Orlando Travel Guide
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Top Attractions
Cheap Flying Tips
Where to Stay
Things to Do
Your Guide to Orlando
Orlando is one of the most popular cities in the U.S., located right in the heart of central Florida. Known for its year-round warm weather and world-famous theme parks, it’s no wonder Orlando is one of the most frequented vacation destinations.
With so many attractions to choose from, planning a trip to Orlando can be a bit overwhelming. From how to get to Orlando, where to stay, and what to do, there are many things to consider. But no need to worry, here you will find the ultimate guide to make your Orlando trip-planning experience as effortless as possible.
Read on to find out what the must-see attractions are, how to get there without breaking the bank, where to stay, and the top things to do all while you’re vacationing in Orlando.
Top Attractions in Orlando
There are so many great attractions in Orlando that it can be hard to choose which ones to visit if you are only visiting for a short time. Here you will find descriptions of the three most widely visited attractions in Orlando.
Walt Disney World
When people think of the city of Orlando, Walt Disney World is usually one of the first things that comes to mind.
That’s probably because it’s the most visited destination in the whole country! Contrary to what many might think, Disney isn’t just for kids. People of all ages can find something they enjoy at Disney World.
Here are just a few reasons to visit Disneyworld:
- With four main parks and two water parks, there is an abundance of things to do here, so you can easily fill an entire vacation (Parks include Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon, and Blizzard Beach)
- Disney World has a for being extremely clean and well-maintained
- Meet your favorite characters and take photos with them
- Countless thrill-rides for adventure seekers
- Plenty of shows, shopping, and restaurants to dine at if rides aren’t your thing
- Amazing on-site resorts
Universal Theme Parks
Orlando Studios is another popular theme park in Florida, with its emphasis on movies and the entertainment industry. There are plenty of rides, attractions, and live shows to keep the whole family entertained.
It’s about half the size of Walt Disney World, which makes it perfect if you only have a few days to spend in Orlando.
These are just a sampling of reasons why so many choose to visit Universal Studios in Orlando each year:
- Has two main parks and one water park (Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands, and Volcano Bay)
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- Places to lodge on-site
- Tons of great food at fun movie-themed restaurants
- Children under 3 get in for free
- Has a little bit of everything from roller coasters, water rides, live shows, and tons of different popular movie-themed areas
SeaWorld
Orlando’s SeaWorld is an aquatic-themed park and one of the world’s leading animal care and rehabilitation centers.
SeaWorld provides guests with hours of entertainment with its various aquariums, exhibits, animal shows, and tours. Seaworld guests can also have hours of fun riding the roller coasters or visiting the waterpark.
Here’s why you should add SeaWorld to your list of places to visit in Orlando:
- SeaWorld Aquatica was voted the best waterpark in the nation
- The staff cares for and protects wildlife and teaches guests how they can help too
- Tons of marine life exhibits to see dolphins, sharks, penguins, turtles, and many more types of exotic sea creatures
- Opportunity to pet some of the sea animals
- Has a waterpark with waterslides, a wave pool, and a lazy river
- Offers tours guests educational tours around the facility
The Experience Flying into Orlando Airport
If you are flying into Orlando, you will be more than likely visiting the Orlando International Airport. Being only 30 minutes away from Disney World and downtown Orlando, it makes for an ideal arrival location.
The Orlando Airport is the largest and, therefore, busiest airport in Florida. It can be tricky to navigate, so be sure to do some research beforehand to save time.
If you are staying at Disney World or Universal Studios, there are various shuttle buses you can take directly there.
Top 3 Tips to Fly Cheap to Orlando
If you’re making a trip to Orlando, chances are you’re going to be spending quite a bit of money with all the different attractions there are to see and activities to do.
Who wants to spend a fortune traveling on top of everything else? If you don’t want to break the bank to get there, check out the top 3 tips for flying cheap to Orlando.
1. Book your flight in advance
The further out in advance you can plan your trip to Orlando, the better. If you can book a month or more in advance, you can save up to $200!
2. Fly in on a Wednesday
The cheapest day to arrive in Orlando is on a Wednesday. This way, you get to spend a few weekdays there, so if you choose to visit one of the many theme parks Orlando has to offer, you’ll likely receive lower admission prices.
3. Leave on a Tuesday
The cheapest day to depart from Orlando is on a Tuesday, as this is one of the slower travel days of the week. If you can find a way to leave on a Tuesday, you can save around $30-$40.
Popular Areas of Orlando to Stay in
If you plan on spending your entire trip at Disney World or Universal Studios, you might find it ideal to stay at one of the numerous hotels and lodges each of the theme parks has on-site.
But if you aren’t spending your entire trip in one place or would simply like a little more privacy, there are other areas of town that are just as nice to stay in Orlando.
Downtown Orlando
Downtown Orlando is located in the middle of the city, with tons of hotels, shopping, and places to eat nearby. Plus, it’s only 20 minutes away from all the amusement parks.
Lake Cherokee
For visitors looking for something quieter and more of a community feel, Lake Cherokee is perfect. It has several cute nearby parks to visit and is only 20 minutes away from all of Orlando’s theme parks.
South Eola
South Eola is perfect for travelers looking to stay in a more laid-back, quaint part of town. There’s still plenty to do, including pubs, cafes, theaters, and gorgeous parks to visit in the South Eola area.
Popular Hotels in Those Areas
If you plan on spending your entire Orlando trip at Disney World or Universal Theme Parks, there are plenty of great resort options on-site. But if you are looking for a hotel outside of a theme park, Orlando has plenty of other lodging options as well. Listed below are some of the top hotels in Orlando.
DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando Downtown: Located only 30 minutes away from Orlando International Airport, DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando Downtown is the perfect location for your stay in Orlando. Each room has a flat-screen tv, refrigerator, and coffee maker. There’s also a swimming pool and laundry facility on-site.
Courtyard by Marriott Orlando Downtown: Courtyard by Marriott Orlando Downtown is right in the middle of downtown and only 20 miles from Walt Disney World. Each room features a TV, microwave, mini-fridge, and wifi. There’s also an on-site pool and restaurant.
Sonder Wellborn: This cute and cozy hotel is a bed-and-breakfast owned by Orlando natives. Two of the main perks of staying here are its offers of free wifi and free parking, which can be hard to find in Orlando.
Popular VRBOs in Those Areas
Magical Disney Villa
Experience the magic of Disney in this spectacular villa, located minutes from Walt Disney World. With themed rooms, a private pool, and game room, this luxurious rental is perfect for families and Disney enthusiasts.
Lakeside Retreat
Unwind in this serene lakeside home, featuring a private pool, stunning lake views, and modern amenities. Located close to Orlando’s top attractions, this peaceful rental offers the perfect balance of relaxation and excitement.
Elegant Golf Getaway
Tee off in style at this luxurious golf course home, situated in a prestigious gated community. Boasting an outdoor pool, stylish interiors, and easy access to world-class golf courses, this rental is perfect for avid golfers.
Chic Downtown Loft
Explore Orlando’s vibrant downtown scene from this stylish loft, featuring contemporary design, high ceilings, and a prime location near top dining and entertainment options. Ideal for urban adventurers and business travelers.
Top Things to Do in Orlando
Orlando is widely known for its amazing theme parks, but there are plenty of other sites to see and things to do while visiting. Listed below are some of the top things to do in Orlando.
- Orlando’s House of Blues: Eat, grab a drink, and listen to some great music.
- Visit the World’s Largest McDonalds: What makes this McDonald’s unique is the exclusive menu items it offers, the variety of cool arcade games you can play, and the 30-foot tall Ronald McDonald statue on display.
- Orlando Science Center: The Orlando Science Center has several themed interactive science exhibits. Here you can have fun and learn at the same time!
Coolest Airbnb Experiences in Orlando
If you want a more unusual AirBnB experience that you can’t find anywhere else, listed below are some of the coolest ones Orlando has to offer:
- Mickey Mouse Themed Getaway: Want the full Disney experience without staying at Disney World? Then stay at this completely Mickey Mouse-themed condo. It’s only a few minutes’ drive away from Disney World, so it’s almost like you’re there, but with more privacy.
- Wizarding Home Harry Potter Universal Orlando: Stay in this five-bedroom, three-bathroom Harry Potter-themed Airbnb for the ultimate magical experience. It sleeps up to eight guests, so it’s great for larger groups. It is located only a few minutes away from Universal Studios and Walt Disney World.
- Mandala Charming Meditative Room: Described by its owner as “the perfect blend of elegance, Zen and Eco-friendly consciousness,” this one-bedroom Airbnb is the ideal relaxing retreat to unwind after a long day of adventure in Orlando.
Final Thoughts
Planning a trip to Orlando takes time and careful planning, but it is so worth the effort with all it has to offer visitors. From its numerous attractions, theme parks, restaurants, and places to shop, as well as the many beautiful and unique places to lodge, your trip to Orlando is bound to be one full of fun and memories that last a lifetime.
