Archive
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 13, 2009 - 4:54 am
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.
June 10, 2009 - 4:55 am
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.
- 3:48 am
Walt Disney World in Orlando is among the top vacation destinations in the world. Visitors come from all over the globe to peruse the 30,000 acres of this massive complex. Nearly 7,000 acres of it are devoted to theme parks and this is probably the main focus of a vacation. But planning Disney World vacations should be started well in advance of your trip to get the most out of your time there. It can be overwhelming to decide what to do, and that’s what these tips are for.
Getting to the parks is probably the easy part, signs point the way and any hotel can tell you at least five ways of getting there. Once you get into the parks is where the planning ahead of your Disney World vacations is most important. No matter what park you’re in there will be transportation around. Whether it’s the steam trains and horseless carriages of the Magic Kingdom or the water taxis and buses of Epcot, there is a way. And of course there is always the trams which provide service to all five parks and run on a very frequent basis.
If you’re planning your Disney World vacations well ahead of time be sure to check on any special events or deals that will be available from that time. Often time you could get discounted tickets or the kids eat free in all parks, if you just take the time to look. If you are planning a long stay it may be good to make a list of which parks to visit on which days. Otherwise you can wear yourself out before your vacation even begins. Starting with the classic theme parks of the Magic Kingdom on your first day and then winding your way down to the low key Animal Kingdom when you’re worn out from a tough week is a sensible way to plan it. And of course don’t forget to visit the two water parks for those hot summer afternoons.
Anyone who has been on to Disney World can tell you that food is not a problem. As with most theme parks there will be fast food and snack stands every few feet. But Disney World has some of the best restaurants in the country on site that shouldn’t be missed. Anything from a kid friendly breakfast with Mickey Mouse all the way up to adults only fine dining, it can be found in these parks. Disney even has what they call the Disney Dining Plan. This is a new option with vacation packages and it’s the best way to sample the parks many dining options. With this plan you can enjoy two meals and one snack per day for each night of your stay. The rest of the planning of a Disney vacation can only be worked out once you’re there, but these basics will get you on the right path.
