Trip2earth.com Travel Blog

Orlando isn’t just a kiddie playground. On our last vacation, my family and I were tired of the crowds at Disney World and Universal Studios; we craved experience and exploration into the area called Orlando! I packed the family in the car and head down I-4 to the wonder of Downtown Orlando! Cruising down Orange Avenue, a statue of a guy wrangling an alligator caught my eye! Stopping to get a better view, we noticed the Orange County Regional History Center. I thought to myself that is would be a great way for my family to learn about the roots that make Orlando so diverse! Entering the museum, the portraits and exhibits displayed of Orlando’s Seminole Indians and African American history were absolutely amazing! We were shocked to learn so much about Orlando’s rich culture that settled this land before Disney and Epcot were ever conceived!

After our tour into the past, we drove to a town called Winter Park. Like our home town, there was a huge shopping complex called Winter Park Village that was lined with local and big-box shops. We decided to keep the theme of the day going and grabbed lunch in a cute eatery. At the restaurant, our waitress suggested that if we really wanted to capture the beauty of Orlando, to take a scenic boat ride on Lake Osceola. Within a short drive we found ourselves tucked in the back drop of the Winter Park Village, and at the entrance of the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour! Admiring the swaying palm trees and delighted by the warm breeze, I thought to myself, “No concrete, no lines, no hassles; this is what vacationing is all about!”

After our boat ride down the luscious and tropical canals of Lake Osceola, we ended our excursion and headed back down I-4 to our hotel. Sitting in the car, I found myself reflecting about today’s adventure off the beaten path of Orlando. I realized that there is nothing as precious as making memories with you family like spending the day together away from the crowds! I’ll admit seeing your child’s face light up at the sight of Mickey Mouse or Spiderman is a picture perfect moment, but making an everlasting impression in your child’s mind without meet-up times, and overcrowded park benches; that’s the beauty of a family vacation in Orlando, Florida!

The Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida is a wonderful, make-believe world where childhood dreams are brought to life! You will find seven themed lands, over 40 different attractions, and
entertaining shows. The exhilarating rides and interaction with the Disney characters makes you feel like a kid again, as they chat with you and pose for photos to go in your vacation scrap book. You can never have a blustery day when you’re hanging out with Winnie the Pooh and his many famous friends, especially if you’re staying at one of the numerous discounted Orlando Kissimmee hotels, conveniently located within the nearby vicinity of Disney’s Magic Kingdom.

Keep in mind that Disney’s Magic Kingdom is only one of the countless area attractions found in Orlando. Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Epcot Center, DisneyQuest, and Hollywood Studios, along with two wet and wild water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are also great ways to spend your day the Disney way. If you can squeeze it in, swing by Universal Studios and SeaWorld Orlando for some equally enchanting activities.

The fun and excitement of a Disney vacation in Orlando, Florida never has to stop when you choose a custom family vacation package, complete with accommodations, tickets, and more fun than you can fit into your week in the #1 Family Vacation Destination; Orlando, Florida.

I spent the day at the beach yesterday in Ormond Beach, Florida. What a beautifuI day; cool air, warm sunshine, seagulls flying over head as I crossed the glistening Intracoastal Waterway where people fishing spoke of a 5′ snook having just been pulled from the water by one of the locals. Man, I love this type of beachy, down home environment and the folks are just so darn friendly that I have grown to love and appreciate some of the aspects of the simple lifestyle of the area.

Tonight I’ll make the trek on I-4 from the beach to Orlando. I’ll exit I-4 in Sanford and take Highway 417 to the Orlando International Airport and pick up my friends, Tim and Vincetta, who are coming in from the Wisconsin Dells. They are so excited to be visiting us in Florida again and even more so since there was a winter snow storm blizzard there last night!

We are going to stay at the Star Island Resort and Club on Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway (Hwy 192) in Kissimmee, just minutes from Lake Buena Vista and Downtown Disney. I love the spa and jacuzzi there along with the exercise facility, golf driving range, and tennis courts. The kids usually frequent the many different pool areas and partake in supervised kids’ activities, as well as the boating on Lake Cecile. The TGI Fridays restaurant there provides room service and the whole property is private, gated, and has 24 hour security on property. It’s the perfect place for us to be able to relax and hang out before we go over to a conference that Todd Bentley is having in Lakeland at the Ignited Church.

Tomorrow we’ll be going over to Universal Studios to have some lunch at Emeril’s restaurant and hang out in the Universal CityWalk area and maybe catch a movie before we will head over to the Millenia Mall so that my wife can do some shopping at Macys, and her favorite store, Brighton. I like to visit the mens department at Bloomingdales and always check out the new gadgets at the Apple store.

I am looking forward to going to the Holy Land Experience attraction right across I-4 from the Millenia Mall on Conroy Road in Orlando. It’s only about a mile away form Universal Studios on Kirkman Boulevard, so everything is conveniently close together. It’s going to be a great weekend as we enjoy our Orlando getaway.