Disney and beyond

Most Orlando visitors will head straight for one of the city's world-famous entertainment options, including Disney World's many attractions: The Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios or Disney's Animal Kingdom Park. Or they will visit Universal's Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, SeaWorld, Wet 'n Wild, or the nearby Kennedy Space Center, Busch Gardens, Cypress Gardens or Florida Aquarium. Those who are young—or young at heart—will be thrilled to spend a day exploring any one or more of these venues. These attractions are already familiar to most tourists (check out details and ticket information on the Web sites listed in the Orlando Black Book at the end of this article).

Entertainment defines Orlando, but there are other attractions to be discovered as well. Sunshine-bound Northerners will delight in Orlando's warm March climate. Upon arrival, a trip to a spa may be just the thing to chase away that last round of winter blahs. Some of the best spa destinations include Canyon Ranch SpaClub at the Gaylord Palms, the Ritz-Carlton Spa at the Grande Lakes Resort, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and the Mandara Balinese-inspired spa at Universal's Portofino Bay Hotel. A "hot rock" massage, seaweed wrap, mineral mudpack or yoga class will put you in a more positive frame of mind in no time.

Thoroughly rejuvenated, it's time to hit the links—Orlando is home to some of the country's best golf courses; Disney alone boasts 99 holes, including a sand trap shaped like Mickey. The Celebration Golf Club has an 18-hole course, and the courses of the Villas of Grand Cypress are widely renowned. If golfing isn't your thing, tennis, horseback riding, cycling, boating, fishing and water sports offer appealing alternatives. This is an outdoor paradise—get out and enjoy it.

Shopping has dramatically improved in Orlando since the Mall at Millenia opened in 2002. The mall boasts 1.3 million sq. ft. of upscale shopping space, including Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Chanel and many other fashionable stores. Nordstrom's arrival at the Florida Mall has enhanced the offering at that site, which already included Dillard's, Macy's, Sears, JCPenney and Saks Fifth Avenue. For those with a sweet tooth, M&M's newly opened chocolate Mecca in the Florida Mall is not to be missed. (See DDI's coverage, Feb. 2006, page 28.)

The popular Downtown Disney shopping center includes Disney's largest retail store, along with many other unique shops, and Universal's City Walk is well worth a visit. For quieter, more authentic shopping, Park Avenue in Winter Park is filled with one-of-a-kind boutiques and antique stores. For something off the beaten path, try the Market Street shopping area at Celebration, which is filled with specialty shops and boutiques.

Sports enthusiasts should not miss Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, a dream world for fishermen, and the legendary Ron Jon Surf Shop, a cult-destination for surfers.

As the sun goes down, thoughts turn to food, and Orlando doesn't disappoint. The restaurant scene has greatly improved over the past few years. Diners will find names such as Wolfgang Puck, Todd English, Emeril Lagasse and Roy Yamaguchi on Orlando menus. Locals agree that Victoria and Albert's, located in Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, is the place to go for a special evening. In fact, many of the city's top restaurants are in the theme parks and include a dazzling array of cuisines and a variety of intriguing settings. Norman's in the Ritz-Carlton offers "Floribbean" food, a unique combination of Florida and Caribbean cuisines. Siam Orchid is the Asian standout; La Coquina excels in seafood; Maison & Jardin offers French finesse; and Emeril's will satisfy cravings for cajun spices. Don't miss Orlando's newest trendy food destination, Luma on Park, in Winter Park.

If time and budget allow, Cirque du Soleil is an experience long to be remembered. The French "circus of the sun" is about ballet and acrobatics, rather than clowns and performing animals, and it leaves viewers breathless and impressed with its performance.

If you're into the New Urbanism movement, be sure to visit Celebration. Disney founded the town in 1994, with a master plan designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects and Cooper Robertson & Partners, both of New York. Based on small-town America of the past, the 4,900-acre property has welcoming homes with friendly porches and verandas that are situated on intimate streets to encourage neighborliness and a sense of community. The town boasts its own shopping district, post office, church, health center, school and golf course. However, praise for Celebration has been tempered with criticism. Critics accuse the development of being stifling in its restrictions on home owners—only six architectural styles are allowed—and for its rigid homeowner's association rules that control virtually every aspect of conduct for the 952 households that live there. Nonetheless, Celebration has been a harbinger for the new village-type residential developments that are springing up across the country.

However you decide to spend your time in Orlando—the theme-park capital of the world—you will be entertained and amused. So whether you head straight for the mega Disney destinations or go exploring on your own, bring sunglasses, sturdy walking shoes and a sunny disposition.