Night Out on the Town

Walt Disney World in Orlando offers more than fun for the kids, it allows for children of all ages to enjoy themselves during the day and at night. A lesser known area of the DisneyWorld area is Pleasure Island, a location for families to enjoy all kinds of food and fun, but for adults to relax after a day at the park with the kids.

Pleasure Island is part of Downtown Disney. Filled with shops, movie theaters and fine dining, it also has a variety of clubs and bars. Irish pubs, dance clubs as well as a House of Blues with live music on many nights. It has something for everyone. The clubs include techno, 80s, piano and country.

Food is aplenty, too. Seafood, Italian, as well as a Planet Hollywood and a Rainforest Cafe allow for everyone to find something for their tastebuds.

Night Out on the Town - Orlando Ale House

A popular in-season feature returns for a third year. "Night Out on the Town" returns and starts out with a long-time favorite. I visited the Orlando Ale House close to a decade ago while on a business trip. Located in the shadow of Disney, this is a good place to get some good food and watch your favorite sporting event. That first trip was my first time eating lobster out of the shell, and to this day the menu continues to have local favorites, although it has migrated to more bar fare.

The Ale House is a restaurant that is divided into halves by the central bar. On one side pool tables, dart boards, and video games are surrounded by high tables with bar stools. But the other half are private booths with a good view of the televisions.

The beer flows freely, and stays open late. But the best part is this family restaurant gives mom and dad to escape the Magic Kingdom. However the only time Iowa fans should be visiting the Orlando Ale House is on vacation, not for a potential bowl trip.

AFCA

Annually the largest congregation of football coaches takes place days following the BCS National Championship game. This year's American Football Coaches Association convention convened in Orlando, Florida at the World Marriot Resort and Convention Center. AFCA attracts coaches from all levels allowing them opportunities to sit in clinic sessions from masters of the game, listen to the best in the college coaching profession talk about their philosophy and what makes them so successful as well as learning from the different manufacturers on how their program can be better with the newest and latest technology available.

AFCA is the true networking center of football coaches. While much time is spent inside the different ballrooms listening to the X's and O's from the nation's best, time is also well spent in the informal meeting of the lobby area to talk with different coaches, see old friends and possibly make that initial connection that may lead to a future job possibility. Among the notables being seen in the lobby of the World Marriott are Rich Rodriguez, Vince Dooley, R.C. Slocumb, Mike Riley, and Brian Kelly.AFCA is also attracts vendors from around the football community. Companies representing video technology, clothing and gear, on-field equipment, travel, recruiting and strength training assemble trying to get minutes of the coaches time to show them the importance of their product to the success of their football team.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of the AFCA convention for up and coming coaches is the opportunity to interview for potential jobs. On the above bulletin boards are countless resumes of coaches looking for any opportunity. It is also customary for head coaches to conduct interviews. This allows a coach to meet many people over a short period of time. Graduate Assistants as well as other young coaches at lower levels find this as a great opportunity to get their foot in the door.