Floridianestates

When you enjoy the vacation of your life in Orlando, Florida you may want to treat yourself and your family to a meal at some of the finer restaurants in the area. Here is a pick of some of my favorites.

California Grill

Located on the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort this restaurant was voted Orlando’s Most Popular restaurant. Its renowned chef Clifford Pleau continually reinvents his “unique seasonal menus”, creating “divine” dishes paired with an “equally eloquent wine list”; add “impeccable” service and “spectacular” views of the park and its fireworks, and the result is truly great, even if it is accompanied by tourists wearing shorts and Mickey Mouse ears! Location: Disney World, Contemporary Hotel, 41

Christini’s

This restaurant has been called “a treasure among restaurants”, and is located in the in the Dr. Phillips area of South Orlando. It is well-known for lavish meals, complemented by a 450-label wine list. The food is served in a romantic setting with strolling musicians giving you the ambience of a night out in Italy. However, the feasting here does not come cheap and the prices are “high” even by “expense-account” standards. South Orlando 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., 52

Hemingways

If you have always loved the mystique of Ernest Hemingway then this is the place to go. The Hemingway-at-Key-West decor (rods and reels, a stuffed marlin, nautical trinkets) at this Lake Buena Vista hotel seafood house makes you feel like you’ve spent the day fishing with Hemingway. Guests describe it as “a nice place to bring clients” or to celebrate “special occasions” and some of the favorite dishes include coconut shrimp and paella. Lake Buena Vista 1 Grand Cypress Blvd. 41

Morton’s of Chicago

If price is no object to a good meal then this steakhouse is the place for you. When was the last time you’ve had beef so tender and full of flavor that you have to remark after every bite? While the steakhouse is particularly close to the Central Florida theme parks, it is tucked away in the quaint Doctor Phillips Marketplace, a respite of sorts from nearby tourist hangouts. The clientle is made up of Orlando executives and Orlando business travelers. They are all here to drink martinis and sink their teeth into the juicy porterhouse, sirloin and Maine lobster. As for side dishes, don’t pass up the specialty, potatoes Lyonnaise. Location: 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd. 60

Venetian Room

This is a fine-dining restaurant that prides itself on offering an elegant experience of the highest level. The chef de cuisine is Khalid Benghallem, a former sous chef at Emeril’s and the opening chef at Shula’s Steakhouse in the Dolphin Hotel. The menu is typical for an upscale restaurant in this category and includes foie gras, crab cake, lamb rack, veal chops and other dishes. However, it is the special preparation of these common items that makes this restaurant special. You will, however, have to pay for this unique treat. This is not a cheap restaurant and appetizers range from 14 to 17, and six of the seven entries are more.than 30. Location: Caribe Royal Hotel 8101 World Center Drive

There you have it. If price is no object, and you just want to enjoy a fine meal at a great restaurant, then one of these Orlando restaurants will certainly satisfy you.

Sunny Central Florida may not go with your traditional image of a white Christmas, but the theme parks of Orlando put on holiday shows that are filled with festive fun. If you are in the Orlando area this Christmas (or any Christmas) here are the kinds of events that you can experience:

SeaWorld Orlando has announced that they will feature a ride based on Robert Zemeckis The Polar Express.

Warner Bros. Pictures and Iwerks Entertainment are reprogramming the theme parks Wild Arctic simulator ride, and transforming it into a simulated train ride to Santa Town for the holiday season. When the ride ends, people will step out onto a recreation of the North Pole. SeaWorlds exhibit of polar bears, beluga whales, walruses and other Arctic animals will also be made up to fit the winter wonderland theme. The new Polar Express ride will debut on Friday and will be in place through January 1st 2008.

The cost and contact information for Seaworld are as follows: Cost: 67.95; 57.95 children; Sea World Drive, Orlando; Telephone: 800-327-2424

Walt Disney World in Orlando offers Christmas and winter holiday themed events at each of its major attraction centers. Disney’s Magic Kingdom Very Merry Christmas Party begins will be held through December 21 from 7 pm to midnight. Also, when regular park hours are over, the lights come alive. The tree lighting ceremony and the almost crystallized castle are well worth the price of admission; and, for those who dream of a white Christmas, enjoy the snowfall on Main Street.

Here are the costs and contact information for Disney World: Cost: 51.07; 43.62 ages 3-9; Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista; 407-934-7639

Not to be outdone by Disney or Seaworld, Universal Studios in Orlando offering its own version of Macy’s Holiday Parade, including the “actual, authentic” Santa from New Yorks Thanksgiving Day Parade. Universal also offers entertainment ranging from Barney’s Christmas Show to the Blues Brothers Christmas Show.

In addition, Universal is also unveiling a new stage show at Islands of Adventure, called Grinchmas, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Seuss’ Christmas story. Back by popular demand, Grinchmas will feature seven songs on a new stage.

The celebration continues with decorations and special events at Universal CityWalk as well as all three world-class, on-site hotels – Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort.

Here are the latest costs and information for Universal: one dayone park ticket: 71; 60 children; Universal Blvd. Orlando; 407-224-4243 or visit their holiday website: www.universalorlando.comholidays.

The nearby city of Silver Springs offers a Festival of Lights, from dusk to 8:30 p.m. from December 14-30. This is an event that you should not miss. It features more than one million twinkling lights and is complete with carolers, stage shows , a boat parade and holiday concerts as well. Here is the contact information and costs for this event:
33.99; 30.99 seniors; 24.99 ages 3-10; 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd.; Silver Springs; 352-236-2121

Busch Gardens in Tampa also offers annual Christmas events. This year it feature a breathtaking spectacle of music, dance and holiday cheer as well as other holiday experiences scattered throughout the park daily. The costs and contact information for Busch Gardens are as follows: 64.95; 54.95 children; 3000 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa; 888-800-5447

There it is! Orlando and vicinity is a great place for you and your family to enjoy your winter vacation.

If you are looking forward to visiting Disney World or other attractions in Orlando, planning the trick with a little information could help save you money. Instead of opting for the first package that comes your way, its best to get some more knowledge of hotels and other kinds of lodgings available might be a good idea. Even if you are from Florida, some tips form this article may help you in getting your required and budgeted accommodation.

A popular misconception is that the resort exists in Orlando. In fact, the entire Walt Disney World property is outside Orlando city limits; the majority sits within southwestern Orange County, with the remainder in adjacent Osceola County to the south.

Most of Walt Disney World’s Central Florida land and all of the public areas are located in the cities of Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, located southwest of Orlando and a few miles northwest of Kissimmee. The land within Walt Disney World Resort is part of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which allows the Disney corporation to exercise quasi-governmental powers over the area.

Hotels always come across to be trifle expensive on the agenda whenever you travel irrespective of the destination. The alternative is vacation rentals that offer far cheaper rates than most hotels. Vacation rentals may come to include various kinds of lodging like privately owned cottages, condos or large and luxurious villas that can be directly rented or leased from their owners, their agents or through vacation rental agencies. A lot of variety is available to choose from and they are ideal for families looking forward to make use of Disney vacation rentals.

Florida Disney vacation rental lodgings offer cheaper prices resulting in huge savings in costs compared to staying at a hotel. Most of these privately owned accommodations are listed directly by their owners, resulting in saving more money by avoiding middle men. Orlando being one of the most popular vacation destination in the USA because it has something for everyone – Disney with its four theme parks MGM Studios, Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom in addition to the 3 water parks and more than eight golf courses, not to mention many other attractions.

The Walt Disney World resort also includes six world-class golf courses. The five 18-hole golf courses are the Magnolia, the Palm, Lake Buena Vista, Eagle Pines, and Osprey Ridge (the last two are part of the Bonnet Creek Golf Club). There is also a nine-hole walking course called Oak Trail, designed for young golfers. Together, they are known as Disney’s “99 holes of golf.” There are two miniature golf courses, Fantasia Gardens and Winter Summerland.

Walt Disney World paved the way for many other theme parks and attractions in the area, including SeaWorld and Universal Studios, and helped make Orlando a popular tourist destination for people from all over the world.

Since the best time to visit Florida and its attractions is from October to April, it is best to get reservations at least 2 months in advance. If you are a regular Disney buff, you may even consider owning a vacation home there which can be rented out as and when not required by you. Investment, return and appreciation along with the pleasure of a Disney holiday is a reality.