2024 Best Sights Around Orlando Florida
Walt Disney World Orlando
Intro
When people hear about the city of Orlando, they think of Disney World and theme parks such as Animal Kingdom and Epcot. What people don’t realize is how much more the city has to offer in addition to being the most magical place on earth. It is filled with art, culture, nature, and some of the best restaurants around, sure to delight young and old alike.
What also makes Orlando great is it is smack dab in the middle of the state, allowing locals and tourists alike to visit some of the most beautiful beaches in the country in under two-hours. Here's the thing, Florida is known as the sunshine state, but unexpected rainstorms are a common occurrence in Florida during Hurricane Season (which is May through November, so yeah like half the year). Six months of out-of-the-blue rain storms. These storms come out of the clear blue sky (literally), and they are usually intense rain storms for like an hour or two, with loud thunder and bolts of lightning (that’s where the hockey team got its name) and then it goes back to a sunny day, like nothing happened. If you’re coming during the hurricane season months, you must prepare for that and the heat/humidity. What is great about Orlando is there is also a ton of indoor activities kids and adults will love. Another positive note to all that negative weather talk I just mentioned, during the rainy season you usually can get sweet hotel discounts and cheap flights being how uncomfortable it is to do just about anything that does not include excessive air conditioning.
Occasionally, it will rain in the morning during this time, but usually the rainstorms come somewhere between 1-5pm. What I would recommend, is to get to the theme parks as early as they open to beat the Florida heat, the crowds, and get your fill before getting rained on. If you are not afraid of a little rain (sometimes a lot of rain) and inclement weather and decided on an Orlando vacation during the summer months, below are some fun things to do indoors if you encounter a rainy day.
Universal Studios Orlando
-
The first time I went to Orlando (or the Beautiful City as some call it) was when I was 7-years-old. My family took a few day cruise to the Bahamas before spending the remainder of the trip in Orlando to visit Disney World.
I remember the Big Red Boat stopping off at Sandy Cay, Bahamas and my Mom telling me some of Gilligan's Island was filmed there. I am not sure why a 7-year-old would be so excited about Gilligan's Island as it was dated by the 1990's and it wasn't necessarily a kid show, but I was an odd duck and loved anything film or television themed from a very early age.
In the room I shared with my parents and brother, there were two sets of bunk beds. I was jazzed about it, but I wonder how my 30-year-old parents felt about it. Either worried that they would fall off the top bunk or that their children would, which subsequently happened to me a few years later while on vacation. Who knows which came first, the chicken or the egg. Was I not used to bunk beds because my parents didn’t let me sleep on them or did my parents not let me sleep on them because I was not used to them, but I digress.
The last vivid memory I have of the trip prior to arriving in Orlando was how rocky the Atlantic Ocean was on our cruise. I was all excited to go swimming in the pool so I got in my bathing suit and put my floaties and goggles on just to get down there and have my mom tell me I couldn't go swimming. Still to this day I remember thinking, well why did we go through this whole suiting up process just to not swim?? To be fair to my mom, the rockiness of the Atlantic Ocean made the ship rock, and in turn waves in the pool, so little Tracy (even with floaties) probably wouldn't have made her way out of that pool.
Nevertheless, I loved Orlando and Disney World, minus the fireworks every night. I hate loud sounds to this day, but I did handle the fireworks much better when visiting in my 20s.
The first time I went again in my 20s, I went with a few friends for a long weekend. We focused primarily on going out in downtown Orlando and the theme parks (Epcot and Universal). I visited a second time in my 20s with my parents and we went to Epcot and SeaWorld. What I loved the most as an adult was the Around the World dining experience in Epcot.
-
As you can imagine, Orlando is one of the most visited cities in the world, largely due to it's housing a plethora of attractions and theme parks.
Orlando was founded on July 31st, 1875. It would be another almost hundred years before Walt Disney World opened its doors in Orlando in 1971.
Surprisingly, the first theme park in Orlando wasn't Disney World but a theme park called Gatorland, which is still in existence today.
-
Planning a trip to Orlando is easy and difficult at the same time. Easy in the sense that there is a ton to do so every person will find at least a few things to do that interest them.
Difficult in the sense of there are so many things to do and usually only so much time to do them. Especially if you are going with a big group with varying interests.
What I recommend always is identifying your budget and time you can take off of work or school. That will help you pick your hotel and location as well as pepper in activities and restaurants that is approved by the group. Orlando is peppered with a plethora of hotels and vacation rentals near every point of interest, that will accommodate most every persons budget.
-
When I went to Orlando a few times as an adult, I stayed in Marriott's Grande Vista in Orlando, Orlando World Center Marriott, and the SpringHill Suites Orlando at SeaWorld. The Orlando World Center has an amazing pool situation that would delight kids and adults alike.
Orlando is filled with a lot of great options for hotels as well as vacation rentals. You will find multiple hotel brands within the major chains that will cater to everyone's budget, such as:
Marriott
Hilton
IHG
Hyatt
Wyndham
Epcot Orlando
-
If you only know Orlando, Florida for their amusement parks and that’s all you want to know, you are in the right place. Orlando, as many people know, have a plethora outdoor theme parks and even an indoor amusement park or two as well as water parks. Universal Studios also has Universal Citywalk if you’re more interested in grabbing some food, movie, or a show.
-
If your trip to Orlando is adults only and aren’t afraid of a little gamble, you may want to check out the below casinos in the Orlando area for another indoor activity in case of bad weather.
-
This list is a bit of a catch-22 as outlet malls typically have outdoor walkways between the stores, but you can stay dry while in each store. On the upside there are quite a few outlet options in a small radius.
-
The above is an extensive list of indoor attractions and a great way to spend time during rainy weather in Central Florida. Whether staying on International Drive, Disney Springs, or Downtown Orlando, you will find the perfect place to flee the inclement weather.
SeaWorld Orlando
-
Lake Apopka is the largest lake in the Orlando area, under 30 minutes from the city. Lake Apopka is known for most of the common outdoor activities such as hiking/running trails, biking, kayaking, and fishing.
I have compiled a list of some lakes in the area to fulfill any nature lovers fantasies.
-
The three times I have visited Orlando were quick trips, only spending 3-4 days in the city and primarily focusing on the theme parks, so most of my eating was done at different restaurants at the theme parks or breakfast at the hotels I was staying at. My last two trips to Orlando as an adult, I visited SeaWorld, Epcot and Universal.
-
-
-
Animal Kingdom Orlando
Conclusion
I hope you have enjoyed learning a little more on what Orlando, Florida has to offer or at the very least refreshing your memory and sparking a desire to visit the Magic City again soon.
Whether optimal weather or budget friendly is your focus, you will never be at a shortage in Orlando for indoor or outdoor activities to entertain the whole family.
Quote
“Your body is not a temple, it's an amusement park. Enjoy the ride.” Anthony Bourdain
Next on the Blog…
Make sure to check out my other Florida blog posts covering Tampa, Miami, and St. Augustine.
Walt Disney World Orlando