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)

Cape May Café

Join Goofy for a breakfast buffet at the Beach Club Resort.
Capone’s Dinner & Show

Settle into the 1930s and visit Al Capone’s notorious speakeasy, a place where pseudo-mobsters and their molls entertain guests with a lot of song and dance. The all-you-can-eat buffet offers pasta, sausage with peppers and onions, baked chicken and ham, vegetables, potatoes, and whatever beer, wine, coffee, iced tea and sodas you care to drink.
Caribbean Beach Club

While most of O-Town grooves to house, techno and electronica, the sizeable Caribbean Beach Club jams to the earthier vibes. Expect Latin, disco, calypso, soca, and reggae sounds, which pack in an ethnically diverse crowd.
Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney’s largest hotel (with 2,112 rooms) is split into five “villages”: Aruba, Trinidad, Martinique, Barbados, and Jamaica, each with its own pool and sandy beach. The rooms are on the small side but are good value.
Caro-Seuss-El

Seussian characters make this carousel ride truly unique.
Carribean Beach Resort

We truly enjoyed our stay at the CBR. Check-in was quick, and the staff was very helpful and courteous and our room was ready for us.

Outstanding Points Bus system was outstanding. At the start of our holiday we decided to take the first park bus that came along and you would be unlucky to wait more than 5 minutes. Even wanting a specific park then 15 minutes wait was our maximum. Re-fillable mugs must be your first buy. It will pay for itself within 48 hours. Cast members (staff) were all fantastic. Like anyone, they can have a bad day as much as anyone so we may have been lucky. Jamaica village is sooo convenient. 5 minute walk over two bridges to Old Port Royale (food court and shop) which was very refreshing in the morning. Aruba would be good as well. If you like to jog and have a good workout, then go round the resort. Big and colourful, you won’t be alone. Jamaica pool was perfect, right size and never overcrowded. Same with the village’s beach area. Hammocks throughout the resort.

Good Points Room size is good for 2 + 2 small kids, anything else then get two rooms (connecting door available) Main pool was very busy but scenic. I never saw less than 3 lifeguards on duty but I was only there twice.

Not So Good Points Cleaning was generally good but occasionally (2 out of 13 nights) not as thorough as it could be. I found the menu at Shutters quite limited but who goes to Disney to eat? Pillows left a little to be desired. If you can bring your own then do so! Prices are high throughout Disney but heck, you’re on holiday, you really cannot expect Mall prices.
Celebration

When Walt Disney conceived of Epcot (see Epcot®), he imagined it as a residential community happily engaged in road-testing futuristic technologies. After his death, that dream went out the window only to resurface years later here. However, instead of looking to the future, Celebration salutes the past in a cliché of small town USA (think The Truman Show ). The houses are pretty, the downtown has some good restaurants and a cinema, and everything is upscale. This is not an attraction, but it is quite a sight.
Celebration Golf Club

The father-and-son team of Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Jr. came up with a course that has water on 17 of 18 holes thanks to natural wetlands, so bring an extra ration of balls. There’s also a three-hole junior course for 5-to 9-year-olds. (Max yds: 6,786 [6,205 m]. USGA rating: 73.)
Celebration Hotel

The elegant lakefront rooms at this three-story, timber-framed resort offer a tranquil water-and-woodlands view. Facilities include an outdoor pool with Jacuzzi, a fitness center, and nature trails. There’s an 18-hole golf course (see Celebration Golf Club) too.
Center for Birds of Prey

Founded by the Florida Audubon Society, and off the beaten tourist track, this center’s primary function is to rescue and rehabilitate wounded and orphaned raptors. Birds of prey that can’t be released back into the wild, however, are kept and used to educate the public about wild-life conservation. With knowledgeable staff and the opportunity to stand close to birds such as eagles and vultures, the center is a captivating treat for a handful of dollars. (see Audubon National Center for Birds of Prey).

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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