Advice for the Theme Park Weary
by: Cara Goldsbury
When you just can’t take another day at the theme parks on your
Orlando vacation consider these suggestions:
Book a Spa Treatment - What better way to soothe fragile nerves and
sore feet than a session at one of Orlando’s resort spas. On Disney
property there’s the Grand Floridian as well as the Saratoga Springs Spa
where one of their luxurious treatments are a perfect addition to your
vacation. Off property you can’t do any better than the ultra luxurious
Ritz-Carlton Spa or the Gaylord Palms Canyon Ranch Spa. Those staying at a
Universal Resort should consider an exotic Javanese treatment at the
Mandara Spa at Portofino Bay Hotel.
Relax At Your Resort’s Pool - Orlando’s resort pools are
justifiably renowned for their spectacular theming. Disney offers some of
the best, particularly Stormalong Bay at the Yacht and Beach Club, a
3-acre mini waterpark, or the boulder lined beauty at the Wilderness Lodge
featuring waterfalls and its very own geyser. Off property, the Hyatt
Regency Grand Cypress’ fantasyland pool is cooled by twelve waterfalls
and at the JW Marriott’s “Lazy River” you can float to your
heart’s content. And at Universal Orlando’s Hard Rock Hotel is the
coolest (and I don’t just mean the water temperature) pool around with
an underwater sound system, sand beach, and poolside cabanas.
Spend Time On Disney’s Waterways - Disney has miles of lakes and
lagoons to explore. You’ll find that most Disney resorts have a marina
where many types of watercraft are available for hire. Sailboats, pontoon
and canopy boats, Sea Raycers, even a 48-foot yacht. Take your pick.
Perhaps the biggest bang for your buck is to be had at the Contemporary
Resort where in addition to the above you’ll also find parasailing,
waterskiing, tubing, and wakeboarding on beautiful Bay Lake.
Cool Off at a Disney Waterpark - Disney has two wonderful waterparks:
Blizzard Beach, a perfect place for daredevils, and Typhoon Lagoon where
you’ll find a whopper of a surf pool along with tamer attractions. Spend
your day hopping from one crazy waterslide to another or just kick back
and relax on a lounge chair for the afternoon.
Shop Till You Drop in The Mall at Millenia - For one of Orlando’s
best shopping experiences head to this fabulous new mall just minutes from
Universal Orlando. Here you’ll find only the best with stores such as
Neiman Marcus, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany. But fair
warning: this trip could end up costing a pretty penny. Those with great
taste but thriftier intentions will love the Orlando Premium Outlets Mall
located just across I-4 from Downtown Disney where designer outlet stores
such as Hugo Boss, Armani, Escada, Ermenegildo Zegna, and Burberry won’t
break the bank.
Head to Downtown Disney - For a change of pace there’s Downtown
Disney. Here you’ll find over 70 shops, restaurants, and nightclubs plus
a 24-screen theater, Disney Quest with five floors of virtual games and
adventures, even a Cirque du Soleil. Adults will want to pick a great
restaurant for dinner like Wolfgang Puck or Portofino Yacht Club and then
head to Pleasure Island to party down until the wee hours of the morning.
Swim With a Dolphin - Perhaps the most unusual experience in Orlando is
Discovery Cove. Spend up close and personal time with your very own
dolphin friend, snorkel with tropical fish and rays, even feed birds right
out of your hand. Then relax on a sandy beach with little or no crowds.
Definitely a day to be remembered.
Make the Rounds Resort Hopping - Spend a few hours ogling at Disney’s
wonderfully themed resorts. And best of all, it doesn’t cost a thing.
Board the monorail at the Ticket and Transportation Center and hop off at
each of the three Magic Kingdom resorts. First the Polynesian, a tropical
wonderland, then the Grand Floridian, Disney’s flagship resort, and
lastly the Contemporary where you’ll enjoy the Grand Concourse with the
monorail silently gliding overhead. Out back you can catch a boat to the
Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s most beautiful resort modeled after an early
1900s national park lodge. Then catch a boat to the Magic Kingdom and a
ferry to the TTC where you started. It’s a grand circle that can’t be
beat.
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