Orlando & Las Vegas
Non-stop fun destinations
By Linda McClain, CTA
Are thoughts of airline cancellations and misconnecting flights keeping your winter travel plans grounded this year? Reminder, Capital Region: Southwest Airlines has non-stop flights available to Orlando and Las Vegas! Do you refuse to pay baggage fees and cancellation penalties? Consider flying Southwest and avoid both.
Gateway to your imagination
Both Orlando and Las Vegas are tourism giants. While Orlando is the prestigious residence of Mickey Mouse; Vegas boasts nine of the largest hotels in the country. Both destinations offer power-packed diversity that make people want to come back.
Weather
Four month weather averages for Orlando: January 70 high, 49 low; February 73 high, 50 low; March 78 high, 56 low; April 83 high, 60 low.
Four month weather averages for Las Vegas: January 58 high, 39 low; February 61 high, 41 low; March 71 high, 49 low; April 77 high, 55 low.
The great outdoors – Orlando
To help you pre-plan your trip, order an Orlando Preferred Magicard and Visitor Guide. They are free by request at www.orlandoinfo.com.
Unless you are staying at Walt Disney World or Universal Studios, you’ll require a rental car to get the most out of your stay. If you’re looking for a different Orlando visit, here are a few unique options:
Wallaby Hang-gliding Flight Park – Tandem free fly from a height of 2,000 feet for 15-20 minutes. For the young and young at heart. www.wallaby.com
Sky Venture Orlando – Put on a bodysuit, get instruction and learn to fly within an air chamber at 125 mph. Fun and safe. www.skyventureorlando.com
Orvis Two Day Fly Fishing School – Board a hyde drift boat on Shingle Pond, Grand Lakes. The guided excursions include your chance to reel in trophy largemouth bass. www.grandelakes.com
Richard Petty Driving Experience – Experience real racecar thrills as you ride shotgun in a two-seat NASCAR style car. Professional driver companion goes three laps up to 165 mph. www.1800bepetty.com
Green tees anyone? Orlando has 176 golf courses to choose from.
Birding – Over 150 bird species can be viewed in Orlando Wetlands Park.
Antique shops – The Orlando area is a hidden treasure for antique collectors. Outstanding values and selection can be found here.
Unique dinner suggestions
Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows – Enjoy a 2.5-hour comedy mystery. Eat, drink and be merry while you help solve the crime. www.sleuths.com
Ragland Road Authentic Irish Pub – Located in Downtown Disney Pleasure Island, Raglands oozes the authentic ambiance of Ireland. From delicious Irish dinner selections, and jiggy Irish beers, you’ll be singing and smiling your way through the night.
Have a great vacation in the Orlando area!
The Great Indoors -Vegas
Slot machines at the airport, really? Expect the unexpected in Las Vegas. Where else can you view replicas of The Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty and an Egyptian pyramid within walking distance? You’ll soon discover why Vegas boasts over 32.9 million visitors each year.
Looking for the best vacation package? Prices fluctuate based on the demand of conventions and special events. Sunday-Thursday night packages cost less money than a weekend stay. Based on the season of the year, a popular self-drive vacation includes a 2-3 night Grand Canyon visit with a 3-4 night Vegas stay. Once back in Vegas, a car rental is unnecessary. The Las Vegas strip has an efficient monorail service that operates seven days a week. If you walk, be prepared and bring comfortable shoes.
Getting married? – Vegas is known as the marriage capital of the world. Arrive and get married the same day. Wishing for upscale and grandiose? Your wedding can be as opulent as your budget. Many chapels and hotels offer a variety of ceremony themes that please to personalize. Want to exchange vows on a less serious note? Themed ceremonies can include dressing as Star Trek characters or in medieval costumes.
Magic, music, entertainment
Visit www.lasvegas.com to find headline entertainment featuring legendary performers such as Bette Midler, Barry Manilow, David Copperfield and Brooks and Dunn, to name a few.
It’s bigger and better in Vegas
The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino: A five-star Vegas spin-off of the upscale culture of Venice, Italy, complete with gondola rides, a 120,000 sq. ft. casino, 20 restaurants, upscale retail shops, and elegant fresco ceilings. Discover fun and sun on the five-acre pool deck or visit Canyon Ranch SpaClub. Venetian entertainment includes Blue Man Group and Phantom of the Opera.
Palazzo Resort Hotel & Casino: 50-floor tower with 3,050 luxury suites. The rooms are elegant and spacious and they have garnered a five-star rating. Palazzo entertainment includes the musical, Jersey Boys.
A walkway connects the 4,027 room Venetian to the Palazzo, currently making it the largest hotel complex in the world. www.visitlasvegas.com
Just the facts – Las Vegas
Las Vegas has more hotel rooms than anywhere else on earth.
There are no clocks in Vegas casinos.
80% of Vegas visitors average two trips a year.
89% visitors have a gambling budget of $500.
60,000 pounds of shrimp are consumed each day-higher than the rest of the country, combined.
Approximately 150 couples get married in Vegas each day.
It would take a person 288 years to stay in each Vegas hotel for one night.
More facts – Orlando
Orlando attracts more tourists than any other amusement park destination in the United States.
Over 50 million people visit Orlando each year. Over 2 million are international, most of whom are from the United Kingdom.
When Disney World opened in 1971, an adult ticket cost $3.50. A seven ride attraction ticket cost $4.75 & an 11 attraction ticket cost $5.75.
No city in Florida is more than 75 miles from the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico.
Universal Studios is the largest motion picture facility in the country except Hollywood.
Actress Delta Burke represented Orlando and became Miss Florida in 1974.
Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year 2009.
Linda McClain, CTA, is owner of Capital Region based Linda McClain Travel Services “From The Islands To The Highlands, No Dream Is Too Far From Here!” For more information call 372.7657 or visit www.lindamcclaintravel.net. I invite you to contact me for travel assistance to your favorite travel destination.