Hey everyone, I'm gonna be making a trip down to Orlando for three nights with my best friend and his girlfriend. We have a condo booked for the night of the 31st, 1st, and 2nd. We don't really have any plans for Disney or Universal Studios related stuff. We don't really want to go to Disneyworld or Universal Studios. We're making the trip to Orlando because all three of us are students at the University of Arkansas and are making the trip to watch the Capital One Bowl against Wisconsin. I'd mainly like advice as far as any nightclubs/bars/restaurants or non Disney/Universal touristy type stuff in the Orlando from you guys. We're all 21+ and are looking to have a good time. On New Year's Eve, we're pretty much already booked with the official U of A alumni association party at some big Sports Bar in Orlando. The rest of the time, we're pretty much free other than during the game on the first. Are there any good beaches within an hour or so of Orlando? We're actually staying down in a small town on the outskirts of Orlando, by Kissimmee, in a town called Davenport. Again -- I'm kinda looking for any non-Disneyworld/Universal tips. Are any of the waterparks open this time of the year? Is it too cold to do that stuff anyways?
Universal's Citywalk is actually a really cool place, or at least that was the case 4 years ago. Orlando has tons of young people doing internships from all over the world...lots of hot girls. Disney's Pleasure Island is mostly older tourists, but the Universal's thing is much more hip. Here's a link: http://www.universalorlando.com/cw_index.html It's a huge area adjacent to Universal's two theme parks, but not inside...so it's free to be there...just a walking zone with a bunch of restaurants and clubs. Miami's clubs are really spread out...it's beautiful and hip there, but there's no main central party zone...that's why I think you'll have a blast in Orlando...besides Miami is pretty far from Orlando. Don't forget to check out NBA City...badass. Oh, it looks like they're having a New Year's Eve Block Party with open bar and all you can eat from 8pm to 2am headlined by Cindy Lauper lol. http://www.universalorlando.com/ev_nye_06.html
Avoid sloppy seconds. LOL. I was going to have a similar reply as the rest, but then realized it wasn't what you were looking for so I didn't. But since no one has better advice to offer... As far as bars/clubs, downtown Orlando is good. I like it a lot because it's blocks and blocks of constant restaurants, bars, and clubs on three parallel streets, and you can just park once and bar/club hop all night. It's been awhile since I've been there, but at the time there was a good selection (indie, hipster lounge, generic top 40/hip hop, etc). There's also Club Paris (of Paris Hilton fame, of course) which my friend says is ok. I don't know if the restaurants in that area are worth going though, I never tried them. For beaches, I would recommend going towards the Gulf Coast rather than the Atlantic side. The water and beaches are cleaner there. The Tampa/Clearwater area is close enough w/ plenty of people there. It might be 1-1.5 hrs away. To kill time, the University Citywalk really isn't a bad place to check out. Yeah, it's on the touristy side, but there's still plenty of normal shops, restaurants, and bars to check out. I do find it weird that there's nightclubs there though. There's Wet n Wild, a waterpark, in Orlando. It depends on the day, but I would guess that they are open. Today it's been in the 70's-80's, and high 50's at night. But you're from Arkansas so I assume it's not that different. I'm sure there will be some people at the alumni association who are locals and have some good recommendations. Actually a friend invited me to spend New Year's there too, but it doesn't look like I'll get to go because my gf's parents are in town.
Go to the bowl game and head straight back to the airport. But seriously, I've heard Orlando has become a lot dangerous over the years.
UCF. It's the best party school in the state, although classes won't be in session. Still, you could find some nice parties. Start Facebookin' random girls now!
That might be everybody's way of telling you that there is nothing to do in Orlando besides Universal and Disney. There's always the threesome, though...
Ok, I know you said...no Disney world, but you would be doing a massive disservice if you did not go to Epcot and do the around the world tour....if you are of legal drinking age that is.... DD
Check out downtown. I've been to Orlando about a billion times on business, and their downtown area is actually really nice. Check out Charley's Steak House (fairly close to the airport) - it is ranked very high for a good reason. Incredible wine selection there too. In downtown, it would be hard for me to recall all the places I've eaten at or visited -check out the website for ideas. If you have time or interest, I recommend the Kennedy Space Center Tour - it's a bit of a drive (about 30-45 minutes down a tollway) but it's a pretty impressive facility. (Of course, I'm biased). If you are in to nature, there is a really nice state park called Wekiwa Springs just north of Orlando with some nice walking trails. Have fun.
Yea, go to Cape Canaveral and visit Kennedy Space Center. Also, make a run to Cocoa Beach and visit Ron Jon Surf Shop. I also think that Boardwalks and Baseballs is still around that area but I am not sure.
