orlando area insider guide
DESCRIPTION
This guide is free for those who are planning a visit to the Orlando area. Published by Allen Vacation Rental Homes.TRANSCRIPT
ORLANDO AREA
INSIDER’S GUIDE
Nearby Beaches
Restaurants
Golf
Shopping
Nightlife
Dinner Shows
And Lots More!
October 2014
Orlando is the most visited destination in the United States. Visiting the Orlando
area can be fun and adventurous. With limited time, most families prioritize the
most important aspect of their vacation. This guide is designed to help you decide
on what is best for your family.
There is so much to see and do. This free guide will provide only a sampling of
things to do in the Orlando area and is provided to you from Tropical Paradise Villa
in the Emerald Island Resort and Sunset Palms Retreat in the Encantada Resort.
Theme Parks
Walt Disney World Parks
Magic Kingdom, Epcot,
Hollywood Studios, Ani-
mal Kingdom, Blizzard
Beach, Typhoon Lagoon
Lake Buena Vista, FL
Universal Studios Flori-
da & Universal’s Is-
lands of Adventure
6000 Universal Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32819
SeaWorld Parks
SeaWorld, Aquat-
ica, Discovery
Cove
Orlando, FL
Wet n Wild Water
Park, Orlando, FL
LEGOLAND, Winter
Haven FL
Busch Gardens, Tampa, FL
New Disney FastPass+ enhancement
“Now, not only can you reserve some of your must-do fun be-
fore you leave home, you can also add more during your visit.”
Here's how. Reserve up to three experiences before you arrive*.
Then, after your three selections have been used up, you can
make an additional "rolling" Disney FastPass+ selection at a Dis-
ney FastPass+ kiosk in the Park to use that day. And each time
you use your rolling Disney FastPass+ selection (or after it has
expired), you can select a new one.
You can even enjoy this new enhancement at more than one
park in a day. Just remember, while your rolling Disney
FastPass+ selections can be used at any one of our four Theme
Parks, they must be reserved at a kiosk in that park and are
subject to availability.
Here's an example...
You might plan to start your day at Epcot® and reserve your
three Disney FastPass+ Epcot® experiences from home. Then
once you've arrived and enjoyed all that fun (or your selected
time has expired), you can head over to Magic Kingdom® Park
in the afternoon, go to a Disney FastPass+ kiosk there and re-
serve another experience. And once you've done that experi-
ence, you can hit the kiosk and sign up for another. (Subject to
availability)"
*https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plan/my-Disney-experience/?CMP=KNC-
WDW_FY15_DOM_NGE_SitelinkMDX|G|4151322.NG.AM.02.01
The latest on the FastPass+
Any park-goer can use the
FastPass + using My Disney ex-
perience website or app or com-
pleted at FP kiosks located
throughout the park
If you have advance tickets you
can start planning your experi-
ence 30 days in advance
Magic bands are mailed to park-
goers when purchased online, or
can purchase them at the parks
for $12.95
Purchasing Tickets
Directly through Disney
Reputable dealer displaying
this logo
Here is a link to one we recom-
mend: http://www.villadirect.com/
orlando-attraction-tickets/
Concierge services at Encan-
tada and Emerald Island club-
house
Beware of the roadside “cheap
ticket” booths. While some of
them are legit, many are not. Au-
thorities have been working hard
to prosecute those who are
scams.
Disney’s FastPass+ Wristband
RESTAURANTS
Fine Dining
Morton's Restaurant, Steakhouse, Dr. Philips Blvd,
Orlando $$$$
Brios, Italian, Millennia Mall $$
Rangetzu, Italian, 8400 International Dr., Orlando
$$$
Melting Pot, Swiss, Dr. Philips Blvd, Orlando $$$
Antonia’s, Spanish, 649 Front St, Celebration $$
Le Cog au Vin, French, 4800 South Orange Ave.,
Orlando $$$*
* not suitable for children
Fun Fact:
Did you know there are over 5000 restau-
rants, and more opening every day. If you ate
at a different restaurant for all of your meals
everyday, it would take you more than five
years to eat at every restaurant.
Family Restaurants
TGI Fridays Formosa Gardens Pla-
za, Kissimmee
Carrabba’s Formosa Gardens Pla-
za, Kissimmee
Outback Steakhouse Formosa Gar-
dens Plaza, Kissimmee
Ruby Tuesday’s 13145 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando
Rainforest Café, Downtown Disney,
Lake Buena Vista
Planet Hollywood, Downtown Dis-
ney, Lake Buena Vista
Tony Roma’s 8560 International
Dr., Orlando
Hard Rock Café 6050 Universal
Blvd., Orlando
Logan’s Roadhouse 5925 W. Irlo
Bronson Memorial Highway, Kis-
simmee
Our Family
Favorite
East Coast Beaches
Cocoa Beach, driving time:
about 1 hour, 5 minutes.
Daytona Beach, driving time:
about 1 hour, 7 minutes.
New Smyrna Beach, driving
time: about 1 hour, 8 minutes.
Canaveral National Seashore,
driving time: about 1 hour, 9
minutes.
Melbourne Beach , driving
time: about 1 hour, 24
minutes.
Gulf Coast Beaches
Treasure Island (Near St. Pe-
tersburg) driving time: 1 hour
57 minutes.
Clearwater Beach (Near Tam-
pa ) driving time: 1 hour, 59
minutes.
Fort De Soto Park (Near St.
Petersburg) driving time: 2
hours, 3 minutes.
Caladesi Island State Park
(Near Tampa ) driving time: 2
hours, 7 minutes.
Anna Maria Island (Near
Bradenton) driving time: 2
hours, 17 minutes.
NEARBY BEACHES
Cocoa Beach Pier
Clearwater Beach
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Kennedy Space Center https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/
Cirque du Solieil http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/lanouba/default.aspx
Gatorland http://www.gatorland.com/
Air Boat Tours http://www.bcairboats.com/
Balloon Flights http://www.orlandoballoonrides.com/
http://thompsonaire.com/
Wide World of Sports https://www.espnwwos.com/
iFly Orlando http://orlando.iflyworld.com/
Horse World Riding Stables http://horseworldstables.com/
P51 Stallion Flights Mustang flight ops
http://www.stallion51.com/p51-flight-
ops/p51-orientation-flights.shtml
Did You Know
Approximately 59
million travelers arrive
in the Orlando area
annually
For about 60% of the
travelers, the primary
reason to go to Orlan-
do is to go to the
theme parks
Magic Kingdom is the
most visited park,
followed by Epcot in
second place
The Orlando area
consists of three
counties equally 2538
sq. miles
The Orlando area is
split into seven re-
gions: Orlando
North, Orlando South,
Orlando Central, In-
ternational Drive,
Lake Buena Vista,
Kissimmee West,
Kissimmee East
There are an estimat-
ed 1.25 million alliga-
tors living in the state
of Florida. It is said
that every body of
water has at least
one alligator. It is
against Florida State
law to feed or catch
alligators and other
wildlife.
WHO WE ARE
We are the Allen Family and we live in the Northeast where the winters are long and cold. The warm Florida sun is a
great break for us. Our children love the theme parks, so Orlando was the ideal destination. We found ourselves travel-
ing to the Orlando area over and over again.
Over time we found that hotels did not meet our needs and we wished for more space and a kitchen to prepare home
meals. I have several dietary restrictions that make it extremely difficult to eat out. Our children were getting older and
wanted their own private space. Renting a vacation home was
the ideal solution.
In the fall of 2013 we purchased Sunset Palms Retreat as an
investment home for our family. This home is located in the gat-
ed Encantada resort about 5 miles from Disney. It is a four bed-
room, 3 bath, lakefront townhouse with a private screened-in
pool. We love the Encantada Resort because it is a tropical
oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the area. The resort
clubhouse has plenty of amenities to keep us active during our
stay (when we are not in the parks!).
Owning Sunset Palms Retreat worked out so well for us, in the
winter of 2014 we purchased Tropical Paradise Villa as our fu-
ture retirement home. This home is located in the exclusive
Emerald Island Resort. This single family home has four bed-
rooms, 2 baths, a game room and a private screened in pool
and is about 2 1/2 miles from Disney. This resort is a lot busier
and active than Encantada, yet we have our own space to relax
in.
These homes are special to us because we can relax by the pool after a long day at the parks, have family time togeth-
er, and also have plenty of space to spread out. Everyone gets their own bedroom and space. There is room if Grand-
ma and Grandpa want to come along, and we are so close to everything we need; shopping, restaurants, groceries,
theme parks, the beach, and more.
Golf Courses
Celebration Golf Club
407-566-4653
Champions Gate Golf Club
888-588-9301
Disney courses
407-939-4653
Eagle creek
866-324-5342
Stoneybrook West Golf
407-877-8533
Hawks Landing
407-238-8659
Falcon Fire Golf Club
866-324-5342
Highlands Reserve
863-420-1724
Hunter’s Creek Golf club
407-240-4653
Kissimmee Golf Club
407-847-2816
Legends Golf and Country Club
352-242-1910
Orange Lake Country Club
407-239-1050
Poinciana Golf and Racquet Re-
sort
407-933-5300
Shingle Creek
407-996-9933
Orlando is home to over
170 courses that allow
all skills of golfers to en-
joy the game. Because
there are so many other
activities for the rest of
the family, the golfer in
the family can play with-
out feeling guilty!
The Mall at Millennia
4200 Conroy Rd
Stores include: Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales,
Chanel, Tiffany, and many fine restaurants.
Pointe Orlando
9101 international Drive
Pointe Orlando has a wide selection from designer
clothing to toys to gifts.
Florida Mall
located at the intersection of Sand Lake Rd and
S. Orange Blossom Trail
This is Central Florida’s largest mall and has
Saks, JC Penney, Dillard's, Nordstrom, and lots of
eateries. Be sure to stroll through the Food Court
before lunch for lots of samples.
Premium Outlet Mall
8200 Vineland Avenue
and
5259 International Drive There are two outlet malls with many designer shops, such as Calvin Klein and Nike, at dis-
counted prices. Serious shoppers should plan a couple of days!
SHOPPING
Pleasure Island Downtown Disney
The Coolest Bar in Orlando has over 20 tons of ice sculpted into
tables, chairs and barstools. Cool off from the Florida sun for an
evening of chilling fun! Located at 8967 International Dr.,
Orlando, FL.
The best nightlife is found in Pleas-
ure Island at Downtown Disney
(soon to be called Disney Springs)
and at Universal Studios City Walk.
Choose from a variety of restaurants
and bars and music venues.
Universal Studios
City Walk Universal Studios
Medieval Times 4510 W. Vine Street
Kissimmee, FL
Capone’s 4740 W. Irlo Memorial Hwy
Kissimmee, FL
Sleuth’s Murder Mystery 8267 International Dr.
Orlando, FL
Pirates Dinner Adventure 6400 Carrier Dr.
Orlando FL
DINNER SHOWS
It’s Time To Play
“What’s my Villain?”
Who is the villain and what movie were they in?
1. "I think it's time to say goodbye to Prince A-boo-boo."
2. 'You get down there and find the big diamond, or you will never see that teddy again"
3. "How very clever. These beads....they give it just the right touch. Don't you think so, Drizella?"
4. "A most satisfying day."
5. Thirsty? Have a drink!"
6. "Aneee-ta-daahh-ling!"
Answers on back cover
Did you know....
That your little one can write to a favorite character and they will
receive an autographed picture in return? Here is the address.
An
nu
al A
vera
ge
Te
mp
era
ture
s
for O
rlan
do
are
a
TROPICAL PARADISE VILLA AT EMERALD ISLAND
Four Bedroom, Two Bath Single Family
Home with a Private Pool and Game Room.
Located 2 1/2 miles from Disney. All Resort
Amenities are included.
http://www.tropicalparadisevilla.com
SUNSET PALMS RETREAT AT ENCANTADA RESORT
Four Bedroom, Three Bath, Lakefront
Townhome with a Private Pool. Located
5 miles from Disney. All Resort Amenities
are included.
http://www.sunsetpalmsretreat.com
We hope you have a
great vacation in the
Orlando area. See
you soon!
There have been several an-nouncements made as to new at-tractions coming to the Orlando area. We will keep you posted!
Spring 2015
Orlando Eye
Madame Tussauds
Sea Life Aquarium Orlando
New I-Drive 360
2016
Disney Springs (expansion of the
current Downtown Disney)
2017
AVATAR at Animal Kingdom
Contact Us
Allen Vacation Rental Homes
978=928-9154
9AM-9PM EST
Please leave a message
www.allenrentalhomes.com
www.tropicalparadisevilla.com
www.sunsetpalmsretreat.com
Be sure to visit us on social media for up
-to-date events in the area.
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allenrentalhomes?ref=hl
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Have you visited the Orlando area
recently and want to share an ac-
tivity or restaurant?
Email us at
1. Jafar ; Aladdin
2. Madame Medusa; The Rescuers
3. Stepmother; Cinderella
4. Maleficent; Sleeping Beauty
5. Queen; Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
6. Cruella de vil- 101 Dalmatians