Make Spring Training part of the next Disney trip

ORLANDO, Fla. -- With the arrival of pitchers and catchers and then position players, spring is fast approaching.

Anyone taking a Walt Disney World trip during March or early April should head over to Champion Stadium, the springtime home of the Atlanta Braves. This year marks the 15th year the Braves have held Spring Training at Disney.

Built in 1997 and located in the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, the 9,500-seat Champion Stadium offers fans a great ballgame experience.

In addition to the games, Disney offers a variety of entertainment, such as character appearances.

The Braves' 18-game home schedule this spring includes a number of marquee opponents, including the New York Mets, the New York Yankees and the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals.

For more information, visit www.espnwwos.com/atlantabraves.

Other Spring Training destinations near Central Florida include Kissimmee (Houston Astros), Lakeland (Detroit Tigers) and Brevard County (Washington Nationals). For fun beyond the confines of Disney, visit www.floridagrapefruitleague.com.

Say yes to Orlando without the theme parks

ORLANDO, Fla. -- From Walt Disney World to Universal Studios to Sea World, there is so much to see and do in Orlando.

But, what if a Central Florida vacation didn’t include a visit to one of the area’s major theme parks? No theme park, no problem.

There is plenty to see and do in and around Orlando that doesn’t involve a mouse, a wizard or a killer whale.

Take Winter Park, for example. This bucolic community located less than 10 miles north of Orlando’s city center, features gardens, museums and tree-lined streets with enough shopping and dining to make most people forget about the bevy of roller coasters within a 30-mile radius.

In downtown Orlando, Lake Eola Park features swan-shaped paddle boats, an amphitheater and a playground for children. Dating to the 1880s, the park’s swan-filled lake centers around a fountain and offers a pleasant view of the city’s skyline, making it the perfect midday escape or a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Beyond the Theme Parks is an ongoing series about sights to see in Central Florida, excluding the world famous theme parks that call the Orlando area home.