It starts with the theme parks, but after that the sky's the limit when it comes to Florida attractions. Come to think of it, even the sky is included at the state's many aviation-themed attractions. In a destination as devoted to tourism as Florida, nothing seems outside the realm of possibility for planners, considering that "outside the box" is the preferred frame of mind here.
"Our attractions have the versatility and the know-how to give groups an incredible variety of unique experiences and provide creative space for off-site venues," says Cheryl Hatcher, director of meetings and events for Visit Florida, the state's tourism marketing corporation.
From what's new on the scene to new features at older venues, keep that lap bar on because Florida attractions are on the move. And it follows that the opportunities for group events, team building and just plain old fun are heading in one direction—forward.
Past and Future
That is, unless you're in St. Augustine, where one of the newest attractions—in a city where the attractions date back centuries—is the Colonial Quarter, an immersive journey through the city's Spanish and British colonial eras with "quadrants" depicting points in time, from the 16th to 18th centuries. Groups will see live demonstrations of blacksmiths and flintlock musket firing, climb a replica 17th century watchtower, and gather for private events at a stage area.
"Basically, anything groups want to do is possible," says Kevin Rose, director of group sales for the Colonial Quarter.
At the same time, across the state a new attraction takes a giant leap forward in time at Naval Air Station Pensacola, training base for all Navy, Marine and Coast Guard aviators. The station recently added the 102,000-square-foot National Flight Academy, Ambition. The three-story virtual aircraft carrier immerses corporate groups in a range of team-building "missions," from one-day "Adventures" to five-day "Deployments." Groups opting for a multiday program can stay aboard Ambition in six-person staterooms.
Meanwhile, the future is speeding closer at Daytona International Speedway, which is undergoing a $400 million overhaul dubbed Daytona Rising. When complete in 2016, the iconic track will sport three new concourse levels, five expanded and redesigned fan entrances—called "injectors"—11 social areas, each the size of a football field with dozens of video screens, and more than 60 new luxury suites boasting track-side views and a revamped hospitality experience for corporate guests. PageBreak
Riding the Wave
The biggest news on Florida's attractions scene both now and over the past two years probably belongs to the theme parks. At the Walt Disney World Resort, the newly expanded Fantasyland, the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom History, was just the beginning of a multiyear growth spurt that will include the opening of a new Avatar-inspired land coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom in 2017. Before that, Downtown Disney, the resort's shopping, dining and entertainment destination, will double its offerings and rebrand as Disney Springs, opening in phases through 2016. New private event options will figure into the new design, especially when it comes to dining, though details will be announced at a later date, according to Disney execs.
"This expansion, like all others at Disney, was designed with meetings and incentives in mind," says Amy Pfeiffer, director of resort sales for Disney Destinations. "We're riding the wave of the largest period of growth in the history of our parks and resorts business, and that's helping drive increases in group and leisure business."
Disney's fellow theme park giant, Universal Orlando Resort, has also revealed details of its latest expansion, Diagon Alley at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, set to open this summer. In the books, Diagon Alley was where Harry and his friends bought their school supplies, including necessities like cauldrons, wands and unicorn blood. In the new themed area, visitors will explore Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, the Magical Menagerie and even the nefarious Borgin and Burkes, purveyors of "dark" merchandise. And as in the books, shoppers will find sustenance at the Leaky Cauldron, offering traditional British fare, and Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour, serving one of Harry's favorites, strawberry-and-peanut-butter ice cream.
Meanwhile, other Central Florida theme parks are weighing in with expansions of their own this year, including Falcon's Fury at Busch Gardens, touted as North America's tallest freestanding drop tower and centerpiece of the newly reimagined land Pantopia (formerly Timbuktu); Duplo Valley at Legoland Florida, geared toward the park's smallest visitors; and Ihu's Breakaway Falls, a new water thrill slide coming to Aquatica, SeaWorld's waterpark.
Slide Rules
Thrill slides are nothing new to Rapids Water Park in Riviera Beach, north of West Palm Beach, where water adventures boast names like Big Thunder, Raging Rapids and Pirates Plunge. But for the faint of heart, not to worry; the park also offers a quarter-mile lazy river as well as Splash Hill, with slides that are rated "milderate." Groups of 50 or more can reserve a park pavilion, with lunch if desired, while the park's E-Online discount program expedites ticket buying.
"It's so easy for convention groups to implement," says Bob Morgan, the park's director of sales and marketing. "They contact us, we provide them with a promo code, then delegates can go to our website, plug in the code and get their discount and tickets."
Stay dry, and step into aviation history at Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, home to more than 100 rare and vintage aircraft, many restored to flyable condition. The venue recently unveiled phase II of the Golden Hill exhibit, 20,000 square feet of previously off-limits planes and artifacts. The Art Deco-style facility also offers more than 100,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
For vehicles that soared even higher, check out the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where the Space Shuttle Atlantis made a permanent landing last summer as part of a new attraction that includes multimedia presentations, touch-screen experiences and high-tech simulators highlighting the 30-year space shuttle program.
Back on the ground, one of the state's loveliest retreats and a favorite for group receptions, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, opened Ann Goldstein's Children's Rainforest Garden, featuring a 100-year-old banyan tree.
