It is your last day and you have to check out at 10am and you don’t need to check in at the airport till 1 or 2pm what do you do to keep the kids amused?
If you haven’t managed down to the Everglades for the day what about an Airboat Ride.
Boggy Creek Airboats on Boggy Creek Road is only 15 minutes drive from Orlando International Airport on SR436. Using the 417 Toll Road to get to the airport exit at junction 17, turn right at the lights for Boggy Creek and left for the Airport. As you go down Boggy Creek Road it bends slightly to the left and the Airboat Rides are to the right, sharing the location with East Lake Fish Camp and RV ground.
I only mention the directions as I failed to pick up the Airboat Ride sign on the road, drove past and had to turn round.
The 18 seater airboats are superb, and look every bit the part, with the big fan at the back and elevated seat for the Captain. The day trips are just under $20 plus tax with discounts for children under 12, and last for 30 minutes and they run every half hour. This makes them ideal for just turning up, as we did, and going out onto East Lake Tohopekaliga.
Once you leave the docking area the boats are soon opened up to their top speed of 45mph. The Captains know how to thrill you sending the boat sideways at full speed. Like Rally Cars going sideways, it is an effective braking method and great fun. It really lives up to all those images you see on television. Compared to the ride I had on the Everglades, I was very impressed and it saved all that travel in the coach.
Whilst the Captain does his best to locate wildlife for you Alligators are few and far between during daylight hours. If you want to get up close on water to a Gator then they do 1 hour night tours, which for $10 + tax more seem well worth trying. Because the night tours are so popular they have to be pre booked, usually three days in advance. (tel 407 344 9550).
If you want an even bigger thrill then they also offer Parasailing
Depending on your check time you really should allow sufficient time not to miss this ride, one of the highlights of my holiday, and still make the airport. If you are flying from Sanford you obviously need to allow that little bit more time. But it is only 5 minutes off route.
More details can be obtained by visiting the www.bcairboats.com web site.