Tampa and Orlando in just 1 week

What to visit in Tampa and Orlando in just one week

Vacations never seem to last as long as they should. It seems like as soon as you get off the plane, you're turning around and boarding again. Your head is chock full of memories you'd love to relive again. In a place like Florida, it can be challenging to squeeze in everything you want to do, as it seems to have an unlimited supply of attractions, shows, and scenery. This article will help you stream line this vacation so you can do as much as possible with the time you have.

Courtesy: destinationorlando.com

If you are coming to Orlando you have to go to the Walt Disney World Resort. This is a simply massive resort filled with rides, games, shows and so much more. It has iconic rides like it’s a Small World, Splash, Space and Thunder Mountains, and the Haunted Mansion. It also adds newer attractions all the time like the heart pounding Everest or the interactive Toy Story Mania! However, to boil down this experience, we'd suggest going to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center and Disney's Animal Kingdom. The Magic Kingdom has many of the rides mentioned above, plus great shows and the awe inspiring fireworks display of Wishes. Epcot boosts newer rides such as Soarin, Mission Space and Test Track. You can take a walk around the World Promenade and sample cuisine from places like Italy, Japan and Great Britain. Disney's Animal Kingdom combines thrilling rides like Dinosaur with a zoo atmosphere where you can see real live animals up close and personal. You'll also want to stay in a Disney resort such as the Polynesian, which combines island lifestyle with Disney comforts, the Yacht and Beach, which offers lots of fun in the sun, or the Grand Floridian, one of the premier resorts in all of Florida.

After your Disney excursion, you'll want to head southwest to beautiful Tampa where Busch Gardens is located. Busch Gardens is one of the leading entertainment locations in Tampa. They have some of the best rollercoasters in the country. Rides like the scarifying SheiKra which takes you 200 feet into the air and then plummets you down a 90 degree drop, and that's just the start of the ride! The Cheetah Hunt is the newest and longest coaster in the park. They also have all the older classic Busch Garden coasters like Kumba, Montu and Gwazi. All have different flairs to them and all are sure to please the excitement seeker in you. Busch Gardens isn't just about exhilaration, it's also about education. You can learn about various animals and see them up close, on the Rhino Rally or the Serengeti Railway.

After you've had your fill of the wild and wooly, cool off in the Adventure Island water park. They have doubles rides like the Key West rapids, where you and a partner are whisked down six stories of twisting water wackiness. They also have the Wahoo Run, a family raft ride guaranteed to delight and soak you! You can't go to Adventure Island without riding the Gulf Scream, a 210 foot drop straight down. Unlike Disney both Busch Gardens and Adventure Island are not self-contained with hotels so you will have to find a local hotel, but those are hardly in short supply in Tampa.

This is only a small sampling of what Orlando, Tampa and the rest of Florida have to offer. However, if you only have a limited time, these are what we suggest you do first.

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Gasparilla Adult Pirate Fest

Avast, here there be Pirates! Tampa Bay is about to get invaded! And the locals couldn’t be happier! We are talking, of course, of the annual Gasparilla Pirate Fest. Held on the last weekend in January, Gasparilla in one of Tampa’s oldest annual events. Dating all the way back to 1904, the invasion of the Gasparilla is full of fun and excitement. In this blog, we’ll be covering what the day long festival entails and it’ll be something you’ll be want to take part in, matey!

First, a bit of history regarding the man himself, Jose Gaspar. Gaspar was a true, died in the wool pirate. He ran roughshod over the coastal waters of Florida for years. While there are tales of his greed and blood-thirsty, his last attempt at looting a ship ended up being a trap set by the US Navy, there are several stories about this generosity. He let a woman he fell in love with go free as she had fallen in love with one of his own crew. He insisted they be married on his ship and were sent off with gifts and money. He also rescued an old classmate from a pillaged ship and cared for the man for months. These are but a couple of the stories associated with Jose Gaspar and embody the spirit of the festival. Its excitement coupled with generosity.

The festival is a one day event but it’s also an all-day event. It starts at 10am at the Tampa Bay Convention Center. Cannons roar as the Gasparilla makes its way into the harbor. Accompanied by a fleet of local boaters, the Gasparilla docks right by the convention center. Also beginning at 10am is the Gasparilla Invasion Brunch. You’ll have reserved seating on the convention center’s river walk, as well as prime viewing for the invasion. Muffins, Fruit and cheese, and breakfast classics like bacon and eggs will be served. The Brunch is a ticketed event so be sure to get your spot early!

After the ship docks and the invasion are completely underway, the Pirate Parade begins. Stretching from Bay to Bay and Bay shore Blvds all the way to Cass St and Ashley Dr, this free parade has so much to see! There’s more than 90 floats, 14 marching bands and over 50 different crews full of characters! This will be amongst festive decorations and vibrant music. While the parade is free you can buy special reserved bleacher seating for that perfect view.

After the parade is done, it’s time for the Gasparilla Pirate Fest Street Festive. There will be tons of food and beverage available for purchase including beer and Captain Morgan rum for the over 21 crowd. You can bring your own food if you’d like but the city does ask that you support the local vendors who are helping to fund the festival. You’ll also want to see the Gasparilla Invasion Stage, located on Ashley Drive and Whiting St, where live performances will be taking place throughout the event which ends at 10pm! So, make sure you’re at the Tampa Convention Center at 10am on January 25th. Drink up me hearties, yo ho!

Article Source: http://bit.ly/1aozFNG

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