Many of these are chains with restaurants along International Drive or the 192 highway – and here are a few of our favourites (as at July 2010)

Italian

It is difficult to match the Olive Garden for value – with a couple of restaurants along the 192, and also at the Florida Mall.  Whilst pitched as a ‘budget’ restaurant, the variety of Italian food, wine and beer is always of a good standard. 

Perhaps equally as good, although maybe a little more pricey, is Carabbas – again with a restaurant along the 192 (at Formosa Gardens) and also elsewhere in the attractions area.  If anywhere can match the Olive Garden for Italian food, this is the one to try…..

Steaks

America has some great offerings for the steak lover.  Most restaurants will have a choice of steaks on the menu – but many consider it worthwhile to try a specialist steak restaurant.  And our favourite is ‘The Outback’ – at Formosa Gardens, but also by the Premium Outlets on International Drive, and at The Florida Mall.  An interesting mix of American and Australian, the steaks at The Outback are of a very high standard, cooked to perfection, without breaking the bank.  And most restaurants within this chain offer a happy hour during early evening, when the value stretches even further

Tex-Mex

Chillis is also a chain restaurant, which can be found at The Loop and Champions Gate.  The focus is on Tex-Mex and value – with many drinks on happy hour throughout the day.  A wide choice of menu includes many steak, fish and chicken options, as well as the traditional ‘tex-mex’ choices, including fajitas, quesadillas and many others.  No visit to Florida is complete without an evening at Chillis!

Sandwiches

Sometimes a lighter meal is enough – and Subway franchises are to be found in many locations.  Always freshly made with quality ingredients, a Subway will often provide an alternative, especially as a ‘take-away’ or ‘carry-out’ option.  A huge choice of sandwiches (or ‘subs’) made to order with your own choice of ingredients – often with great value offers.

We are presently over at our villa and have seen on TV and newspapers the crackdown on Park Ticket Booths making large reductions on Gate Prices.There have been several arrests at booths, especially on International Drive and Highway 192.

The scam is the booths offer these tickets by purchasing tickets with unused days left on visitors tickets for a measly few Dollars. They then attempt to clear the fingerprint security with detergents. Howeever, the security at the Park Gates can identify this and you are refused entry without any exception. When you return to the booth where you bought the ticket, they have a preset jargon refusing all responsibility and you are left both out of pocket and ticketless.

To avoid the disappointment and anger for your family having to go through this ordeal we really think all tickets should be purchased from reputable companies.

The booths which remain are usually attached to some timeshare and you have to go on a tour usually last 4 hours or more.

Hope this helps new visitors make the right decision and go on to have a great fun Holiday.

Mary & Larry

9067 International Drive, Orlando, FL32819

Open daily 9.00am until midnight

Easily recognisable as the ‘Upside Down House’ on International Drive, Wonderworks contains over 100 interactive exhibits.

With opening hours until midnight, this is a fun family attraction that can be enjoyed when the theme parks close, or after a day lazing in the sun.

Entry to Wonderworks is through a revolving tunnel that transports you theoretically upside down to begin your experience.

The exhibits begin with the Earthquake Simulator which recreates a 5.3 earthquake, followed by the Hurricane Simulator. Also enjoy the Global VR which simulates the virtual combat of a Desert War.

Then take the controls of the Discovery Space Shuttle or an F14 and F18 fighter jet, and discover the skills and techniques required to fly them.

Here, there are also photo opportunities with life size replicas of an Astronaut Space Suit and Mercury Capsule.

Much fun can be had in the Bubble Lab where there are a variety of fun, gigantic bubble-making tools.  Then lay on the Bed of Nails and feel 3500 sharp nails rise under you, or press into the 40,000 pins on the Wonderwall and create a 3D impression of your entire body.

In the Virtual Sports section, play virtual basketball, soccer or air hockey.

The Wonder Coaster is not for the feint hearted.  This simulator rolls 360o, up, down, backwards, forwards and any which way it can.  Riders must be 48” tall. 

Negotiating each level via the stairway, introduces the many mysterious pictures that will bring you to a standstill trying to figure them out.

On the top floor is the arcade and prize shop. 

The café is located on the 1st floor, and offers a variety of pizza, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, French fries, soft pretzels, popcorn, ice cream and drinks.     

The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show

Voted as the best dinner show for 2009, this is an impressive, interactive, entertaining and extremely funny dinner show, containing magic, impersonations and improvised comedy.

Ticket price includes unlimited fresh cheese and pepperoni pizza, salad, popcorn and unlimited wine, beer, soda and dessert.

Show times are 6.00pm Sunday to Saturday, with an extra performance at 8.00pm on a Saturday.

Lazer Tag

Wear a technology enriched vest, and outplay, outlast and outshoot your opponents in the huge maze.

Prices (2009)                           Child (4-12)/Over 65’s             Adults

Wonderworks                                      $14.95                                     $19.95

Lazer Tag (One game)              $  4.95                                     $  4.95

The Outta Control Dinner Show            $16.95                                     $24.95

    (Dinner Show Only)

Magic Combo                                      $28.95                                     $38.95

    (Wonderworks & Dinner Show)

Lazer Combo                                       $17.95                                     $22.95

    (Wonderworks & 1 Lazer Tag Game)

Ultimate Combo                                   $29.95                                     $39.95

Discount coupons for $1.50 off Wonderworks admission and $1.50 off The Outta Control Dinner Show are available from Wonderworks own website!  Visit www.wonderworksonline.com

Parking

Parking is directly behind Wonderworks, in the Pointe Orlando parking Garage.  The fees range from $2.00-$6.00 per car.

The VIP treatment starts on your arrival when you can enjoy complimentary valet parking. Much nicer than hunting for a parking space, as this place does get busy and so does the car park. You may have to wait for a table at peak times, but it’s worth the wait! It also gives you a chance to enjoy their huge outside terrace which has two bars, lots of seating and a stage where steel drums play reggae music all night long.

What’s better than a little island music while you sip one of their fabulous speciality cocktails? My favourite is their Bahamarita, which consists of colourful layers of assorted fruit Margaritas. Others worth trying are their Ultimate Pina Colada or their Mojito Cubano which has a perfect blend of white rum, lime, mint and sugar cane. They even have their own house beer called Aruba Red which is brewed by Anheuser Busch and produced only for Bahama Breeze.

Inside the restaurant the lush tropical plants and decor, thatched roofs and colourful wicker style furnishings all add to the feeling that you’re actually dining in the Bahamas. The service is always friendly, and the staff are happy to help you with food and drink choices.

As for their delicious food, we normally start off by sharing some fresh coconut shrimp and a giant stack of their island onion rings and dips. They do some great seafood and steaks for entrees, but I’m a sucker for their West Indies Ribs or their Jamaican Grilled Chicken Breast which comes with cinnamon sweet mashed potatoes.

A dessert is often out of the question by this time, but if you can manage one you won’t be disappointed. I can’t resist their traditional Key Lime Pie, or their Bananas Supreme which has fresh banana served over warm banana nut bread with vanilla ice cream and brandy butterscotch sauce.

If you’re drooling at the mouth by now, why not treat yourself to dinner and cocktails at Bahama Breeze on your next visit to the Orlando area.

Have Fun!