Advice for the Theme Park Weary
Book a spa treatment - What better way to soothe fragile nerves and sore feet than a session at one of Orlandoò€™s resort spas. On Disney property thereò€™s the Grand Floridian Spa, the Spa at Saratoga Springs, and the new Mandara Spa at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, all offering luxurious treatments that are a perfect addition to your vacation. Off property you canò€™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 resortò€™s pool - Orlandoò€™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 Cypressò€™ fantasyland pool is cooled by twelve waterfalls and at the JW Marriottò€™s "Lazy River" you can float to your heartò€™s content. And at Universal Orlandoò€™s Hard Rock Hotel is the coolest (and I donò€™t just mean the water temperature) pool around with an underwater sound system, sand beach, and poolside cabanas.
Spend time on Disneyò€™s waterways - Disney has miles of lakes and lagoons to explore. Youò€™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 52-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 youò€™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 youò€™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 Orlandoò€™s best shopping experiences head to this fabulous new mall just minutes from Universal Orlando. Here youò€™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 wonò€™t break the bank.
Head to Downtown Disney - For a change of pace thereò€™s Downtown Disney. Here youò€™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.