DK Travel : Orlando

One word describes Orlando’s transformation in the last three decades: stunning. The city and its suburbs have gone through a Cinderella-like metamorphosis, where plain Jane has become a worldly beauty. Millions of tourists are seduced every year by sophisticated resorts, a wide range of theme parks, must-see attractions, happening nightclubs, and winning restaurants. Here are Orlando’s best of the best.

More on the Top 10 sights in Orlando (see Thrill Rides)

Circus McGurkus

The Cat in the Hat, the Grinch, Thing One, and Thing Two turn up at Seuss Landing in Islands of Adventure at 2:45pm daily for a late lunch.
Cirque du Soleil

Nowadays, circuses without animals are all the rage, and the Canadian company Cirque du Soleil is one of the best of its kind. So popular are its shows that, in addition to world tours, there are now permanent venues, too. Orlando’s high-energy, 90-minute show, La Nouba, climaxes with a finale in which more than 70 performers execute an extraordinary trampoline routine. The ticket is quite pricey, but you’re unlikely to be disappointed.
CityJazz

This beautiful and acoustically vibrant room emulates the big, urbane jazz supper clubs of the past.
Clerbrook Golf & RV Resort

This large site, popular with golfers, offers 1,250 RV hook-ups, non-smoking villas, plus amenities including a driving range, four whirlpools, a library, and a beauty salon.
Coach Factory Store

Leather rules at this spacious store, and deals abound on both current and last season’s handbags, jackets, luggage, and more.
Cocoa Beach

Just 60 miles (96 km) east of I-4 via the Bee Line Express-way, Cocoa Beach is the seashore closest to Orlando. The beach is picturesque, although the surrounding town is less so (apart from the lovely Cocoa Village near US Hwy 1). Surfing is taken seriously here, due in part to the presence of the Ron Jon Surf Shop, a vast surfing mecca that sells surf wear, beach gear, boards, and every imaginable beach accessory.
Cold Stone Creamery

About Cold Stone Creamery

Experts in Innovation If it has anything to do with ice cream, it has everything to do with Cold Stone Creamery. From unique ice cream creations to smoothies, cakes and shakes – nobody serves up the ultimate indulgence like Cold Stone. It starts with using the highest quality ingredients and ends with our signature process for preparing your custom creation on a frozen granite stone.

Because the World Deserves Better Ice Cream Rest assured, our expertise in innovating indulgence didn’t just happen by accident. Our founders, Donald and Susan Sutherland, discovered their true calling in 1988 when, driven by their passion to serve the world's best ice cream, they opened the first Cold Stone Creamery in Tempe, Arizona. And now, more than 1,400 stores later, people have really warmed up to their cool idea.

Has It Really Been That Long? Through almost 20 years of serving up the finest ice cream, cakes, smoothies and shakes, some things have certainly changed. And frankly, some things haven’t. Ever since we opened our first store back in 1988, we’ve been serving up what we refer to as Creations™. In other words, if you want it in your ice cream – you get it. By mixing nuts, fruits and candy into our smooth and creamy ice cream on a frozen granite stone (around here, we call it “the stone”) we're actually more like ice cream artists. Over the years, we’ve stumbled on a few concoctions of our own that we call our Cold Stone Signature Creations. Ice cream for breakfast, a smoothie for lunch, and a sensible cake for dinner? – Who says you can’t eat this amazing ice cream for all three meals?
Colonial Lanes

For more than 50 years, the venerable Colonial Lanes has offered patrons the sociable and quintessential blue-collar pastime of bowling. This 32-lane facility is a friendly and noisy place to knock over a few pins, so rent some shoes, pick out a ball, and let the computer keep score – but bear in mind that league bowling takes over the place between 6pm and 9pm every night, so avoid those times, unless you’re happy to watch. After the game, the place to go is the Colonial Lanes Bar & Restaurant, parts of which resemble a giant sunken living room (with bartenders standing on a lower floor than customers). Drinks are cheap, and the concept of rounding off prices never caught on here, so don’t be surprised if your tab is a quirky $4.38.
Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista

Well located to the theme parks this hotel offers a free shuttle service. There are two swimming pools and a mini-market deli for buying snacks. Breakfast is included and kids stay for free and eat for free at the on site restuarant.
Comfort Inn Maingate West

The motel-style rooms (with two double beds) are on the small side, but the location, just west of Disney, is a plus. Breakfast included.

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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under $90
- $90–180
- $180–250
- over $250