Orlando offers much to do for travelers with imagination and appreciation for the magic of film. Visit Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters at Walt Disney World Resort or hop on a ride at Universal Studios to reenact a favorite movie scene. SeaWorld Orlando is also nearby for sea life enthusiasts. Located in the center of the Florida peninsula, Orlando is a great destination for families and kids-at-heart alike.
For those more interested in sun and fun, Orlando is home to impressive golf courses such as the Bay Hill Club & Lodge, the setting for the annual Arnold Palmer Invitational. Beautiful beaches and the NBA Orlando Magic also add to the entertainment list in Orlando. Even professional athletes like Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer and Ken Griffey, Jr. call this top destination home.
Orlando hotels have typically offered more budget-friendly prices for families. However, 5-Star resorts are now also available including Ritz-Carlton Orlando at Grande Lakes, J.W. Marriott Orlando and the Waldorf-Astoria Orlando -- the first resort of this brand built from the ground up since the flagship hotel in New York City in 1931.
Why Go?
Orlando is often called Hollywood East for its high concentration of movie studios in the area. Movies including My Girl, The Waterboy with Adam Sandler and Jaws 3 were filmed in Orlando. Recording studios are also in the area, some of which were the creative grounds to launch the careers of boy bands such as Backstreet Boys, NSYNC and O-Town. It is not uncommon to cross paths with celebrities and famous athletes who frequent the area.
Additionally, Orlando is one of the top tourist destinations in the U.S. featuring the second largest number of hotel rooms in the city behind Las Vegas. Attractions provide quality entertainment for families with kids of all ages.
When to Go
Orlando weather is typically dry and mild during October through May, the best time to visit. Temperatures reach a cool 50 degrees at night and 72 degrees during the day. The rainy season starts in June and lasts until September. Temperatures rarely drop below 70 during this time.
How to Get There
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the main airport in Orlando. The destination offers non-stop, daily flights to international cities throughout the world on airlines including British Airways, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic and TAM Airlines. Orlando is the secondary headquarters for AirTran, Southwest and JetBlue, potentially leading to some of the best deals for domestic flights to this location. Interstate 4 is the main highway in Orlando, a convenient way to get around the area by car. Amtrak also runs along the CSX A Line from the Orlando Amtrak station to travel by train.
Must See
Watch the NBA basketball stars compete against the home team, the Orlando Magic. Or, take in an NCAA college football or baseball game at the University of Central Florida. Enjoy many of the serene lakes in the Orlando wetlands environment, including Lake Buena Vista. Tourists have flocked to the popular Walt Disney World Resort since 1971 or the Universal Orlando Resort near Universal Studios.