By Phil Stoecker
Besides all the entertainment venues and events available to us in this area, we Tampa Bay denizens know Orlando, home of Disney World and Universal Studios, is only one-and-a-half to two hours away. The Orlando area offers many fine amusement parks, dining, and other entertainment establishments, but few know of a large, indoor entertainment center nearby Universal Studios Orlando – Dezerland Orlando. Pronounced “Deh-zer-land,” it is the brainchild of Michael Dezer – a successful real estate developer with a vision and the means to make it happen, initially in Miami and now in Orlando.
The main feature of the park around which everything else revolves, is Dezer’s Orlando Auto Museum “Auto Experience” vintage automobile collection. From celebrity automobiles featured in television shows and movies to vintage vehicles organized by country of origin and era, the car enthusiast can spend hours taking it all in. Mr. Dezer has been collecting automobiles, motorcycles, boats, and other methods of transportation for years, and the museum’s curators rotate the car collection in and out of storage to put on display. Between his Miami and Orlando Parks, plus what he has in storage, he literally own thousands of vintage vehicles! Although my wife and I had been to the museum before this review, we always seem to find something new and exciting in the collection. Be sure to check out the collection of American cars from the 1920’s through the 1960’s, including a room full of Duesenbergs and three awesome Corvettes, one each from 1954, 1958, and 1962. Inside the museum there is a hall dedicated to automobiles from TV shows and movies, features vehicles such as the 1923 Ford Model T Munster Koach hotrod, vintage 1959 Cadillac ambulance from Ghostbusters, the 1966 Pontiac GTO-based Monkeemobile, the 1969 Auburn Replica driven by Madonna in the movie Dick Tracy, and more. Plus, the visit would not be complete without admiring Dezer’s collection of Batmobiles, Batcycle, and Batboat in their own Batcave!
Admission to Auto Museum also includes the Bond Museum, touted as the world’s largest collection of James Bond movie automobiles, aircraft, and memorabilia. It is truly an amazing (and slightly overwhelming) collection of vehicles and everything 007. Once you’re finished enjoying the James Bond collection, you can relax with a drink or dine at the adjacent sit-down Bond Lounge restaurant and bar. There is even the Russian T-55 tank (less weapons and explosives), Bond drove in the movie Goldeneye, outside next to the bar! When my wife and I first visited in 2021, it was used as part of the back bar, but has since been moved to expand seating. During a recent visit, the bartender told us how engineers drove the tank to its current position next to the bar, probably less than 100 feet, while the engine bellowed noxious black smoke and the vibrations rattled the entire building.
Although viewing the automobile collection would be reason enough to visit Dezerland, the park has so much more to offer in a very family-friendly environment. Admission and parking are free, but fees are charged for viewing the automobile collection and other entertainment options – all of which can be debited from a “PlayCard” purchased by the customer. And what entertainment options! Dezerland boasts the largest and fastest indoor electric go-kart track in Florida, Karting Orlando, where the wannabe Jeff Gordon can test his or her skills behind the wheel and compete against other racers. For those looking for something a little less stressful, but just as competitive, Bowling Orlando features 12 full-length bowling lanes for your enjoyment. Other options include Arcade Orlando, a large arcade area adjacent to the bowling lanes; The Putting Edge, a unique putt-putt golf course under black lights; The Pinball Place for the pinball wizard in all of us; Gamrz Delight for video game competitions; Jump Start trampoline park; bumper cars; laser tag; and more! Hungry customers can also enjoy the offerings at a food court that features pizza, burritos, burgers, ice cream and other tasty treats.
So, why spend a hot fall day at Disney World or Universal Studios when you can enjoy the indoor air-conditioned comfort of Dezerland for a fraction of the cost? You won’t be disappointed!