Hotels Things to Do Restaurants Nightlife Itineraries Travel

The Best Week in Orlando

Description:

You could spend a month in Orlando and still not see and do everything. That being said, if you’ve got a week to tackle this magical play land, you’ll want to hit the best and most exciting spots. For the first half of the week, stay at one of the Disney hotels. This will save you tons of travel time to and from the parks so that you can maximize the amount of time you can spend at Disney World. Have dinner at your hotel or take the shuttle over to Downtown Disney. There are tons of options for dining and snacking there. Plus, it’s just a cool place to stroll around. Then, as you switch over to SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Universal, you’ll want to move to a hotel close to I-Drive. Like Downtown Disney, you’ll find that Pointe Orlando on I-Drive offers a good concentration of restaurants, shops and bars so you can stroll around and choose the best option for your family. There’s lots of parking there and it’s close to many of the other I-Drive attractions. This is a non-stop week and you’ll probably need a vacation after this vacation. But when you want to see all the best that Orlando has to offer, this go-go pace is worth the effort.

user rating

Author: Kristen Manieri

Day 4 - Kissimmee, Orlando, Lake Buena Vista

You may want to spend another day at Disney or perhaps it's time for something different. In that case, check out one of Orlando's stupendous water parks either at Disney or on I-Drive. Call it an early day so you've got time to check into the Nickelodeon Hotel (make sure to check out the 'slime' schedule) and then head out to the Medieval Times Dinner Show where you'll spend the evening eating with your hands and cheering on your honorable knight.

1

Medieval Times

user rating

Location:

view in google maps
4510 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy
Kissimmee, (U.S. 192)
Kissimmee, FL 34746

Phone:

888/935-6878

Wet 'n Wild

user rating

Location:

view in google maps
6200 International Dr
At Universal Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819

Phone:

800/992-9453

Nickelodeon Family Suites Resort by Holiday Inn

user rating

Location:

view in google maps
14500 Continental Gateway
Off Hwy. 536
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32821

Phone:

877/387-5437

Day 5 - Orlando

Your day at Discovery Cove will likely be your most memorable thanks to the up-close encounters you'll experience with dolphins, ray, even white tailed deer. DC takes care of every detail, even providing guests with complementary sunscreen and their own personal snorkel. Eat and drink to your heart's delight... everything is included with admission. Get there when it opens and stay until it closes - you won't want to miss a second of your Discovery Cove Day. Top the day off with your most memorable meal at Melting Pot where mouthwatering fondues are cooked table side. Be sure to save room for dessert - several chocolate fondues await.

1

Discovery Cove

user rating

expert pick

Location:

view in google maps
6000 Discovery Cove Way
Orlando, FL 32821

Phone:

+1 407 370 1280

The Melting Pot

user rating

Location:

view in google maps
7549 West Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819

Phone:

1 407 903-1100

Day 6 - Orlando

You receive a free pass to SeaWorld with your admission to Discovery Cove so you might as well use it right away. Expect great shows, lots of opportunities to feed the animals, and the new Mantra ride, opening Spring '09. At night, head over to Pointe Orlando, a few miles from SeaWorld (on I-Drive) where you'll find several restaurants (such as Oceanaire and my favorite Italian spot, Maggiano’s). There’s also a movie theater with an IMAX, and a handful of bars including the new BB King eatery featuring a live, 11-person band every night. Check out the restaurants, bars, and shops of Pointe Orlando at www.pointeorlando.com. If you still have the energy, Howl at the Moon's dueling piano bar is an excellent spot to sing what's left of the night away. The live musicians provide some of the best entertainment around and constantly engage the rowdy crowd.

1

SeaWorld Orlando

user rating

expert pick

Location:

view in google maps
7007 Sea World Drive
Orlando, FL 32821

Phone:

+1 407 351 3600

The Oceanaire Seafood Room

user rating

expert pick

Location:

view in google maps
9101 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819

Phone:

1 407 363-4801

Howl at the Moon

user rating

Location:

view in google maps
8815 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819

Phone:

407 354 5999

Day 7 - Orlando

Spend your last day at Universal or Islands of Adventure (or both). If it's not too crowded, tackling both parks is totally do-able, especially if you buy an express pass. Pass through CityWalk at day's end to peruse a bevy of dinner options from seafood (Bubba Gump) to Caribbean (Jimmy Buffett's) to Jamaican (Bob Marley's). There's truly something for every taste. For $21.95 you can opt for the Meal and a Movie deal which gets you an entree at one of several eateries plus a movie ticket at the theater at CityWalk. You might also want to purchase a party pass which will allow you to barhop your way through this nightlife Mecca. Red Coconut Club, with its Top 40 dance floor and generous pours, is my favorite when I feel like dancing. Otherwise, you'll find me at Rising Star, the coolest karaoke bar in Orlando thanks to the live band that performs with the uninhibited songbirds that take the stage.

1