Orlando/ Disney Vacation

Ahhh… Sunny Orlando! It is the place to be when you need to escape the winter blahs or stress from everyday life. It’s like a different world when compared to other parts of the country - the sun is always shining and people like to have fun. There is so much to do here that is refreshing and fun that you will come back from your vacation feeling years younger than when you first left home.

The first and foremost name in family fun in Orlando is Walt Disney World! From the enchanting, entertaining, and adorable Disney characters to the rides for thrill seekers, Disney World offers something for everyone, both old and young. Children will get the most out of the Magic Kingdom, while adults might enjoy different themed parks like Pleasure Island and the Wild Animal Kingdom.

Some people choose to make a weeklong excursion out of the Disney parks alone, but there is much else to see in Orlando. Sea World and Universal Studios are both popular amusements that are great for the whole family.

Orlando is a short drive from Daytona Beach, for those sun worshippers that are craving rays. There are also many outdoor activities right in Orlando, like water parks and mini golf for those who like to enjoy the beautiful weather without lying out.

If you do come to Orlando, be aware that many parks are super-busy during the winter/spring break months, when children have time off from school. The summer months are excruciatingly humid, but the attractions are far less crowded.

There is much shopping in Florida to be done. Some of the best shops with the most unique souvenirs can be found right inside the theme parks. Downtown Orlando is known for its antique shops as well. For those who prefer more mainstream shopping, there is the Lakeland Square shopping center.

Orlando is great for the athletic members of your family, too. There are a lot of great golf courses in the area. The Orlando Magic NBA team play their home games here as well, and it is economical enough to treat the family to a professional sporting event!

There is much to do in Orlando besides visit Mickey Mouse, but that is enough reason for most to make the trip!

Quick Tips:

Many discount coupons for local area attractions can be found at visitor's links through www.orlando.org.

Tickets can be purchased for area attractions via Seaworld.com and Disney.com. Get to the parks early to avoid atrocious waits to get into the park during the busy season between February and May.

Avoid lines for the attractions in Disney World by buying an extra FastPass to bypass the lines. It's well worth the extra money.

Best Way To Get Around:

Rent a car! There is no better/easier way to get around Orlando. Many rental car companies have package deals with the area attractions, like Disney World, to make it more economical.

Once inside the Magic Kingdom of Disneyworld, you can take the monorail or ferry boat to get to the parks main attractions.

There are many tour bus/trolley companies that have tours of local attractions. Hop on one if you don't feel like driving yourself.

For one of the best sushi experiences outside of Japan, I highly recommend the Amura Japanese Restaurant in the heart of downtown Orlando. This popular and very busy restaurant serves the best sushi and sashimi that I have ever had. It may not look as hip as other area sushi restaurants (there are a lot in this neighborhood), but do not be fooled. The food more than makes up for the lack of ambiance.

Amura offers spectacular lunch and dinner menus. For the better bang for your buck, definitely try to go for lunch. The prices are reasonable for their combos and a la carte items anytime, but at lunchtime they offer these "value" meals that are unbelievable bargains! The last time I visited the lunch special was sesame chicken with rice, served on a tray with tempura zucchini or yam and salad for about $10.

At lunch, because of the huge popularity of this restaurant, the servers are often so busy that they can seem a bit rude. This is much improved if you stop by during the less-hustled dinner hours. The staff here is always professional, and they are very nice.

For dinner, Amura offers deluxe sushi and sashimi boats for two. These come reasonably priced (about $40), with side dishes for you and your dining companion. My favorite thing in this restaurant is the Miso soup—it is the perfect start to any meal and comes as a part of most combos. It is freshly made and delicious!

The combinations and selections on the menu are perfect for even a novice. They have plenty of cooked and vegetarian options for those who aren't big on the idea of raw fish. Simply put, this is a great place that can satisfy even the pickiest of diners.

They don't call it the "happiest place on earth" for nothing! The Magic Kingdom was everything I would have expected it to be as a child and more. I really enjoyed the character shows and seeing places like "Cinderella's Castle"--- the attention to detail in this fantasy-world is unreal!

Lines for the rides were long during the mid-day hours, but my parents and I always got to the park super early and took the first monorail into the park. We were able to have the park pretty much to ourselves for an hour or so, which was such a treat.

The characters and staff here were always professional and always had smiles on their faces. They were always very helpful in giving directions or helping get my sister (who was ill with the flu) a wheelchair so she could enjoy a little bit of her vacation.

The Magic Kingdom has something for everyone, whether it be the very young or the very young at heart. Some rides have height limits, but for the most part, the whole family should not have a problem agreeing on attractions they could all enjoy together.

SeaWorld is the most awesome and famous marine-life park in America! The location in Orlando is fabulous, because you are able to enjoy the tropical-like climate when viewing the exotic animals. It is almost like a different planet, much different from the indoor aquariums I grew up with in New England.

SeaWorld has a famous mascot, much like Disney World has Mickey Mouse. Only their mascot is a real animal! Shamu is the star of the show here, literally and figuratively. His fishy face is emblazoned almost everywhere on souvenirs, maps, and costumed people. But nothing compares to the real thing—the Shamu show is a must-see when visiting here. Just make sure you bring a waterproof camera if you sit in the first tier and want to capture your memories.

SeaWorld has many other marine-life animal shows and exhibits. The dolphin show and otter/sea-lion show were amongst my favorites. SeaWorld also has a few exhibits centered around cold-weather animals like penguins that are well air-conditioned, perfect for escaping the Florida heat!

When in SeaWorld (owned by Anheuser-Busch), make sure to check out the famous Budweiser Clydsdale stables. These horses are enormous and fascinating to visit in real life. Though it's slightly an unexpected animal for a marine park, this was an entertaining exhibit nonetheless.

Epcot Center may have been more popular in the 80s when it was brand new, but it is still excellent for family fun. Split into two sections—Future World and the World Showcase—both are unique and have wonderful attractions.

 

The World Showcase is one of the best ways to see the countries of the world without boarding a plane, train or boat. Most countries have an IMAX movie, or other special ride or attraction. The architecture of this part of the park is outstanding. From the authentic feel of the Moroccan village to the Eiffel Tower—the attention to detail is outstanding.

Aside from the World Showcase's attractions, it also boasts the best food anywhere in the Disney parks. The ethnic cuisine at the walk up stands and sit down restaurants is impeccable. They even have a crepe stand in France and Churros in Mexico! A couple of times a year they have festivals featuring food and wine from different countries. I have never personally attended one, but I have heard very positive things.

 

There are several excellent tours that focus on different themes of Epcot that might interest specific groups. The ones that focus on the World Showcase are very popular and informative. Great for people that are trying to see as much of the park that interests them as possible in a short amount of time.

 

Future World is excellent as well. The attractions here are top notch from the new "Soarin" ride to the classic Spaceship Earth. The Soarin ride is a thrilling way to get a simulated birds-eye view of the California countryside.

 

Though there are other parts of Disney World more suited for small children, Epcot does have certain things that are great for kids. The "Honey I shrunk the Audience" movie is entertaining and age appropriate. If you don't mind the kids staying up until the park closes, the Illuminations Fireworks show on the lagoon is awesome. This is a great amusement park for everyone!