Insider’s Guide: Orlando 2

A one-of-a-kind concentration of world-class amusement parks and attractions has made Orlando the fourth most popular US destination for overseas travelers. While spectacular theme parks are the obvious draw, there’s more to the Orlando area than roller coasters and costumed characters.

Soar above the city in a hot-air balloon, play astronaut-for-a-day at the Kennedy Space Center or visit the protected wetlands in the Florida Everglades; bucket list dreams come true every day in this Central Florida hotspot. Whether you’re traveling with kids or just want to feel like a kid again, the possibilities are endless.

In this guide, we’ll show you the best of “The City Beautiful,” so you can travel like an insider in Orlando!

Meet the Insiders

Jenny is Viator’s Regional Director North America Sales. She loves discovering new experiences in Orlando but always makes time for a visit to the

Walt Disney World parks.

Born and raised in Florida, Angie spent her formative years exploring Orlando’s theme parks on weekends. She still counts the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal

Orlando Resort as one of her favorite adventures.

Hello, Orlando!

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The Walt Disney World Resort contains four enormous theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot Center and Disney’s Hollywood Studios), two splashy water parks and dozens of uniquely themed hotels in an area twice the size of Manhattan.

The Magic Kingdom is the centerpiece of the sprawling resort complex and home to the iconic Cinderella Castle. Adventures for kids of all ages include a ride through the creepy Haunted Mansion, the swashbuckling fun of Pirates of the Caribbean and the thrilling drop at the end of Splash Mountain. Kids can even get up close to all their favorite Disney friends at memorable character breakfasts throughout the parks.

Best Disney Experience: The Magic Kingdom

Insider’s TipParades are a highlight of a visit to the Magic Kingdom, but the daytime ones can be crowded and hot. Evening parades are much cooler and less jam-packed, and with dimmed lights and When You Wish Upon a Star playing from unseen speakers, the famous Disney magic might just bring a tear to your eye.

Play

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Best Universal Orlando® Experience: The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM Universal Orlando Resort includes two incredible parks and while both feature epic attractions and coasters, it’s the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ that casts a spell on young witches and wizards. At Islands of Adventure®, a detailed recreation of the snowy town of Hogsmeade includes Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™.

After exploring Hogsmeade, guests with a 2-park pass can board the Hogwart’s Express train for King’s Cross Station in neighboring Universal Studios®, where magical Diagon Alley™ awaits behind a cleverly concealed brick wall — just like in the movie — and features the Escape of Gringotts™ thrill ride, a fire-breathing dragon and original shows approved by J.K. Rowling herself.

Explore

“Universal was amazing, and Islands of Adventure was just out of this world. Can’t wait to go back.

“

-Ruth V.

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SeaWorld®

While SeaWorld® is primarily known for its animal exhibits and orca performances, it also features exhilarating rides like Manta, Kraken® and Journey to Atlantis®. Other SeaWorld® attractions include Discovery Cove, an immersive experience where guests get up close and personal with bottlenose dolphins, sea lions and otters, and Aquatica, a family-friendly water park that’s perfect for cooling off on a steaming Orlando day.

Wet ‘n WildWet ‘n Wild is located on International Drive and makes for a great day of splashing around. Thrill rides abound, but there are plenty of slower-paced attractions, like a Lazy River, for those who are slightly less adventurous.

LEGOLAND FloridaOn the shore of Lake Eloise in Winter Haven, LEGOLAND Florida is geared toward families with kids ages 2-12. The 150-acre interactive theme park has more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, including 11 themed zones, gentle roller coasters and LEGO boats and cars kids can drive.

More Theme Park Experiences

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A Florida bucket list would be incomplete without an alligator encounter, and there’s no better place to meet these dino-descendants than the Everglades National Park on the southeastern tip of the state. Gators abound in this subtropical wilderness, which is also home to American crocodiles, bottlenose dolphins, manatees, snowy egrets, bald eagles and Florida’s state bird, the osprey. Amid mangroves, cypresses, hardwood hammocks and miles of sawgrass, there are endless opportunities for outdoor fun, hiking, cycling, kayaking or airboat rides.

Forever Florida, a 4,700-acre eco-ranch an hour southeast of Orlando, is also home to scores of alligators, as well as white-tailed deer, black bears and even endangered Florida panthers.

Best Day Trip: Everglades National Park

Insider’s TipThe best time to visit Everglades National Park is during the dry season, roughly December to April, when the weather is somewhat more mild and pleasant. In South Florida’s lengthy summer season, it can be oppressively hot and humid, and there are frequent afternoon thunderstorms.

Detour

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Best Educational and Fun Activity: Kennedy Space CenterYou don’t have to be a space junkie to enjoy NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, but after checking out a galaxy of hands-on exhibits, thundering IMAX movies and the sheer magnitude of the now-defunct shuttles, you’ll be ready to sign up for Astronaut Training yourself.

One of the highlights of the Kennedy Space Center is the Shuttle Launch Simulator, where aspiring moon men and women strap into a cockpit and take a high-fidelity ride that feels like actual lift-off. In the Rocket Garden, awe-inspiring engine replicas, full-size spacecraft and the 363-foot (110-meter) Apollo Saturn 1B rocket inspire the next generation of space travelers. Don’t forget to swing by the gift shop where one popular purchase includes freeze-dried ice cream — the same kind the astronauts eat in orbit.

Learn

“Outstanding. This was a highlight of our visit and has something for all ages.

“

-Stephen B.

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Central Florida offers plenty of opportunities to meet the area’s wildlife. In the Keeper-for-a-Day Program at Wild Florida, expert staff will prepare you to hold a live alligator and even feed the big guys ... if you dare. Gatorland also has a Trainer for a Day package, in which guests learn how to wrangle toothy crocs and gators. The less adventurous can get up close on a leisurely walk through the park, or hop aboard the Gatorland Express train, a treat for younger kids.

If you’re keen to interact with native animals in their natural habitat, try swimming with manatees in Crystal River, just 90 minutes from Orlando. These gentle giants flock to warm, shallow river water, especially in the colder months, and it’s possible to hop in and swim alongside them.

Best Animal Encounters: Wild Florida

Insider’s TipManatees tend to be quite social and playful, and more often than not they approach the swimmers first, allowing themselves to be caressed as they munch on seaweed or float on the current.

Go Wild

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In a land filled with attractions, the Orlando Eye is one of the newest jewels in the crown. Admire aerial views of Orlando and beyond from the East Coast’s tallest observation wheel.

You’ll soar 400 feet (120 meters) into the sky in a clear capsule, taking in 360-degree views of the city and Central Florida landscape, including lakes, theme parks and even the Atlantic coast on a clear day. Each capsule is equipped with an iPad that offers information about the sights and surrounding environment.

Best Way to See Orlando From Above: The Orlando Eye

Insider’s TipHot air balloons and helicopters are also popular ways to experience Orlando from a new perspective. You can float effortlessly in a balloon over citrus groves at sunrise, or sip champagne from the comfort of a professionally piloted chopper as the sun sets over the Magic Kingdom.

View

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Best Nightlife: Dinner TheaterOnly in Orlando can you spend the day cavorting with superheroes, wizards and princesses, then enjoy dinner with swashbuckling musical pirates and side-splitting magicians. Orlando’s dinner theaters offer a little something for any taste and budget, plus it’s nice to get off your feet and soak up some air conditioning after a long day of sightseeing.

Choose from a wide variety of experiences, like Pirate’s Dinner Adventure; The Outta Control Dinner Show at WonderWorks; the Sleuth’s Mystery Dinner Show; or even the 3 Musketeers Dinner & Show, where Alexander Dumas’ famous story comes to life with rip-roaring sword fights and exquisite French cuisine. Other shows (without dinner) include the famous Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba.

After Hours

“We’ve seen many Cirque du Soleil shows and this was one of our favorites.

“

-Magaret T.

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Orlando offers so much more than child’s play. Forty percent of Orlando’s visitors are parties of two adults, and activities like world-class shopping, upscale dining and food tours, fly-fishing and dozens of lavish spas make the city much more of an adult’s playground than you might think.

Theme parks offer special programming to appeal to the child-free crowd. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando and Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival are ideal for “big kids” who still like big fun mixed with rides in the traditional theme park atmosphere. Attractions such as Downtown Disney’s Cirque du Soleil and Universal’s action-packed CityWalk are perfect for evening and late-night amusement without strollers and nannies. As far as theme parks, Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure® are geared more toward adults than the Disney parks, as many of their most popular rides have a 54-inch height requirement.

The best part about Orlando is you can go to a theme park without kids, but still feel like one yourself. It’s the perfect spot to reconnect with your inner child.

Orlando Isn’t Just fun for Kids

Pssst!

Insider’s Guide: Orlando

Photo by Rick Markovich

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Best Unique Transport: UTVBest Unique Transport: UTV Gear up for an exhilarating off-road adventure aboard one of the most revolutionary vehicles out there — the UTV. This eight-wheel amphibious vehicle is similar to an ATV, but lets you sit side-by-side on comfortable bench seats and travel on both land and water. Spot wildlife, enjoy the scenery and hold on tight for an exciting ride! Also consider hitting the open road on an iconic Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Rental includes helmet, lock and unlimited mileage so that you can zoom around as much of the Sunshine State as you like.

Best Nearby Beach: Clearwater Beach Clearwater Beach is a silky white-sand oasis along the warm, calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. More low-key than bustling St. Petersburg to the south, Clearwater Beach offers plenty of spots for kayaking, shelling and biking. Families especially like the gentle surf and clear water, perfect for swimming, water sports and dolphin-watching.

Best Money Saver: Sightseeing PassesWith the Orlando Explorer Pass, choose from a variety of attractions to create your own sightseeing itinerary. It’s the easiest and most affordable way to explore Gatorland, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium and other activities at your own pace. In addition to great attractions, you’ll receive a 14 day I-Ride Trolley pass to make exploring Orlando a breeze. There are also sightseeing passes to save on dining for kids and adults.

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Insider’s Guide: Orlando

Photo by Rick Markovich

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Best City Side Trip: MiamiFor a completely different Florida experience, check out Miami, the sexy cosmopolitan city at the southern tip of the state. Greater Miami is a diverse melting pot of fashion designers, bikini models, Cuban émigrés and retirees. Half of the city’s population is Hispanic, so the city is peppered with the flavors of Latin American food, language and music.

Best Budget-Friendly Attractions: Under $30 It’s no surprise that the landmark theme parks can take a big bite out of your budget, but there are a few activities that will help stretch your dollars in Central Florida. Attractions under $30 include Titanic the Experience, Madame Tussauds, SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, the Orlando Eye, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and WonderWorks. Downtown Disney and Universal’s CityWalk areas are free to wander and explore as well.

Best Dining Experience: Eat Like a LocalThere’s nothing like a food tour to introduce you to a handful of tasty local hotspots in a short time. Meet your guide in Winter Park for a 3-hour walking tour through this charming Orlando suburb, home to some of Florida’s best independent restaurants. Wander historic brick streets lined with lush trees to taste some of Winter Park’s best-kept secrets. By the end, you’ll see Winter Park the way the local foodies do. Bring your appetite — all the food is included on this tasty tour.

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