Exploring Orlando’s Attractions
Your concise free guide to everything you can do in and around Orlando
Theme Parks
The one thing Orlando is now world-renowned for is the choice and quality of theme parks you can visit.
There is actually so much choice that it can be hard for first time visitors to figure out what is where. My guides to all Orlando’s theme parks will help you sort out what you do and don’t want to do.
Walt Disney World
Everything about Walt Disney World is huge. With 4 main theme parks plus 2 water parks, a family entertainment and shopping district, sports resort, numerous golf courses and myriad hotels to stay in, many people just come to visit here.
Universal Orlando Resort
The once young upstart to Disney’s dominance has become a world-class leader in theme park design and draws millions of visitors yearly. 2 theme parks, as well as Orlando’s newest waterpark plus a nighttime adult entertainment district, means Universal is a multi-day destination in its own right.
Seaworld Parks
Coming out of a tough couple of years with a new management structure, renewed focus and multi-million dollar expansion plans, the Seaworld of today is very different to the way it has been portrayed in the media. As well as the main park there is a world-class water park and, in Discovery Cove, Orlando’s only all-inclusive day retreat.
Legoland Florida Resort
Rising from the ashes of Florida’s oldest theme park, Cypress Gardens, Legoland Florida is the third largest Lego theme park in the world. As well as the main park there is also a water park and 2 on-site hotels.
Midway Attractions
There is a lot more to Orlando than the headline theme parks. You can easily fill a few days wandering around various shopping centres and visiting quirky attractions.
Fill your evenings with a round of mini-golf, grab a drink in one of many bars before you enjoy a family meal in any number of wonderful restaurants.
International Drive Area
International Drive is the main tourist area of Orlando. As well as many hotels you can find all manner of things to do and places to eat along its 11-mile length.
Most of the attractions and hotels are located in the northern half between Universal Boulevard and Highway 528. Much of the southern half of I-Drive as it is also known has yet to be developed. However, there is a good selection of hotels, restaurants and shops beyond Highway 528 down to Sea World Drive.
International Drive is home to popular midway attractions such as ICON Park, Ripley’s, Wonderworks and numerous mini golf courses and shopping outlets.
Kissimmee Area
Kissimmee has long been the gateway to Walt Disney World whose main entrance is off highway 192 that dissects Kissimmee.
Like International Drive, you will find quite a few hotels within a few minutes drive of Disney World as well as numerous shops and restaurants. Most holiday villa complexes are situated around Kissimmee with their own facilities.
The biggest attraction in Kissimmee is Old Town, a impressive collection of amusement rides, shops and restaurants which is great for the whole family.
And The Rest!
Orlando is in the centre of Florida. Geographically you couldn’t be better positioned to see what more the Sunshine State offers.
An hour to the east you have the Space Coast and Daytona.
Head west and the warm crystal clear waters of the Caribbean will be lapping at your toes. Clearwater is just under 2 hours drive. Fort Myers and Sanibel Island are around 3 hours south-west.
The Everglades are closer than you think if you want to spend an adventurous morning or afternoon spotting wildlife on an airboat.
The Atlantic Coast
The rugged coastline of the Space Coast and Kennedy Space Centre are a top draw, and very easy to get to from Orlando. If you don’t want to drive, there are numerous tours that operate to the Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex and surrounding attractions daily.
Daytona and Daytona Beach of Indy 500 fame are just over an hour away.
The Atlantic coast is known for bearing the brunt of some Atlantic storms but Cocoa Beach is one of America’s finest.
The Gulf Coast
The heart-pumping thrills of Busch Gardens on the outskirts of Tampa is a popular one-day addition to a lot of Orlando itineraries. Carry on a further half-hour to the white sand beaches of Clearwater.
Clearwater may be one fo the nearest beaches to Orlando but you are spoilt for choice along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Your choice of activities is just as varied. Museums, zoological parks, mangrove kayaking and manatee spotting as well as the obvious sunset cruises.
Adding a Gulf Coast week to your itinerary is the perfect way to wind down from the sometimes frenetic pace of the theme parks.
South Florida
You can be in the Everglades in as little as 40 minutes from your hotel room. Beyond the Everglades National Park, the bright neon-lit coast of Miami beckons. Beyond that the laid back charm of the Florida Keys.
The already under construction train line extension from Miami to Orlando will open up southern Florida to so many more people by cutting transfer times. Make your Orlando holiday a twin-centre by spending a few days in Miami before heading home.
Plan your perfect Orlando holiday
My 50+ page planning guide is packed full of information, tips and tools to help first time visitors to Orlando plan their perfect holiday.
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