Five Days in Orlando
by Keith Walsh

April 2003

First, a warning: There’s a lot to do in Orlando, Florida. As one of the world’s greatest man-made destination cities, no normal-length vacation can possibly leave you with enough time to do it all. And even if you could do it all, would you really want to? This is a vacation after all.

To help you make efficient use of your time, and to make sure you cover some essential Orlando bases, we've put together a series of top-five lists. With as much as there is to do in Orlando, and with the city's ever-evolving identity, these lists are in no way inclusive. Consider them little sampler platters—you can try them as you like and still order from the regular menu if you want more.

Five Days of Amusements

Day 1: Magic Kingdom® Park

The park from which childhood dreams are made. This is why you came to Orlando, after all. Start out early and be prepared to wait in line. And take plenty of pictures—the entire park is one of America’s greatest photography backdrops.

Day 2: Epcot®

We hope you bought a multi-day pass to Walt Disney World® Resort yesterday, because you’re coming back. The park ostensibly celebrates technology, but what’s really interesting is the World Showcase: 10 stops around a lake, each representing the culture of a nation. Be sure to stick around for Illuminations: Reflections of Earth®, the nightly laser and fireworks display.

Day 3: Universal's Islands of Adventure

If Space Mountain wasn’t enough for you, the new Islands of Adventure park will really take you for a ride. Brace yourself for Doctor Doom’s Freefall and the Incredible Hulk Coaster.

Day 4: You Pick: Disney-MGM Studios or Universal Studios Florida®

If Disney-MGM were rated G, Universal would be its PG-13 counterpart. Visit whichever is age-appropriate for your showbiz-bound party.

Day 5: SeaWorld®

Your trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit with Shamu. Hint: Make your reservations to dine with your favorite Orca as soon as you get in the park. An interesting addition to SeaWorld is the new Discovery Cove, where you can swim with dolphins, snorkel among coral reef fish, and hold exotic birds. Reservations are required for Discovery Cove.

Five Days of Shopping

Day 1: Orlando Premium Outlets

Two words that look funny when put together are “upscale” and “outlet,” but that’s the best way to describe this 110 store outlet center. Find markdowns on Giorgio Armani, Kenneth Cole, Tommy Hilfinger, Anne Klein and more. And best of all: It’s just a mile away from your WorldMark resort!

Day 2: International Drive, The Mercado Mediterranean Village

Traditional vacation merchandise—from T-shirts and bumper stickers to handmade pottery and wind chimes—are here on International Drive. The Mercado is a full-day’s diversion, with lots of dining options to keep you going.

Day 3: Belz Designer Outlet Centre

One day of factory outlet shopping isn’t enough! Anne Taylor, Liz Claiborne, Waterford Crystal, Fila, Polo®, and more.

Day 4: Downtown Disney® Marketplace

Parking is free, and the toy stores are right out of a storybook. You’ll also find curious souvenir stores including one that only sells magnets.

Day 5: Old-Town

You’ve saved the best for last. 75 specialty stores, psychic readings, bumper cars, go-cart racing and laser tag. Stroll down the brick-lined streets and have an old-fashioned good time.

Five Days of Golf

Day 1: Celebration Golf Club

The 18 holes of this course meander through the Disney-designed neighborhood. The setting is so ideal, you’ll wonder if it didn’t take a team of artists to draw it frame by frame.

Day 2: ChampionsGate Golf Course

Designed by Greg Norman, these two courses are noted for their challenging length and well-placed hazards. The International has the flavor of Scotland, with hard, fast fairways. Its slope rating of 76.3 is the highest of any golf course in Florida. The National puts together some of the best of American golf design, with picturesque par-3 holes and a thirteenth hole that stretches out for what seems like forever.

Day 3: Falcon’s Fire

This award-winning Rees Jones course will impress even the most seasoned player. Perfectly-maintained year-round, this course offers the perfect mix of challenging par-4s and rolling, picturesque par-5s.

Day 4: You Pick, Any Walt Disney World® Resort Course

Play among the magnolia trees at Magnolia Golf Course (11 of the 18 holes use water in some way or another), try the wilderness course Osprey Ridge or take on the Lake Buena Vista course with the 7th green on its own island. The Disney property contains five full 18-hole courses and a 9-hole family course. The atmosphere of all is nothing but fun.

Day 5: MetroWest

This Robert Trent Jones Sr. course is one of the finest in Orlando. Magnificent homes line the course, and the many spring-fed lakes provide ample tests to your game. And the fairways and greens are meticulously maintained. Enjoy a fantastic day out on the course at MetroWest.

Five Nights of Casual Dining

Night 1: International Drive

More restaurants than you can shake the proverbial stick at. Try the Crab House’s all-you-can-eat crab, oyster, salad and seafood bar, or join the creative set at Café Tu Tu Tango. Along the Drive you’ll find everything from Irish pubs and Cajun food to French, Thai and Japanese cuisine.

Night 2: At Your Resort: The Pineapple Grille

Just steps away is an engaging menu of local seafood favorites, pasta and beef. Be sure to try the Key West Crab Cakes.

Night 3: Universal’s CityWalk®

It’s not just the HardRock Café® anymore. At the gates to Universal’s theme parks is a veritable playground of dining and shopping. Take your picture outside the over-the-top NASCAR Café and then kick your shoes off at Jimmy Buffett’s® Margaritaville®. At night, CityWalk® comes alive with hot nightspots like Pat O’Brien’s and Bob Marley’s in the Latin Quarter.

Night 4: Market Street, Celebration, USA

Disney meets the town-planning commission, and Celebration is the result. The village was designed to be neighbor-friendly, and the downtown area is very welcoming and perfectly suitable for an evening stroll. The Celebration Town Tavern serves great seafood, and next door at the Bostonian you’ll find nearly the same menu dressed up a bit. This is your chance to order Maine Lobster. Across the street, Café D’Antonio tempts you with fine Italian dishes.

Night 5: Walt Disney World® Resort

If you’re in the park, why not stay for dinner? The Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney-MGM Studios brings the legendary old Hollywood restaurant back to life, with celebrity atmosphere and guilded-age elegance. Or dine with Mickey and friends at the Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom® Park. Just outside the park is Downtown Disney®, where your dining choices abound and entrance is free. Visit the Portobello Yacht Club for Mediterranean specialties, Wolfgang Puck® Grand Café for world-famous chow, Gloria Estafan’s Bongos Cuban Café, House of Blues Cajun fare and much much more. When the sun sets, the nightclubs of Pleasure Island come alive, and you’ll be energized and ready.

Five Nights of Elegant Dining

Night 1: Dux® at the Peabody

Just a short way up International Drive is the elegant Peabody hotel, known for the famous daily Duck March. At 11 a.m. daily, the special duck elevator doors open and, with much fanfare, the five mallard ducks who live in the hotel’s penthouse walk along a red carpet to the fountain in which they spend their day. At 5 p.m., the ritual happens in reverse. Dux® is one of the few Mobile rated four-star restaurants in the Orlando area. Enjoy incredible American cuisine with many French accents. Call for reservations: (407) 345-4570.

Night 2: Maison & Jardin

Service comes dressed in full formal attire here in downtown Orlando. The classical European menu offers exotic foods like pheasant, ostrich and elk as well as succulent lamb, beef tenderloin and duck. Experiment with the Epicure’s Delight menu, which lets you skip the difficult decisions and just sit back and indulge. Call for reservations: (407) 862-4410.

Night 3: Lee’s Lakeside

On everyone’s list of most romantic dinner spots in Orlando, Lee’s Lakeside overlooks the city skyline and Lake Eola. The menu is continental, with fresh seafood, steaks, chicken, veal and pasta. Call for reservations: (407) 841-1565

Night 4: Delfino Riviera at Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando®

Portofino Bay Hotel is situated inside Universal Orlando, and for lovers of fine-dining, Delfino Riviera is a place not to be missed. The charm and tastes of Italy are lovingly re-created here on the shores of Portofino Bay. Strolling musicians, perfectly-portioned sauces and an incredible wine list give you the perfect sampling of Italian romance. Call for reservations: (407) 503-1000.

Night 5: Victoria and Albert’s

Six-course meals customized daily, wines paired with each course, a Victorian atmosphere only Disney® can create: A night out at Victoria and Albert’s will become a treasured memory. The elegance and grace of a formal Victorian dining room comes to life in every detail, all the way down to the napkins. Dinner jackets are required for men. Call for reservations: (407) 939-7707.

Keith Walsh can be reached at
keithwa@trendwestresorts.com