The Orlando Vacation Store Blog » In-Betweener’s’ Guide to Orlando

Orlando Vacations- The Hard Rock Cafe- Citywalk

val — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:39:04 +0000

What a better place to rock Orlando than here?! We have the largest Hard Rock Cafe in the WORLD. So if you’re a fan, make sure to check it out. The walls are lined with memorabilia, and they play non-stop music videos while you eat. The staff is made up of fellow rock-n’roller’s and the menu is full of star favorites. Every time I go, it seems to be someone’s birthday, so it’s always a party inside. This is a great place to stop and get dinner before heading to the movies or to a show such as The Blue Man Group, which is directly beside it. It has a great night life vibe and is a good date place, too. After checking out the extensive drink menu, make sure to pick your main dish carefully, since there are so many rockin’ options, you may find yourself reaching over at someone else’s plate. My friends and I always make sure to order different things, so we can try a little bit of everything. In any case, you’re guaranteed to eat well here.

When you’re done, don’t forget to check out the Rock Shop, which features clothing designed by your favorite artists, such as Green Day and The Black Eyed Peas. If you’re a hard rocker like me, BRING YOUR CAMERA!

Orlando Vacations- Downtown Disney- The West End and Pleasure Island

val — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:38:43 +0000

The West End has the Pop Art Gallery, the Candy Cauldron, Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba, an AMC movie theatre, some restaurants and a hot air balloon ride that has recently opened. This is a great place to let loose and just mess around, and be a kid again. There’s candy, Italian Ice, and gorgeous outdoor lighting the closer you get to the bridge between that area and Pleasure Island.

Pleasure Island used to be full of clubs and bars, but those are all closed down due to changes that Disney is making to the area (adding shops and restaurants for all ages). However, it is still the passage from the West End to the Market Place, and has a DJ and open dance floor, as well as an Irish style pub to enjoy. The more people are at PI, the more chance there is to see (or get into) a dance off complete with a referee and audience. Rock it out and keep exploring!

This video features me and my friends checking out The Candy Caudlron, Magnetron, and Pleasure Island.

Orlando Vacations- Downtown Disney

val — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:15:20 +0000

Hey guys! Today we are rocking Downtown Disney’s variety of shops, restaurants and live shows. It’s a great place to get your friends together and grab dinner, and with so much to do, it’s easy to turn dinner into a whole night out. For restaurants and bars at The Marketplace, check out some of my other blogs.( Rainforest Cafe, T-rex Cafe) for now, I’m just going to show you how much fun you can have walking around the West End and Pleasure Island. This is a short video of me and some of my friends wandering in and out of shops, and seeing the sights. You are more likely to see street performers, yo- yo champions, choirs and other musicians on the weekends, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do on weekdays, so if you’re in the area, you should check it out. Also, note that the dancer in this video wasn’t a performer from Disney, he just came by the dance area and did his thing (and you’re welcome to do the same if you want.)

Remember: while at Downtown Disney, dancing, looking good, eating candy, grabbing a drink, and laughing is not required but is highly encouraged

�

Orlando Vacations- The T-Rex Cafe- Downtown Disney

val — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:49:33 +0000

The T-Rex Cafe has finally opened at Downtown Disney! Come check it out- it has an amazing ‘underwater’ bar and the same type of great food you’d find at the classic Rainforest Cafe. Entirely Dinosaur themed, this place has ice caves, wooly mammoths, moving t-rex’s, giant bugs… you name it, you can find it here. The colors of the ice caves change, the sky lights up with a meteor shower, and the sounds of extinction fill up the whole place every now and again. It’s a great dinner experience.

However, if you don’t want to wait in line ( it can get pretty long, since the place is new and popular) call ahead, or do what me and my friends do and sit at the bar. The bar has a shark tank, and is made to look like it’s underwater. It’s very cool, and their drink menu and desserts are excellent, too. Check out the video below, which features me and my friends there bar on a typical night.

don’t forget the gift shop,too! They have great souvenirs, but they also have a Build-a-Dino station (same concept as Build-a-Bear, but prehistoric) There are plenty of opportunities for fun here, so make sure to rock it out.

(it was her first visit)

have a killer time!

Orlando Vacations – Downtown Disney Rainforest Cafe

val — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:36:59 +0000

In Downtown Disney, there are lots of restaurants and shops to definitely consider stopping at. Me and my friends have acquired a few favorites over the years though, and are partial to the classic Rainforest Cafe for its gift shop and appetizers. It has big animatronic figures like bugs and gorillas and it even rains from time to time in a huge thunderstorm that the animals react to. It’s located on the far end of the marketplace, past legoland and the T-Rex Cafe.

The food is great, too. (My favorite is the barbeque pork wraps with mango sauce.) However, be aware that wait times on a table on the weekends can skyrocket to almost 2 hours, so get there early enough to make a reservation and then walk around (or stop by the T-rex cafe for a drink at the amazing “underwater” bar) while you wait. Or, of course, call ahead, get dressed up and make a night of it.

Check out the gift shop in this video of me and my friend stopping by for dinner:

Orlando Vacations- Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba

val — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:40:46 +0000

Who doesn’t love a night at the theatre?

We are lucky enough to have Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba permanently stationed at our own Downtown Disney! I went and saw it and was completely blown away. (it helps that I am a theatre major, but really everyone will enjoy the show.) It was non stop action from start to finish, and everything from the costumes to the music was a work of art. Great location, since you can eat dinner or stop by a bar at Downtown Disney first and make a whole night of it. Great date place too, if you’re a couple traveling down together.

Performances are held Tuesday through Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
(Closed on Sundays and Mondays)

Also, note the following dates: La Nouba will not perform on:
September 20 – 28 (2009)
November 17 (2009)

Here’s a sample of what the show is like. Of course, there’s nothing like seeing it live!

Orlando Vacations- Crush: Underground Party Every Monday Night

val — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 03:57:14 +0000

Crush is a party that goes down every Monday Night at BackBooth, a small bar downtown. It is the original and longest running underground party in Orlando, and just celebrated its 5th anniversary with a huge party. Music is typically electronically mixed indie rock and 90’s jams with some hip hop mixed in.

BackBooth is located at 37 W. Pine Street, Downtown Orlando, FL 32801. It is easiest to park in a garage nearby; I use the one across from the public library which can be between $4-$10. Or, of course, you can be dropped off or take a taxi to and from the hotel. For those of you over 21, their drinks are crazy well priced and there is free beer “until the keg runs out” so better get that ride situation locked down.
10pm- 3 am every Monday Night. $3 cover. Guests 18 + are Welcome! Get on the Guestlist at Crushorlando.com and get in free before 11 ( even though things don’t usually pick up until closer to midnight)

Don’t forget to check out Partyfoulz.com for your photos a few days later!

Orlando Vacations- Val’s Guide to Rocking Your Orlando Vacation

admin — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:08:12 +0000

Welcome to my guide to rocking Orlando, FL vacations and night life. I will be exploring restaurants, clubs, concert venues and more.

I’ll cover cool places to go, not far from where most hotels are located and include the general age range and some upcoming events at them. (all hotels offered by the Orlando Vacation Store are near the parks, away from business centers, downtown or the airport) I’ll show you where me and my friends go for live music, dancing, great food, concerts and just fun places to chill out.

Make sure to check out all that Orlando has to offer and get the most of your vacation.�
Have a killer time! and check back on the blog for updates!

�

-Valentina