West Orange Trail Bikes &Blades Co.
17914 State Road 438, Winter Garden
407-877-0600
orlandobikerental.com
We’d consider the West Orange Trail one of our top Central Florida cycling destinations for a couple of reasons: The trail has both great distance (22 miles in total) for the hard-core cyclists, and for the cruisers, safe and scenic routes through historic downtown Winter Garden. For those who don’t own their own bicycle, we suggest heading to Mile Zero of the trail and renting one from West Orange Trail Bikes & Blades, a full-service bike shop offering hourly rentals ($6-$10) and daylong rates, some of which include delivery to your hotel and guided rides. Ride for as long as you like, but the further away you travel, keep in mind: 1) The trail sees more hilly terrain toward the Apopka area; and 2) You have to turn around and ride back.
White Lightning at Fun Spot America – Orlando
5700 Fun Spot Way
407-363-3867
funspotattractions.com
Orlando’s big attractions are racing against each other to deliver the latest in ride technology, from 4K 3-D to trackless vehicles, but I-Drive’s Fun Spot built this year’s top new roller coaster by looking backward. Retro-styled and suitable for the whole family, White Lightning is the best (and only) wooden coaster in town, with a vertical mid-course U-turn and dynamite double-up hills creating crazy airtime until the final brakes. Tickets run $9 for a single ride and $39.95 for an all-day wristband.
Orlando Solar Bears Coach Drake Berehowsky leaves after one season
We were smitten when we heard that Drake Berehowsky would be leading the new Orlando Solar Bears as head coach for their inaugural 2012-2013 ECHL hockey season. No, not just because we couldn’t help but drool over Berehowsky’s hunky good looks; hockey fans all over Orlando (yes, there are surprisingly a good amount of them) were stoked for the revival of the dormant hockey team. That’s why it came as sad news to hear Berehowsky would be jumping ship after just one season with the Solar Bears. It’s no surprise, though, because the team was pretty terrible in their first year: The Solar Bears finished last in the South division and second-to-last in conference standings. While rumor has it the coach will head to another ECHL team next year, Orlando hockey fans should look forward to the upcoming season with high hopes of a new (and possibly more experienced) coach and a handful of new players.
Rob Hennigan
When he traded Dwight Howard away for seemingly nothing, Bleacher Report called Orlando Magic general manager Rob Hennigan a genius. Magic fans, who endured a brutal losing season and the NBA’s worst record, needed that sort of emotional security from the newly appointed boss, especially because they couldn’t get it from their team. They may not have won the lottery, but with Hennigan at the helm, fortune could smile on the Magic again. Consider Hennigan the dreamy response to the team’s unfortunate Dwightmare.
Orlando Predators
407-648-4444
orlandopredators.com
It’s the thought that counts, and although the Orlando Predators didn’t win at least 10 of their 18 games last season, they’re still fulfilling their half of the “losing is unacceptable” performance guarantee bargain by crediting season ticketholders to make up for games they blew. So, heads up: Next year could be the year the Predators rise to the top of the indoor football food chain. If not, your tickets will, at least, be greatly discounted.
Florida Collegiate Summer League
This Central Florida-based collegiate wood-bat baseball league is considered a breeding ground for major league hopefuls: This year alone, 27 current and former Florida League players were taken in the 2013 MLB draft. And for Orlando baseball fans looking to catch a game at the ballpark, every summer the Florida League offers more than 100 games per season, with six teams playing all around the area – from DeLand to Leesburg to Sanford to College Park. The full roster of evening games sees to it that the grown-ups enjoy the game with cold beer in hand while the kiddies go wild with on-field activities. Plus the tickets are only $5, so you might also consider it the best bet for watching future major leaguers in action.
Jacked Magic Kingdom ticket prices to $95
3111 World Drive, Lake Buena Vista
407-934-7639
disneyworld.disney.go.com
Congratulations, Magic Kingdom. You’re now the most expensive theme park in the region.
