If you're visiting Orlando with your family and happen to be passing by the Fantasy of Flight Museum, it's well worth the side trip - about half an hour south of Disney. The museum's collection has many restored flyable aircraft such as a P-51D Mustang "Cripes A' Mighty 3rd" (44-13321), and training air craft's like German Bu.181 Bestmann (Wrk no. 461) and Avro Cadet 643 (A6-25) from Australia.
http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/hangar/museums/weeks/a6-25.htm
The attraction is clean and well laid out. Once you enter the museum, you can get your tickets from the gift shop and head straight to the exhibit area through the fuselage of a cargo plane (which is turned to troop transport). There's an array of rooms that show early hot air balloon flights to B-17 bomber used in WWII. If you are really a fighter plane lover, a close look at the B-17 will help you to realize how it feels to really fly a B-17. Once you have enjoyed the view you can exit through the north hanger where you find different types of aircrafts. The planes have self explanatory signs that give some vital information and interesting facts about the plane. You can also find various cockpits of the different planes in which you can sit and try a few controls. Your kids will love this and it will even bring out the child in you by flipping switches, playing with control sticks and wheels etc. The planes in the south hangar are kept for viewing while the planes in the north hangar can be tried like the sea plane and various cockpits.
The special attractions of the museum are the tours that they offer. If you feel that the kids may not be much interested in these you can live them at the kids' area which will make this trip an interesting and memorable one. The kids' area has the hot air balloon simulator, hang glider simulator, paper airplane building and flying area where kids can have the firsthand experience of trying their hand. As kids enjoy and have their fun you can peacefully enjoy the museum tours.
The first tour is the Tram Tour which will take you through a storage warehouse that has a large number of historic aircraft and a number of planes that require restoration. The tour also includes a ride into the maintenance hangar. Here planes are maintained well and are kept in flyable conditions.
After this you can opt for the aircraft restoration building tour. The restoration shop is very interesting and you'll learn just what's involved in restoring a single plane. You will also be happy to find that there will be knowledgeable tour guides to answer all your questions. If you happen to be visiting during the weekdays, you will meet mechanics who are into the actual restoration of these flights. You will surely admire the detailed attention given to the restoration of the planes.
For a brief look into other demonstrations and attractions in the museum visit
Activities
http://www.fantasyofflight.com/daily.htm
You will also come to see how well the flights are maintained at the museum. Whether you are young, old or a parent, you are sure to treasure this experience. And if you happen to be a history buff you are sure to come out satisfied.
You will also find some regular flyers in the flying area. Some of the notable flights are:
Shorts Sunderland (ML814) [An RAF Coastal Command anti-submarine aircraft converted into a civilian passenger carrier with upper-deck bar area] [http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/hangar/museums/weeks/sunderland.htm]
NA P-51D Mustang which is the world famous Old Crow (44-14450)
[http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/hangar/museums/weeks/p51.htm]
B-24J Liberator (42-50551 "Joe")
[http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/hangar/museums/weeks/b24.htm]
You can see the other collection flights from the early flights to 1950's in the link below:
Way back to early times
http://www.fantasyofflight.com/collection.htm
Another not to miss adventure is the bi-plane rides. You will get an opportunity to fly in a rare bi-plane built in the 1920's. It seats four passengers along with a pilot and the ride is for 50 minutes in the skies over central Florida at reasonable costs.
For more events and fun filled excitement for kids
Roar and Soar
http://www.fantasyofflight.com/roar-n-soar/
For conducting any events or for throwing parties see
Events and Groups
http://www.fantasyofflight.com/special.htm
If you are looking for an place to stay overnight, there quite a few inns to suit your purposes. Additionally there are executive centers for wedding, birthday parties and other family entertainment. You can look into these links prior to make advance bookings for your vacation.
Chalet Suzanne Country Inn & Restaurant
3800 Chalet Suzanne Drive
Lake Wales, FL 33859
[http://www.eventective.com/USA/Florida/Lake+Wales/43083/Chalet-Suzanne-Country-Inn-Restaurant.html]
The Freelance Chef
325, Knollwood Drive
Davenport, FL 33837
[http://www.eventective.com/USA/Florida/Davenport/284113/The-Freelance-Chef.html]
Backyard Adventures
3111 Us-98 S
Suite 130
Lakeland, FL 33803
[http://www.eventective.com/USA/Florida/Lakeland/275267/Backyard-Adventures.html]
For further details like aircraft collections, General enquires and gift shop inquires see
Contact
http://www.fantasyofflight.com/contact.htm
1400 Broadway Blvd SE
Polk City, Florida 33868
(407) 984-3500
Fantasy of Flight - Polk City, Florida