Spring is a glorious time to visit Orlando. Warm, sundrenched days are growing longer meaning more time to play. When visiting Central Florida and looking for things to do in and around Orlando this spring be sure to check out these three attractions which won’t be around all year.

Warm Fuzzies: Head over to the Orange County Regional History Center in downtown Orlando to absorb some Muppet magic during the Jim Henson’s Fantastic World exhibit on display now through May 3, 2009. See Kermit the Frog, Rowlf the Dog, the colorful fuzzy trio from the “Mah Nà Mah Nà” The Muppet Show skit (c’mon, sing along, you know you want to!), and the lovable bantering duo, Bert and Ernie. Check out Henson’s scripts and sketches to understand the Master of the Muppets’ creative process.

The film festival called Muppets, Music & Magic: Jim Henson’s Legacy celebrates the puppeteer’s short programs and features films. The festival runs the weekends of March and April.

Orange County Regional History Center
65 E. Central Blvd.
Orlando, Fla.
Tel: (407) 836-8500

Cool Scales: What color is an American alligator? Green? Nope. Gators are black, except in the case of four special guests at Gatorland who plan to greet visitors now through Labor Day 2009. These toothy reptiles are white with sky-blue eyes. Legend has it these four brothers were rescued from a Louisiana swamp in 1987 along with 13 of their siblings and taken to live at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. These ghostly gators aren’t albinos, just a different color.

Meet some of Florida’s other wildlife (i.e. slithery snakes and graceful birds) at Gatorland and stick around to see some ol’ fashion gator wrestling. The attraction is one of Central Florida’s oldest (established in 1949)and internationally known as the “Alligator Capital of the World.”

Gatorland
14501 South Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando, Fla. 32837
Tel:  1-800-393-5297

Groovy Flower Power: The Epcot International Garden & Flower Festival blooms into action March 18 through May 31, 2009 with a spectacular display of vibrant flowers and incredibly sculptured topiaries. Dig your hands in the dirt and get involved with the daily gardening demonstrations or flirt with playful butterflies in Minnie’s Magnificent Butterfly Garden.

As evening settles in get your groove on during the Flower Power Concert Series featuring the heartthrobs and other hipsters from the 1960s and 1970s. Be a “Daydream Believer” with Davy Jones (3/20 – 3/22), “Twist” with Chubby Check and the Wildcats (5/01 – 5/03), and there’s no need for Dawn when Tony Orlando’s in the house (5/29 – 5/31). Concerts are performed each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday between March 20 and May 31, 2009.

Epcot International Garden & Flower Festival

Forget about spring cleaning, you belong in Orlando. Book your vacation now.