Orlando Vacation

In 1970, Orlando was nothing but a quiet farming town. But today it’s the vacation capitol of the United States attracting 25 million visitors per year. Although Orlando tends to specialize in family vacations that are a dream come true, it still has a lot to offer anyone who likes to have fun and is a kid at heart. Families with toddlers, teenagers or children of any age in between will have no problem making memories in your Orlando vacation. Couples without children and singles can still have a good time in Orlando as long as they are amusement park aficionados. But if amusement parks aren’t your thing, you might want to take advantage of one of Florida’s other amazing cities instead.

The only thing Orlando doesn’t have is a shortage of things to do. Those who are looking to avoid the endless throng of tourists may find themselves gravitating to less popular activities like golfing, the Orlando Science Center, or the Orlando Museum of Art.

But most people go to Orlando for the amusement parks. Disney alone offers four amusement parks and two water parks. The Magic Kingdom closely resembles the original Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Ca and offers many of the same rides and attractions. While Epcot Center offers a more hands on experience with science and technology in addition to up close exposure to various cultures from around the world. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the home of the television and movie studios used by Disney. Here attractions allow guests to pretend to star in their own movies and provide the opportunity for visitors to learn about what goes on behind the scenes in the film industry. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park guests get to experience real life animals in safari like settings and can learn more about the animal world in exciting and engaging stage shows.

If you visit Orlando in the dead heat of summer, you may need to plan a day or two at one of Disney’s uniquely themed water parks. Blizzard Beach is a ski resort themed water park that offers rides like the Toboggan Racers and Slush Gushers. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon offers the wildly popular water coaster and also allows guests the opportunity to swim and snorkel with live fish.

If you’re looking to add more variety to your Orlando vacation and don’t want to do things exclusively Disney, you’re in luck. Sea World offers their traditional theme park with shows and exhibits offering education and entertainment about all things pertaining to the sea and marine life. If swimming with dolphins, exploring shipwrecks and relaxing on a beach sounds more like your thing, their separate Discovery Cove Park may be of interest to you.

Universal Studios has also laid claim to Orlando with its two theme parks and a water park. They offer the traditional movie studio park much like the original in Los Angeles, Ca. Here they offer back lot tours and rides that simulate scenes from favorite movies. At the Islands of Adventure Park they offer everything from high-speed roller coasters to slower paced children’s rides. And at the Wet n’ Wild Water Park you’ll find all of the traditional water park rides along with a tot friendly kid’s section.

For your Orlando vacation you can find lodging in almost every price range. Budget hotels offer rooms for as cheap as $65 a night. If you plan to spend your money at the theme parks this might be a great option for you. There are also moderately priced hotels ($100-$150) and luxury hotels that provide lots of bells and whistles ($300+).

Disney offers 22 exclusive resorts each complete with their own theme, water park and on site activities. This may be an ideal option if you are looking to spend one or two days of your trip lounging by a pool and you want some fun and excitement that won’t require you to leave your hotel. Universal Studios also offers their own hotel options that provide extra perks like instant fast passes for almost every ride in their theme parks. This could save you significant time in busy seasons like summer and around the holidays.

If you have small children and are looking for a completely unique experience, then the Nickelodeon Family Suites might be the ideal option for you. Each room is a family-friendly suite complete with video games and kitchenette. And the hotel grounds provide two pools, a water park, a kid’s spa, a miniature golf course and fun shows and activities from sun up to sun down.