Archive
May 13, 2010 - 3:02 pm
Orlando, Florida is a popular vacation spot for travelers of all kinds with its vast array of sights and things to do. Whether the plan is simply to get away from it all and relax at a resort hotel or to be out on the town and seeing the sights Orlando has a place for you. Not only can you visit the world famous Disney World but it is one of the highest ranked cities for vacationers to spend their time. Over 40 million tourists head to Orlando yearly so the city it quite used to catering to tourists of every type. Consider the Best Ways to Enjoy Orlando Vacation Resorts.
There are dozens of ways for a family to enjoy themselves in Orlando so there should be something for everyone’s taste. Booking a hotel is probably the easiest part of a family vacation but discovering the sights of the city can be the difficult part. Of course one of the most popular places to visit with a family is Disney World, but it can also be busy if you are there during peak season.
The best way to get a good deal for a vacation package to Orlando is to check with a local travel agency. With Orlando being one of the most popular vacation spots in the US there are almost always packages and deals of some kind. Often you can find packages that offer hotel accommodations, discounts on attraction tickets, day tours of the city, and meal arrangements. An advantage to having one of these packages is that it lets you have an entire itinerary for your vacation well before you ever set out of the door. Also, these vacation packages usually set up the itinerary in groups that will be the same for the entire trip, so you can meet new people and get to know the other tourists that you’re spending time with.
If your family is a little more budget conscious then it may be wise to look into resorts that offer timeshare packages. This allows you to stay in a very fancy resort that is typically within a few miles of all the major attractions. Often these time-share unites are much cheaper than if you were to pay for it all yourself so they can be a good value for the money being spent.
For longer trips to Orlando it may be most reasonable to rent a vacation home during your stay. Extended stays in a hotel can be wildly expensive and don’t offer a lot of benefits that longer vacations require like a kitchen or a washing machine. Renting a vacation home will solve all of those worries and let everyone in the family have a little more room to spread out.
For travelers who’s sole intent in being in Orlando is to go to Disney World then it’s definitely advisable to stay at the Disney resort. There are numerous travel packages specifically for those only interested in Disney. There are numerous attractions within the parks and resorts that will keep everyone in the family happy.
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 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 15, 2009 - 3:28 am
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.
