About Town: Orlando
By Ceri Mobley, PGATOUR.com Associate Site Producer
You hear the word Orlando, and you think one of two things: Disney or golf. This week, you can enjoy both. The Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club and Lodge is the perfect reason to visit Orlando if the theme parks were never a big enough draw for you; but since you'll be in town anyway, you've got no reason not to do it all. Luckily, Orlando's status as a major vacation spot means it's chockfull of hotels.
SOMEWHERE TO SNOOZE
Grand Bohemian value: I couldn't believe this one when I found it. You can stay at the Grand Bohemian Downtown Orlando, a four-and-a-half-star resort, for a significant amount less than all of the other resorts of the same rating in the area. And before you ask, no, there does not appear to be anything wrong with it. Consumer reviews suggest this place is topnotch, and you'll only have to drive 20 minutes to get to Arnie's tournament. It has a Vegas-style look to the exterior, and, on the interior, plush rooms welcome you to relax and enjoy while not only the continental breakfast comes for free but evening hors d'oeuvres, too. You'd be crazy not to snap a room up here starting at $171 a night. Sweet deal -- really.
Other options:
• Universal's Loews Portofino Hotel: If you don't like to save money or take advantage of great deals on great hotels, then no worries, I have another four-and-a-half-star place for you. All sarcasm aside, while you'll pay more at this hotel, you also get the advantage of showing room keys at theme park rides to skip ahead of the lines and free water taxis and shuttles to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and City Walk. Ten minutes from the course, rates start at $334 a night.
• OK, you can't visit Orlando and not even at least consider one of the Disney hotels. With multiple to choose from, you can usually find whichever one suits your group best at pretty much the same rates. I suggest Disney's Wilderness Lodge because, well, it looked the most fun. Rates start at $382 a night, and you'll have a 20-minute drive to Bay Hill.
SOMETHING TO TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT
Have you always want to attempt a skydive but never been able to overcome the fear? (Or maybe the expense?) Sky Venture, Orlando, offers the perfect solution for those of us who wish to feel gravity free for a short spell without worrying about a miserable end or forking over more money than we want to feel a rush. I first tried this on vacation in Tennessee and had a blast. Get past the ridiculous jumpsuit, helmet and goggles you have to wear (you would anyway on a real skydive) and also how dorky you'll feel posing your body the way your instructor tells you to, and you'll love the experience. It's basically a tall wind tunnel that shoots a powerful stream of air up from underneath a net, allowing you to float almost weightlessly several feet in the air. And don't worry, you won't zoom skywards and then come crashing out of the air stream -- the instructor will always pull you back down a bit if he sees you creeping too high. Really give this a try; besides the drool than can result from having your mouth blown open, you've got nothing to expect but flight.
More things to keep you busy
• Spin around blindfolded with a pointed finger, and you'll land on a theme park. But if you'd rather not use such an unpredictable -- and dizzying -- method of finding something to do, then put Walt Disney World Resort on your list. Fun for kids and the kid in all of us, this park could never really get old. After all, it's the happiest place on earth.
• For those of you who don't want to do Disney, or simply can't get enough of theme parks, check out Universal Orlando Resort, which actually comprises two parks in Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. Islands will fill your wild-ride void and Universal will get you all the Shrek (and more) you could ever want.
• Enough with Disney and rollercoasters. It pains me to say this, but you have entered Gator country. You're not required to wear orange and blue (thankfully), but you should check out the mascot in real life at Gatorland. However, just remember that while you discover the wild world of alligators and marvel at how frighteningly cool they are, a Bulldog park would be so much cooler. Come on, don't you want to see goofy-looking, stocky bullies with big underbites running around playing all day long? It's brilliant. Go Dawgs.
THE MAIN EVENT
Just like Arnold Palmer, the King's course is classy and beloved. Bay Hill Club and Lodge -- open only to members and guests at the lodge -- has 27 total holes and runs alongside Florida's Butler Chain of Lakes. Despite Bay Hill's popularity, it has its challenges, like the intimidating 17th hole with what seems like Lake Michigan between the tee box and the green. If sand is more your kind of poison, then watch out for No. 14 -- a par-3 hole lined on either side of the fairway with wide, hungry bunkers all the way to the front half of the green.
However, the unique combination of greenery at this course -- from Florida palms to Spanish moss--adorned oaks -- reflected in the copious course ponds makes Bay Hill one of the most scenic stops on the PGA TOUR's Florida swing. The fact that the course bears the name of one of America's most admired golfers only accentuates the draw of Bay Hill, and the fairways upon which you play have lain softly beneath the feet of the TOUR's best players: Tom Kite, Fuzzy Zoeller, Loren Roberts, Ben Crenshaw, Fred Couples, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson and -- of course -- the omnipotent Tiger Woods have all had their turn raising a trophy here. Who will be next?
STICKING AROUND?
Though you have plenty to keep you occupied in Orlando, consider taking a short road trip out of theme-park city to some of the surrounding Florida attractions.
• Kennedy Space Center: The world continues to be amazed, intrigued and enthralled by the NASA space program, and you can experience it firsthand at Cape Canaveral's space center about an hour from Orlando. If you have time to go before the tournament, you can catch the next launch on Tuesday March 11 -- the Shuttle Endeavour.
• Horse Country: Florida gained fame for many things -- sunny weather, Disney World, old people -- take your pick. But what a lot of people don't realize is that Ocala, just over an hour northwest of Orlando, is famous for being some of the most striking countryside in America and, of course, lots and lots of beautiful horses. Whether you like to ride or not, a trip to Ocala is well worthwhile to see another side of the Sunshine State.
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