Making the Most Of Disney World Vacations

Planning Disney World vacations can be intimidating.  There are so many parks and so many things to see and do.  Obviously you want to see as much as you can in the amount of time you have and preferably in the most efficient way possible.  Ideally, you will be able to spend 2 or more days in each park.  Also, keep in mind that using a FASTPASS can mean doubling back over parks you’ve already been to and might mess up your schedule.

If you have kids then the Magic Kingdom is the place to start.  You might want to consider making reservations for dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table.  Kids of all ages will love this.  If you have preschool age kids they will likely enjoy Toontown the most, it is most suited for the small kids.  Between 6 and 10 Tomorrowland is the best starting place.  For anyone over ten they probably won’t have as much fun in these places and you can go straight to Liberty Square of Adventureland.  This will have the most enjoyment for older kids.  You want everyone to enjoy your Disney World vacations; so tailoring your adventure to their interests is the best way to do so.  With teenagers or adults you may want to consider starting in Frontierland.  This is where most of the water rides are so you’ll have the rest of the warm, sunny Florida day to dry out.  After that your route should probably be with whatever is the closest so you don’t wear yourselves out walking all over the park.

Epcot really needs two days to fully take it all in and see everything there is to see.  The first day should be devoted to Futureworld.  This is where the excitement of Epcot is, and isn’t that what Disney World vacations are about?  Futureworld is where the rides are, and perfect for the first day.  If you get there early in the day try and get to Spaceship Earth first, it will be the most crowded later.  Once you’ve finished up there, head over to Innovations East.  On day two, go back to any Futureworld rides you missed or wish to repeat and then spend the rest of the day in the World Showcase.

The Animal Kingdom and MGM are probably the easiest parks to manage.  Everything is relatively compact compared to sprawling parks you’ve already been to.  It doesn’t really matter where you begin, it’s not a huge event to get to the things you haven’t seen yet, so there is almost no need for a plan of attack.  But as always, you should try and plan your day around any of the special events you wish to see.  Parades, light shows, whatever the case may be, you need to make sure you end up in the right place at the right time.

Vacation In Orlando, Golf Courses

Florida is known for its excellent golf courses and year round golfing weather.  But nowhere in Florida has more golf courses than Orlando.  There are dozens that range in difficulty from mediocre to world-class.  Many Orlando golf courses are now ranked as some of the best in the world.

The Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate is unlike other golf courses in the area on looks alone.  It’s a Mediterranean style resort with two championship golf courses.  ChampionsGate is ideally secluded and private, yet mere miles from Orlando’s major attractions.  It’s the perfect place to retreat after dropping the kids off at Disney.   This course is still new but is already one of the most popular gold destinations in Florida.  The greens are well kept, the fairways perfectly smoothly.  Creator Greg Norman showed a lot of imagination in his design by using the landscape to create unexpected challenges.

The Celebration Golf Club is one of those old-world Orlando golf courses that just don’t seem to be around anymore.  Two masters of golf, Robert Trent Jones Senior and Junior, designed the courses.  The championship layout was designed to not only look breathtaking but also be just as challenging.  The fairways vary from being very generous and wide open to tight and difficult to maneuver.

The Eagle Creek Golf Club is conveniently located about five miles from the airport, making it one of the most attractively placed of Orlando golf courses.  The club’s management boasts, “Great green are a given, great service is also a given.”  They seem to be accurate as the course is consistently rated with 4.5 stars and is one of the best courses in Orlando.  World-renowned golf course architects Ron Garl and Howard Swan designed the 18-hole course.  The two seem to have taken their respective styles and meshed them into a challenging but enjoyable par 73 course.  It has been open to the public since 2004 and has consistently lent itself to golfers of all skill levels.  From beginner to master this is truly a must play course.

Falcons Fire Golf Club has not only the distinction of being one of the finest golf courses in Florida; it is also considered one of the most women-friendly golf courses.  This Rees Jones Signature Designed golf course is just feet away from the Orlando Airport and Disney.  The greens are expertly designed to be large and relatively flat, but may not always be easily managed.  Most golfers agree the toughest hole is number 5, the par 4 has a forced carry over a marsh that is very intimidating and can be difficult to manage.  It is perfect for a golf retreat year round and shouldn’t be missed.

Places to Vacation in Orlando

Every city has those little known places that all the locals know are the best ways to spend time.  No matter how big the tourist attraction it is they always know about those things that seem to be overlooked in typical vacation plans.  A vacation in Orlando is no different.

The Orlando Museum of Art is not typically a place one would hear about.  But it really should not be missed.  This is a varied museum that is always featuring something new.  From watercolors of Aesop’s fables to an exhibition of South American sculpture, their guest exhibits change frequently.  Not only that, they always have a special program to enjoy.  The Florida Artist of the Month celebrates a gifted local artist that may get no other exposure.  The annual Antiques Show and sale directly benefits the educational programs of the museum.

Another great spot to vacation in Orlando is the Orlando Science Center.  It’s fun for the kids and you’ll likely still learn something even when you’re eighty.  The Science Center does boast visiting exhibits that tend to change every few months, but are most renowned for their regular exhibit halls.  For example their NatureWorks exhibits has been the most popular attraction since it began.  The DinoDigs attraction is also very popular and comes complete with a replica fossil dig where you can uncover your very own replica fossil.  And if it all becomes a bit too complicated for the little ones head on over to KidsTown.  Specially designed for kids, all the interactive experiments and exhibits are ideally placed just at their eye level.  The water table is likely to keep one entertained for hours by itself.  Truly a good time for the whole family and something that is definitely worth a visit.

Another great way to spend a vacation in Orlando is the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour.  Winter Park is a small town outside Orlando, but their 17 lakes are a perfect way to spend the day.  Not to mention this one-hour boat tour will be very easy on your wallet.  There is plenty of wildlife to see, just as in all of Florida.  Three different tours are available and with the price, why pass any of them up?  On one tour you can be perusing the many birds and small mammals.  On the next you will be getting some serious real estate envy as you see the wonderful lake front properties of the area.  On the third you can travel between the lakes through narrow canals that were once used for logging in the 1800s.  Who knows, you might learn something while relaxing and enjoying yourself.

Orlando Vacation Information

Orlando has been one of the premier vacation spots in the country for generations.  On average the city hosts 48 millions visitors per year.  There are a dozen of so theme parks and hundreds of other attractions.  Many factors can affect you vacation and ultimately your enjoyment of the Orlando area.  It’s important to know all Orlando vacation information before you go, so you can plan wisely.

First, you should consider the weather that is typical to the Orlando area.  On average the temperature doesn’t usually drop below about 50 degrees.  There are certainly some exceptions, but as a general rule it is a very balmy region.  There’s a reason that Florida is home to the only tropical forest in North America.  The three hottest months of the years are typically June, July and August.  The temperature range in these months normally ranges between a low of about 70 degrees to a high of about 92 degrees.

While this may not sound like a lot if you are currently living in Arizona, remember that the humidity is usually in the seventy percent range as well.  This can make it seem a lot hotter than it actually is.  The months of summer are not only the hottest but have the highest average number of rainy days.  This can greatly put a damper on your vacation if you are planning lots of days in the open-air theme parks.  Also be aware that if you plan your trip in late summer or early fall there’s a slight chance you may run into a tropical storm or hurricane.

Knowing about the typical tourist seasons is also important Orlando vacation information.  March to April, mid-summer and the end of the year are usually the busiest tourist seasons in Orlando.  While the beginning of the school season and right after spring break is the least busy time of the year.  This by no means indicates Orlando will be empty, just less chaotic.  This is also a good way to judge when the theme parks and other major attractions will be the most crowded and the lines the longest.

The first general rule is whenever the kids are out of school; the theme parks will be packed.  The same holds true of major holidays as well.  Other less known but important Orlando vacation information is the crowds during seasonal special events.  For example, the Disney World marathon or Universal’s Mardi Gras.

While Orlando doesn’t really slow down much, there are times when you may encounter more closures.  Water parks need maintenance, theme park rides need to be maintained, animals in the parks need a break from the intense crowds.  The attractions usually use low tourist seasons to take care of these things.  So while booking your vacation during this time will be the cheapest, don’t be surprised to find a few rides closed here and there.

Vacation Homes In Orlando

There are many reasons that one may decide that they need an Orlando vacation home.  Perhaps you find that those family vacations are always to the same place.  Or perhaps you enjoy the area so much that you want to make it a point of returning for not only vacations but retirement as well.  In any circumstances there is an Orlando vacation home for you.

The first challenge is figuring out whether buying or renting a vacation home is best for your situation.  If you are planning on visiting Orlando a lot, but have no real plans to move there for good then renting is probably the best bet.  Unless you can afford a second home and all its upkeep and taxes and such, buying without moving plans might be a waste of funds in the long run.  But don’t worry, you don’t have to rent long term either.  There are more choices than that in an Orlando vacation home.  Because Orlando is such a tourism based area there are a multitude of homes you can rent on a weekly or daily basis, fully furnished and supplied for your needs.

Renting  Orlando vacation homes is becoming more popular for more than just their affordability, although that is a bonus.  Staying in a vacation rental will allow your entire group to stay under one roof but not be cramped up like you would in a hotel.  You will have all the space and comfort of home, with much more privacy too.  Keep in mind that a vacation rental is different from a timeshare.  Time-shares are properties that you invest money in on a yearly basis and then make reservations to stay at.  All you are paying for with a vacation rental is the time you stay there, like you would for a hotel.

You can find any home you could possibly imagine.  If you want to stay at a two bedroom, beachfront condo there is one available.  If you have a gang of rowdy kids and need a 7 bedroom home with a pool, you can find that too.  Nearly all vacation rentals come complete with amenities but not food.  Usually the home will be cleaned on your arrival and departure but is usually your responsibility the rest of the time.  Usually the other amenities offered by a hotel can be found.  This includes cable and Internet access, free local phone calls, and a management team to assist with any problems.

There are many reasons to stay in a vacation home during your stay in Orlando.  Only you can decide which route is the best for you.  The best thing is that a simple search on the Internet or a call to a travel agent can give you all the options and services you need to find the perfect vacation home.

Disney Vacation Packages

Every year the Disney World Resorts offer different vacation packages, as well as discounted packages you can find through travel agencies or online venders.  There are a lot of options to choose from, so it’s best to know what you want before you go.  You should plan out what you would like included in Disney vacation packages and what is not completely necessary.

Currently Walt Disney World is offering several packages that generally stay close to the same year after year.  The prices may change or the benefits might shift slightly, but it will likely be close to the same thing.  The current packages are the Magic Your Way Package, Magic Your Way Plus Quick Service Dining, and Magic Your Way Plus Dining.  All of these packages include accommodations although the prices and location will vary.  The accommodations will vary from a Value Resort Package to a stay in a Deluxe Villa.  The prices for all vary based on the Disney vacation packages you choose, and the length of time you stay will alter this as well.   All packages offer accommodations at any level of hotel room all the way up to a deluxe villa.

Other features these packages share are park tickets and a park hopper pass with no expiration date.  So the park hopper pass can be used the length of your stay, not just on one or two days.  Transportation to and from the airport are included in all three as well.  Finally, with any of these Disney vacation packages you will enjoy extended park hours and the ability to send your souvenirs straight to your room after purchase.

Where these three differ is in the food provided to you.  In the Magic Your Way package, you are responsible for all your own food and beverage.   The Quick Service Dining will include 2 quick-service meals and 2 snacks daily.  The Plus Dining package includes one table-service meal, one quick-service meal and one snack daily.  You also have the option of having a bottle of wine delivered to your room nightly with the Plus Dining package.

These are just the options you have through the Disney World resort itself.  If you book rooms with other hotels in the area, you can sometimes find packages that include Disney tickets or discounted park tickets.  It is always worth the effort to ask if the hotel offers any specials like this before you book your room.  They will likely not offer it to you outright, and it would be a shame to miss out on the offer.  Always check with a travel agent as well.  They will know of all the best offers and the most current so that you will get the most from your vacation.

Things To Do On A Vacation In Orlando

When someone hears the word Orlando obviously one of the first things that comes to mind is Walt Disney World.  That is a great way to spend a day or two on a vacation in Orlando, there has to be other things to do too.  This list is a great place to start.

Seaworld is a wonderful escape from the sometimes muggy Florida summers.  Walk around at your leisure to see some animals and learn something new.  And when the afternoon sun gets to be a little too much, head for the auditoriums and get yourselves thoroughly splashed compliments of the killer whales.  This is a great place to spend some of the latter half of your vacation in Orlando since it is a very relaxed activity compared to come others.

Another great way to spend a day is just to hang around the beach.  Any of Orlando’s beaches will be beautiful and stunning, just watch out for spring break time if that is not really your type of fun.  If you are a surfer or kayaker, then you will have plenty of avenues available to you.  Snorkeling and free diving are also great ways to spend your time.  But even if all you do is take an ice cooler out there with soda and some sun tan lotion, your vacation will be off to a perfect start.

Universal Studios is another popular spot to vacation in Orlando.  Again, it’s a little more leisurely and you can take your time walking around the place.  Make it a half day or two day event, you’ll still see a lot and have great deals of fun.  Be sure to stop by the Nascar Sports Grill for a pink lemonade.

A definite must on your to-do list would be visiting NASA.  Not only is the place world renowned, it is a fascinating place to visit.  It can make for a long day with the sheer size of it, so be sure to pack lots of water and energy bars.  It also has a tendency to get very hot since most of NASA is located on flat and open land.  Getting there earlier in the day will make the trip most pleasant for everyone.

Now just to get over that long and hot day at NASA there’s one perfect solution for people of all ages.  Make sure to pay a visit to the Wet and Wild Water Park.  This is much more exciting and exhilarating than the beach, but can be overwhelming with the large crowds.  If it gets to be too much excitement, retreat to the beach chairs and relax in the shade for a little while.

The most important thing to remember is that it’s your vacation.  If you’re having a good time and taking your time to enjoy the sights then you can’t possibly go wrong.  You’ll give yourself something to write home about and come back for next year with plenty more things to see.

Hotels Near Orlando Airport

When you are traveling, you naturally want to have your accommodations in a convenient location.  Often this is near the attraction you’re going to see or near the airport.  Well, look no further for the best list of hotels near Orlando Airport.

Possibly the very best hotel is the Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport.  Not only is it a four star hotel, it is located inside the main terminal of the airport.  You don’t need to worry about your luggage when you arrive, it will complimentary be picked up for you and delivered to your room.  There is no need to worry about how to get around town since the concierge will be more than happy to get you transportation to all the local attractions, or restaurants.  Your options for this vary from a rental car all the way to a limousine.  This is a hotel that just can’t be missed.

On the opposite end of the price scale is the La Quinta Orlando Airport West.  On the list of hotels near Orlando Airport you could not ask for a better price but still such a long list of amenities.    This list includes free shuttle service from the airport, breakfast in the morning, and free internet access to all rooms.  Located conveniently on the Beeline Highway, it’s virtually a direct line to all the area attractions.  There are also at least nine restaurant either within walking distance or that deliver, so you can’t possibly go hungry.

Another of the best hotels near Orlando Airport is the Amerisuites.  Located in a beautifully landscaped park, the view is wonderful and peaceful.  There is a complimentary airport shuttle even though it is only a mile away from the airport to begin with.  A breakfast buffet is provided daily and the hotel has an on site gym.  If you wish spa services, there is a massage service on call.  All rooms are considered over sized by normal hotel standards, a large living area and a kitchen.  So bring your own food with you and it will be just like home.

Finally there’s the Marriott Orlando Airport.  It’s just two years from a complete renovation that made it one of the most environmentally friends hotels in the Orlando area.  The new site features a fitness center and jogging track to keep yourself in shape after satisfying your appetite at the hotel’s on-site steakhouse.  There are on-site children’s activities to keep the little ones occupied and happy.  And should you find yourself needing a little pampering after a long day at the theme park there is an onsite beauty salon and barber shop.  This wonderful hotel will be a great addition to any vacation.

The Disney Vacation Club

The Disney Vacation Club is owned by the Walt Disney Company and revolutionized the concept of vacation timeshares. It is one of the fastest growing timeshare companies in the nation for many of the same reasons that they Disney World parks are one of the top vacation destinations in the world. Disney knows how to do things right, and they don’t fail on this endeavor either.

In order to become a Disney Vacation Club (or DVC) member you make a one time invest in one of the five resorts and then pay annual dues after that. Unlike most other timeshare properties, investing in the Disney Vacation Club is much more flexible since you can use your points at any of the resorts you wish. Your annual dues earn you points, the value of those points never change. So if you purchase the points today, they will be worth the same in 5 years. The current minimum for membership is 150 points per year and the current cost is $101 per point.

But not only do you have the flexibility of staying at any of the Disney parks, you get discounts off of annual passes and a discount at many of the Disney park restaurants, programs or tours. You can also book dates at your home resort up to a year in advance. Your home resort is whatever property you originally invested in. But you can book up to seven months in advance at any of the other resorts as well. Recently Disney announced that they will begin offering the use of your DVC point for a discount at any Disney hotel. There are set numbers of points that would be needed to stay at one resort for a full year, but the points per day may vary depending on the time of year.

If you decide that you just don’t wish to participate in your DVC membership anymore, you are free to sell it just like any other real estate property. Keep in mind that all DVC memberships have an expiration date ranging from the year 2042 and 2057. There is always the possibility that you will no longer want or need your membership before that, and you are free to sell that membership at any time. Also, there is no negative impact on anyone buying a membership through resale. So if you wish to invest in the DVC program this way, then you will receive the same benefits and the same restrictions as anyone else.

In addition to all these benefits, the DVC is part of the larger organization of Interval International. Your points can be traded for accommodations at Disney Resorts and the DVC locations in Vero Beach, FL and Hilton Head, SC that are run by Interval International. Of if your vacation of choice is cruises, the Disney Cruise Line also accepts DVC points on certain vacation opportunities.

Best Orlando Hotels

When you are going on vacation, no matter the destination, inadvertently picking the wrong hotel can make it hard to enjoy yourself.  Waking up with a cockroach on your arm when the website said it was a luxury hotel can put a damper on a trip.  There are a few hotels that guest reviews, travel agents, and guidebooks agree are the best Orlando hotels. All would be a superb addition to your Orlando vacation.

One of the best luxury hotels in the Orlando area is the Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grand Lakes.  It is in a very large complex and could be a vacation all by itself.  The nightly rate starting at $400 is well worth it when you see what there is to do.  There is a spa that is probably bigger than your home at 40,000 square feet.  Kids’ activities are available, they have a lazy river and an 18-hole golf course on site.  You could never leave their complex and have fun, it is definitely one of the best Orlando hotels.

The Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate is a great hotel for someone looking for a luxury hotel but at a reasonable price.  It’s in a quiet place and it surrounded by over 1000 acres of natural wetlands.  They feature five restaurants, a spa, a putting course and a lot more.  In addition to all the on site options it is adjacent to a huge golf course and is about five miles from Walt Disney World and less that 20 miles from Universal Orlando.  With rates starting at $135 nightly, it’s definitely an investment worth making.

When thinking of the best Orlando hotels, you can’t overlook a widely renowned name in luxury hotels with the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort.  Not only does the Regency take world class to a whole new level, you will be floored with the stream in the middle of the lobby and the VIP helicopter pad.  The swimming pool covers nearly half an acre and has its own waterfalls.  They also feature what amounts to a summer day camp for kids.  This isn’t just a day care, it’s a camp designed to keep the kids begging to come back.  This doesn’t even begin to cover the list of activities offered to you for starting at $179 a night.

Finally you have another renowned name with the Marriott Orlando World Center.  With the onsite golf course, tennis courts, water park and over 200 acres of landscaped grounds you’d probably be expecting a high price tag.  But with rates starting at $129 nightly, at many other destinations you may be lucky to get a room and a continental breakfast for that.  This is why it’s one of the best places to stay in Orlando.