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The Orlando Local Show

Orlando is the number one family vacation destination in the world. There's more to enjoying a visit to Orlando than just showing up at an attraction and getting on a ride. Every week, join an Orlando Native and a frequent Disney Park vacationer to get their insights on how to plan for your trip and play when you get here. If you want to have a good time in Orlando, this show is for you.
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The Orlando Local Show
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Jan 23, 2018

The Kiss Goodbye is the last episode of The Orlando Local Show. After some deliberation, we decided to end the show and concentrate on some other efforts.

Thank you to everyone who listened, subscribed and commented on our shows. We truly appreciate you!

The post OL 068 – The Kiss Goodbye appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Jan 16, 2018

We updated our Top Ten Orlando Restaurants for 2018. Aimed primarily at visitors, this list includes mostly restaurants in predominantly visitor areas for easy access. We also included one local restaurant outside of those areas because it's just so good and we haven't found anything like it replicated elsewhere.

The post OL 067: Our Top Ten Orlando Restaurants for 2018 appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2018 by Orlando Local.

Jan 9, 2018

 

Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) has a great track record. In 2017, the district ranked 1st place out of all Central Florida Schools, and it's 3rd graders ranked 1st of the 17 largest districts in the state of Florida

Yet the schools seem to have some incredibly stupid rules and practices.


We wanted to share some of our experiences from a parental perspective, so you have an idea what to expect

The post OL 066: Our Experiences with Seminole County Public Schools appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Nov 7, 2017

 

A Day at Epcot as a Local Family - What's it Like?

Our family spent a day at Epcot last weekend. Perhaps one of the things we hear most often from die-hard Disney fans who visit Orlando often is about how great it must be to live here and go to Walt Disney World anytime you want.


Well, think of this episode like the old Mythbusters show


The reality of living here is that most of us just don't have the time to go as often as you may think. We'll explain why.

The post OL 065: Spending a Day at Epcot as a Local Family appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Oct 31, 2017

Christmas season at Walt Disney World is a fun time to visit, but it's not without some caution. Christmas is one of the busiest and most expensive times to visit the parks and resorts. We can help you know when to get some of the holiday fun without breaking the bank.

The post OL 064: What to Expect for Christmas Season at Walt Disney World appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Oct 24, 2017

Now that Walt Disney World resorts allow dogs in rooms, the Internet seems to be in mass hysteria. Some people are elated while others have dire predictions. How will this impact your Disney World vacation?


Why Would Walt Disney World Resorts Allow Dogs in Rooms


Quite simply, it's a business decision. Other hotels and resorts have dog-friendly policies. For example, the Universal Studios resort hotels allow dogs. While Disney World had a kennel on property for decades, but people want to be with their furry friends.

The post OL 063: Walt Disney World Resorts Allow Dogs in Rooms appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Oct 17, 2017

This is a replay of a previous episode.


We Address Some Orlando Myths and Misconceptions


Is IHOP really the best place for breakfast? Should you spend part of your vacation in Orlando shopping at Walmart? Are there secret police waiting to arrest jaywalkers on International Drive?


While my answer would be No to all of these questions, I discovered that a large number of International visitors would answer Yes to all of them.

As a public service, we want to just dispel some of the odd things we've heard shared as Orlando travel advice.

 

The post OL 041 Replay: Orlando Myths, Misconceptions and Ugly Truths for International Visitors appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Oct 10, 2017

The Adult side of Walt Disney World provides some entertainment and activities primarily for adults. There's nothing wrong with taking some time away from the kids, as long as you made sure they're covered. We'll discuss some reasons why you may want to consider some adult time at Walt Disney World.

The post OL 062: The Adult Side of Walt Disney World appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Oct 3, 2017

 

The Winter Park Fish Company is an informal shack with some of the best seafood you'll ever taste. There aren't many tables. It doesn't have enough parking. It's not even inexpensive.

However, find out why locals are flocking to this little fish house on a regular basis to get some of the most delicious seafood you can find.

The post OL 061: Winter Park Fish Company Review appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Sep 26, 2017

Keke's Breakfast Cafe is one of the better breakfast restaurants in Orlando. We mentioned them in our roundup of restaurants in episode 14 of The Orlando Local Show.

We decided it deserves a full review of by itself.

While nothing is perfect, we found that Keke's generally offers a good breakfast and is a better option than visiting the usual IHOP or Denny's chain restaurants. There's a bit more care and style with the meals here.

The post OL 060: Keke’s Breakfast Cafe Review appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Sep 19, 2017

Hurricane Irma hit some areas of Orlando harder than others. However, impact isn't the entire story. We'll let you know how people acted and reacted before, during and after the storm in our Hurricane Irma review.

The post OL 059: Hurricane Irma Review appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Sep 5, 2017

 

Going on vacation to Orlando brings new challenges that you may not face in every day life. You do different things. It's likely that you dress differently. New environments can cause stress that you normally won't encounter.

That's why we have three travel accessories to recommend for your next Orlando vacation.

The post OL 058: 3 Travel Accessories You Should Bring to Orlando appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Aug 29, 2017

Use Our 10 Tips for the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival to Get the Most Out of Your Experience


Every year when I visit the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, one thing keeps coming to mind. This is Disney's way of getting people to visit during a time when nobody really wants to go on vacation in Orlando.


Kids are back to school, summer heat is still here, and there's the lingering threat of a hurricane.


Yet it works! People love visiting the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.

 

The post OL 057: 10 Tips for the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Aug 22, 2017

Labor Day in Orlando: The Slowest Holiday of the Year

Labor Day in Orlando is a pretty slow period of the year for visitors. Kids are back in school and most people don't plan a family vacation right after school starts.

Even the locals aren't spending much time in theme parks or other locations. If they do, it's likely on the Saturday before Labor Day. That's because going out on Labor Day isn't a great idea when you have to get back to work and school.

The post OL 056: What Can You Do on Labor Day in Orlando? appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Aug 15, 2017

Learn How to Choose a Camera for Vacation Photos

I know what you're thinking. Why do I need to choose a camera for vacation photos? I have a smart phone and it's always with me.

Trust me, I get it. Smart phones, particularly iPhones, take some really great photos these days. We love them and use ours every time we visit the parks.

Since they're online, you can quickly share photos on Instagram or other social media. However, there's a bit more to your vacation memories than quick snapshots, and smart phone cameras don't work well in all situations.

We'll give you some ideas why you may want to bring another camera on vacation and how to choose the right one.

The post OL 055: How to Choose a Camera to Use on Your Orlando Vacation appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Aug 8, 2017

Does Constant Construction at Walt Disney World Cause You to Rethink Your Vacation Plans?

Over the past few years, it seems as is the construction at Walt Disney World will never end. The construction walls and scrims at every park and Disney Springs can have a serious impact on your vacation experience. It turns out that attendance is down because the value for your vacation experience is also down.

I think we need to talk about that.

The post OL 054: Does the Constant Construction at Walt Disney World Ruin Your Vacation? appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Aug 1, 2017

Just How Do You Choose a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel for Your Next Visit?

Perhaps one of the most important decisions of any vacation, just where do you want to stay? If you are thinking about staying on site at Walt Disney World, this episode will help you understand:


* Why staying on-site at Walt Disney World is a good decision
* Help you understand the perks & benefits of a Walt Disney World resort hotel
* Understand the different types of Walt Disney World resorts.

The post OL 053: How to Choose a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Jul 25, 2017

Extra Magic Hours: Sometimes Great and Sometimes a Waste of Time

Extra Magic Hours (EMH) at Walt Disney World are perks for resort guests.

Essentially, you get more time in a Walt Disney World park than guests who aren't staying at one of the Disney hotels on property.

You don't get Extra Magic Hours in every park or on every day. The schedule changes now and then, so it's best to check with a TIMES GUIDE at your Disney Resort Hotel.

Sometimes the Extra Magic Hours work well for you. Other times they're just a waste of your time. We'll help you understand how to make the most of your EMH.

The post OL 052: We Explain How to Use Extra Magic Hours at Walt Disney World appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Jul 18, 2017

We Ignore All the Rides at Magic Kingdom

The world is full of rules. Most people tell you that you can't enjoy yourself at Walt Disney World unless you plan ever nanosecond of your visit. In fact, there's an industry of planners, schedules and tools just to micro-manage your Walt Disney World vacation so you can squeeze every last drop of experience out of the resort.

No wonder so many people there are in a bad mood these days.

On our last trip, we decided to ignore all the advice and the rides, and just have fun in the parks. Here's what happened.

The post OL 051: Ignore All the Rides at Magic Kingdom and Still Have Family Fun appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

 

Jul 11, 2017

Choosing a Snowbird Home in Orlando

We received an email from a reader who asked for our advice in choosing a snowbird home in Orlando. Visiting Walt Disney World was part of her concern, and she's fine with being up to an hour's drive away from the parks.

As it happens, we live roughly an hour's drive away from the parks. That has a huge impact on our visits, but it's not the only issue to consider if you're looking for an Orlando vacation home

The post OL 050: WHAT MATTERS WHEN CHOOSING A SNOWBIRD HOME IN ORLANDO appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Jul 4, 2017

Have Fun at Walt Disney World Without Park Admission


There's much more to Walt Disney World than its world class theme parks and water parks. Let us show you how to have a good time without ever setting foot into a theme park.

You can experience almost anything, from dining, shopping, entertainment, water sports, spa days and more.


Everything we mention here is on Walt Disney World property and accessible by Disney Transportation.

The post OL 049: How to Enjoy Walt Disney World Without Park Admission appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Jun 27, 2017

This is Why Our Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Review Will Make You Cry

Our Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Review actually started with a request from a reader. It was a simple question, really. He wanted to know who makes Orlando's Best Milkshake.

There are a few places in town that are creating really over the top milkshakes in the style of Black Tap in New York City. I looked at our options and decided to try Toothsome Chocolate Emporium.

We weren't prepared for how they treated us.

The post OL 048: Our Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Review Will Make You Think Twice About Visiting appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Jun 20, 2017

Cuba Libre Restaurant has Great Cuban Food and Friendly Service

Lee and I visited Cuba Libre Restaurant at Pointe Orlando for our anniversary and it was fantastic. I've been a few times, but it was Lee's first visit.

Cuba Libre is a great escape from burgers and fries or pizza. The dishes are well-prepared and delicious. I'm as much of a picky eater as they come and I can find a lot of things to eat here. 

The post OL 047: Cuba Libre Restaurant Review appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Jun 13, 2017

Here's Where to Buy Groceries for Your Orlando Vacation

Buying groceries may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you plan your Orlando vacation, but we think it may be a good idea for a lot of visitors.

After a few days of eating restaurant food or paying for over-priced snacks in the hotels & parks, you may want the simple comfort of having some of your own food back in your room or vacation home. 

The post OL 046: Where to Buy Groceries for Your Orlando Vacation appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

Jun 6, 2017

Our Story: How Orlando Local Got Started

We owe this episode to a reader email from Trish. She asked how Lee and William met, and we included that in the story of how Orlando Local got started.

First, thanks to Trish for asking. Her email put a big smile on our face. We think it makes sense that you know more about us and why we're working to provide information about Orlando.

The post OL 045: How Orlando Local Got Started appeared first on Orlando Local. © Copyright 2017 by Orlando Local.

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