Lots of fun, a lot less spending: Downtown Disney

It's no secret that Walt Disney World is THE major reason individuals and families vacation in Orlando. The four parks--Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, Disney Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM Studios), and Animal Kingdom--have much to offer. But they can also be expensive. It starts with the steep admission prices and continues with every beverage, snack, and souvenir that you enjoy. Plus, if you're vacationing with little ones, too many days in the parks can be overstimulating, overwhelming, and downright exhausting for the whole family.

To be sure, we would never suggest that anyone who visits Orlando should skip the parks altogether. However, we would encourage you to consider another alternative: Downtown Disney.

Located near the main gates of the parks--and a quick 20-minute drive from our townhouse in Regal Palms--Downtown Disney is a large, vibrant outdoor compound featuring:

• A range of restaurants. Grab a quick bite at Earl of Sandwich or enjoy a dinner "experience" at Rainforest Cafe or the new T-Rex restaurant. After dinner, cool off with an ice-cream concoction from the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain or a gelato from the Italian ice stand.
• Lots of shops, large and small. One of our favorites is the gargantuan "World of Disney" store, where you can get darn near ANYTHING Disney. It's also home to the second Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique--where your little prince or princess can get a Disney makeover!
• Free entertainment. At the Downtown Disney Marketplace amphitheater, we've enjoyed a deejay-hosted "dance party," as well as a wonderful medley of Broadway show tunes performed by high-school students from Illinois. For the wee ones, there's also a great (free) play area at Lego Land.
• Photo ops. There's no question that meeting the real, live Disney characters is better. But most kids are still tickled pink to pose with the Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty statues or the Winnie the Pooh and Friends sculpture at Downtown Disney.

Besides all that, Downtown Disney is a simply a great venue for walking and people watching--and soaking in the gorgeous Florida weather. We've found this especially true when we've visited in, say, January or February! :-)

Ready to see for yourself?

When you're ready to book your trip to the Orlando area, please consider our four-bedroom, three-bathroom townhouse at Regal Palms Resort. Learn more at our website, or call Susan at 1-888-353-6600.