Visitor Information for Orlando

Orlando Shopping

If you like to shop till you drop Orlando offers some of the best shopping venues in the world from outlet centres to designer malls. Try to avoid the crowds and arrive when the shops open or after the lunch time rush, between midday and 3pm. Stores tend to locate their bargains at the back of the store, so a good tip is to start at the back and work your way to the front.

Shopping Malls

The Mall at Millenia is an upscale enclosed two storey shopping mall and is perfect for those who like to surround themselves in luxury. The Mall offers the finest collection of luxury brands in Orlando with stores including Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Jimmy Choo.
Regular mall hours
Monday to Saturday 10am - 9pm
Sunday 12pm (noon) - 7pm

The Florida Mall is very popular with locals and tourists and features large department stores such as Dillard's, JCPenney, Macy's, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Sears, along with over 250 specialty stores. The Florida Mall offers unparalleled shopping in Orlando.
Regular mall hours
Monday to Saturday 10am - 9pm
Sunday 12pm (noon) - 6pm

The Festival Bay Mall at International Drive offers a great shopping experience with a selection of over 80 stores, great dining and entertainment including an indoor glow in the dark miniature golf at Putting Edge, the best indoor playground you have ever seen at Monkey Joes Parties & Play, Cinemark 20 Movie Theatres, Vans Skatepark and opening in 2008 Ron Jon Surf park!
Regular mall hours
Monday to Saturday 10am - 9pm
Sunday 11am - 7pm

Factory Outlets

Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores is located within minutes from Disney and offers an outlet shopping experience too good to pass up. Here you will find huge bargains with up to 75% off selected items. Stores include Gap Outlet, Old Navy and the Nike Factory Store.
Regular shopping hours
Monday to Saturday 10am - 9pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm

Orlando Premium Outlets features 110 designer and brand name outlets with great savings of 25%-65% off every day including stores such as Addidas, Calvin Klein and Polo Ralph Lauren.
Regular shopping hours
Monday to Saturday 10am - 11pm
Sunday 10am - 9pm

At Prime Outlets International you'll find 25-65% off at over 170 of your favourite brand name stores, names like Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Liz Claiborne.
Regular shopping hours
Monday to Saturday 10am - 9pm
Sunday 10am - 7pm

Eating out in Orlando

You will certainly be spoilt for choice when choosing where to wine and dine in Orlando. All tastes and budgets are catered for from all you can eat buffets to the finest cuisine. US Highway 192 is home to a vast number of American diners and fast food takeaways such as TGI Fridays, McDonalds, KFC, Dennys and the Waffle House, just to name a few.

However if you venture a little further field away from the tourist hotspots, you will find some remarkable and in some cases world-class restaurants only a short drive away. Seasons 52, located on Sand Lake Road is a sophisticated wine bar and grill which is very popular with the locals. The menu is full of fresh seasonal foods on an expandable and changing menu. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming making you want to return again and again.

If you have kids there are some great places to eat out within and around the theme parks. Universals CityWalk has a large selection of restaurants including the worlds largest Hard Rock Cafe and Hard Rock Live Orlando, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co and a Bob Marley themed eatery. Downtown Disney also boasts an array of diners including Planet Hollywood, House of Blues and Rainforest Cafe.

For real entertainment while you eat why not head for a themed dinner show such as Medieval Knights, Arabian Nights or Dolly Partons Dixie Stampede. All involve plenty of food, usually three or four courses (including vegetarian) and your drinks are also included. We recommend that you try at least one show as it is extremely good family fun.

Tips

Just be warned when eating out you are likely to be given very large portions. Don't be afraid to ask for 2 plates for one order and share. Also tipping is a must when eating out at restaurants in the Orlando, 15% is the standard. Over the years the British have gained a reputation for being stingy when it comes to tipping.

Orlando Golf

With more than 300 days of sunshine every year, you will want to spend some quality time outdoors on your Orlando holiday. With 176 golf courses within an hours drive of Orlando its no wonder that Orlando has become a well renowned destination for golfers throughout the world. Many PGA Tour players including Tiger Woods and Ernie Els alongside legends Arnold Palmer and Gary Player make Orlando their golfing home. With great weather and a high concentration of world-class facilities at every price point, this is the perfect place to play. Whether you're a first timer or an experienced pro, Orlando has the perfect golf course for you.

For those staying at the Walt Disney World Resort there are 5 outstanding championship courses to choose from Osprey Ridge, Lake Buena Vista, Palm, Magnolia and Oak Trail. Golf is available to the general public and resort guests , however appropriate golf attire is required (shirt with a collar and Bermuda-length shorts or slacks). For tee times, call 407-939-4653 between 6am and 8pm daily. You will need to guarantee your advance reservation with a major credit card. Cancellation must be made 48 hours in advance. The price includes the greens fee and cart rental but does not include applicable taxes.

Driving in Orlando

Orlando has many forms of transportation; however renting a car will give you more freedom to travel around.

Driving tips

1. Don't forget your Driving License and any vouchers or paper work that may be required regarding your car hire
2. Most importantly in Orlando you must remember that you'll be driving on the right hand side of the road and in the left hand side of the car
3. When in Orlando be sure to get hold of a good road map so you can find your way around easily
4. Right turns at red lights are legal in the state of Florida unless otherwise posted
5. Florida law requires low-beam headlights to be turned on when your windshield wipers are in use
6. It is legal in America to overtake on the inside, so be careful when changing lanes
7. Always have quarters in the car ready for the tolls on highways that only take exact change
8. If you become lost, go to the nearest public place to read your map or ask for directions
9. Always take your parking ticket with you, leaving it in the car allows a thief to exit the parking lot
10. If your car contains an anti-theft device, remember to activate it
11. Keep your doors locked while driving, and when parked remember to do the same and take the keys with you
12. When travelling or leaving a parked vehicle, lock any packages in the trunk out of view
13. While driving, if you're bumped from behind or flashed by headlights, or see someone who indicates he/she needs help, do not stop. Drive to the nearest, well lit public area and dial the police on 911
14. If someone suspicious approaches your vehicle while stopped at a traffic light, beep the horn
15. Park in well lit areas and check the interior of the car and surrounding areas before entering the car

Just take your time, relax and enjoy the experience. If you look around you'll see lots of couples with maps out shouting at each other, and thats not a good thing to be doing on holiday, so a bit of planning before hand can help.

Orlando Nightlife

Even after theme parks close, Orlando keeps the action going through the night with everything from hotel bars to swinging dance clubs. The four main areas of night time activity centre on Downtown Disney, Disney's Pleasure Island, Universal Studios CityWalk, and downtown Orlando's Orange Avenue.

Disney certainly knows how to throw a party, as visitors will agree after visiting the House of Blues, Cirque du Soleil - La Nouba, and Comedy Warehouse. Universal too, packs party goers into nightclubs like Bob Marley and the Latin Quarter.

Downtown Orlando is home to the SAK Comedy Club, which boasts rave reviews for its stand-up and improvisation nights.

Many resorts and hotels feature top bars and lounges of their own which make for an ideal night, such as the Top of the Palace Lounge on the 27th floor of the Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa. Other popular possibilities include Houston's in Winter Park and Bahama Breeze on International Drive.