From Cinderella Castle to Space Mountain, everybody loves the Magic Kingdom, but here are some other great things to try at Disney and Universal, and in the greater Orlando area:

Spend a day at Epcot. You can travel around the world in an afternoon at the World Showcase pavilions, get your thrills riding Body Wars and Test Track in Future World, then have a different look into the future at Innoventions, where space-age products and interactive games await you. And, what better way to cap your day than watching the gala IllumiNations fireworks, laser lights, and fountain show!

Visit Disney-MGM Studios. More grown-up than the Magic Kingdom, it still has lots of great activities for kids and movie buffs. Don't miss Tower of Terror, Rock 'n Roller Coaster, and Fantasmic! -- the innovative, after-dark mix of live action, waterworks, fireworks, and laser lights that rivals IllumiNations.

Check Out Gatorland. Located between Orlando and Kissimmee, this throwback park is a great way to spend a half day at less than half the price of the theme parks. In addition to passive exhibits, make sure to see the Gator Jumparoo, which has been the signature show since the park opened in 1949. And, if you have deep pockets, consider becoming a Trainer for a Day.

Experience Universal Orlando. Universal Studios Florida and its sister, Islands of Adventure, combine cutting-edge, high-tech special effects with great creativity. Not-to-be-missed attractions include Back to the Future, Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time, Men in Black Alien Attack, Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast, Dueling Dragons, the Incredible Hulk Coaster, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, and Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls.

Pamper Yourself at a Spa. Orlando's business and upscale travelers have spawned a small but growing stable of places to don a robe and get rejuvenated. Our favorites are Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (tel. 407/934-7639 or 407/824-3000), The Spa at the Wyndham Palace Resort (tel. 800/996-3426 or 407/827-2727), the Greenhouse Spa at Universal's Portofino Bay Hotel (tel. 888/322-55541 or 407/503-1000), and Canyon Ranch Spa Club at the Gaylord Palms (tel. 877/677-9352 or 407/586-0000). See chapter 5, "Accommodations," to learn more about these spas and the resorts that host them.

Explore Eco-Entertainment at SeaWorld and Discovery Cove. With the opening of Journey to Atlantis and Kraken, SeaWorld added a little zip to its park, but it's still better to come here looking for what this place best offers -- hands-on encounters with critters and up-close views of animals ranging from polar bears to killer whales. Its newer sister, Discovery Cove, gives you a chance to swim with dolphins (alas, it will cost you $229) as part of its package.