Fodor's 1999 Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Escape and Orlando

by Lehman, Andrea E.; Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc.

• ISBN13: 9780679001324
• ISBN10: 0679001328
• Edition: Map
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-10-01
• Publisher: Fodors Travel Pubns

Summary

The most magical guide of all, hot off the press Ratings of every attraction in all the major theme parks The inside story on the new parks: Disney's Animal Kingdom and Universal's Islands of Adventure Park strategies: How to do the most in the time you have Top tips for parents -- including what's scary for kids How to make a splash at the wild water parks Sights to see in Orlando and side trips to Cocoa Beach Where to stay and eat, no matter what your budget Mealtime options from character breakfasts to dinner shows, candlelight suppers to 24-hour diners Hotels, motels, resorts, and villas from cheap to posh Fresh, thorough, practical -- from writers you can trust Costs, hours, descriptions, and tips by the thousands All reviews based on visits by savvy writer-residents 22 pages of maps -- and dozens of unique features Important contacts, smart travel tips Disney-at-a-Glance Guide What's Where Pleasures & Pastimes, don't-miss activities New and Noteworthy Festivals Background essays Comprehensive index

Table of Contents

About Our Writers Each year the Gold Guides are written and updated by more than 500 resident writers

Connections Resources for travelers

How to Use This Book Describes organization, icons, and other key information

Don't Forget to Write Tells you how to get in touch with our editors

The Gold Guide: Smart Travel Tips A to Z An easy-to-use section divided alphabetically by topic

Under each listing you'll find tips and information that will help you accomplish what you need to in Orlando

You'll also find addresses and telephone numbers of organizations and companies that offer destination-related services and detailed information and publications

Destination: Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Orlando Helps get you in the mood for your trip

New and Noteworthy Cues you in on trends and happenings

What's Where Gets you oriented

Pleasures and Pastimes Describes the activities and sights that make these attractions unique

Great Itineraries These help you make the most of your time

Fodor's Choice Showcases our top picks from special restaurants and one-of-a-kind accommodations to out-of-the-ordinary sights and activities...

Let them inspire you! Festivals and Seasonal Events Alerts you to special events you'll want to seek out

Exploring Walt Disney World With the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Discovery Island, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, River Country, Walt Disney World A to Z98 Universal Studios Escape, SeaWorld, and Beyond With Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens, Cypress Gardens Away from the Theme Parks Orlando and Environs, Side Trips from Orlando166 Dining In Walt Disney World, Orlando, Outlying Towns

Lodging Walt Disney World Lodging Chart, In Walt Disney World: Disney-Owned Hotels, In Walt Disney World: Other Hotels, Orlando, Kissimmee, Outlying Towns

Shopping Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Escape, The Orlando Area

Sports and the Outdoors Action!, From the Sidelines

After Dark Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Escape, The Orlando Area

The Cocoa Beach Area Portraits of Walt Disney World "The Mouse and the Dynamo," by Andrew Holleran, "Walt Disney World: An Appreciation," by Karen Cure

Books

Index List of 18 Maps

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

Pleasures and Pastimes


Beaches

Although Orlando itself is landlocked, its central position on the Florida peninsula puts it in a unique position: almost equidistant from the Atlantic and Gulf Coast beaches. Especially if you have children, the beaches make for a great day away from the hyperstimulation of the theme parks. From Orlando, it's less than an hour's drive east on the Beeline Expressway to Cocoa Beach. It's a slightly longer trip on I--4 east to Daytona Beach. Sun worshipers might find the presence of cars right on the beach a bit disconcerting (there's a $5 per day toll), but after a while, you'll find it very convenient to have your vehicle so handy. Just make sure to move your car out of harm's way before high tide. If you prefer a calmer beach experience, then point your car west on I--4 and head for Clearwater or St. Petersburg. Here you'll find sugar-white sand and waters warmed by the Gulf Stream. It takes about 45 minutes longer to get to the west coast, but if you're staying out near Walt Disney World instead of in t
he downtown Orlando area, you've already made up about a quarter of the distance -- you won't have to battle your way out of the Orlando traffic to get there.


Boating

Orlando is truly a boater's paradise. The Orlando area has one of the highest concentrations of lakes--both large and small--in the continental U.S. If you decide to tow your boat along, you won't be disappointed. On the other hand, rentals are easily available. One of the most popular -- and enduring -- tours in the Orlando area is the Scenic Boat Tour of Winter Park. On this one-hour tour you'll get to see lifestyles of the rich and famous -- Central Florida style. The boat cruises by some of the area's most expensive waterfront homes. Another way to take advantage of the area's many waterways is right on Disney property itself. There's a huge network of lakes and rivers that run through WDW. You can rent all sorts of powerboats and Jet Skis at the various Disney resorts. One often overlooked possibility, however, is one of the best: pack a picnic, rent a low-speed pontoon boat for a few hours, and take a ride up a few lazy rivers at your own pace. It's a great way to unwind after you've been o
n Space Mountain one too many times. For boating of a different keel, rent a human-powered swan boat at downtown Orlando's Lake Eola and pedal around the lake yourself. It's a delightful way to sample the pleasures of downtown, without the throngs of tourists.


Golf

Orlando has been a mecca for professional golfers for decades, with some of the greats like Arnold Palmer establishing winter homes in the city, and some hometown Orlando boys, such as Payne Stewart, making it to national acclaim. Not surprisingly, the city offers some of the best golfing anywhere, including courses designed by PGA pros and by the elite of professional golf course designers, such as Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, and Robert Trent Jones.


Shopping

It's only fitting that the world's number one tourist destination also offers excellent shopping. It wasn't always thus, however. Recent years have seen a building bonanza of both retail stores and factory outlets. Every year, it seems, a new mall is opening somewhere. For shopping with a more eclectic feel, the tony shops of Winter Park's Park Avenue are a must. This elegant little street is home to a number of boutiques as well as the usual assortment of chains: the Gap, Banana Republic, et al. But the real charm here is the shops tucked away in the area's tiny nooks and crannies. It's de rigueur to stop for a drink or a bite to eat at one of Park Avenue's bistros.


Walking

For a culture that's car-centered, this might seem a rather odd pastime. But rest assured, there's plenty to explore in Orlando on foot. Downtown Orlando itself is home to Lake Eola, which just a few short years ago was a haven for the city's transients. Now spiffed up and renovated, there's a walkway around the lake's circumference that invites strolling. A delightful playground anchors one end of the park. Just a few steps away from downtown's tourist meccas are delightful residential neighborhoods with brick-paved streets and live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. Urban pioneers have done their best Bob Vila numbers on 1920s-style bungalow homes, turning them into showplaces that are a delight to behold. A stroll just off Winter Park's Park Avenue will yield a glimpse of elegant lakefront mansions.

---

Excerpted from Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Orlando '99: Your Complete Guide to All the Magic by Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc. Staff
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.