Old Town Orlando

Old Town Orlando is sort of a shopping mall, sort of a theme park, and is an Orlando fun destination without an entry fee.

Which isn’t to say that it’s all free. Though there is much to do without having to spend money (a welcome relief for tourists I expect) there is lots upon which you can spend more than a few bucks.

One of the nice things about this sort of theme park / shopping mall is that you don’t have to pay a huge whacking daily fee, though, I suspect, that it would be possible tospend a lot if the kids wanted to ride many of the rides here at Old Town Orlando.

 

And to the management of Old Town, I object to the entertainment value of “inserting a dollar to watch him holler”. This is an obscene attraction. For a dollar inserted into the slot, the mechanical “man” is fried in an electric chair for all to see. Just what you want the kids to see…. NOT!

There are a few activities the kids can enjoy, some shops that the parents can take in, and there just happens to be another non-theme-park, no-entry fee, entertainment venue for kids and adults right next door. You can visit and take in the best of both. And right across the street are a couple of indoor flea markets, too.

Night Time at Old Town Orlando

Before we had always visited Old Town during the day.

Recently we visited on a Friday night. What a difference. Lots of folks, all the restaurants and attractions all lighted up, and antique car show, live band… lots of fun.

Are you nostalgic for the “old days” with the now-classic cars of your youth rolling down main street, and on display? Take in the Old Town USA “Cruise Nights” for vintage automobiles.

The Vomatron

One of the two newer rides we saw at Old Town Orlando this year was the Vomatron. What’s that you say? Have a look at the photo below, and then we’ll explain.

The pink rectangle you see at the top right of the photo is one end of a giant, 200 foot arm that rotates at up to 70 MPH. The little item you see at the bottom of the pink rectangle is actually a free spinning car, holding two riders. There is another at the other end of the 200′ arm. Around and around you  go, car spinning, end of arm moving at up to 70 MPH, passengers undergoing up to 5 G’s of force.  Try not to stand right under it as you are watching as it’s not called the Vomatron for nothing.

Old Town Rides – Front Attractions

I’ve taken this list right from the Old Town USA website, and it’s current as of 2012.

• AMPventure Zipline
• AMPventure Ropes Course
• AMPventure Rock Wall
• Ferris Wheel
• Flying Dutchman
• Super Shot
• Go Karts
• Laser Tag
• Bumper Cars

Old Town Rides – Back Attractions for the small people

• Frog Hopper
• Jump Around
• Flying Teacups
• Merry-Go Round
• Motorcycle Jump
• Quad Runner
• Wacky Worm
• Tilt-a-Whirl
• Windstorm Coaster

Some of the back attraction rides are reserved for children only.

Old Town Shopping

Old Town Orlando is no slouch when it comes to offering shopping for the “rents” while the kids are enjoying the rides.

Expect to visit around 60+ shops and restaurants at Old Town, some offering some pretty eclectic stuff.

A Glimpse of Old Town USA

Name: Old Town USA

• Location: 57700 Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway (#192)
• Distance: about 20 miles from #408 & #4 in downtown Orlando
• Tel: (407) 396-4888
• Web: www.myoldtownusa.com