So youapostrophere headed to
Orlando... but where to start? Youapostrophell find such a wealth of fantastic resorts and restaurants it can be difficult to choose exactly what you wish to indulge in. How best can you plan a visit in which each day comes with the finest this marvelous vacation spot has to offer? In order to help you in making the overwhelming decisions of where to stay and what places to dine, here are what I believe to be Orlandoapostrophes best offerings:
Best Deluxe Resort
On Disney property itapostrophes the Grand Floridian with its upscale Victorian atmosphere and lagoonside setting facing the Magic Kingdom. Off-property, hands-down, itapostrophes the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes where you may never even feel the need to leave the property. At Universal, go for the Portofino Bay Hotel with its unsurpassed ambience of an Italian seaside resort.
Best Resort Pool
! Disneyapostrophes Yacht and Beach Clubapostrophes Stormalong Bay, a 3-acre mini water park ! The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphinapostrophes lush grotto-style lagoon pool ! The Volcano Pool at Disneyapostrophes Polynesian Resort with its luxuriant waterfall, smoking peak, and perfect view of Cinderellaapostrophes Castle ! The boulder-strewn wonderland at Disneyapostrophes Wilderness Lodge with its very own erupting geyser ! The lush fantasyland pool at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress cooled by twelve waterfalls
Best Home-Away-From-Home Property
The Villas at Disneyapostrophes Wilderness Lodge with its Bay Lake frontage and national park character or Disneyapostrophes Beach Club Villas conveniently located next door to Epcot.
Best Resort Atmosphere
Disneyapostrophes Animal Kingdom Lodge where hundreds of animals roam the savanna and the air is pulsating to the beat of African drums. Running a close second is Universalapostrophes Portofino Bay Hotel where guests are transported to a romantic, seaside Italian village.
Best Resort Lobby
How to choose? Three of Disneyapostrophes resorts make the cut: the Wilderness Lodge, the Grand Floridian, and the Animal Kingdom Lodge, all eye-popping in their grandeur.
Best Access To The Parks
The Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian with monorail access to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and the Ticket and Transportation Center. At Universal, the Hard Rock Hotel is just a 5-minute walk or boat ride away to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk.
Best Resort For Romance
Disneyapostrophes Polynesian Resort whose lush tiki torch-lit grounds and white-sand beaches with views of Cinderellaapostrophes Castle are simply dreamy or Universalapostrophes Portofino Bay Hotel where an evening stroll along the bay with Italian arias playing in the distance canapostrophet be beat.
Best Resort For Nature-Lovers
Disneyapostrophes Wilderness Lodge, a nature-loverapostrophes dream of rushing waterfalls, spouting geysers, and b! ubbly creeks, all surrounded by stately pine trees and beautiful Bay Lake.
Best Resort Lounges
! California Grill Lounge found on the 15th floor of Disneyapostrophes Contemporary Resort with unrivaled views of the Magic Kingdom and the Seven Seas Lagoon, great for cocktails, sushi, and a view of the Wishes fireworks display. ! Disneyapostrophes Grand Floridianapostrophes lobby. Pick up a cocktail at Miznerapostrophes, then head down to this magnificent oasis to relax in the cushy seating while listening to the sounds of a big band orchestra or live piano music. ! Tambu Lounge at Disneyapostrophes Polynesian Resortapostrophes Great Ceremonial House. Sip on tropical drinks amid lush foliage and views of the Seven Seas Lagoon. ! Territory Lounge, a rustic retreat in Disneyapostrophes Wilderness Lodge. ! bluezooapostrophes bar at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, the coolest place around. ! Velvet, the ultra-hip cocktail lounge at Universalapostrophes Hard Rock Hotel. ! Bar America, Portofino Bay Hotelapostrophes sophisticated lounge overlooking the romantic piazza. ! Top of the Palace Lounge, a sophisticated bar with the best views around high atop the Wyndham Palace Resort near Downtown Disney.
Best Italian
Palio at the Walt Disney World Swan where the Tortellini con Aragosta topped with enormous amounts of lobster is amazing, or Portobello Yacht Club at Downtown Disney for a fantastic, thin-crusted pizza followed by the Rigatoni with Italian Sausage, crimini mushrooms, plum tomatoes, black olives, and escarole.
Best Seafood
Flying Fish at Disneyapostrophes Boardwalk for Potato Wrapped Red Snapper with creamy leek fondue and red wine reduction, or the newcomer on the block, Todd Englishapostrophes bluezoo at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, where seafood is taken to new heights. Off Disney property itapostrophes got to be Royapostrophes on Sand Lake Road near Universal for Roy Yamaguchiapostrophes remarkable Hawaiian Fusion cuisine.
Best Steaks
Shulaapostrophes at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, a standout for sensational Angus beef steaks cooked to perfection, or Vitoapostrophes Chop House on International Drive for the filet mignon stuffed with gorgonzola.
Best Restaurant For Romance
Victoria and Albertapostrophes at Disneyapostrophes Grand Floridian, the only AAA 5-Diamond restaurant in Central Florida. Here youapostrophell savor a sumptuous six-course meal served on elegant fine china to the accompaniment of enchanting harp music. Or try Delfino Riviera at Universalapostrophes Portofino Bay Hotel whose breeze-swept terrace overlooks the resortapostrophes picturesque bay and piazza. And I canapostrophet forget Normanapostrophes at the Ritz Carlton for fine dining in plush surroundings all enveloped in the grandeur of an amazing resort.
Best Restaurant For Kids
Children love the Rainforest Café at the Animal Kingdom! or Downtown Disney where theyapostrophere bombarded with thunderstorms and noisy audio-animatronic wildlife. A close runner up is Whispering Canyon Café at Disneyapostrophes Wilderness Lodge; come prepared for plenty of hoopinapostrophe and hollerinapostrophe and please, whatever you do, donapostrophet ask for the ketchup unless, that is, you like a lot of attention.
Best Character Meal
Cinderellaapostrophes Royal Table at the Magic Kingdom, a chance to feast in a fairytale castle with Cinderella, Jasmine, Aladdin, Belle, and Snow White. Or try the Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom for a tasty, bountiful buffet hosted by Winnie the Pooh and his friends.
Best Hip Atmosphere
Todd Englishapostrophes bluezoo at the Dolphin, the coolest spot this side of South Beach, or Tchoup Chop at Universalapostrophes Royal Pacific Resort, a knock-em-dead, Asian-inspired beauty.
Best Disney View
Arthurapostrophes 27 at the Wyndham Palace whose drop-dead setting is only topped by its creative cuisine, or California Grill at Disneyapostrophes Contemporary Resort with its picture-perfect views of the Magic Kingdom, the Seven Seas Lagoon, and the Wishes fireworks presentation.
Best Disney Resort Restaurant
Tough call. My favorites are the California Grill at the Contemporary Resort (just about anything on their exceptional menu is fantastic), Victoria and Albertapostrophes at the Grand Floridian (particularly the Chefapostrophes Table where Chef Scott Hunnel oversees an 11-course meal designed especially for you), and Todd Englishapostrophes bluezoo at the Dolphin (try the miso glazed Chilean sea bass with warm sesame spinach).
Best Universal Resort Restaurant
Tchoup Chop at the Royal Pacific Resort. Wonderful Asian and Polynesian-influenced ! cuisine in a stunning setting of bamboo, waterfalls, and a lotus-filled reflecting pool. Share the Crunchy Shrimp with butter lettuce leaves and hot & sour chili glaze, move on to the Firecracker Fresh Fish served with papaya-serrano salsa, Asian pesto drizzle, and coconut-lemongrass sauce, and finish with a slice of Banana Cream Pie topped with caramel sauce and chocolate shavings.
Best Downtown Disney Restaurant
Wolfgang Puckapostrophes Upstairs Dining Room for dishes like Szechuan marinated "Chinois" la