Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
219
Top 10 Orlando-Area Activities for Grown-Ups
1.
Spa Treatments:
First-rate spas such as those at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort
& Spa, the Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, the WDW Dolphin, the Buena Vista
Palace Resort, the Portofino Bay Hotel, the Renaissance Orlando Resort at Sea-
World, and the Gaylord Palms provide heavenly pampering and relief for the
sore muscles and tired feet caused by the parks (see chapters 1 and 4).
2.
World Showcase Pavilions:
Experience a 'round-the-world journey, visiting
11 “nations” with authentically reproduced architectural highlights, restau-
rants (many of which have recently been updated), shops, and cultural perfor-
mances (see later in this chapter).
3.
Cirque du Soleil:
This no-animals circus (p. 336) is compelling for most any-
one older than the age of 6, but its intensity and choreography make it a real
winner for adults.
4.
Hitting the City's Nightlife:
Pleasure Island and CityWalk, entertainment and
restaurant districts located respectively at WDW and Universal Orlando (see
chapter 9), provide nonstop fun for the wine-dine-and-dance set. Lounges
and clubs, often more upscale than those you'll find at the entertainment
districts, can be found at select resorts throughout Orlando—a particular
standout is Rix, which recently opened in Disney's Coronado Springs Resort.
6
5.
A Romantic Dinner at Victoria & Albert's:
Loving couples cherish the inti-
mate evening and scrumptious seven-course dinner at the headline restau-
rant in Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (p. 149).
6.
Discovery Cove:
SeaWorld's sister park offers guests a chance to rest, relax,
and swim with the dolphins in a remote island atmosphere. It's an expensive
but ultimately satisfying retreat (see chapter 7).
7.
Richard Petty Driving Experience
and the
Indy Racing Experience:
Vrr-
rooooommmmmm!
If you're 18 or older and have the courage, try driving or
at least riding in a real NASCAR rocket at speeds significantly above the legal
limit (p. 261).
8.
The
Grand 1:
Take another break from the Mickey madness and cruise Dis-
ney's Seven Seas Lagoon (perhaps catching a glimpse of Wishes fireworks)
aboard this vintage, 45-foot yacht (p. 83).
9.
Innoventions:
Epcot is generally geared more to adults than the other WDW
parks, and this display of future technologies is especially intriguing, provid-
ing a preview of life well into the 21st century (p. 216).
10.
Tee Time:
Orlando is home to some of the country's best golf courses—Walt
Disney World alone offers 99 holes, including one with a sand trap shaped like
Mickey Mouse—so enthusiasts will find plenty of places to tee up (see “Hit-
ting the Links,” in chapter 7).
staying overnight at a Disney resort, you can also have all packages purchased by 7pm
sent to your hotel room (they will be delivered by noon the next day).
PARKING
It's $12 for cars, light trucks, and vans; $13 for RVs.
