The sunshine STATE

With great weather and so much to see and do, Jane Druker says a trip to Orlando without Mickey Mouse is still a lot of fun

- Jane Druker

Orlando, Florida, in the US, often means one thing to the world, and it starts with a D and ends with another (whisper it, Disneyland). My children are grown-up and fairground rides scare me, so I was on the hunt for some alternative experience in the Florida sun and, to my delight, ‘the City Beautiful’ didn’t disappoint. It actually offers way more than the world’s best-loved mouse, and it is as much a home to culture as it is to business conventions.

Head up high

The two largest and most internationally renowned tourist attractions are Walt Disney World Resort, opened in 1971, in Bay Lake; and the Universal Orlando Resort, opened in 1990 as a major expansion of Universal Studios Florida. With the exception of Walt Disney World, most major attractions, such as ICON Park, are located along International Drive (I Drive). The Wheel at ICON Park is a can’t-miss observation wheel that towers above the surrounding landscape at a jaw-dropping 400ft in the air. You’ll get the best 360-degree views from the top. It takes around 20 minutes to complete the spin. For something extra special, hop on at sunset and watch the sun go down over nearby attractions.

Animal magic