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)

Big Tree Park

The main pull here is the Senator, a 3,500-year-old bald cypress tree, a testament to the life-giving virtues of Central Florida’s swamps. It is 17 ft (5 m) in diameter, 47 ft (14 m) in circumference and 125 ft (38 m) tall. The park has picnic tables and a board-walk through the cypress swamp.
Black Angus Restaurant

Melt-in-your-mouth steaks are the focus of this award-winning, family eatery, but ribs and fried chicken are also popular. There’s a great breakfast buffet, too.
Blackfin Seafood Grill & Bar

The bar at this eaterie is often packed with an upscale crowd more interested in the score with each other than that of the sports matches on TV. Live jazz-funk groups play out back.
Blizzard Beach

In the battle for water park supremacy, Wet ’n Wild’s main competitor is this sizeable Disney park. It’s what a ski resort would be like if it started to melt, with water slides replacing ski runs. Geared to teens and young adults, the park offers seven water slides and excellent rides, a wave pool, and kids’ areas. If park capacity is reached early (as it often is), it closes to new admissions until later in the day. (see Water Parks).
Blue Room

With a single-story interior, this downtown club is more intimate than some local options. The Blue Room excels with a comfortably upscale vibe, making it less of a meat-market than other clubs in this area. There’s lots of room around the bar to chat, if you can be heard over the progressive house beats. Top DJs have residencies here.
Blue Tree Resort

Blue Tree’s elegant and spacious one- and two-bedroom villas are well-located for Disney attractions. The resort has four pools, two tennis courts, a volleyball court, and a playground. Rates are available with or without housekeeping services.
Blues Bar at House of Blues

Before it evolved into a chain of mega-clubs, the original HOB concept was closer to this casual roadhouse place, which offers bayou-inspired eats, cold beer, and live blues bands on a low stage. Though they get little promotion, the bands booked here are excellent. And even if dinner prices are inflated (à la everything at Disney), the cover charge is zero. (see HOB Blues Bar).
Boating

The man-made lakes around Walt Disney World are perfect for idling away an afternoon. Several of the resorts have small motor-boats and pontoon boats for hire. There are also paddle-boats for people who like a more rigorous work-out.
Bob Marley – A Tribute To Freedom

Live outdoor reggae music is the big draw here, and the bands are often excellent.
Boggy Creek Airboat Rides

These 18-passenger flat-bottomed skiffs powered by giant fans make regular daylight and special one-hour night tours.

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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
Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one, a glass of house wine, and all unavoidable extra charges including tax.
- under $20
- $20–$30
- $30–$45
- $45–$60
- over $60