CONTENTS

List of Maps vi 1 THE BEST OF WORLD & ORLANDO 1 The Best Orlando Experiences 3 The Best Luxury Resorts 10 The Best Thrill Rides 7 The Best Moderately Priced The Best Water Rides 8 Accommodations 11 ORLANDO’S BEST WEBSITES 9 The Best Theme Restaurants 12 The Best Romantic Hideaways 10 The Best Places for Adults 12

2 & ORLANDO IN DEPTH 14 Orlando 101: What Happened When "GREEN" HOTELS 33 the Mouse Moved In 15 Orientation 34 DATELINE 16 ORLANDO NEIGHBORHOODS IN BRIEF 36 Recommended Reading 23 Vacation & Cruise Packages 37 When to Go 25 A MICKEY MOUSE AFFAIR: GETTING ORLANDO AREA CALENDAR OF EVENTS 27 MARRIED AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 38 Responsible Travel 31

3 WHERE TO STAY 42 The Best Hotel Bets 42 YOURS, MINE & OURS . . . 74 WHAT YOU’LL REALLY PAY 44 In the Kissimmee Area 77 In & Around Walt HOMES AWAY FROM HOME 83 Disney World 45 In the International THE PERKS OFCOPYRIGHTED STAYING WITH MICKEY 48 Drive MATERIAL Area 84 “Official” Hotels in Lake Buena In Downtown Orlando 94 Vista 64 Orlando Bed & Breakfasts 95 Around Lake Buena Vista 69 Practical Information 96 A MARRIOTT MONTAGE 71

002_9781118027509-ftoc.indd2_9781118027509-ftoc.indd iiiiii 99/27/11/27/11 110:150:15 AMAM 4 WHERE TO EAT 100 The Best Dining Bets 105 DINING ON RESTAURANT ROW 142 In Walt Disney World 107 Elsewhere in Orlando 147 THE BEST TABLES IN THE WORLD 126 GET THE POINTE? 148 PINT-SIZE PORTIONS 130 Only in Orlando: Dining with Disney In Lake Buena Vista 131 Characters 153 In Universal Orlando 137 NOT JUST FRIES ANYMORE 153 OTHER CASTS OF CHARACTERS 156 In the International Drive Area 141 Restaurants by Cuisine 156

5 EXPLORING WALT DISNEY WORLD 160 Essentials 161 TOP 10 ORLANDO-AREA ACTIVITIES FOR GROWN-UPS 200 Making Your Visit More Enjoyable 165 BEHIND THE SCENES: SPECIAL TOURS IN WALT DISNEY WORLD 204 FASTPASS 167 GREAT THINGS TO BUY AT 210 SUGGESTED ITINERARIES 168 Disney’s Hollywood Studios 214 The 174 FIND THE HIDDEN MICKEYS 220 FROMMER’S RATES THE RIDES 178 Animal Kingdom 226 A (BAKER’S) DOZEN SUGGESTIONS FOR FEWER HEADACHES 182 ANIMAL KINGDOM TIP SHEET 230 A SWISH OF THE WAND & Disney Water Parks 236 A SWOOSH OF THE SWORD 187 WATER PARK DOS & DON’TS 238 PLAYING THE PART 189 DID YOU KNOW? 239 EXTRA MAGIC—EXTRA TIME 192 Other WDW Attractions 240 Epcot 197 DISNEYQUEST 241 6 EXPLORING BEYOND DISNEY: UNIVERSAL ORLANDO, SEAWORLD & OTHER ATTRACTIONS 243 Universal Studios Florida 246 GREAT BUYS AT ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE 277 FROMMER’S RATES THE RIDES 254 DINING WITH THE WILDLIFE 282 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS CUISINE 260 Islands of Adventure 260 Other Area Attractions 291 SOME PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR Staying Active 299 ISLAND ADVENTURERS 264 HITTING THE LINKS 300 SeaWorld 277 Spectator Sports 304

7 SHOPPING 306 The Shopping Scene 306 Orlando Area Outlets & Malls 312 A DISNEY BARGAIN? THE WORLD’S BEST- Other Shopping in Orlando 314 KEPT SECRET 311

002_9781118027509-ftoc.indd2_9781118027509-ftoc.indd iviv 99/27/11/27/11 10:1510:15 AMAM 8 WALT DISNEY WORLD & ORLANDO AFTER DARK 316 The Performing Arts 316 LOUNGING AROUND 327 Dinner Theater 318 Hot Spots in Orlando 328 PRIME RIB & A SIDE OF MURDER 321 Gay & Lesbian Nightspots 330 At Walt Disney World 322 Sports Bars 331 NOT YOUR ORDINARY CIRCUS 324 OTHER PLACES TO PARTY 331 At CityWalk 324 UNSPORTSMANLIKE OPTIONS 332

9 SIDE TRIPS FROM ORLANDO 333 Tampa 333 A Day Trip to the Space Coast 351

10 PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO WALT DISNEY WORLD & ORLANDO 357

Getting There 357 MONEY-SAVING TIPS 382 Getting Around 361 Airline Websites 392 Fast Facts: Orlando 367

Index 393 Accommodations Index 404 Restaurants Index 405

002_9781118027509-ftoc.indd2_9781118027509-ftoc.indd v 99/27/11/27/11 10:1510:15 AMAM LIST OF MAPS

Orlando Theme Parks4 Disney’s Hollywood Studios215 Orlando Neighborhoods35 Animal Kingdom227 Walt Disney World & Lake Buena Vista Universal Orlando245 Hotels46 Universal Studios Florida248 Kissimmee Hotels79 Islands of Adventure263 International Drive Area Hotels85 SeaWorld279 Epcot Restaurants109 Orlando Area Attractions293 Walt Disney World & Lake Buena Vista Central Orlando295 Restaurants118 Shopping in Orlando307 International Drive Area Restaurants143 323 Hotels & Restaurants Elsewhere in CityWalk325 Orlando151 Downtown Orlando Nightlife329 Walt Disney World Parks & Attractions163 Tampa334 The Magic Kingdom176 Cape Canaveral353 Epcot199

002_9781118027509-ftoc.indd2_9781118027509-ftoc.indd vivi 99/27/11/27/11 110:150:15 AMAM