A guide to things to do in Championsgate

Golfer's Paradise

ChampionsGate is renowned as a centre of golfing excellence the world over. This is the place to come to enjoy the tees on a Greg Norman designed golf course. It’s also the headquarters of the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, so you’ll definitely be getting tips from a master when you spend your days here.

The two 18-hole golf courses are spread over 1,500 acres and both are rated as championship level. Amenities also include a large clubhouse, a pro shop and a range of restaurants, all combining to make ChampionsGate a perfect golfing retreat.

Chill out at the ChampionsGate resort

Relaxing is part and parcel of any family break, and Florida holidays are no different. If you really want to be pampered, then ChampionsGate has a range of spa and beauty facilities to rejuvenate you and polish your look. Kids and adults will have a wonderful time making the most of the large hotel’s relaxing outdoor facilities too. They include a walk-in lagoon, an adults-only pool and an 250-metre lazy river.

Take to the skies

You can do some sightseeing and tick something off your bucket list in one go by taking to the skies in a hot air balloon. Bob’s Balloons is based in ChampionsGate, and by air is one of the best ways to explore this fascinating state. You’ll drift over lakes and some stunning landscape, and if you want to get married in the air, well Bob’s got a license – all you have to do is say, ‘I do’.

Make friends with the animals

Just a 15-minute drive away from ChampionsGate lies Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The sheer number of animals, rides and adventures here is truly awesome, making it a fun packed day out for the whole family. You’ll enter the park gates and walk into a magical oasis, where you can see some of the most beautiful wild animals in the world going about their daily routine.

If you take the Maharajah jungle trek you can spot a tiger or just wander around abandoned temples and other monuments. Dinosaurs put in an appearance on the time machine coaster and you might spot a yeti if you take the Mount Everest tour.

The fun doesn’t stop with the animals and safaris. The streets of the theme park light up in the evening with the Caribbean-style carnival celebrations – complete with dancers and musicians. And the park’s unique Tree of Life will set your pulses racing as it springs to life, revealing the illuminated nightlife of members of the animal kingdom.

A world just waiting to be discovered

The Disney attractions at Epcot are even closer, at just 10 minutes’ drive away. This is where you’ll find sizzling fireworks at night and some extraordinary activities during the day. You’ll explore the globe from Epcot, in fact there’s so much on offer, you’ll probably want to take a couple of trips to fully appreciate this facility.

Start with an investigation of the ocean’s coral reefs then you can help save the world from super villains by taking part in the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure interactive game. Then move on to space when you visit the Advanced Training Lab. Here you can take part in authentic NASA astronaut training when spending time at Mission Space as part of a simulated trip to the red planet.