Social Life
Orlando is very fortunate to have so many things to do for the boarding academy, especially with all the theme parks we have to offer. This means that there is no a shortage of ways to spend free time away from class and the golf course. The junior academy will love getting away on a weekend to theme parks, the most popular being Walt Disney World which includes the parks of Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney Quest, as well as the Richard Petty Driving School.
Disney even offers special events which are run at certain times of the year. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are both held at the Magic Kingdom park, while Epcot plays host to the Flower and Garden Festival each Spring, followed by the Food and Wine festival during the month of September. If you feel like taking a leisurely stroll, Disney’s Boardwalk and Downtown Disney are great to walk around at no cost.
Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Sea World, and Busch Gardens are some of the other well known parks around Orlando that our students will have the option to visit. These parks are very popular with thrill seekers as their rides are somewhat more intense in nature. SeaWorld and Busch Gardens offer an opportunity to get up close and personal with many animal and marine lives. Aquatica and Wet and Wild are two additional great water parks. If you have an interest in space travel, Kennedy Space Center is located just a 50 minute drive from Orlando and is a great educational attraction for our juniors to visit. You may even be lucky enough to see the Space Shuttle lift-off! If you would prefer to visit a quieter attraction, Homosassa Springs, Silver Springs, and Gatorland are all nearby.
Excursions to visit some of Florida’s many beaches can and will be arranged for the boarding academy. Surf the waves of the East Coast, or soak up the sun on the beautiful white sandy beaches of the west coast, which are both located between 60 and 90 minutes away.
Sporting events are also fun to attend. Â Our boarding students can take a break and attend an Orlando Magic basketball game, Tampa Bay Devil Rays baseball game, Tampa Bay Buccaneer football game, Atlanta Braves Spring training baseball game, PGA Tour events such as the Bayhill Arnold Palmer Golf Invitational or Disney World Classic, or even a University of Central Florida college sport event.
Hiking, biking, and canoeing are fun activities if you have a love for nature, as there are paved bike trails around Orlando, as well as hiking trails and great canoeing through spring waters where alligators and other exotic wildlife can likely be spotted.
Even though Orlando is a large city, there are small, quaint towns around the area including Celebration, Mt. Dora, and Winter Park. These towns hold seasonal celebrations as well as cultural and art festivals as well as farmer’s markets. Alternatively, stop by the Orlando Science Center, or take in a production at the Bob Carr Performing arts center. We are fortunate to have Broadway productions stop by Orlando all year long.
There are so many wonderful eating establishments to choose from, you will have a hard time making your mind up where to go! From the vast amount of chain restaurants, to the specialized eateries, Orlando has something to offer for everyone. This also is the same for hotel rooms as there is no shortage of accommodations at every price point to suit your budget.
When it comes to shopping, Orlando is fantastic for shopaholics! The Florida Mall and the Millenium Mall are great places to shop for high end items while still being able to find a deal. The Prime and Premium Outlets also have a lot of great stores with exceptional deals. For more specialized items, downtown Winter Park, and Mount Dora are unique, with a much quieter atmosphere.
Don’t forget about the reason we live here! For the great weather and the many amazing golf courses we have access to. You never have to drive too far from your doorstep to find a golf course worth playing. Orlando now has close to 140 golf courses, and is more densely populated with courses than even the infamous Myrtle Beach, SC. There is no better destination for those who love the game than Orlando, and no better option for world class instruction than the Golf Performance Institute of America.
There is an endless list of things to do here, and we never run out of new ideas. New attractions seem to appear as each month passes. You too will be sure to love this area!
