Vacation Spotlight: Orlando, Florida

Best water park rides

It’s so hot and humid during the summer months that you are going to want to know the best water rides. Islands is the place to go from June-September. I actually love this park the most during the hot months as it so easy to cool down. I actually think a Disney trip is best suited for the fall/winter months as it is so hot during the summer months with little opportunity to cool down.

1. Dudley Do Right Ripsaw Falls – This top notch water coaster is located in the Toon section of Islands. I first went on this ride with some family members on my first trip to the park. We were hesitant about the Toon location, but we found out quickly that this is no kiddie ride. There are lots of fun twists and turns and a big ending drop. You will get absolutely soaked too – which is not a bad thing on a 90 degree day.

2. Jurassic Park River Adventure – This is another great water ride at Islands. This one is so nostalgic as you pass by dinosaurs living on Isla Nublar. I love how the theme music is playing in the background. It’s also one of the most thrilling drops in the park (85 feet). Best of all, you will get drenched on this one, especially if you are in the front.

3. Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges – Another fantastic ride at Islands. It’s basically right next to Ripsaw falls so the combo of these 2 rides is a great afternoon cool off. This is a whitewater rafting adventure in a big circular raft which its 12 people. Super fun with a big party!

Best shows & entertainment

1. Wishes Nighttime Spectacular Fireworks Show (Magic Kingdom). You cannot visit the Magic Kingdom without capping your night off with the breathtaking firework show. The combo of lights, music, and castle projections is so pretty. I am always mesmerized every second. Update: this show is now called Happily Ever After

2. Mickey’s PhilharMagic 3D show (Magic Kingdom). This is one of my favorite 3D shows at any park. It’s an oldie, but a goodie with fun appearances by Disney characters, lots of great music, and some fun special effects.

3. Main Street Electrical Parade. This is a really fun and dazzling nighttime parade with character appearances. There are thousands of lights and each float is themed after a popular movie and it’s just wonderful. One of the best experiences I’ve had at any park. Update: This parade has been replaced with the Disney starlight parade.

4. Kilimanjaro Safari. Taking this open air ride through a lush savanna is the highlight of visiting Animal Kingdom. The rest of the park resembles a typical zoo, but this standout ride makes the park visiting in addition to the Everest ride. It’s fun to see giraffes, elephants, and rhinos roaming free in the Wildlife Reserve while your tour guide shares some interesting educational facts.

5. Hall of Presidents. Classic at the Magic Kingdom where you will get to see lifelike animatronics of 45 US presidents. Great for history buffs!

6. Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. I’m not a big fan of the movies honestly, but I had a great time laughing at Mike Wazowski’s jokes. Hopefully you are not picked from the audience to be the butt of his jokes! This is also a nice little escape from the heat!

7. Horror Make Up Show. Awesome show for horror buffs at Universal. You get to learn how makeup and special effects are created for your favorite movie monsters in this entertaining break from the heat.

8. Blues Brothers. A super fun break from the rides at Universal. It’s fun to stop and listen to some great music before enjoying the rides again. The show is very upbeat and energetic and the actors do a great job recreating the movie roles.

9. Spaceship Earth – Classic at Epcot where you can learn more about the history of communication inside the park’s iconic symbol.

10. Citizens of Main Street – Travel back in time to the turn of the 20th century in this charming themed area. There are lots of shops, treats, and cafes here to enjoy, plus live street performances. I love watching the Dapper Dans (a barbershop quartet) perform.

Sadly, many great shows have been cancelled over the years. I was so disappointed that the Extreme Car Stunt Show and American Idol Experience were both taken out of Hollywood Studios. These shows were both fabulous fun, so I don’t know what they were thinking.

Holidays at Disney

The best time to visit is perhaps during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween event. While this special event requires an advance ticket, you will enjoy many amenities including after hours admission to the park, Halloween themed treats, shows, fireworks, and even rides, as well as trick or treat stations. This is by far the absolute best time to visit the Magic Kingdom in my opinion.

The weather was so much cooler and I got on so many rides as the crowds were equally dispersed between the festivities and theme park rides. As a big fan of anything to do with fall and Halloween, I have to say that I was impressed. Bonus points for the incredible Hocus Pocus show! You can check out my full guide to this spooky event for more details.

I’ve also heard that Christmas at Disney is amazing. Unfortunately, I haven’t made it out here yet, but it is on my list.

Best affordable lodging near Disney

Skip all the pricey resorts and come home to a quiet condo rental. If you are like us, you will be spending all day at the parks and will not have much use for the extras at the resorts. Windsor offers affordable rentals with plenty of useful amenities. The 3 bedroom condo rentals include a full size kitchen, washer and dryer, king sized beds in the master bathroom, free Wi-Fi, and free Netflix movies.

In addition, you will have access to plenty of outdoor recreation, including: a pool with water slide, a hot tub, tennis and basketball courts, and a sand volleyball court. You will only be a 5 minute drive from the Disney parks and 15-20 minutes from Universal and Sea World. Rates start at just $100-135, based on time of year and holiday season. No matter what month you decide to visit, you will be getting a fantastic deal over other hotels and resorts!

We stayed here for our first family Disney trip and really enjoyed the convenience and amenities. I really enjoyed my stay and all the fabulous amenities (I just wish I had more time to hang out at the property!00. I will definitely book with them again for any future vacation.

Best affordable lodging near Universal

Cabana Bay is a wonderful family-friendly resort located near Universal. This Universal Property is affordably priced and offers many enticing amenities including 2 pools and a lazy river, on-site restaurants and a Starbucks, an arcade, a spa, a shuttle to the parks, and a bowling alley. The best perk is receiving hour early admission to the parks. I actually plan an extra day here away from the parks to enjoy the incredible pool and lazy river.

Disney resorts

Disney is home to over 20 spectacular resorts, each with their own unique theme. If you have the funds to splurge, do so! While super pricey, these luxurious resorts offer a number of great amenities including complimentary transportation to the parks, amazing on-site restaurants, fabulous pools, complimentary merchandise delivery from the parks to your hotel, incredible decor, and over-the-top holiday decor.

The Grand Floridian is the fanciest option and best for an anniversary or couples vacation. Wilderness Lodge is the perfect rustic escape. This resort is great for a holiday getaway as they have a fabulous fireplace and grand Christmas decor. I personally love the look of Animal Lodge and the on-site savanna is pretty cool.

Best themed dining

It’s always fun to visit a themed touristy restaurant while on vacation. Your tired after walking around all day and you can usually count on good comfort food, friendly service, and an upbeat theme. Hard Rock Cafe is my favorite US themed restaurant. I love the music, rock and roll memorabilia, and touristy atmosphere. We almost always end up here after a long day of putting in over 10 miles at Universal. It’s so convenient and the food is so tasty!

This cafe is located in Universal’s entertainment hub, CityWalk. This cafe is one of the biggest and most exciting. It is a great choice for families due to the eclectic menu, which includes everything from salads to burgers to pasta. I highly recommend the Twisted Mac and Cheese – it’s creamy with a delicious spicy kick. The Legendary nachos are also awesome. On a side note, why did they get rid of the Jumbo platter and their amazing spring rolls?! Other fun touristy choices in this area include: Toothsome (great desserts and milkshakes) and Margaritaville.

Another great themed restaurant is Sanaa. This restaurant is located inside Animal Kingdom Lodge. Even if you are not staying at the resort, you can dine here (reservations often required due to limited parking space). As you feast on Indian and African delicacies, you can gaze out upon the resort’s lush savanna. This is definitely one of the city’s best restaurants and worthy of the hassle!

While living in Tampa for a few years, I occasionally planned daytrips just to dine here. Do order the fabulous Indian Bread service as an app! Their veggie curry is so amazing as well. And treat yourself to the Kheer for dessert! I can’t say enough wonderful things about this restaurant.

Saving money tips

With everything increases in prices you will likely also want to know how you can save on your first or next trip. A trip today can easily cost thousands of dollars for a small family and this is only for a few days. I have heard of people spending up to 10 grand which is crazy.

The theme park tickets go up every year and there is more to do with new experiences opening every year. It’s always great to plan some activities away from the parks as well. The city offers a number of great preserves and museums far away from the commotion. I have organized this handy chart to help you cut down on expenses a bit.