Maybe you have had enough of the 100-degree heat or the 2-hour lines.  Maybe your trying to avoid the rain.  Orlando has more than theme parks to offer.  There’s so much to do that won’t break your bank and provide you with a full day of excitement.

World Class Shopping

OrlandoOutletMall

Orlando has some of the best shopping anywhere.  You don’t have to break the bank.  Orlando boasts 2 main factory outlet malls.  Everything from Polo, Coach, Michael Kors and Nike.  The malls are huge and can take an entire day to walk.  Great deals can be found at all stores.  An insider’s tip is stop by the guest services desk, they usually have some great discount books.  Sometimes there’s a small fee and sometimes free.  You can walk and shop all day.  When you get hungry there are food courts and restaurants nearby.  Conveniently there is one outlet mall on each end (north and south) of International drive.

The Orlando Eye

OrlandoEye

Relatively new to the International Drive Area is I-Drive 360.  Take a moment to escape and see the magic and wonder Orlando offers. The Coca-Cola Orlando Eye offers a new and unique way to experience the beauty of Orlando, also known as the ‘City Beautiful’, and see it in a way you’ve never seen it before. Be effortlessly lifted to 400 feet and experience breathtaking 360-degree views of surrounding Central Florida.

Located at I-Drive 360, the heart of International Drive, the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye is the tallest observation wheel on the east coast of the USA. The gradual rotation in one of the 30 high-tech capsules gives you an ever-changing perspective. Each capsule contains Apple iPad Air tablets which allow you to explore and learn more about the landmarks and surroundings in several languages and effectively see beyond what the eye can see.

A flight on the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye will lift you high enough to see the sights of downtown Orlando’s skyline, nearby theme parks, beautiful lakes and lush landscapes, with views all the way to Cape Canaveral on Florida’s east coast.

In addition to the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, guests can also experience the Madame Tussauds, the world’s most famous celebrity wax attraction, and SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, the immersive underwater experience, rounding out three of the top global brands in Merlin Entertainments’ portfolio of exciting attractions.

I-Drive 360 also boast many restaurants and night clubs.  They also offer free covered parking and is very close to all I-drive Trolley stops.

Wonder Works

WonderWorks

An indoor amusement park for the mind combining education and entertainment with more than 100 hands – on exhibits for all ages.

Wonder Works began as a Top-Secret research laboratory, led by Professor Wonder, on a remote island in the Bermuda Triangle. During an experiment gone awry, a manmade tornado unleashed through the laboratory and created a swirling vortex that carried the building thousands of miles away, landing it upside-down on top of a brick warehouse on International Drive in Orlando, Florida. Remarkably, all the experiments remained intact and functional.

As you enter the upside-down attraction, the ceiling will be under your feet and the ground will be above your head, making it impossible to explore what’s inside. To begin your adventure, pass through the inversion tunnel and defy gravity as you are properly aligned!

Once inside, you will be able to explore six Wonder Zones: Natural Disasters, Physical Challenges, Light and Sound, Imagination Lab, Space Discovery and the Far-Out Art Gallery.

Journey through each zone, testing your knowledge, physical capacities and creativity! Become a human lightning rod by touching 10,000 volts of electricity or experience hurricane force winds! Gather up your strength to lift your weight using a pulley system or build up courage to lie down on a bed of 3,500 rising nails. Navigate through space on a mission to Mars and design and ride your own roller coaster!

Make your way up to the basement where you’ll find more thrilling adventures, including an XD Theater 4D motion simulated thrill ride, 3-story indoor ropes challenge course and laser tag.

While visiting, upgrade to a combo package and stay for the Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show. Expect to be impressed with the combination of magic, impersonations and high-energy, improvisational comedy. Unlimited pizza, salad, popcorn, beer, wine, soda and dessert will be served.

Main Event Orlando

MainEventOrlando

Main Event Entertainment, the fastest growing entertainment destination is an ideal place for groups to get together and let their fun out.  Main Event combines dining, virtual and interactive game play, high ropes adventure courses, billiards, 61 big screen TVs and state-of-the-art bowling in nearly 50,000 square feet.

Their Eat.Bowl.Play experience features a chef-inspired menu featuring innovative American fare and handcrafted cocktails in a high-energy bar and grill atmosphere and signature-style artisan pizza at LaBella’s, the center’s fast casual café.  Main Event also offers full-service catering with private rooms, free Wi-Fi and the latest audiovisual technology for private events such as holiday parties, company meetings, birthday parties, and social gatherings.

In addition to its unique Eat.Bowl.Play experience, Main Event offers full-service catering with private rooms, free Wi-Fi and the latest audiovisual technology for company meetings, team-building exercises, holiday parties, social gatherings and large group events.  Additionally, Main Event consistently is ranked the “best place for parties,” offering a variety of party packages to entertain guests of all ages.
Main Event centers serve more than 500,000 guests annually and bring nearly 150 full- and part-time positions to their local communities.

Americas Escape Game

AmericasEscapeGame

America’s Escape Game offers a new and exciting amusement! Real-life room escape games are a type of physical adventure game in which people are locked in a room with other participants and must use elements of the room to solve a series of puzzles, find clues, and escape the room within a set time limit.
At America’s Escape Game people are teamed up in groups of 2-10 and locked in a room. They have 60 minutes to work together, solve the riddles, solve the puzzles and escape. We currently have 4 experiences to choose from, each with their very different challenges.

This is great fun for a date, a family night or a team building experience as working together is required to succeed!

They currently have the five (5) rooms below to choose from.
“Pandemic: Project Hephaestus” Your Team needs to find the cure before the Red Death takes its toll!
“Lost Tomb of Monthu” Find the mysterious red ruby and escape while there is still time!
“Crisis at 1600” Secure the White House and stop a missile attack while you still can!
“The Caretaker” Save the hermit caretaker from the wolves while there is still time!
“Face Off” Face Off is a high energy race against time AND your opponents!

This is an experience like no other. Be warned, only 10% of their guests escape! You and your friends will work together, cheer each other on and compete to escape the rooms fastest.

IFly Orlando

iFlyOrlando

Discover the dream of flight at iFly Oralndo. Experience the true free fall conditions of skydiving without jumping from an airplane. iFly’s vertical wind tunnel technology creates a wall-to-wall cushion of air on which you can safely float. There’s no parachute, no jumping and nothing attaching you to planet Earth. It’s just you and the air. Super fun, super safe, and super cool!

Children as young as three, to adults as old (or young at heart) as 103 can fly. It’s safe for kids, challenging for adults and realistic for skydivers. They provide all the gear and a personal instructor will guide you through your flight

 

From mild to wild there’s so much to see and do in Orlando.  We’ve named just a few things here and there is so much more coming to the International Drive Area and the theme parks.

 

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Disney Springs, previously known as Downtown Disney, is an outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment complex located at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida. It was recently expanded to include many new stores, such as Pandora, Anthropologie, and the Coca-Cola Store. It also has a wide variety of delicious dining experiences. Walt Disney Imagineering took inspiration for the look and feel of Disney Springs from real coastal towns found throughout the state of Florida, such as St. Augustine and Coral Gables.

See La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil at Disney Springs before it’s gone!

Earlier this year Cirque du Soleil announced that La Nouba will be ending it’s 19-year run in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida on December 31st, 2017. La Nouba’s classic performance transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary and stimulates the imagination from beginning to end with amazing acrobatics and whimsical characters. Disney Springs is the only location where you will be able to see this unbelievably amazing show, and not for much longer. Tickets to the show are still available, and seeing the show before it’s gone is worth the trip.

All New Dining Options

Disney Springs

Disney Springs is host to 52 unique and different dining options to choose from. Whether you want exotic food or something a little more domestic, Disney Springs has got it all. The new Town Center district of Disney Springs has recently opened with a plethora of dining options that are sure to delight. Grab a burger at D-Luxe Burger or a barbeque sandwich at The Polite Pig and try one of the delicious cupcake options at Sprinkles for dessert. The Marketplace district of Disney Springs includes the Rainforest Café and its sister restaurant T-Rex, which are a delight to families visiting Disney Springs with animatronic animals and dinosaurs that move and speak during your meal. T-Rex also features Build-a-Dino, a franchise of Build-a-Bear where kids can build and dress their very own dinosaurs. The West Side District includes Crossroads at House of Blues, where there’s always good music to go with good food, Splitsville Luxury lanes, where you can bowl and eat in luxury, Bongos Cuban Café and the newly redesigned Planet Hollywood location. The Landing District, previously known as Pleasure Island, has opened several new, unique locations. It boasts nautical-themed restaurants and shops, including Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, and the Boathouse, which also serves as the port for amphibious, vintage automobiles that offer cruises of lake Buena Vista. Even if you don’t take a cruise you can still watch these amazing cars take a swim while you eat.

Family-friendly Nightly Entertainment

Free Nighty Music

Not ready to head back to your room after a day in the parks? Take a stroll around Disney Springs. Free and family-friendly entertainment is available nightly throughout the Springs until 11pm. Check out the Waterside Stage located in the Marketplace district of Disney Spring most nights of the year— the Waterside Stage is host to all-types of performers from full band concerts to a nightly DJ Kids Dance Party. Pop-up live music is also available throughout the Landing, Westside and Town Center Districts – just take a stroll around and listen to the sweet sounds of fun.

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Daytona Beach is known as “The World’s Most Famous Beach”, making it undoubtedly a must-visit destination for your Best Vacation Ever. There’s a lot more than the beach, however, that makes this city so popular for spring breakers, couples and families alike. Best Vacations Ever has compiled a list of our 10 favorite things to do in Daytona Beach, and we think you’ll enjoy them as well!

  • Go for a spin on the sand– One thing about Daytona Beach that makes it so famous is that you can take a cruise down the coast in your vehicle on the beach. For $10 per day, Best Vacations Ever seekers can get driving access to almost 16 miles of the beach. There are 16 access points to get onto and off the beach by vehicle, and a one day pass allows you one exit and reentry for the day.

 

  • Fuel your inner speed-demon – If driving a NASCAR around a world-famous racetrack sounds like one of your Best Vacations Ever, you’ll want to take part in the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Daytona International Speedway. There are three different driving packages to choose from, ranging in price from $549 for the Rookie Experience of eight laps around the 2.5-mile track, all the way up to $2199 for the Experience of a Lifetime for 24 laps. A more budget-friendly option is the Ride Along for $135 which will get you three laps around the track as a passenger.

 

 

  • Head to the park – Not just any park, but Daytona Lagoon – a fun park and water park combined! If you want to enjoy a bit of nostalgia on your Best Vacation Ever, hit up the 70+ game arcade. Those seeking some action can play a round of laser tag, take a few laps in a go kart, or try your skill at the rock climbing wall. After the indoor fun head to the water park where you can zip down 12 water slides or cool off in one of the pools. Admission is $29.99, or you can save 50% by going after 4pm (except Wednesday).

 

  • Go treasure hunting – Daytona Flea & Farmers Market is the mecca of awesome finds, and you’ll be hard-pressed to leave without buying something that you never knew you needed after spending any amount of time here. From rummaging through diamond-in-the-rough antiques, to visiting endless booths with brand new items and fresh produce, you’ll be amazed at what you will find. Best of all, it’s free – you’ll pay nothing for parking nor admission.

 

 

  • Catch a concert – The Daytona Bandshell hosts a ton of free concerts all year long. What could be better than taking in one of the popular cover bands while the Atlantic crashes against the shore behind you? Some of the acts heading to the Bandshell this summer are bands covering Kid Rock, U2, Garth Brooks, The Grateful Dead, Jimmy Buffett to name a few.

 

  • Splish splash in the sun – Free activities always make for one of your Best Vacations Ever, and another great free Daytona Beach attraction is Sun Splash Park. Sun Splash Park is a four-acre area with an interactive water fountain, ornate walkways, and a playground shaded from the sun. The park has picnic areas, outdoor showers, restrooms, and designated parking areas for the convenience of its visitors. When you’ve had your fill of the park, walk a few yards and relax on the beach or take a dip in the Atlantic.

 

  • Place some wagers – The Daytona Beach Racing & Card Club is the area’s premier facility to watch both live and televised Greyhound races, as well as to try your hand at various poker games. Whether you are a poker pro or a first-timer, the facilities 55-table poker room is not to be missed – it has been featured in countless nationally broadcast celebrity and professional poker games. After you’ve played a few hands, enjoy lunch or dinner at the Clubhouse where you’ll have a front row seat to the greyhound races.

 

  • Walk the planks – A Best Vacations Ever in Daytona Beach wouldn’t be complete without a walk onto the famous Daytona Beach Pier. The pier is a Daytona Beach landmark that protrudes from Main Street 1,000 feet into the Atlantic Ocean. The best part about the pier – free fishing and no license is required! After you put your fresh catches on ice, head over to Joe’s Crab Shack (right on the pier!) to cool off with a cocktail and grub out on some food.

 

 

  • Hang Ten – Continuing education is always important, so why not continue it by learning something fun?! Vast Ocean’s Surf & SUP School is the leading surf and stand-up paddle boarding school in Daytona. Each lesson is 1.5 hours in length, with an additional hour after the lesson for free practice. Board, leash and wetsuit are all included in the lesson price of $65-$90. Surf’s up!

 

  • Retail Therapy – After a long, relaxing Best Vacation Ever in Daytona Beach, unwind a bit more by checking out the brand new Tanger Outlets Daytona Beach, where there’s always a sale and everything’s in style. Featuring stores like Polo Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Coach and Harley-Davidson, you’ll find something to take home for everyone on your shopping list.

 

So, what are you waiting for? Get to planning one of your Best Vacations Ever in Daytona Beach, where there’s always something for everyone to do. Start by checking out Daytona Beach lodging accommodations at BestVacationsEver.com. We’ll see you at the beach!

On May 25th, 2017 history was made at Universal Orlando Resort with the opening of Volcano Bay – a 50+ acre water park centered around a massive volcano, the Krakatau. The opening ceremony was a sight to behold in person, or while watching the live broadcast on NBC’S TODAY show and Universal’s Facebook livestream. The ceremony was performed by the park’s fictional Waturi Tribe, played by members ofPounamu Performing Arts of Auckland, New Zealand, and consisted of drumming, singing, tribal dancing, and the passing of the Lotus Stone. At the completion of the ceremony, it was officially time for the water rides to open and one of the Best Vacations Ever to begin for attendees!

In addition to the 18 attractions within Universal’s Volcano Bay, there are several seating and line upgrades available to ensure that this will be one of your Best Vacations Ever. Best Vacations Ever guests looking to get in a little relaxation and get out of the sun while the family enjoys the water rides may want to consider Universal’s Volcano Bay Premium Seating. The Premium Seating includes a pair of cushioned beach loungers, a canopy and a lock box for safekeeping of your valuable items. All Premium Seating includes attendant service to see to guest’s food and drink needs.

The ultimate upgrade to your Best Vacations Ever Universal’s Volcano Bayvacation is the rental of one of the 51 cabanas. Cabanas are one or two-stories and feature cushioned lounge chairs, towels, a snack and fruit basket, a mini fridge stocked full of bottled water, concierge service with an exclusive menu, and a Guest Experience Transformation (GET) tablet. The GET tablet allows Universal’s Volcano Bay guests to book their place in line without ever leaving the cabana, as well as order food from any of the dining options within the park. Cabana rental for up to six guests starts at $159.99 per day and goes up to $549.99. Family cabanas (accommodates up to 16 guests) go for $299.99-$599.99 per day. Of the 51 cabanas, only two are family cabanas – so guests will need to reserve them well in advance.

No one wants to visit a theme park and wait hours in line for a turn at the rides, and Universal’s Volcano Bay is no exception. With the Universal’s Volcano Bay Universal Express Unlimited Pass, Best Vacations Ever adventurers can pay $39.99 and skip past the virtual line without checking in an unlimited amount of times. Another option is the Volcano Bay Universal Express Pass – use it the same way as the Unlimited pass, but only one time at each participating attraction for $19.99.

If you aren’t yet familiar with what Volcano Bay has to offer, check out this Best Vacations Ever blog that includes details about the water park! For those of you who already know what Volcano Bay is about, what are you waiting for? Did we mention that currently admission to Universal’s Volcano Bay is only $67? Book your Orlando vacation today with Best Vacations Ever, and get to making a SPLASH at Universal’s Volcano Bay!

Craft beer has seen an insane spike in popularity over the past decade, and the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Over 150 breweries are proud to call Florida home, and Orlando has no shortage of delicious craft beers and quirky breweries to take in. If you want to turn your upcoming Orlando vacation into one of your Best Vacations Ever, consider making it a beer-cation and sample some delicious brews at the following Orlando craft breweries.

Cask & Larder Brewery –One of your Best Vacations Ever can kick off the moment you step off the plane at Cash & Larder Brewery at the Orlando International Airport. Named one of The Best New Restaurants of 2014 by Esquire Magazine, here you can enjoy fresh shucked oysters and southern-inspired dishes that change seasonally. Make sure to try the 5 Points IPA, the breweries most popular concoction.

Orlando Brewing Company – This highly renowned brewery celebrated its 11th year of certified organic beer brewing this Spring. At Orlando Brewing Company, they take brewing seriously and strictly follow the German Purity Law of 1516, or, the Reinheitsgebot. In a nutshell, this means their beer is brewed with just four ingredients – water, hops, yeast, malted barley – except for four recipes that are seasonally produced each year. Free tours are offered at 6pm, Monday-Saturday, except beer:30 (30th of each month) and beer holidays like Oktoberfest. If trying new things is a priority when you are on one of your Best Vacations Ever, you won’t want to miss out on the Graeme Cracker S’more, an Oatmeal Stout that has 6.8% ABV.

Ocean Sun Brewing – This brewery is still young, having celebrated its first anniversary this past March. Don’t let its age fool you – Ocean Sun holds the top spot for Orlando breweries on Yelp.com. Order food from any of the close by restaurants or bring your own! You can also plan to bring your pooch as dogs are allowed INSIDE at your table! Take a free tour of the brewery and then head over to the 12 taps for a fresh pint to indulge in while you enjoy a game of Cornhole with your crew. Ocean Sun’s Bumby Blonde Ale is the breweries most popular beverage, and AKA Blue Bags IPA is a close second.

Sea Dog Brewery – Sea Dog’s flagship brewery is in Bangor,Maine; however, they operate several satellite breweries throughout Maine, New Hampshire, and Florida. Unfortunately, Sea Dog’s Orlando location doesn’t provide any tours, but that shouldn’t stop you from coming and tasting their award-winning ales. The most popular choice at Sea Dog is the Blueberry Wheat Ale – made with fresh Maine blueberries – that took first place at the 2007 California Brewer’s Festival. Stay and enjoy dinner as the brewery has a full menu offering appetizers, sandwiches, entrees, and a raw bar. If anyone in your group would prefer a glass of wine, Sea Dog offers a decent variety of both reds and whites.

Duff’s Brewery – If experiencing what it’s like to drink like Homer Simpson sounds like one of your Best Vacation’s Ever, then head to Universal Studios to experience the Simpson patriarch’s favorite elixir. Duff’s Brewery is located within Springfield: Home of the Simpsons in Universal Studios, and it’s a must visit for any Simpsons fan. Duff’s offers three choices for you: Duff Beer (lager), Duff Lite (pilsner), and Duff Dry (stout). You won’t find Duff’s anywhere other than Universal, as it’s exclusively brewed by the Florida Brewing Company for this location only.

Redlight Redlight Beer Parlour and Brewery – For over 12 years Redlight Redlight Beer Parlour has been a world-renowned tap house for patrons to enjoy great craft beers from all over. In 2014, they decided to try their hand at brewing their own sour and wild beers, and “Brewery” was added to their name. Step inside and enjoy almost 25 fresh craft beers on tap, craft sodas, and hundreds of bottled beers. Try their Black Morning, a Belgian Sour Stout – it took home Bronze at the Best Florida Beer Competition!

Big River Grille & Brewing Works – If you’re planning on hitting up Disney for one of your Best Vacations Ever, you will want to stop at Big River Grille & Brewing Works. Located on the Disney BoardWalk within the Walt Disney World Resort, this is a place where the whole family can enjoy themselves. The extensive menu has something for children and adults alike, and for those 21 and older there is a full bar. The real centerpiece, however, is the award-winning craft brews at the only working brewpub within the resort. Big River was started in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where its flagship is still in operation. Be sure to try the Iron Horse Stout – a three-time World Beer Cup winner.

Crooked Can Brewing Company – Right outside of Orlando in Winter Park is Crooked Can Brewing Company. This self-proclaimed free-spirited, laid-back brewery has been craft brewing for two years and has had quite a positive impact on the local craft brew movement. The brewmaster at Crooked Can was formerly the head brewer at Big River Grilled & Brewing Works, where he won the awards mentioned above. Be sure to take the brewery tour where you’ll learn about the history, their brewing process, and sample each of their beers, including their most popular American IPA, High Stepper.

Sanford Brewing Company –This is the newest microbrewery on our list, having just opened in October of 2016. Sanford Brewing Company brews eight of its own beers, but it also serves up other brewery’s beer and cider, and its in-house produced craft soda. This is another brewery where you can enjoy a bite to eat with your dog, as pups are welcome in the beer garden. If sipping on a cold American IPA in a stylishly wood-paneled brewery would make your trip to Orlando one of your Best Vacations Ever, get to Sanford Brewing Company and enjoy a pour of their popular Flipa IPA, made with local honey.

Hourglass Brewing – Hourglass Brewing started as a 12-seat capacity brewery five years ago, and today you can enjoy their libations in their taproom that can host up to 240 people. The taproom has a plethora of board games as well as video games available for patrons to entertain themselves while they refuel with one of Hourglass’s popular brews. If you can’t make it to Longwood, later this year at the Orlando Crossings Mall a post-apocalyptic-themed bar is opening that will exclusively serve Hourglass Brewery beers.

These 10 breweries are just a handful of the Central Florida craft brewery scene. Best Vacations Ever seekers could easily make a week-long vacation of traveling from brewery to brewery in Orlando, and if you love craft brew, it’s a great idea, if you have a sober driver to get you around on your beer-hopping adventures. No matter what time of year you visit Orlando, it’s always the perfect time for a great Central Florida craft beer – cheers!

Best Vacations Ever offers you an dream-come true vacation with complimentary accommodations in Orlando and its free access to Disney Springs.
Best Vacations Ever is a dream-come true vacation with complimentary accommodations in Orlando. Enjoy free access to Downtown Disney, which is tons of fun for locals and visitors looking for more fun while on a travel budget.

Just off work and settled on the sofa one Friday night watching TV, my 19-year-old son zips by, keys in hand, and proclaims he’s heading out with friends. Maternally, of course, I ask, “Where ya headed? Catching me off guard, he says “Disney.” Even though I know better, I question, “To the parks???” “Nooooo,” he laughs, “To the Disney Boardwalk!”

It made me think about how lucky we are to live in Orlando, and that he and his friends have these amazing places like Disney Boardwalk and Downtown Disney to go to and have fun at Disney attractions with or without money to spend. It also made me think about all the free Disney activities Orlando travelers can do to

Miracle vacations can come true on a fixed travel budget, especially with Best Vacations Ever.
Miracle vacations, like our rogue personal vacation, can come true on a fixed travel budget, especially with Best Vacations Ever and trips like Orlando getaways visiting Cinderella’s magical castle.

Money is the biggest issue when traveling, whether near or far destinations. Travel expenses can add up quickly, which I was recently reminded of while taken on a rogue pleasure trip (cruise) with my son. A vacation filled with a lot of Caribbean island hopping in various destinations. Receiving a certain amount of money for graduation and a fixed amount for a cruise, he desperately wanted to go on, he had to learn how to spend a fixed budget for two in the thriftiest ways. As an avid traveler, he has had access to my virtual Rolodex of travel-savings tips. By stretching and using our dollars wisely, we were actually able to do so much more than we expected by going rogue, experiencing my son’s dream-come-true location and visiting various islands and cultures he and I had always wanted to visit in more active, island invested ways rather than restricting ourselves to just one or maybe two long, often singular shore excursion per visit. Being thrifty spenders and setting a travel-budget expense for each day and a making