Other Theme Parks and Amusement Centers

Green Meadows Petting Farm
This farm has all the petting farm favorites and a lot more. Green Meadows features a miniature train ride, hay rides and over 300 friendly farm animals. One of the things a parent on vacation can appreciate is that the farm has an established 2-hour tour in place. The kids will get to do everything (including milking some of the animals) yet you can adhere to a schedule. The tours start frequently so the wait is never too long. The 40 acre farm is a pretty break from the theme parks.
Take US 192, 3 miles past I-4 to Poinciana Blvd. Make a right and drive 5 miles.
(407) 846-0770

Flying Tigers Warbird Air Museum
This museum is also a functioning airplane restoration facility. It’s nicknamed Bombertown USA because of all the bombers that have taken up permanent residence here in the Museum’s collection. There are about 30 planes on display, most of which were restored on the premises. The majority of planes that come through here are bombers that are restored and then sold to private collectors. Tours are run throughout the day.
From US 192 Turn south on Airport Road (Hoagland Boulevard)
(407) 933-1942

Water Mania
Water Mania probably doesn’t compare favorably to the Disney water parks, but it’s still a pleasant place to spend a hot afternoon. There’s a nice beach with picnic areas, snack bars and an 18-hole miniature golf course. The three main water rides are; The Abyss - riders shoot through a 300 ft enclosed tube, Wipe Out – a wave machine and Rain Forest – a kid’s area with water toys and slides.
(407) 239-8448

Mystery Fun House
The main attraction of Mystery Fun House is the Starbase Omega laser tag arena. Unlike the average laser tag areas, Starbase Omega is played on a moon-bounce floor with lots of themed obstacles. The Mystery of Mystery Fun House comes from the ghoulish, 18-room Mystery Maze. You can also play miniature golf on a dinosaur-themed course called Jurassic Putt. Mystery Fun House has been in the Orlando area for over 20 years and has one of the best arcades in Florida.
Get off at the Universal Studios exit on I-4 (30B), make a right on Kirkman road and again at Major Blvd.
(407) 351-3355

Terror on Church Street
Costumed actors from the show sometimes haunt the street to entice people inside and entertain the waiting patrons. This horror-based attraction is a scary mixture of live actors and high-tech special effects. The show itself is intended for teens or fans of horror films, but everyone who likes to be scarred once in a while will enjoy the show (This excludes the little ones). The actual performances are re-enactments of famous horror-film scenes. Groups of eight leave every five minutes to take the 30-minute tour.
Located a few steps away from Church Street Station.
(407) 649-3327

Paintball World
The name pretty much says it all. Deluxe paintball facility that has a target range, snack bars and a picnic area. Spread out over 60 acres, the paintball area has forts, trenches and obstacles. Paintball World in Kissimmee
(407) 239-4199

Orange Blossom Balloons
Meet at the Travel Lodge in Disney Village to take the one hour flight. Daily flights start at 6 A.M. and are offered seven days a week depending on the weather. The experience is never exactly the same as the wind can carry the hot-air balloon in different directions. Each flight is celebrated with a champagne toast. Full buffet breakfasts and first flight certificates are awarded. Non flyers can travel along in the chase vehicle for a small fee. Special occasion flights can be arranged.
Orange Blossom Balloons (407) 239-7677

Rise & Float Balloons
Located across from Universal Studios at Mystery Fun House, Rise & Float Balloons offers three tours to see Central Florida. Wedding packages, romantic flights and picnics can be arranged. The three flights are the First Class Champagne Balloon Excursion, Introductory Balloon Excursion & For Lovers Only. Most flights include views of the Walt Disney properties, golf courses and lakes. Free hotel pick-up.
Rise & Float Balloons (407) 352-8191

Fantasy of Flight
Fantasy of Flight was created by Kermit Weeks, an aviation enthusiast who has the largest collection of vintage aircraft in the world. However, instead of just displaying the aircraft, Fantasy of Flight has created interactive displays that generate lots of interest in flight and aircraft in general. You can experience a WWII battle in a flight simulator or rise straight up 500 feet in The Great Balloon Experience.
Located in Polk City, Fantasy of Flight is about 20 minutes west of Walt Disney World in I-4.
(941) 984-3500

Sky Venture
Sky Venture offers the unique experience of free flying without the use of an airplane. Located at Universal Blvd and International Drive, Sky Venture operates a huge, vertical wind tunnel. This tunnel generates a 120-mph column of wind in a flight chamber to simulate the free-fall experience closer to the ground. A brief training period exists, but you can fly with minutes of walking through the door.
Sky Venture (407) 903-1160

Sky Coaster
Located in the Old Town Mall, Sky Coaster is Florida’s tallest thrill ride. It’s really tall and will satisfy even the most experienced thrill-seeker. Riders are strapped to a special harness and slowly hoisted upward. You pull your own ripcord and are released into a free-fall. Eventually you swing back and forth through the air at speeds over 60mph.
Old Town Kissimmee, off US 192 (407) 397-250

Horse World Stables
Located in Kissimmee, Horse World Stables offers scenic horse rides through 750 acres of Central Florida’s woodlands. Riders of all skills can be accommodated. Special children’s programs include pony rides and a petting farm. Reservations are recommended. Open from 9 AM seven days a week.
3705 S. Poinciana Blvd. (407) 847-4343