Social Tours

Tours include:

• Guided tours at specific venues
• All applicable group rate admission fees, taxes and gratuities
• Charter transfers via deluxe vehicles

Tour Descriptions

Dolphins, Manatees and Gators, Oh My!

Thursday, Jan. 31
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
$95.00 – Adult; $84.75 – Child, ages 3-11 (time for lunch on own)

This tour begins enroute, as a “certified” eco-guide narrates the significance of the Banana River, a backwater estuary and a wilderness waterway that was used by the indigenous Ais Indians. The river is considered a sanctuary for the endangered West Indian manatees and bottled-nose dolphins. You will learn of its significance as you explore and cruise the smooth, inland waters around the lagoon’s uninhabited islands in safety and comfort aboard a shallowdraft, 55-passenger pontoon boat. Your captain and guide narrate this two-hour cruise tour while you enjoy a soft drink, and the sights and sounds of the river’s wildlife.

Then it’s off to look for alligators in the Central Florida Everglades! You’ll travel 15 minutes west to a 100-year-old outpost – a turn-of-the-century fish camp. Here you will board airboats to explore an American Heritage river, the St. Johns River, and its abundant wildlife on 15-passenger airboats. Each airboat has a flat bottom and large driving propeller at the stern enabling the airboats to skim the surface of the shallow waters and traverse this fascinating “Sea of Grass,” a name the Indians gave to the swamp. Your 30-minute airboat expedition has its own guide and Coast Guard-licensed boat captain who will take you deep into the freshwater swamp habitat of the Florida alligator and a wonderful assortment of creatures that call the “glades” home. This is an easy adventure without the dirt or danger. The ambiance of the fish camp, the amazing animals and the natural beauty of Florida will make this outing memorable.

Backstage Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom®

Thursday, Jan. 31
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
$96.50 – Adult/Child–you must be at least 16 years of age to participate on this tour (lunch not included).

Take a journey to find out what happens behind the scenes at Walt Disney World’s incredible “new species of theme park”! During this in-depth program, you’ll get an insider’s look at the innovative ways the education staff are meeting challenges in areas such as conservation, animal nutrition and medicine, animal care and behavioral studies. Highlights include visits to a backstage animal housing area, the Animal Nutrition Center, the Veterinary Hospital and a special ride on the Kilimanjaro Safari.

Kilimanjaro Safari: Climb aboard the open-air safari vehicle for an incredible journey through more than 100 acres of African savannah, forest, rivers and rocky hills where hundreds of animals roam free. Unlike any experience this side of the equator, the 18-minute Kilimanjaro Safari introduces you to the splendor and magnificence of creatures both large and small. An unexpected twist takes you on an adventurous trip in pursuit of a band of poachers while messages of conservation are echoed throughout the expedition.

Farris and Foster’s Famous Chocolate Factory Party

Thursday, Jan. 31
Noon – 2:30 p.m.
$45.00 – Adult/Child (lunch not included)

Enter the glorious world of chocolate! You are invited into Farris and Foster’s Famous Chocolate Factory where you become a chocolatier. If ever you wanted to play in rivers, waterfalls and bubbling vats of creamy, rich, dark and milk chocolate, this is your chance. You can design and create your own chocolate delights! Take melted chocolate from the kettle and pour it into one of over 500 shaped molds. Shapes include holiday designs, hearts, sports, music, suckers, baby shower items, etc. Or take one of the pre-molded chocolate creations and decorate it with colored liquid chocolate. You’ll also dip strawberries, raspberries, bananas and other fresh items or make small chocolate cups full of macadamias, almonds, coconut or raisins. If you love chocolate, this activity is for you!

Kennedy Space Center

Friday, Feb. 1
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
$74.00 – Adult; $64.00 – Child, ages 3-11 (time for lunch on own)

A world apart from Orlando’s theme parks, but only 45 minutes away, Kennedy Space Center is NASA’s launch headquarters. Each year, millions of visitors make the trek to this hub of technology and discovery, where many of mankind’s greatest accomplishments have taken place. Tour NASA’s launch and landing facilities, experience live shows and jaw-dropping encounters with massive rockets, as well as have the opportunity to meet a real member of NASA’s astronaut corps. It’s all what you can expect from an inspiring day at Kennedy Space Center.

Your exploration of Kennedy Space Center starts with one of its world-renowned tours, where you see many NASA landmarks, including the massive launch pads, the gigantic Vehicle Assembly Building, the awe-inspiring Apollo/Saturn V Center and the recently reopened International Space Station Center. There is much to see and do at the Visitor Complex when you return, from live-action theatrical shows to an educational Astronaut Encounter briefing. View 10-story-high rockets from all eras of space exploration in the Rocket Garden, walk through a full-size Space Shuttle mock-up, enjoy IMAX Theater space films on gigantic five-story screens and see an actual Gemini program capsule on display. Shopping and food concessions are also available for your enjoyment.

Note: The following items are not permitted into Kennedy Space Center: coolers, luggage or large bags, firearms, pepper/mace spray, knives and other sharp objects.

Winter Park

Friday, Feb. 1
9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
$64.00 – Adult/Child (time for lunch on own)

Downtown Winter Park’s charm is magnified in its details: hidden gardens and side streets that are home to unique stores, a farmer’s market that attracts both locals and visitors alike each Saturday morning, and festive parades that make the seasons. Running through the heart of Winter Park is Park Avenue. Bordered by a shady park that plays host to concerts and art festivals, Park Avenue is home to one-of-a-kind boutiques and well-known shops, sidewalk cafés, as well as world-renowned art collections in the area’s museums. Often called “Little Europe,” Park Avenue is a year-round destination that is sure to charm visitors of all ages.

Take the scenic boat tour that cruises canals between the city’s lakes that border the area’s most prestigious homes. The relaxing, narrated one-hour, 12-mile cruise through the lakes and canals is really the only way to see the true beauty of Winter Park–which includes Rollins College, Kraft Azalea Gardens, Isle of Sicily, tropical birds, plants, flowers and magnificent mansions.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll down Park Avenue to the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. The Morse Museum houses the most comprehensive collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s works found anywhere, major holdings of American art pottery and representative collections of late-19th and early-20th century American paintings, graphics and decorative arts.

Airboat Adventure at Old Florida Fish Camp

Friday, Feb. 1
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
$71.50 – Adult; $61.25 – Child, ages 3-11 (time for lunch on own)

Imagine seeing the world in a whole new light. This educational excursion takes you into the seldom-visited heart of natural Florida. Here in the “outback”, the day’s experience starts at the Tosohatchee “Florida Trail”, an ecosystem that borders the marsh. Certified eco-guides will take you a short 30- to 45-minute hike into the heart of this pristine wilderness before you arrive at the 100-year-old outpost – a turn of the century fish camp.

After enjoying some fried Florida alligator tail and a soft drink we will board 15-passenger airboats and experience an American Heritage river and its abundant wildlife up close. Each airboat has its own guide and a Coast Guard licensed boat captain. Learn about the freshwater ecosystem of the St. Johns River, alligators and the huge assortment of wonderful creatures that call the habitat home. This is a soft adventurous experience without the dirt or danger. The ambiance of the fish camp and true understanding of Florida wildlife will be an experience that you will remember for years to come.

What to Know, Wear and Bring

• Weather can often times be a challenge. Unless otherwise indicated in the description, the dress code for tours is casual. Because daytime temperatures can vary, layered clothing and comfortable shoes are recommended.
• Activities will not be cancelled for inclement weather, so please plan accordingly. Hello Florida! reserves the right to make comparable substitutions if circumstances beyond its control necessitate a change in any element of the program slated.
• A ticket will be issued for each tour and must be turned in as you board the tour bus. Please keep in mind that tour buses do not have seat belts or accommodations for car seats. An adult must accompany children under the age of 16 on all tours.
• If your tour does not include lunch or allow time for lunch on your own, you may want to bring a snack.
• Tour acknowledgements will be sent to attendees within 10 business days of registration. Detailed confirmations will be mailed after Jan. 12, 2008.
• Hello Florida! reserves the right to cancel any tour if the minimum is not met. Attendees will be contacted by phone if a tour cancels, and full refunds will be issued.
• Requests for cancellations from attendees should be directed to Hello Florida! and must be made in writing and received by Jan. 12, 2008, to receive a full refund or exchange. After Jan. 12, 2008, NO refunds will be made.
• If you plan to participate in the GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show as a family registrant, you will need to register as such. Use the registration form here or on page 47 of your brochure.