The Top 10 Things to Do in Orlando, FL
#10 - Magic Kingdom
Is there anything better than Disney World? The important thing to know about a trip to Disney in Florida is that there are four very different theme parks (and that’s not even mentioning the water parks!). You’ll want to check out the different attractions at each park to see which you want to do. A park hopper ticket is an option, allowing you to jump between parks on the same day. That however, will cost you time as you’ll have to wait for a shuttle to take you over and wait in line to get in. We generally like to do a park a day. As for Magic Kingdom, it’s the Florida equivalent of Disneyland. You’ll find Snow White’s Castle, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, and most things you love from Disneyland. Of course there’s some differences, but that’s just part of the fun. They have many food and drink options, rides galore, and of course a fantastic fireworks show and parade! Super place for kids, teens, and adults...it’s Disney right?
#9 - Hollywood Studios
Lights, camera, action! Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the park that brings Hollywood magic to Florida (and we’re not talking about the city known as Hollywood, Florida). This park has the attraction: Star Wars Galaxy Edge. If that isn’t enough, it’s home to their Pixar attractions, the Hollywood Tower of Terror, and much, much more. If you’re a fan of any of these properties then this park is a can’t miss. If you want to dine like a star of Hollywood’s Golden Age, visit the Brown Derby, which pays homage to the former Hollywood staple of the same name. Hop on one of its many rides and have fun!
#8 - Animal Kingdom
With the World of Avatar and the Kilimanjaro Safaris, Animal Kingdom does not disappoint. Visit the Tree of Life and who knows what might happen (this is where we got engaged)! Visit the animals all around the park...monkeys, birds, and giraffes, oh my! Take a ride on Expedition Everest and the Kali River Rapids and eat at one of their many restaurants or food stands. This park is highly recommended for animal loving families.
#7 - Epcot
This isn’t your mother’s Epcot anymore. Disney has made a great effort to add new and exciting attractions to this unique park. They have several upcoming attractions based on popular characters on the way. Some of those are based on Moana, Ratatouille, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and even Mary Poppins! But of course, Epcot’s focal point is its incomparable World Showcase, that is a trip around the world of sorts. You’ll walk around a beautiful lagoon, stopping and seeing a representation of 11 countries. Each country has food, a ride, and/or a show. It’s a really cool place, and it’s only going to get cooler.
#6 - Universal Studios Florida
Don’t get us wrong, we love all things Disney, but we have to say, Universal Studios has built two absolutely amazing theme parks in Florida! We lived 5 minutes from Universal Studios Hollywood for years and think it’s pretty great, but the parks in Florida are next level. The Orlando parks have a lot of cool attractions not available in Hollywood, like a second Harry Potter ride inside of Diagon Alley, Men in Black Alien Attack, Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, and more!
#5 - Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Remember when we mentioned park hopper passes at Disney World? Well, Universal offers the same thing at their parks, with the added bonus of an attraction exclusive to park hopper ticket holders: Hogwarts Express. For Harry Potter fans, this is a must. The Hogwarts Express recreates the experience Harry, Ron, and Hermoine had when they travel to Hogwarts for the start of the school year. This is also how you can switch over to the other theme park without having to go all the way back to the park’s entrance. As for Universal Islands of Adventure, it’s an awesome theme park in its own right! It has Marvel themed rides (Universal has the theme park rights for many Marvel characters on the east coast), a Jurassic Park ride, and rides based on some of your favorite cartoons.
#4 - Disney Springs
Shop, dine, and drink with Mickey as you walk along this waterfront boardwalk full of fun and yum! Grab lunch or dinner at one of the many restaurants, such as The Edison and Planet Hollywood. Or stop by on a date for some sippin’ and relaxin’ at Wine Bar George. Great for families and couples alike, this location also boasts some incredible shops, such as The World of Disney and The Lego Store. Don’t forget dessert at Amorette’s Patisserie and Ghirardelli's. If you’re looking for some fun, visit The House of Blues Music Hall or AMC Theater for a great night during your visit! Disney Springs is located close to Orlando and all of the theme parks. The California equivalent is Downtown Disney, but many would agree, Florida Disney has much more room and many more sights. Definitely worth a walk through during your stay!
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#3 - Stay at a Disney Themed Hotel
When Walt Disney built Disney World in Florida he corrected a mistake he made when he built Disneyland in California: he bought a ton of surrounding land. This allowed him to control the hotels around the parks. They’ve made the most of that decision, by creating over 30 unique, themed hotels. Each one has a different vibe and amenities. The best part is they have ones at every price point, so there’s somewhere to stay for everyone. They offer park ticket discounts for staying at their resorts and their magic band system will double as your ticket and room key. On a long trip, we like to split the stay between two hotels to experience different places. The first time we did this we thought changing rooms would be a hassle, but Disney takes care of all that by transferring your bags for you! We’ve stayed at Disney Hotels at varying price points and they’ve all been amazing experiences! Some that we have stayed at and enjoyed include: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort-French Quarter, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Enjoy the resort pools, spas, restaurants, and shops, all while being close to the theme park action!
#2 - Seaworld
Seaworld operates three neighboring theme parks in Orlando. Their main park, Seaworld Orlando, combines thrill rides, shows, and educational animal exhibits. Discovery Cove focuses on animal experiences, from swimming with a dolphin to snorkeling in their Grand Reef. Finally, Aquatica is their waterpark that features a ton of thrilling rides. They even have a slide where you zoom past swimming dolphins. If you’re planning to go to any of these parks, check out the Seaworld Orlando website, where you can find a discounted ticket package that is right for you.
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#1 -
Disney Water Parks
If you’ve been to Orlando during the summer, then the idea of spending the day at a water park sounds pretty dang good! That humidity is next level! Disney offers not one, but two waterpark options. Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon are open year-round with water heated to the lower 80s. Both parks close temporarily for maintenance, but not at the same time, so one is always open. Blizzard Beach’s Summit Plummet is one of the tallest/fastest free fall slides in the world, while the Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool is one of the largest outdoor wave pools on the planet. With a combination of thrill rides and pools, these water parks have something for everybody.
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