Orlando nightlife

[SidB]

With some luck we've managed to get a sitter for our kids for one evening this holiday. I want to take my wife out for the evening and would like to know what your experiences have been. I've read all the books (Brits Guide is the best), but I always prefer a recommendation.

Should I try Downtown Disney/Pleasure Island, Citywalk, or somewhere else ?

 

[Martin S]

SidB,

IT really depends on what you're looking for in a night out,

Food, clubbing, comedy, live bands etc etc.

Pleasure Island has it all and its nice to wander between the different venues but it is still very "Disney" and therefore IMHO lacks atmosphere. But if youve only got one evening available its good to do as you are close to the Restaurants in Downtown Disney (check out the House of Blues our fave there) and you are bound to find something you like there.

There's the Boardwalk which has a good Piano Bar which we enjoy, a few bars and a Club. We prefer this area to Pleasure Island.

Not done City Walk apart from eating so cant comment on the other activities.

If you want some real nightlife go to downtown Orlando, there are loads of Bars and Clubs there which have more of a normal "city" atmosphere. Dont forget ID if you go Downtown though however old you are - I was once refused service at 32 !!! You can always do Rosie OGradys at the same time which is fun.

Martin

 

[SidB]

Thanks Martin, I think I'll try downtown Orlando (providing the boss says I can !)

I'd still be interested in hearing from anybody who's tried Citywalk.

 

[SimonV]

Don't forget Church Street Station (including Rosie O'Grady's Goodtime Emporium) is no longer open, which HAS had an effect on the downtown scene. There are still some great clubs, bars and restaurants, but they are more spread out now. If you like clubbing, there are several very lively options, while the bar scene is great (if a little raucous on Friday and Saturday). Orange Street is basically the centre of the city nightlife area.

For a really special oneoff night out, however, I might be more inclined to take in Cirque du Soleil at Downtown Disney, dinner at somewhere like Wolfgang Puck's or House of Blues, and then a few hours at Pleasure Island.

CityWalk is a genuine alternative, with a slightly more eclectic selection of bars and clubs (and several outstanding restaurants - Emeril's and Latin Quarter).

Then the POinte*Orlando has a fair bit to offer, too, with several more excellent restaurants, two discos, several bars, the huge cinema multiplex and the elaborate video arcade/cafe/bar of X/S Orlando.

Take your pick

(in all honesty, I think the answer is really in what YOU like doing best, as Martin S suggests)

 

[SidB]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, this is just what I'm after. The choice is just baffling. Our only visit to Orlando was 2 years ago, when my daughters were 4 and 8, and we catered almost entirely to their more limited tastes. Now though, the four of us have been going through Simon's fantastic book, and recalling places we enjoyed last time. The list of places we want to try is just ridiculously long. My wife has already booked meals at the Rainforest Cafe, 50's Primetime Cafe, and a Chraracter Breakfast. We're thinking of taking a last evening meal at MGM followed by Fantasmic (thanks for the tip in the Brit's Guide). My wife has a great love of Latin music, so she wants to go to The Latin Quarter, Bongo's Cuban Cafe and Tu Tu Tango. I want to check out Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, TexMex, The Pirate evening show etc etc. The kids want to go back to IHOP (excellent service) every day, and MacDonalds (they love the play area upstairs) every day, and the Golden Corral every day. I'm already a big chap, but by the end of this holiday I could be wider than taller !!

I've seen the trip diaries that some people have posted and found them quite helpful. I'm thinking of doing the same and including some reviews of the eateries.

Once again Simon the Brit's Guide is excellent. We've read it from cover to cover at least twice and will be winging it's way to Florida in 6 days !!