Archive
May 10, 2010 - 12:46 pm
While Orlando has simply hundreds of places for you to stay during your vacation to the area, but there are six general areas in which to stay that would qualify as the best places to stay in Orlando. Picking between these locations can be an overwhelming task but there are a few things to consider about each resort that may make the decision a lot easier.
South of Disney
To the south of Disney World is Highway 192 and this highway has been a well-traveled tourist destination for many years. There are many wonderful restaurants to visit in the area, some golf courses, and some attractions for the family as well. The prices of the hotels in the area are generally less expensive when compared to hotels in other areas of the city. Bear in mind however that the hotels are usually older since most of them were built in the 1970’s. There are also not many of these hotels that will be connected with a well-known national brand.
North of Disney World
Also called the Lake Buena Vista area of Orlando this is among the newest places to find a great hotel in the city. The hotels built in this region of Orlando were all put up in the 1990’s when the national brands of hotel became interested in the area. This region also offers great dining and shopping locations within just a few miles.
Inside the Disney Resort
If you are a lover of all things Disney then you should scout the Disney resort for a place to stay. It will be the most convenient hotel for having access to Disney World since shuttles run to the front gate every thirty minutes. These hotels are the highest standard possible so expect to pay a higher price for them. The good part is that the rooms are generally spacious and can easily accommodate 3-4 people.
Universal Area
There are very good accommodation options in the Universal area although there are much less than in other areas. There are only a few hotels in the region so there is not much competition. And with no competition the prices will not stay very low.
Downtown Orlando
If your purpose for vacationing in Orlando is to see the city then a hotel in downtown Orlando will be perfect. However, they are the farthest away from the major attractions there will be a lot of time spent traveling back and forth, like the thirty-minute drive to Disney. So if you want to see the major theme parks then this may not be the best place to stay.
International Drive/Convention Center
This region of the city is located just a few minutes away from Sea World so if you are visiting that park then it will be the perfect location. Keep in mind however that these hotels are largely priced for business groups so they may be a little expensive and the amenities may not be the best. But the restaurants are excellent, just be sure to make a reservation
June 28, 2009 - 5:20 am
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.
June 23, 2009 - 4:55 am
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.
June 18, 2009 - 4:47 am
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 Vacation homes in Orlando 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.
June 16, 2009 - 5:04 am
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.
