Things to do in Orlando
Famed for one of the US's most popular attractions, Walt Disney World, Orlando boasts many other noteworthy attractions besides the iconic Magic Kingdom. Travellers should head a little further into this Floridian city to discover Universal Studios, its two theme parks, entertainment complex, and film sets. Those visiting during the summer should check out SeaWorld as it's earned itself a reputation as one of the best marine parks in the world for more than 25 years.
Florida's second most popular attraction is the Kennedy Space Centre at the nearby Cape Canaveral. Visitors can walk through a giant model of the new International Space Station, view authentic rockets, and marvel at all the original artefacts from the moon landing.
The Orlando Museum of Art is a must for fans of fine arts, while adrenalin junkies should make a pilgrimage to the NASCAR Daytona Speedway. For something a little stranger, visitors should look no further than Ripley's Believe It or Not, where exhibits of weird and wonderful things, amassed over a period of 40 years by explorer Robert Ripley, can be viewed.
Travellers planning on extensive sightseeing should consider buying a Go Orlando Card, which grants free entrance to various attractions as well as providing a full-colour guide book.
Walt Disney World
Orlando's most familiar landmark is undoubtedly the turreted Cinderella Castle that stands in the centre of the original Disney Florida theme park, the Magic Kingdom. Walt Disney W…
Walt Disney World
Orlando's most familiar landmark is undoubtedly the turreted Cinderella Castle that stands in the centre of the original Disney Florida theme park, the Magic Kingdom. Walt Disney World opened in 1971 and has been making dreams come true ever since. Today it's just one of four Disney parks that cover more than 28,000 acres of Orange and Osceola counties in central Florida, with accompanying resorts, shopping complexes, hotels, and waterparks. Apart from the Magic Kingdom, Disney World now includes the Epcot centre, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. It also contains two water parks; Disney's Blizzard Beach and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon. The Magic Kingdom is where the most famous Disney attractions are located. Little girls can visit the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique to receive princess makeovers, while boys can become ferocious swashbucklers at the Pirates League. Rides at the Magic Kingdom include classic favourites such as Space Mountain, the Haunted Mansion, and It's a Small World. Disney's Hollywood Studios gives visitors a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the workings of the glitz and glamour of the movie industry, while Animal Kingdom wildlife park is home to more than 1,700 animals from 250 species.
Website www.disneyworld.com
SeaWorld Orlando
Spread out between the Disney parks at Lake Buena Vista and the downtown Orlando area is the renowned SeaWorld attraction. The park is designed to give an interactive look at the s…
SeaWorld Orlando
Spread out between the Disney parks at Lake Buena Vista and the downtown Orlando area is the renowned SeaWorld attraction. The park is designed to give an interactive look at the sea, and features themed animal habitats from tidal pools to iceberg lakes. Visitors can hug a dolphin, kiss a killer whale, and watch the famous aquatic SeaWorld stars go through their paces in various entertaining shows. SeaWorld is not only well-known for its exciting animal encounters and epic rides. Visitors should be sure to enjoy Mako, the tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster in Orlando. It reaches speeds of up to 73 miles per hour (117km per hour) on an impressively long steel track, leaving riders feeling both breathless and weightless. Neighbouring Discovery Cove offers visitors a chance to swim with dolphins, view wildlife, sunbathe on gorgeous beaches, and snorkel among the coral.
Website seaworld.com/orlando/
Universal Studios Florida
It takes at least two days to fully appreciate the many delights on offer at the ever-popular Universal Orlando entertainment complex. Travellers who visit will find three theme pa
Universal Studios Florida
It takes at least two days to fully appreciate the many delights on offer at the ever-popular Universal Orlando entertainment complex. Travellers who visit will find three theme parks, and they're all absolutely unmissable.
Universal Studios is the original, and was designed in consultation with legendary filmmaker, Stephen Spielberg. This movie-themed park has thrilling, innovative rides, production studios, and film sets, where visitors can go behind the scenes and see the tricks used to create movie magic.
Islands of Adventure has eight uniquely themed zones that are each dedicated to a hit film franchise. These include Seuss Island, The Lost Continent, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, Skull Island: Reign of Kong, and Marvel Superhero Island.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter runs between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, and remains true to the magical world created by J.K. Rowling. The third theme park, Volcano Bay, is centred around Krakatau, which is a 200-foot-tall (60m), hyper-realistic volcano that houses four different water slides.
Website www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/theme-parks/universal-studios-florida
Believe It or Not Orlando
Housed in an odd-looking building that's tipped to one side and apparently sinking into the ground, Ripley's Believe It or Not Orlando contains a remarkable collection of weird and…
Believe It or Not Orlando
Housed in an odd-looking building that's tipped to one side and apparently sinking into the ground, Ripley's Believe It or Not Orlando contains a remarkable collection of weird and wonderful exhibits, amassed over a period of 40 years by explorer Robert Ripley. Examples of the exhibits are shrunken heads and a scale model of a Rolls Royce made entirely of matchsticks. Visitors can measure themselves up against the world's tallest man and learn about all sorts of odd and surprising records. Ripley's 'Believe it or Not' collection is world-renowned and has been documented in television series and best-selling books.
Website www.ripleys.com/orlando/
Aquatica
Visitors to Orlando should look no further than Aquatica for exhilarating water slides, wave pools and once in a lifetime encounters with sea animals. There are a multitude of thri…
Aquatica
Visitors to Orlando should look no further than Aquatica for exhilarating water slides, wave pools and once in a lifetime encounters with sea animals. There are a multitude of thrilling rides to enjoy in this water park as well as other attractions, ensuring the whole family stays entertained. Visitors can experience an educational ride through an undersea world to see the sea life below, or they can revel in an adventure-fuelled race against the rapids. With so many rides and slides to choose from, this water world will leave any visitor delighted, and soaked!
The signature ride, Reef Plunge, features slides that shoot riders through a pool of Dolphins. For the real adrenalin junkies the most fast-paced ride of all is Ihu's Breakaway Falls, a watery free-fall drop slide. Whether visitors are after relaxation or adrenalin, Aquatica is great fun for the whole family. The park is open daily all year-round, but opening and closing times do change according to season.
Website aquatica.com/orlando/
Kennedy Space Center
The John F. Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, 46 miles (74km) southeast of Orlando on Florida's east coast, is one place in the state where fact is just as entertaining as fi…
Kennedy Space Center
The John F. Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, 46 miles (74km) southeast of Orlando on Florida's east coast, is one place in the state where fact is just as entertaining as fiction. Visitors to the centre follow the story of NASA's exploration of space through interactive exhibits, movies, and tours. Guests can tour a full-size replica of the space shuttle 'Explorer', walk through a giant model of the International Space Station module, and view films about Mars and the Pathfinder exploration. They can also explore historic authentic rockets, such as the craft piloted by pioneer astronaut John Glenn, and marvel at the Apollo-Saturn Centre, which houses all the artefacts from the historic moon landing. The Space Center requires several hours to fully appreciate. On the same site is the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, established on the land NASA did not require for its space operations. The 220-square-mile (570 sq km) refuge contains more endangered species than any other wildlife refuge in the US, including the southern bald eagle and Atlantic loggerhead turtle. Visitors should not skip the US Astronaut Hall of Fame as they leave the area.
Website www.kennedyspacecenter.com
Discovery Cove Orlando
Discovery Cove is an exquisite tropical island paradise that, in recent years, has supplanted its sister park, SeaWorld, as the premier marine theme park in the state of Florida. H…
Discovery Cove Orlando
Discovery Cove is an exquisite tropical island paradise that, in recent years, has supplanted its sister park, SeaWorld, as the premier marine theme park in the state of Florida. However, the competition remains steep and many travellers choose to visit both. What makes the experience of visiting Discovery Cove so unique is the level of interaction that it offers. Guests can swim with bottlenose dolphins, snorkel alongside a coral reef teeming with exotic fish, unwind on pristine sandy beaches, and hand-feed tropical birds in a free-flight aviary. It's even possible to wade in the welcoming Freshwater Oasis, coming face-to-face with playful otters and curious marmosets in the lush landscaping. The combination of relaxation and adventure is glorious.
Website www.discoverycove.com
Wizarding World of Harry Potter
This magical theme park runs between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure and allows visitors to enter their favourite scenes from the films, including the Hogwarts Express, …
Wizarding World of Harry Potter
This magical theme park runs between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure and allows visitors to enter their favourite scenes from the films, including the Hogwarts Express, Hogsmead village, Zonko's Joke Shop, and Diagon Alley. It also has thrilling rides such as the Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge. Children can visit Ollivander's to find their perfect wand, or sample chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans at Honeyduke's sweet shop. The attraction is wildly popular and fun for the whole family, but visitors should bear in mind that queues can be exceptionally long at peak times. Harry Potter fanatics give the park rave reviews, but even those who are unfamiliar with the wizarding world will be enchanted by the park.
Website www.universalorlando.com
Gatorland
Florida is famous for its alligator population, and Gatorland in Orlando is a good place to experience these interesting animals. The park is home to thousands of alligators and cr…
Gatorland
Florida is famous for its alligator population, and Gatorland in Orlando is a good place to experience these interesting animals. The park is home to thousands of alligators and crocodiles, and has a breeding marsh with boardwalk and observation tower, reptile shows, an aviary, petting zoo, swamp walk, and educational programs. A huge thrill is provided by the Gator Zip Line, which allows brave visitors to the park to zoom about high above the enclosures. Gatorland has several restaurants and even offers a gluten-free menu. Visitors can enjoy the whole park at a leisurely pace in about four hours, but a family can easily spend a longer time enjoying the various attractions.
Website www.gatorland.com