Spending a long weekend in Orlando in January. The only definite on our to-do list is Cirque de Soleil. Would love to hear about any great spots to visit while we're there. This is an adult only trip for two and would like to find some grown up fun. Anyone have any advice on lively nightspots and/or romantic little getaway spots?

If we do decide to do any of Disney...I'm thinking Epcot???

After all the years of going to Disney, my husband and I finally did the night-time Pleasure Island club hopping thing. It was a really fun change of pace! We especially enjoyed the live venues, such as the Jazz Club, and the Beach Club with a band that played tons of 70s and 80s hits. There were a couple great dance clubs too, and there were plenty of "middle-aged" people having fun, so you don't feel out of place with only single 20-somethings.

Cirque is part of the Pleasure Island complex, but it might be too late to go after the show to take it all in. However, if you go to PI the night before CdS, you can buy a next night return ticket for around $5, which might be nice to use for a shorter stay after your show.

The best romantic get-away we've found in Orlando is Hemmingway's restaurant at the Grand Cypress Hyatt hotel. THere is always nice entertainment in the hotel lounge, too, if you want to stop in before or after dinner.

If you'd like a couple thrill rides, I'd choose MGM over Epcot. Stay for the laser show at night! If you want to stroll, shop, and dine, then definitely Epcot.

And finally, there are many first class spas in Orlando now, at the nicer hotels, such as the Wyndham, Ritz/JW Marriott, and Gaylord Palms.

Have a wonderful trip!

Epcot at night at The World Showcase. We like to start with either margaritas in Mexico or Black & Tans at the British Pub in Great Britain. We usually have dinner in the steakhouse in Japan and then watch the fireworks.

These suggestions sound like just what I was looking for...thank you both!!!

Why not do a monorail crawl - use the monorail to visit all the lounges/bars at the hotels. The bar at the Polynesian makes yummy drinks in fresh pineapples, the Contemporary has a lounge at the top of the hotel with a view of the fireworks.

Ok, your suggestions have me wondering...should we stay closer to Disney? We currently have a room reserved at the Wyndham Palms Resort & Country Club in Kissimee, but won't lose out on anything if I change now.

The room rate is great...but if we stay closer to the action and nix the rental car we'd probably come out about the same and could have fun without worrying about driving back at the end of the night.

Any suggestions on rooms...we want nice, but can't afford luxury. I've checked out everything on the discount sites and can't make a decision. I would love first hand raves/rants by anyone who's visited the area.

FYI...the room we have now has jetted tub, leather furniture, balcony. Includes hot breakfast for just over $100/night after taxes and discounts.

My thought was that this is a great deal...any insight?

Dump the car and stay on property. I love staying on property as Disney and if you never have, this is a must.

Go to Mousesavers.com for discount codes for Disney on site hotels for your dates.

You can rent a car for a day or two if you want to go offsite Disney.

Whoa. GT, are you sure they can go to all Disney properties w/o a car? Downtown Disney is where circque de Soleil is. I'm not positive but I don't think there's any Disney transportation there. I've never gone to Disney w/o a car so I'm not the one to say for sure what's what...GT do you know differently?

TG, disney transp. definitely goes to downtown disney. As a matter of fact it is the transportation hub to get to and from hotels and parks. If you are staying on site you can get anywhere on disney property with their transportation. That said, I would suggest Universal's CityWalk over Pleasure Island, much better choices of entertainment, restaurants than PI.

Ok...I'll take a closer look at our options on the property.

Gm...what would we have to look forward to at CityWalk vs. Pleasure Island?

The best day we have ever spent in Orlando was at Discovery Cove, a tiny park associated with (and right beside) Sea World. It costs a couple hundred dollars to go for the day but there is a limit of 1000 people in the park.

You have an appointment to spend 30 minutes in a pool with a two trainers and a dolphin. There will be six people in each group so if there are only two of you they will likely put you with a group of four. There is a lovely snorkeling area filled with fish, turtles, and seals. There is also a sting ray pond where you wade through and touch them as they sail past. Snorkeling and the stingray pond is unlimited all day.

I took my teenaged kids to Discovery Cove but there aren't too many young kids due to the price. There is an artificial beach area with lounge chairs and waiters will come take your drink order. Lunch was very good and included in the price. It was a peaceful day and we'd repeat it in a heartbeat.

A coworker told me her two grown daughters and their two friends just went in October and had a similarly enjoyable day. Check them out at www.Discoverycove.com where you can make reservations in advance.

TandooriGirl, that is one of the best things about Disney properties is that you don't need a car and can access everything inside Disney property using Disney transportation.

Depending on where you stay, the ride times very greatly as to where you want to go.

Thanks to GT I checked out mousesaver.com and found military housing on the property at excellent rates! It's not technically a "Disney" property but still would offer us the transportation perk- which is what we want. Now we can save $$ on the room and nix the car! (I can certainly live without the jacuzzi in the room- ha!)

Now let me see if I can find someone who has stayed at this place...anyone been to Shades of Green???

I knew there was some transportation but I didn't know it was that good. From Tampa, I always drive, of course. But next time I go I will walk! And leave that nasty old car behind quot;>

It has actually been a long time since I have been to PI since they charge admission just to get in, about $25.00. Once in you could go among the different nightclubs there. At citywalk it is free to get in an you just pay admission to the clubs you want. The clubs I like are Bob Marleys (Reggae), Pat O'Brians (just like the New Orleans original), Margaritaville (Jimmy Buffett and my favorite outdoor place), Latin Quarter. Good variety of restaurants: Emerils, Hard Rock Cafe, Nascar Cafe, NBA city, Motown cafe as well as the clubs have restaurants as well. I just like the atmosphere better at CW, though I'm sure there are some people that prefer PI. I also hear that PI now has changed to where you only pay admission to clubs as well. Just my personal preference. By the way I live in Orlando and have been to Downtown Disney and Citywalk many times. (Have not been to cirque yet but have heard only good things about it). Also on Sand lake road west of International Drive there are many restaurants and lounges. (Timpano, Samba room, Seasons 52, Ruths Chris, Melting Pot, Roys, Mortons, etc.) all within a mile of each other.

In October, we paid $18 pp for PI, which is basically a cover charge for about 8-9 different clubs. I liked it better than than Universal's City Walk because I found there to be more "dancing." (Perhaps it was just the particular night I was there.) Plus, it's one rate, so you can come and go from different places... leaving one early if it's not your cup of tea, and returning to another 2 or 3 times.

Cirque de Soleil is not to be missed. It is a terrific show. I have been to both PI & City Walk. To me PI was rather boring & had a much younger crowd then City Walk. The clubs in City Walk are excellent & if you like dynamite margaritas with atmosphere Jimmy Buffetts is the place to be. I would recommend staying on site at maybe the Hard Rock Hotel & taking the water taxi to City Walk. At least one night I would recommend supper at one of the restaurants on International Drive such as Mings Court for Chinese, Bahama Breeze, or Tu Tu Tango. Good food at all & with lively atmosphere at Bahama Breeze.

Are you now staying at Shades of Green? From what I hear its just completed a huge renovation. Its walking distance to the monorail so you can do the monorail crawl easily. Have a great time. WDW is really fun.

I haven't stayed at Shades of Green, but plenty of people at the disboards have. Go to www.disboards.com for all the info you'll ever need on Disney World. They have sections for the parks, for the hotels, for the restaurants, etc.

Citywalk sounds more like what we are looking for, but since we'll be there all weekend maybe we can check out both...I can taste the margaritas already!!!

Shades of Green did just undergo a renovation and I've found out is operated by Disney even though it's an AFRC (Armed Forces Recreation Center) facility. I can't imagine having a bad experience there.

Once again y'all are the best! Can't wait to hit all of these spots you've mentioned!