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You can’t miss this attraction from the outside: it looks as though a classical building has landed upside down on top of a warehouse. Inside, there are 85 hands-on exhibits. Highlights include an earthquake simulator; a Bridge of Fire, where you can literally experience the hair-raising effects of 250,000 watts of static electricity; and Virtual Hoops, which uses some of the latest cinema technology to put you on TV to play basketball against one of the NBA’s top players. You can also try Virtual Hang Gliding, which sends you soaring like a bird through the Grand Canyon, and WonderCoaster, which challenges your roller coaster-designing skills and then your nerve to ride your creation in a simulator. WonderWorks also runs a laser-tag venue and a twice-nightly magic show, both of which cost extra.

Gimmicks abound inside this building, which, like Ripley’s, is sinking into the ground, only this time it’s roof first. Inside, there’s an interactive arcade of some mild scientific educational value. Among the more than 85 hands-on activities, the curious can experience an earthquake or virtual hang gliding, and test their reflexes. For simple fun, the huge laser-tag field is a blast.

As the marketing story goes, a tornado picked up this four-story building and sent it crashing upside down on top of a 1930s era brick warehouse. Silly perhaps, but it stops traffic.

The banked turns of this mini coaster are absolutely exhilarating.

The folks at Disney claim this store has the largest and most unique collection of Disney character merchandise on the planet. If you’re a hardcore Disney fanatic, it’s easy to spend a small fortune here.

Orchids come in a multitude of strange shapes and colors, all of which are on display at this working greenhouse, home to 1,000 of the exotic flowers. Lush paths, serene streams, and the occasional squawk from a parrot offer respite from the busy hubbub of the theme parks.

Wylde’s is a great place for gay men to enjoy an evening of lively entertainment and mixing and mingling. The club has many theme evenings, including a fun karaoke night and country music night. Men wearing underwear get happy hour prices for drinks. The club also has dancers, billiards and darts.

The classy rooms at this, the largest Lake Buena Vista hotel, have either balconies with lake views or patios. Hypo-allergenic evergreen rooms have air and water filter systems. The Top of the Palace bar offers free champagne to guests who go to enjoy the sunset.