Our Bit Of Florida
Once you have arrived and feel ready to take on Florida cross the US27 and left and after approx 1 mile you will come to a set of lights turn right here and you will find a Publix, Mia Pizza, and a Chinese Takeaway unfortunately non of them deliver however you can telephone your order through and then go and pick it up. You can also turn right and head North for approx the same distance and turn right at the first set of lights here you will find a newly opened Walmart.
Back to US 192 and pull over to the outside lane for turning left into the Publix complex.
When you spread your wings WAL-MART and COSTCO (only if you’re already a member-take your card) are very good value. One of the latter is located on Orange Blossom Trail. Their prices are still second to none over there.
Into Orlando. Go via International Drive, which you can join from various points on I4 (East). As good an exit as any is the one for Seaworld (VERY clearly signed). Just proceed along that road past all Seaworld entrances to traffic lights on International Drive. All the way up International Drive you will see various shops etc. as well as directions for ‘Sea World’ – a good day out; Universal Studios (now almost as big as Disney World), ‘Wet and Wild’ – (accommodates youngsters of all sizes (from nappy wearers to ‘know-it-all’ teens pretty well) and various other attractions.
Travel to the very end of the Drive and you arrive at ORLANDO PRIME OUTLET (allegedly) the largest shopping mall (2 of them plus a large number of different stores strung out over a great length of the Drive).
Lake Buena Vista is a shopping area with Reebok, Adidas, and a shop that sells all types of clothing (and the jeans are a good price) - they were selling Wrangler and Lee Jeans for around $18!
To travel there turn off I4 at the junction signed "International Drive South". At the main traffic lights turn right and the shops are about 1/2 mile on the left.
During the evening we have found that Universal Village is free to enter and is much better suited to the needs of a family, which includes youngsters. I seem to remember that an $8 ticket gets the older members into any and all of the clubs. The latest news we have indicates that the 'clubby' part of Downtown Disney no longer requires an entrance ticket (just pay to enter the clubs) and is more suited to the teen + set although drinking remains the prerogative of those aged 21 and over AND YOU WILL NEED ID (even I did and few people are more obviously 21 than me!).
Eating out
When deciding where to eat in Orlando you have a choice of nearly 4,000 restaurants. Here we have a list of some of the restaurants in the area. Contrary to some beliefs, all American eating-houses are not ‘brilliant’. Some of the most unlikely present good value and quality.
IHOP:(International House of Pancakes). In some ways – mainly presentational- a vastly improved ‘Little Chef’. Range of menu is much better and, as with the majority of US eating haunts, portions range from satisfying to enormous. Prices also very reasonable with some discounts for follow-up visits.
MACDONALDS: (God help us) about the same as UK.
CHARLY'S STEAKHOUSE: If your looking for a good steak, you found it. A little on the expensive side but well worth it. About 10 miles east on the 192 you will find it on the left side.
SHONEYS: Multi-course, mainly self-service, eat-as-much-as-you-like. Prices low to mid and represent reasonable value. Kids tend to love it.
THE OUTBACK: Various locations across Florida. Australian themed steak house serving quality food at very decent prices.
THE GOLDEN CORAL: Various locations across Florida. They do a selection of steaks but the buffet will satisfy most people. Also Friday's dinners are fish specials and Saturday's Meat Specials Price All you can eat was $6 - $8 Look out for vouchers save up to $2.
Landrys, Crossroads, Lake Buena Vista. – In addition to a normal menu they have an excellent range of fish dishes and all at good prices.
BENNIGANS: It is an Irish themed bar/restaurant that offers great food, and a variety of beers and other drinks including many British brands. The Guinness, though, is extortionately priced. The menu is vast and caters for pretty much everyone at either lunch or dinnertime.
A further Chinese buffet is located off the US 27 in the direction of Haines City just past the cross-over with the I4. EXCELLENT value at $9.99 includes all courses, wide selection, as much as you like and also some English food. The Grand China Buffet is the only one at that location and only about 10 mins away
The other side of ‘tourist’ Orlando (on the I4 past Universal (on the left) and Beltz (on the right)) is the Millenia Mall, on the right (you can see Bloomingdales and Maceys from the I4. Take the right turn up to the ‘T’junction then turn right to the car parks. This mall includes a good variety of shops, bars, restaurants and includes The Cheesecake Factory. And no – they don’t JUST sell cheesecake. The food (and atmosphere) is tremendous.
This home is licensed with the Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants and a Florida Occupational License has been issued to the owners. These Properties are in full compliance with safety standards, including smoke detectors and extinguishers.