a.m. daily; at Universal Orlando, Interstate 4 and Kirkman Road, Orlando; one-day admission $73 adults, $61 ages 3-9, free age 2 and younger ($12 parking); 407-363-8000.
SeaWorld Orlando, marine and adventure park with "Blue Horizons" dolphin show, Wild Arctic, Key West at SeaWorld, "Manatee Rescue", Shamu shows including "Believe", Journey to Atlantis and Kraken rides, Penguin Encounter, Clydesdale Hamlet, WaterFront at SeaWorld shopping-dining-entertainment area, educational behind-the-scenes tours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. today and Sunday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and Monday-Thursday (with "Viva La Musica" festival and Tito El Bambino concert Saturday); off BeachLine Expressway at Interstate 4 southwest of Orlando; one-day admission $74.95 plus tax general, $64.95 plus tax ages 3-9; 407-351-3600.
Silver Springs, glass-bottom boats, animal shows, jungle cruise, Wings of the Springs, Lost River Voyage, Big Gator Lagoon, Kids Ahoy Playland, Historical Showcase, Florida Natives on Ross Allen Island, Lighthouse Ride, Fort King River Cruise: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (with concert by John Michael Montgomery at 3 p.m. Saturday); 1 mile east of Ocala on State Road 40; $34.99 plus tax general, $30.99 plus tax seniors, $24.99 plus tax ages 3-10, free age 2 and younger; 352-236-2121.
Universal Studios, movie-TV production studio and park, Men in Black Alien Attack, Twister, Terminator 2 3-D, Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone, Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast, Shrek 4-D, Revenge of the Mummy and others: from 9 a.m. daily (with " Mardi Gras" Saturday featuring parade and concert by Montgomery Gentry starting at 8 p.m.); Interstate 4 and Kirkman Road, Orlando; one-day admission $73 adults, $61 ages 3-9, free age 2 and younger ($12 parking, $45.99 admission after 5 p.m. Saturday for Mardi Gras events); 407-363-8000.
Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom, Main Street USA, Liberty Square, Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. today, 9 a.m-10 p.m. Saturday and Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday (with "Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade" at 3 p.m. daily; "Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It" street party at 11 a.m., 12:30 and 5:45 p.m. daily; "Wishes" fireworks at 9 p.m. daily; "SpectroMagic" at 8 p.m. today-Saturday, 8 and 10 p.m. Sunday, 8:15 p.m. Monday-Thursday); off Interstate 4 southwest of Orlando; parking $12, one-day pass $75 plus tax general, $63 plus tax ages 3-9, free age 2 and younger; 407-824-4321 or disneyworld .com.
Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area, fishing, hiking and camping: 8 a.m.-sunset daily; 3365 Taylor Creek Road, Christmas; $3 per person; 407-568-5893.
Wekiwa Springs State Park: 8 a.m.-sundown daily; 1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka; $5 for 2-8 person vehicles, $3 single occupant vehicles, $1 pedestrians/bicyclists; 407-884-2008.
science
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Astronaut Hall of Fame, Astronaut Encounter (meet-and-greets with astronauts daily), Early Space Exploration, Exploration in the New Millennium, giant-screen films, Rocket Garden, Shuttle Launch Experience, "Eye on the Universe: The Hubble Space Telescope" exhibit: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; east of U.S. Highway 1 on NASA Parkway, 5 miles south of Titusville; $38 plus tax adults, $28 plus tax ages 3-11; 321-449-4444 or KennedySpaceCenter .com.Museum of Arts and Sciences, American and Cuban art, planetarium, sculpture garden and more, Pleistocene fossil wing with exhibits and audio-visual overview of Pleistocene Florida: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; 352 S. Nova Road, Daytona Beach; $12.95 adults, $10.95 seniors, $6.95 ages 6-17, free age 5 and younger; 386-255-0285.
Orlando Science Center, interactive exhibits, Crosby Observatory, giant screen movies, planetarium, permanent exhibits including "Dr. Dare's Laboratory," "NatureWorks," "KidsTown," also "The Science of Milk," "Hatching the Past: The Great Dinosaur Egg Hunt" (through May 25), "Grossology" (through April 27), "H2Now" (through spring 2009): 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today-Tuesday and Thursday; 777 E. Princeton St., Orlando; $17 adults, $16 seniors and students, $12 age 11 and younger ($5 parking); 407-514-2000 or osc.org.
Seminole Community College Planetarium: public astronomy shows, with "Stories of the Night Sky" at 8:30 p.m. today; 100 Weldon Blvd., Sanford; $6 adults, $4 seniors and students K-12; 407-708-2409.
U.S. Space Walk of Fame Museum, space-exploration history organized by former Kennedy Space Center workers: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday; 4 Main St., downtown Titusville; free; 321-264-0434.
theme parks
Animal Kingdom, 500-acre home to more than 1,000 animals, Expedition Everest, plus shows and rides: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. today-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday ("Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade" at 3:45 p.m. daily); Walt Disney World, off Interstate 4 southwest of Orlando; parking $12, one-day pass $75 plus tax general, $63 plus tax ages 3-9, free age 2 and younger; 407-824-4321 or disneyworld.com.Busch Gardens, African-themed park and zoo, wilderness gardens, Edge of Africa walking tour, Sheikra roller coaster, Clydesdale Hamlet and other attractions, also "Katonga — Musical Tales From the Jungle": 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. today, 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday (with "Viva La Musica" festival and RKM & Ken-Y concert Sunday); 8 miles northeast of downtown Tampa at 40th Street and Busch Boulevard; $69.95 plus tax general, $59.95 plus tax ages 3-9, free age 2 and younger; 813-987-5082.
The Daytona 500 Experience, NASCAR theme with displays, games, trivia, interactive activities, big-screen racing movie: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily; 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach; $24 plus tax adults, $19 plus tax seniors and ages 6-12, free age 5 and younger with paid adult; 386-947-6800.
Discovery Cove, interplay with dolphins, exotic birds, fish, stingrays: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily; adjacent to SeaWorld Orlando, off BeachLine Expressway at Interstate 4 southwest of Orlando; $289 plus tax with dolphin-swim, $189 plus tax without, must be age 6 and older to participate in dolphin swim (includes lunch, swim gear and 14-day pass to SeaWorld Orlando or Busch Gardens, upgrade to include Aquatica pass for $70), "Trainer for a Day" packages available $488 plus tax; 1-877-4-DISCOVERY.
Disney's Hollywood Studios, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, The American Idol Experience: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. today-Saturday and Tuesday, 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sunday-Monday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday (with "Block Party Bash" at 3 p.m. daily; "Fantasmic" performances at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, 8:30 and 10 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday); off Interstate 4 southwest of Orlando; parking $12, one-day pass $75 plus tax general, $63 plus tax ages 3-9, free age 2 and younger; 407-824-4321 or disneyworld.com.
Epcot, showcase of technology and foreign cultures in Future World and World Showcase, with "Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival" (opening Wednesday, through May 31): Future World 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily; World Showcase 11 a.m.-8 p.m. today, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday-Thursday (with "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth" at 8 p.m. today, 9 p.m. Saturday-Thursday); off Interstate 4 southwest of Orlando; parking $12, one-day pass $75 plus tax general, $63 plus tax ages 3-9, free age 2 and younger; 407-824-4321 or disneyworld.com.
The Holy Land Experience, 15-acre "living biblical museum," including "Praise Through the Ages" multi-media musical presentation, "The Oasis Outpost" children's area, "Then Sings My Soul" Gospel music show: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 655 Vineland Road, Orlando; $35 adults, $30 seniors, $20 ages 6-12, free age 5 and younger; 407-367-2065 or theholylandexperience.com.
Islands of Adventure, roller coasters and thrill rides including Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Dueling Dragons and Incredible Hulk coaster, Cat in the Hat, Jurassic Park River Adventure: from 9 a.m. daily; at Universal Orlando, Interstate 4 and Kirkman Road, Orlando; one-day admission $73 adults, $61 ages 3-9, free age 2 and younger ($12 parking); 407-363-8000.
SeaWorld Orlando, marine and adventure park with "Blue Horizons" dolphin show, Wild Arctic, Key West at SeaWorld, "Manatee Rescue", Shamu shows including "Believe", Journey to Atlantis and Kraken rides, Penguin Encounter, Clydesdale Hamlet, WaterFront at SeaWorld shopping-dining-entertainment area, educational behind-the-scenes tours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. today and Sunday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and Monday-Thursday (with "Viva La Musica" festival and Tito El Bambino concert Saturday); off BeachLine Expressway at Interstate 4 southwest of Orlando; one-day admission $74.95 plus tax general, $64.95 plus tax ages 3-9; 407-351-3600.
Silver Springs, glass-bottom boats, animal shows, jungle cruise, Wings of the Springs, Lost River Voyage, Big Gator Lagoon, Kids Ahoy Playland, Historical Showcase, Florida Natives on Ross Allen Island, Lighthouse Ride, Fort King River Cruise: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (with concert by John Michael Montgomery at 3 p.m. Saturday); 1 mile east of Ocala on State Road 40; $34.99 plus tax general, $30.99 plus tax seniors, $24.99 plus tax ages 3-10, free age 2 and younger; 352-236-2121.
Universal Studios, movie-TV production studio and park, Men in Black Alien Attack, Twister, Terminator 2 3-D, Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone, Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast, Shrek 4-D, Revenge of the Mummy and others: from 9 a.m. daily (with " Mardi Gras" Saturday featuring parade and concert by Montgomery Gentry starting at 8 p.m.); Interstate 4 and Kirkman Road, Orlando; one-day admission $73 adults, $61 ages 3-9, free age 2 and younger ($12 parking, $45.99 admission after 5 p.m. Saturday for Mardi Gras events); 407-363-8000.
Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom, Main Street USA, Liberty Square, Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. today, 9 a.m-10 p.m. Saturday and Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday (with "Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade" at 3 p.m. daily; "Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It" street party at 11 a.m., 12:30 and 5:45 p.m. daily; "Wishes" fireworks at 9 p.m. daily; "SpectroMagic" at 8 p.m. today-Saturday, 8 and 10 p.m. Sunday, 8:15 p.m. Monday-Thursday); off Interstate 4 southwest of Orlando; parking $12, one-day pass $75 plus tax general, $63 plus tax ages 3-9, free age 2 and younger; 407-824-4321 or disneyworld .com.
