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Central Florida destinations

Palm Beach Post

Contact info: 307 Park Ave. S., Winter Park; 407-647-1072; www.parkplazahotel.com.

• Victoria and Albert's, Disney World's Grand Floridian Hotel: If you can suffer servers in Victorian garb, you'll have a unique experience at the pinnacle of Disney dining. Consistently rated tops for service in the area, it seldom fails to thrill. You'll drop big bucks to impress your lover here, but it should do the trick. Try the chef's table where you're pampered even more.

Contact info: In the Grand Floridian Resort, 4401 Grand Floridian Way, Lake Buena Vista; 407-824-1089; www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining.htm.

• Cypress Gardens: New owners Rob Harper and Brian Philpot keep tradition alive at this 71-year-old Florida-themed attraction that boasts thrilling rides, Splash Island water park, historic gardens, animals, the famed Southern Belles and a world-famous water ski show.

Contact info: 6000 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven; 863-324-2111, Option 4, Ext. 1; www.cypressgardens.com.

• Gaylord Palms Resort: The 1,406-room resort and convention center near Central Florida's famous theme parks is a theme park unto itself. The atrium includes a replica of the Castillo de San Marcos, the historic Spanish fort in St. Augustine; a ''River of Grass'' Everglades area with rustic boardwalks, tin-roofed shanties and animated gators; a replica of Mallory Square in Key West; and thousands of tropical plants, including Spanish moss, bromeliads, orchids and lilies in ponds.

Contact info: 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee; 407-586-0000; www.gaylordhotels.com.

• Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn: The Orlando-based resort, with zany poolside games, a 3,000-square foot arcade, character breakfasts, kids spa, mini-golf, two mini-water parks (one with a four-story tower), family karaoke and a cyberzone with online Nick games, is like a mini theme park. Most of the activities -- and kids' meals -- are free with your hotel stay.

Contact info: 14500 Continental Gateway, Orlando; 866-462-6425; www.nickhotel.com.

• Westgate River Ranch: This country-casual dude ranch an hour south of Orlando near Lake Wales offers a rustling rodeo, swamp-buggy rides, hayrides, old-fashioned cookouts, horseback riding and toasting s'mores over an open pit. There's also a trap and skeet range, riding stables, airboat excursions, a nature trail, pony rides and a fishing derby. The ranch offers standard hotel rooms, efficiencies, one- and two-bedroom cottages, time shares and suites with amenities such as a small fridge, microwave and screened porch.

Contact info: 200 River Ranch Road, River Ranch; 866-499-9077; www.wgriverranch.com.

• Vic's Embers: An upscale throwback to supper clubs of pre-World War II, it's dark, with a nightclub feel. They dish up steaks (including a chateaubriand for two), pasta, and seafood. Also, live music and flambéed desserts served tableside -- cherries jubilee, anyone? Dinner nightly, and Sunday brunch. They don't take reservations.

Contact info: 7940 U.S. 441, Leesburg; 352-728-8989; www.vicsembers.com.

• Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament: Jousting knights, plenty of horseplay and a courtly theme make this 'dinner theater`' a kitschy but fun way to spend dining bucks. It's a set fee with a few menu choices, and pretty decent food, as supper theaters go.

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