Can two people who blow away the height requirement for roller coasters have a grand time in Orlando? Yes! We'll tell you all about it – just give us a second to doff our Mickey Mouse ears and wipe the mustard from our SeaWorld shirts.
The town that Mickey built is perfect for adults. From unrushed days at theme parks to glorious nights at clubs, from luxe resorts to dynamic bars, from dinner on the veranda to libations by the pool, we spent seven days experiencing the mature side of O-town. Trust us: It's rich and varied – and no kids are necessary.
Here's a snapshot of a week at four hotels, five theme parks and a smorgasbord of places for culinary delights.
Monday
Our first stop: SeaWorld. The marine park offers the best of turf and surf. We got a kick out of rides and attractions ("Passport to Screams," anyone?) as well as explorations of the wonders of the ocean.
Although crowding wasn't a problem, we used the Quick Queue to leap on Pipeline: The Surf Coaster, which catapults 110 feet at 60 miles per hour; Manta, the lone flying roller coaster in Florida; Ice Breaker, the steepest vertical drop in the state; Infinity Falls, a churning flume ride; and Kraken, the monster coaster.
SeaWorld is big on conservation and teaching but doesn't let it get tedious. We roamed from habitat to habitat and show to show, checking out aquatic pals including penguins, dolphins, walruses, stingrays, sea lions and beluga whales (our fave!).
Played out, we happily checked into one of more than 1,200 modern suites at the upscale Caribe Royale Orlando, which recently underwent a $140 million renovation. Our suite featured a separate living room with sofa, mini-fridge and microwave as well as a bedroom with a 55-inch TV and a spacious bathroom.
No need to go far for dinner – not when Calypso's Pool Bar & Grille is on the grounds. The open-air eatery excelled at Latin and Caribbean flavors, turning out apps of crab tostados and skillet mussels, mains of churrasco (grilled marinated skirt steak) and catch of the day with plantains as well as crafted cocktails.
To cap the night, we stopped into the resort's new, two-story Stadium Club, which is more than a sports bar...much more. Among the high-tech features of the venue is a 110-foot-long ribbon TV for immersive, 360-degree viewing of college and professional games. We were surrounded by televised action. Plus, there are eight simulator suites for sports (golf, for example).
Tuesday
Following a lovely room-service breakfast, we could have been occupied at the Caribe Royale all day. We could've taken advantage of the fitness offerings, including a top-notch gym and bike rental. Or tried pickleball, paddle tennis and basketball. Or splashed around in the waterfall pool featuring a twisting, 75-foot slide. After all that, we could've mellowed into massages and skin care at the spa.
But Discovery Cove beckoned. A sister company of SeaWorld, Discovery Cove is a one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive tropical day resort on 60 acres. The price of full-day entry even includes parking – unheard of in central Florida.
Issued wet suits (every size imaginable is available) and snorkeling gear, we dog-paddled into the water to interact with bottlenose dolphins. Then we swam with thousands of tropical fish and rays. Later, we floated along the lazy river. And, finally, we viewed otters, monkeys, marmosets, flamingoes and other exotic birds. The activities were so exhilarating that we didn't spend as much time as we had imagined lounging on the beach or snapping up the free, unlimited eats and drinks, including beer and wine.
Back at the Caribe Royale, we feasted at the Venetian Chophouse, where the staff made white-tablecloth dining into art. We tucked into beautifully turned-out classics: oysters Rockefeller and French onion soup; Chilean sea bass and stuffed lobster; and limoncello cheesecake and vanilla crème brûlée.
Wednesday
EPCOT focuses on 11 countries across four continents in World Showcase; space, science, technology and intergalactic exploration in World Discovery; and the beauty, awe and balance of our environment in World Nature. At 305 acres, the theme park – a Walt Disney World star since its launch in 1982 - is more than twice the size of the Magic Kingdom.
If ever there was a park for grown-ups, this is it. Besides thrill-seeker rides, there are concerts and other performances, such as jugglers in Italy. Arresting landscaping includes larger-than-life topiaries that look like Disney characters. And, oh, the food and drink! Just one example: In France, the menu includes orange Grand Marnier slush martinis, sandwiches on fresh baguettes, and beignets filled with chocolate and hazelnuts...plus eclairs...and tartes...and mousses...and macaroons.
We had made reservations for lunch and dinner at EPCOT to serve as breaks from the 20,000-plus steps we were about to walk. Our midday respite was at the Coral Reef restaurant directly in front of the huge aquarium window in World Nature. Dinner was at La Hacienda, in the Mexico section of World Showcase, with direct views of the nightly fireworks. We had chosen the restaurants for their views but wound up impressed by their quality, too.
After the stunning fireworks, we checked into Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, the newest hotel in its iconic Swan and Dolphin spread. The tranquil, 14-story Reserve features about 350 lavishly appointed rooms and spectacular views of Disney World.
There was a wealth of activities on tap, including beach volleyball, ping-pong and boating as well as venues such as lap pools, whirlpools, saunas, gyms and a spa. It's so encompassing, there are 23 different eateries and lounges. We were also entitled to transportation to the Disney parks and extended hours there.
Thursday
Disney World's Hollywood Studios is within walking distance of the Swan Reserve. Once at the park, we raced to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, one of six "lands," to bounce on its juggernaut rides, Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
In Sunset Boulevard-land, we found the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster to be aptly named. Talk about white-knuckle!
The enchantment of the movies cast a spell at shows, such as Indiana Jones: Epic Stunt Spectacular. In this live performance, the heroes fight villains, make audacious getaways and sidestep deadly traps straight out of "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Another highlight for us were studio backlots set up with city streets and the famous Schwab's Drugstore, the site for many Hollywood tales.
As evening came, we were ferried on the no-charge Friendship Boat to Jellyrolls, a 21-and-up bar featuring rollicking and sometimes raunchy dueling baby grand pianos, on Disney's Boardwalk. A vintage coastal vibe prevailed in the entertainment, dining and shopping promenade along the water's edge.
For the next two nights, we conked out in comfy beds at the Springhill Suites at Marriott Village Orlando, which sits on a property with three hotels. We could use any of the four hot tubs, three pools, three gyms and two restaurants as well as call on concierges with inside knowledge of the theme parks.
Friday
For film and television buffs like us, Universal Studios was boffo. The park brings hit movies and television shows to life as electrifying rides. With unlimited express passes, we were able to blitz blockbuster experiences, including the Bourne Stuntacular, Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Falon, Fast & Furious – Supercharged, Men in Black: Alien Attack, and the Hogwarts Express journey to Hogsmeade.
Universal's towering Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is Florida's sole vertical lift coaster and the only one in the world where each guest uses a touchpad on the seat's lap bar to select a musical genre. While country and hip hop are popular, classical is not an option as you ascend 167 feet at a 90-degree angle before taking off on a ride that reaches 65 miles per hour.
At night, we got into position for Universal's Cinematic Celebration over the lagoon. The extravaganza focused on beloved characters in a blend of panoramic water screens, pyrotechnics, lasers, projection mapping and more than 120 dancing fountains.
But wait, there's more. You can't leave the theme park without strolling through Universal City Walk, a 30-acre entertainment complex. If you're dragging tired kids, that might not be bliss. But we pleasurably went bar hopping - imbibing a mature beverage at each watering hole - on the way out. Still, there's a lot more going on than tossing back shots. You can chow down at a diverse array of restaurants, catch a new film, go shopping, play golf, sing karaoke...even get a tattoo.
Saturday and Sunday
Consider: Would you decamp if you were ensconced in a handsomely appointed one-bedroom suite with two bathrooms and a terrace graced with views of pools, lakes, woodlands, a championship golf course and nightly fireworks from Disney?
Maybe, like us, you'd take a dip in the adult-only Oasis pool, where cheery employees staff a booth stocked with towels plus freebies of sunscreen, icy cold water and other needs. For an amped up maritime adventure, you might delight in the five-acre Explorers Island Water Park with interactive fountains, water slides and a lazy river.
In a bid to intersperse action with relaxation, we took swings at the world-class practice range next to the links. We relished exceptional deep-tissue massages at the spa. We used the fitness center with state-of-the-art cardio and strength machines. We enjoyed the expansive, high-tech game zone with arcade classics, pool tables and a climbing wall.
And, wowzers, we ate! The Four Seasons has six restaurants and bars. We marveled at dinner in the Michelin-starred rooftop steakhouse Capa. Seated on the glimmering balcony, we reveled in a direct view of the Disney fireworks. Even the next morning's room-service breakfast came with all the trappings.
If we had wanted to go to Disney World, a slick motor coach would have whisked us there on a complimentary basis. But, for two days, we opted for a magical staycation over additional theme park magic. Ahhh, what a choice.
