Orlando World Center Marriot
By Warren Woodberry Jr.
Winter in the Northeast hasn’t been too bad this season, but when the cold hits and you are ready to jump ship into warmer waters, Orlando World Center Marriott offers the budget-conscious an easy getaway after the feverish holiday shopping and New Year’s celebration.
With family visits over and winter break coming soon, frugal parents wanting to take a family vacation without breaking the bank yet having a fun-filled adventure can find it here.
Disney World is an experience unto itself that could be costly, but if it isn’t at the top of your vacation list, yet you still long for the Florida sunshine, the Orlando World Center Marriot promises Endless Experiences to surprise you. So if you’re not a fan of long standing park ride lines in humid temps, the World Center is a good alternative.
The all inclusive resort is like a city within the city, with 1,883 rooms on 28 floors, there are 121 suites and 450,000 square feet of meeting space. The conference center is ideal for professional events with flexible gathering space for meetings, conventions, weddings, receptions and social soirees.
The Center allows leisure and business travelers to retreat to an environment ideal for unwinding and being productive. When its time to rest, retire to modern guest rooms with all of the comforts of home. Sorry, pets not allowed and it’s a smoke free property.
There’s plenty for kids, and adults, to do with basketball, sand volleyball and tennis courts, a 24-hour fitness center, in and out door pools. There are game rooms with XBOX, Playstation, Wii and iPad games. There are even scheduled activities for kids.
From the hotel balcony, and expansive view of a massive water park sits center of the property. Orlando Resort’s Falls Pool Oasis features two 200-foot winding waterslides, a 90-foot speed slide, kid’s splash park and multiple pools. The Splash Zone is a zero entry pool with pop jets and water toys and Plunge Zone has three water slides. There is live poolside entertainment at the Falls Pool Bar & Grill and a wait staff making rounds, taking drink orders.
Take relaxation to another level at The Spa at Orlando World Center Marriott. With more than two dozen services offered, you can start the new year with a new you. Refresh and recharge brilliantly at the spa with a deep cleansing facial, a firming, toning or a deep hydrating facial. Swedish massages are given by actual Swedes! your senses may be enticed by lime and mint aromatherapy oil to relieve stress and promote relaxation.
After all the ‘relaxation’ you may work up an appetite. The property has several restaurants, from high-end to affordable dining, even one-of-a-kind dining experiences.
Watch your dinner be prepared teppanyaki style at Mikado Japanese Steakhouse. You will still get that relaxing experience with the rock gardens & reflecting pools at this classic Japanese restaurant known for its sushi, teppanyaki & sake selection. All entrees are prepared at your hibachi table in a display of flashing knives and exotic aromas. You will enjoy watching chefs fire up the steel grill to prepare your meal. You’ll cover your ears at the sound of splatchlers clinking together and feel the rush of heat from flames on the grill. This experience is great entertainment for families and groups.
Enjoy a farm-to-fork dinner with wine pairings at Siro Urban Italian Kitchen, where pizza and Italian cuisine meets handcrafted cocktails & wine in a hip, modern space.
Group guests can receive cocktail creation and cooking demonstrations from staff at Hawk’s Landing Steakhouse & Grille. The knowledge of the Executive Chef Greg Picard is impressive, so much that him showing guests how to make drinks seem so simple, one would feel confident enough to enroll in bartending school. This informal Orlando Marriott steakhouse also features seafood & wines in a warm-hued dining room.
With some special arrangements, the Center’s VIP guests can be treated to their bakeshop for desserts, cocktails and coffee in a kitchen prep area transformed into a chill lounge with comfy chairs, mood lighting and relaxing music. Chocolate addicts are certain to overdose here!
Atop the Center for VIP guests is an apartment-style penthouse suite with its lavish living space and outdoor decks with views of Orlando and the fireworks seen each night at Disney. Here dignitaries, presidents and CEOS of companies get a special dining experience for them and their guests.
As many know, business golf opens new doors as well as provides tension from work, one swing at a time. If you don’t know how to play golf or need to brush up on your game, get a pro-player experience with a golf lesson at Bill Madonna Golf Academy at Hawk’s Landing Golf Club at the 18-hole course. The Golf 101 clinic is designed for the first time player to “get in the game” providing individual attention and techniques you need to improve your game. Players receive take home notes to continue practice off the course with reminders for next time on the green.
If you’re looking for off-site recreation unlike other typical Florida actives try a sunrise hot air ballon ride. A sunrise soiree with Orlando Balloon Rides offers sails across the sky with stunning views of the Orlando area, natural preserves and popular attractions in a one hour flight. Orlando Ballon Rides have the largest balloons in North America, holding more than 10 passengers. Their pilots are FAA certified fully licensed and insured. After landing, you will enjoy a complimentary champagne toast to celebrate the end of an adventure. These balloon flights are great for anniversaries, birthdays, weddings and special occasions. The sunrise flight require a 5 am wake up. Hotel pick up shuttle service is available. For more information visit, orlandohotairballoon.com
Not that you have to leave the resort, but if you do nearby attractions include SeaWorld, Discovery Cove & Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark, Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure, Walt Disney World Theme Parks, Disney Water Parks and Wet ‘n Wild Water Park. The daily resort fee includes a convenient shuttle with service to Disney World, 1.5 miles away.
To book your reservation and more information at Orlando World Center Marriott visit worldcentermarriott.com.
Orlando World Center Marriott
8701 World Center Drive
Orlando, FL 32821
407-239-4200