Going on golfing trip to Orlando - recommendations? (1 Viewer)

[b-snatchers]

Well, we were suppose to go to Tampa in January, but our flight was canceled due to a winter storm. We rebooked a flight to Orlando in March.

Looking for golf course, nightlife, restaurant recommendations when we are there. We are staying somewhere on International Drive.

We are staying four days and three nights.

Thanks!

 

[urbanhack]

If you are going to Orlando. Stay downtown. It has the best nightlife by far and should be easy to get to all the golf courses, although most of them are on the south side. Here are some decent courses that won't break your wallet, especially if you book on sites like www.teeoff.com.

Falcon's Fire

Metrowest

Grande Pines

Of course you always have the resorts like Reunion, Disney, World Woods, etc.

 

[belljr]

southern dunes is worth the ride

orange lake

i really like celebration

metrowest is solid, look for the Daly plaque

 

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No love for Orange County National? Never played it, they've just had a Golf Week Demo Day out on their monstrous circular range every January during the PGA show.

I've shot a commercial out at Grand Cypress or something along those lines and it was pretty nice.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

If you are going to Orlando. Stay downtown. It has the best nightlife by far and should be easy to get to all the golf courses, although most of them are on the south side. Here are some decent courses that won't break your wallet, especially if you book on sites like www.teeoff.com.

Falcon's Fire

Metrowest

Grande Pines

Of course you always have the resorts like Reunion, Disney, World Woods, etc.

I'm not a huge golfer, but I can speak to the bolded - Urbanhack is so right. Everyone that comes to Orlando stays on I-Drive or by Disney and then talks about how the whole town is one giant tourist trap. That would be like going to NYC and staying in the middle of Times Square, never leaving that area, and then saying New York is nothing but chain restaurants and themed bars.

The best place to stay, bar none, is the Westin Grand Bohemian. It's walking distance from all the downtown watering holes, centrally located in the Orlando metro area, so none of the courses/activities you may want to hit are too far away by car, AND it's a very nice hotel. Plus, if you're into FFA sightseeing, it's the hotel in which my brother farted a hooker out of our room (see the "Have you ever slept with a prostitute?" thread for more details.)

 

[Apple Jack]

Orange County National is probably going to be the best bang for the buck. I'd rank Panther Lake the better of the two, but both are solid. Osprey Ridge is the best of the Disney courses, which based on my experience, isn't saying much. The Marriott courses aren't worth your time. MetroWest is another bang for the buck place and apparently they just did a renovation. Obviously, if you're willing to blow a bunch of money, there is Bay Hill, Waldorf-Astoria, Ritz Carlton, Reunion, etc. Don't bother with Grand Cypress. Or if you are a member of a club, you can always have your pro call and try to get you out someplace. Country Club of Orlando and Lake Nona are the only private clubs I've played down there, but both are solid, though I'd give the nod to CC of Orlando. I don't really see the point of going to Orlando and then driving for an hour plus, but if you feel like it, there is World Woods and then the recently opened (and heavily marketed) Streamsong. World Woods is one of the best values in the country. Also a great value is LPGA International in Daytona.

Not much of a nightlife city, but definitely stay in town as close to Church Street as possible.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Orange County National is probably going to be the best bang for the buck. I'd rank Panther Lake the better of the two, but both are solid. Osprey Ridge is the best of the Disney courses, which based on my experience, isn't saying much. The Marriott courses aren't worth your time. MetroWest is another bang for the buck place and apparently they just did a renovation. Obviously, if you're willing to blow a bunch of money, there is Bay Hill, Waldorf-Astoria, Ritz Carlton, Reunion, etc. Don't bother with Grand Cypress. Or if you are a member of a club, you can always have your pro call and try to get you out someplace. Country Club of Orlando and Lake Nona are the only private clubs I've played down there, but both are solid, though I'd give the nod to CC of Orlando. I don't really see the point of going to Orlando and then driving for an hour plus, but if you feel like it, there is World Woods and then the recently opened (and heavily marketed) Streamsong. World Woods is one of the best values in the country. Also a great value is LPGA International in Daytona.

Not much of a nightlife city, but definitely stay in town as close to Church Street as possible.

If you're near Church Street on a Friday or Saturday night, the bolded is not true. Hence the Grand Bohemian recommendation.

It's not New Orleans, but there are TONS of recent UCF grads out on weekend nights downtown. I think 50% of their graduates that get decent paying jobs out of school move downtown and live there for the next 10-15 years and they pretty much all party every Friday and Saturday night. Of course, if you're looking for a more sophisticated or more bohemian scene, Church St isn't the place for you, you'd likely be happier in Winter Park or Thornton Park, respectively. If bagging tourists is your aim, stick with I-Drive/Lake Buena Vista.

 

[optionmaven]

Church street is worth checking out, though you are going to have to drive 10-15 minutes from International drive. Had many a good times there. If you want cheap golf close to you, check out Cypress Creek or Hunters Creek. I'm not saying they are the best tracks, but they are cheap and nearby. A little more money and still semi close are Falcons Fire, Celebration, and Champions Gate. Love all those courses and they are more picturesque than the two cheap courses i named earlier. I like Osprey Ridge at Disney, Legends in Clermont(hilly course in florida is a rarity). Orange county National another good one. Those should be some pretty good options at reasonable prices, though it is the time of year they get to gouge to their highest prices. Finding good eats should be no problem, just depends what you want.

 

[b-snatchers]

Thanks for the responses.

I will probably move and stay somewhere closer to downtown based on the recommendations.

Has anyone ever played Royal St Cloud?

 

[Apple Jack]

Just read that Disney closed Osprey Ridge. It was the best course they had, by far. That's odd. Maybe they're going to use that land for another attraction?

 

[optionmaven]

Just read that Disney closed Osprey Ridge. It was the best course they had, by far. That's odd. Maybe they're going to use that land for another attraction?

Closed as in forever?? Why not eagle pines which is interloped with it? Why not the LBV course, which is the worst of the disney courses(although the home of one of my 2 hole in ones and always has a special place in my heart)??

 

[belljr]

Thanks for the responses.

I will probably move and stay somewhere closer to downtown based on the recommendations.

Has anyone ever played Royal St Cloud?

decent and wide open if i remembercorrectly

 

[[icon]]

From what I've heard, for Breastaurants on iDrive, apparently the talent at tilted kilt has gone WAY downhill and the smokeshow is just down the road at Twin Peaks.

 

[Apple Jack]

Just read that Disney closed Osprey Ridge. It was the best course they had, by far. That's odd. Maybe they're going to use that land for another attraction?

Closed as in forever?? Why not eagle pines which is interloped with it? Why not the LBV course, which is the worst of the disney courses(although the home of one of my 2 hole in ones and always has a special place in my heart)??

Apparently, Eagle Pines is closed as well. And as far as I can tell, yes forever.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Thanks for the responses.

I will probably move and stay somewhere closer to downtown based on the recommendations.

Has anyone ever played Royal St Cloud?

Don't stay closer to downtown. Stay downtown. Otherwise, you're better off on International Drive.

 

[CBusAlex]

Thanks for the responses.

I will probably move and stay somewhere closer to downtown based on the recommendations.

Has anyone ever played Royal St Cloud?

Don't stay closer to downtown. Stay downtown. Otherwise, you're better off on International Drive.

Yeah. Specifically, you want to be north of the 408 and east of I-4. Nothing good will happen on the wrong side of those highways.

 

[Judge Smails]

Heading to Orlando in 2 weeks for a conference. Not my favorite - every other freakin' conference is there. Anything interesting near the Convention Center? Restaurants, etc?

 

[Patriotsfatboy1]

If you are looking for night life, then Church Street is good. Reunion has some great play and stay things. I like the villas right on the course. We usually go with about 16 of us and we can just focus on golf.

Go out to Celebration for a nice little dinner and a beer

I have played a bunch of courses down there and I like Shingle Creek. Falcon's Fire is just okay

 

[[icon]]

Heading to Orlando in 2 weeks for a conference. Not my favorite - every other freakin' conference is there. Anything interesting near the Convention Center? Restaurants, etc?

I drive is completely OVERFLOWING with restaurants. I used to spend 3-4 weeks a year in orlando and on iDrive. What are you looking for in particular.

I will say Charley's steakhouse is awesome... try the "Fabulous Filet".. 21oz center cut prime aged filet... 2 per cow. BEst steak I've ever had. Skip the chains like Ruths' Chris and Mortons while there.

Miller's Ale house midstrip is a cool watering hole.

Twin Peaks opened up recently if you're looking for a breastaurant/eye candy type joint.

 

[Patriotsfatboy1]

Heading to Orlando in 2 weeks for a conference. Not my favorite - every other freakin' conference is there. Anything interesting near the Convention Center? Restaurants, etc?

I drive is completely OVERFLOWING with restaurants. I used to spend 3-4 weeks a year in orlando and on iDrive. What are you looking for in particular.

I will say Charley's steakhouse is awesome... try the "Fabulous Filet".. 21oz center cut prime aged filet... 2 per cow. BEst steak I've ever had. Skip the chains like Ruths' Chris and Mortons while there.

Charley's is a good option and there are a few to choose from.

 

[MAC_32]

I will echo falcon's fire and southern dunes. Can't speak to night life, haven't been there since eclipsing legal drinking age, family only trips up til then.

 

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Do NOT waste your money on the shake joints there....

 

[simey]

orange lake

I worked at Orange Lake Resort for a few years a long time ago. It has grown so much over the years.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Thanks for the responses.

I will probably move and stay somewhere closer to downtown based on the recommendations.

Has anyone ever played Royal St Cloud?

Don't stay closer to downtown. Stay downtown. Otherwise, you're better off on International Drive.

Yeah. Specifically, you want to be north of the 408 and east of I-4. Nothing good will happen on the wrong side of those highways.

Last December I got stranded at the Citrus Bowl at about 11 PM and couldn't find a cab anywhere. Phone was dead and I was blind drunk. Ended up having to walk from the stadium to Lake Lucerne. The fact that it was teeming rain made the walk that much more miserable but might also have saved my life.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Heading to Orlando in 2 weeks for a conference. Not my favorite - every other freakin' conference is there. Anything interesting near the Convention Center? Restaurants, etc?

Are you one of these FBGs that despises all chain restaurants automatically? If not, there are virtually unlimited dining options. If so, there are some.

 

[belljr]

orange lake

I worked at Orange Lake Resort for a few years a long time ago. It has grown so much over the years.

loved the course there, my buddy has a timeshare, but it has been a few years since i been