Orlando’s parks are the first thing that comes to mind when naming this Florida city. In fact, Orlando is known as the world capital of these themed places (Visit Orlando, 2020a).
Around 70 million travelers from all over the world come to Orlando every year to have fun and get to know this destination. The city is located in central Florida, about 380 kilometers from Miami. It has many attractions, but perhaps Orlando’s parks make it one of the most entertaining and visited cities (Rodriguez, 2020).
Traveling to Orlando is not only a dream for children, adults also want to go and have fun in its impressive theme parks. So if you’re planning to travel to Orlando’s parks, we’ll tell you everything you need to know.
What and how many are the parks in Orlando?
It’s hard to say exactly how many Orlando parks are, as there are more than 14.
The most famous theme parks you can visit with the whole family (Visit Orlando, 2020a), are:
- Magic Kingdom
- Epcot
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- and Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Disneyland Typhoon Lagoon
- Disney’s Blizzard’s Beach
- Universal Studios Florida
- Universal Islands of Adventure Park
- SeaWorld Orlando
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- Universal’s Volcano Bay
- Discovery Cove
- Legoland
In addition to these, there are other theme parks, convention centers, and attractions worth visiting. For example, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, a sports center that includes facilities for outdoor sports, indoors, hotels, shops, and where the NBA and MLS have been played (ESPN, 2020).
There’s also the Titanic The Artifact Exhibition. An exact replica of the famous ship with historical pieces and testimonies of the survivors (Lonely Planet, n.d.). There’s Old Town, where you’ll see a recreation of a classic Florida town from the ’70s (Visit Orlando, 2020b). Orlando Science Center, a place to learn about science, technology, engineering and math in a fun way (Visit Orlando, 2020c). And Fun Spot America , a large amusement park where you will find, among other things, the tallest Sky Coasters in the world (Visit Orlando, 2020d).
Below, find everything you need to know to visit Orlando’s parks.
Tips to make the most of visiting Orlando’s parks
Plan ahead
The first thing you need to do is plan your trip in advance. This is essential as it will determine the total cost of the trip. If this is the first time you are going to travel to Orlando, it is convenient to dedicate at least one week; The ideal is 8 to 10 days. Another important point is to be clear about which Orlando parks you want to visit. This, to be able to make reservations and buy tickets to theme parks in advance (Rodríguez, 2020).
Best Season to Travel to Orlando Parks
The best season to visit Orlando’s parks is the low season dates. That is, the month of January, the summer season, between August and September, and October and November. The dates to avoid at all costs are Thanksgiving, Spring Break, December and Easter (Isaac, 2016).
Transport
The best way to get around in Orlando is by renting a car, although this will depend on you to the extent you need it. For example, it is important to know which park they will visit during their stay because if they are only going to be at Disney or Universal, this will include free transportation to certain parks. But, if your idea is to visit several parks, then it will be better to rent a vehicle (Isaac, 2016).
Where to stay
In Orlando you will find many accommodation options between hotels, apartments and houses. Keep in mind if you want to stay in the hotels in the park or outside them. Depending on what you choose, it can include transportation to and from the airport, to the parks, free parking, overtime in the parks, and breakfast (Isaac, 2016).
Where to eat
The offer of restaurants in Orlando is very varied and you can find a wide selection of places to choose from. From dishes prepared by nationally famous chefs, local legends and gastronomy from around the world. Among the dining districts are: Disney Springs, Universal CityWalk, International Drive and Restaurant Row (Visit Orlando, 2020e).
What to bring to Orlando
When visiting the parks of Orlando do not forget to bring (Orlando Florida, 2018a):
- Comfortable shoes and clothes.
- Backpack, purse or backpack.
- Camera for photos.
- Raincoat.
- Loader.
- Plastic bag to protect your devices in case you get on the water attractions.
- Hand sanitizer.
- Glasses.
- Sunscreen.
- Bottle of water.
Things to avoid in Orlando parks
Lastly, the things to avoid doing when visiting Orlando Parks are ( Orlando Florida, 2020b):
- Arriving late to the theme parks.
- Wanting to see everything.
- Plan only the trip for adults.
- Traveling without a plan.
- Stay away from the parks of Orlando.
- Eat only fast food.
- Assume that attractions are for all ages.
And that’s it! With these recommendations you are ready to visit the parks of Orlando with your family and spend an amazing vacation.
References
ESPN. (June 11, 2020). Get to know the sports complex that saved the NBA and MLS seasons. ESPN. Retrieved from: https://www.espn.com.co/otros-deportes/nota/_/id/7035714/espn-wide-world-sports-disney-conoce-el-complejo-salvo-nba-mls
Isaac, G. (October 15, 2016). Tips to organize the trip to Orlando. The Clarín. Retrieved from: https://www.clarin.com/viajes/orlando-tips-planear-viaje_0_rJbUp6uP7g.html
Lonely Planet. (n.d.). Titanic: The Artifac Exhibition. Lonely Planet. Retrieved from: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/florida/orlando/activities/titanic-the-artifact-exhibition/a/pa-act/v-32935P1/361904
OrlandoFlorida. (2018a). 10 essential things to bring to Disney World. OrlandoFlorida, Destination Guide. Retrieved from: https://espanol.orlando-florida.net/articulos-de-prensa/10-cosas-esenciales-que-llevar-a-disney-world
OrlandoFlorida. (2018b). 10 things you should not do at Disney World. OrlandoFlorida, Destination Guide. https://espanol.orlando-florida.net/articulos-de-prensa/10-cosas-que-no-debes-hacer-en-disney-world
Rodriguez, T. (March 3, 2020). Everything you need to know before traveling to Orlando. La Vanguardia. Retrieved from: https://www.lavanguardia.com/ocio/viajes/20200303/473914654348/orlando-consejos-parques-tematicos-disney-universal.html
VisitOrlando. (2020a). Theme Parks in Orlando. VisitOrlando. https://www.visitorlando.com/es/actividades/parques-tematicos?page=1&location=West%20Coast%20Florida
VisitOrlando. (2020b). Old Town. VisitOrlando. Retrieved from: https://www.visitorlando.com/en/things-to-do/nightlife-and-entertainment/46498
VisitOrlando. (2020c). Orlando Science Center. VisitOrlando. Retrieved from: https://www.visitorlando.com/en/things-to-do/arts-culture-and-history/31265
Visitorlando. (2020d). Fun Spot America Theme Parks Orlando. VisitOrlando. Retrieved from: https://www.visitorlando.com/en/things-to-do/attractions/31106
VisitOrlando. (2020e). Explore unique restaurants in Orlando. VisitOrlando. Retrieved from: https://www.visitorlando.com/es/actividades/restaurantes?page=1
