by Rachel L. Miller

And finally, the most exciting part of our experience - each person had the chance to swim with Diego. Leigh-Anne went first, holding on to the dolphin as instructed by a trainer. Diego then took off, pulling Leigh-Anne at his side while she smiled and laughed.

My turn was next. I simply couldn't stop grinning as I was told to place one hand on Diego's fin and the other on his front flipper. A command was given underwater by a trainer on the other end of the pool - and off we went! I slid through the water with ease as Diego made his way to the trainer's side. And as quickly as my dolphin swim began, it was over. We couldn't believe that we had just spent 30 minutes with an actual dolphin. Not only was a great experience, it was a perfect conversation fodder. There was no doubt what we'd be talking about for the next few hours!

Feast for the Senses

Our nighttime plans took us to Downtown Disney West Side for a meal at Wolfgang Puck Grand Café followed viewing La Nouba, a Cirque du Soleil production that's been an Orlando staple since 1998. We loaded up on appetizers of spring rolls and calamari before digging in to our pizzas (admittedly, it wasn't our healthiest meal of the trip - for healthy dining options in Orlando, click here). Everything was top-notch, the kind of quality one comes to expect from Wolfgang Puck restaurants.

Still smiling from our delicious dinner, we strolled a few blocks to the state-of-the-art theater. With a circular canopy that's a cross between a futuristic wraparound bat wing and an old-school Big Top, the theater is the first ever freestanding structure built specifically for Cirque du Soleil.

La Nouba - Cirque du Soleil photo © Copyright 2002, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

We piled in to the theater, where costumed members of the troupe were keeping the audience entertained. And just a few minutes later, the production begun - gymnasts, trapeze performers, clowns, cyclists, musicians and actors all jockeying for our attention. There was something magnificent to be seen in each corner of the gigantic set, which resembled, at first glance, an urban factory workplace. The floor was equipped with retractable power tracks that resemble moving walkways, but perform as a sort of trampoline, allowing performers to jump higher. The effect combined with live music, dramatic lighting and jaw-dropping stunts of the troupe is nothing short of magical. It's no wonder it's on Disney property. (CONTINUE...)