Best of the Best
When I thought about this attraction, it could easily have qualified as the best new attraction of the year as well as the best news of the year.
Cypress Gardens Adventure Park
Florida's oldest tourist destination has a new lease on life. Cypress Gardens originally opened its gate in 1936 and became a showplace. Through the years it became known for its hoop-skirted southern belles, beautiful gardens and thrilling ski shows. However, circumstances after September 11 forced it to close in 2003 — some feared forever. A knight in shining armor showed up to save the Gardens though and it just celebrated its grand re-opening the day after Thanksgiving. Despite hurricane damage late in the summer, the gardens are as beautiful as ever, the ski shows are back and a new array of thrill rides have been added that will appeal to the younger set. So, what was old has become new and I think it has a great future. Admission is a great value (especially if you buy the annual Passport and annual parking pass) which is important to families looking for affordable fun.
Best New Attractions
Wannado City I wanna be a kid again... and you will too when you see this trend-setting new children's attraction that opened in August at Sawgrass Mills Mall in Greater Fort Lauderdale! It's an American first — an indoor role-playing theme park for kids. It transports their pint-sized imaginations into real-life role-playing in a host of grown-up professions that offer entertainment and education wrapped into one giant-size day of fun. How cool is that?!
Turtle Talk With Crush
This new attraction at Epcot's Living Sea pavilion may change the face of attractions in the future. It brings "interaction" to a new level and is undoubtedly the best new technological advancement since Disney introduced Audio-Animatronics.
Best New Thrill Ride
OK... I admit it. I'm not into thrill rides. I've been known to wait in long lines for rides, only to take the chicken's way out. So, I've enlisted an expert to help me out. Arthur Levine is our theme park guide and expert extraordinaire on thrill rides. His choice? Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Orlando earns his five-star rating.
Best Beaches
Fort DeSoto Park has again scored high on Dr. Beach's annual "America's Best" list — second place. The great news about all of Florida's beaches that made his Top 10 — Caladesi Island, Crescent Beach, Cape Florida and Fort DeSoto — is that for the most part they were spared major damage from the four hurricanes that slammed Florida this year.
Best Tour
Florida Ever-Glides was the first-ever Segway® tour in the U.S. and certainly has to be one of the most unique tours in Florida. Glide effortlessly on the technologically advanced Segway® as you take a two-hour tour of historic Sarasota and the downtown waterfront. >Florida Segway® ToursBest Resorts
- The Best Luxury Resort — Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee has captured the old-world charm of St. Augustine, the colorful and festive island spirit of Key West, and the mysterious waters and cypress of the Everglades.
- Golf lives year round in Florida and the Best Golf Resort — World Golf Village Renaissance Resort in St. Augustine offers world-class accommodations and golfing as well as featuring the World Golf Hall of Fame.
- Walt Disney World Resort still remains Florida's number one resort destination. Of course, the World features several resort hotels with value, moderate and luxury prices. Their newest is a value resort that deserves mention — Pop Century Resort which takes guests on a historic journey of 20th Century American Pop Culture. Do you remember when "Walkin' the dog" wasn't about canines, but the yo-yo craze? Or when car stereos played eight-track tapes? Or, bowling was a popular Saturday night date? It's the perfect place for a walk down memory lane.
Top Stories
Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne cast their evil eyes on Florida and pounded the state during August and September overshadowing all other news throughout the year — even election controversies.
- Read my personal account of the events as they unfold in my blog Personal Glimpses.
- Six Weeks In the Eye of the Storm by St. Petersburg Times' photo editors, Carrie Pratt and Jim Damaske is a multi-media presentation designed by Martin Frobisher and cronicles storms aftermath.
- Hurricane Charley video, photos and personal account of storm chaser, Mike Theiss, who positioned himself in Charlotte Harbor as the eye of the storm made landfall there.
