Sun, nearby beaches, the possibility of meeting Mickey Mouse and also, increase networking networks. Can you ask for anything more? There is no doubt, traveling to Orlando to attend a conference or for work reasons is a unique opportunity.
In fact, business trips to this city are nothing unusual. For conferences and events, Orlando has the second largest convention center in the United States (BestDay, n.d.). This, without counting its golf courses and shopping centers. Let’s not waste any more time, know the best options to travel to Orlando on vacation and for work.
Mix Business and Pleasure: Why Travel to Orlando
Traveling to Orlando is a mix of functionality and fun. It has options for all tastes. Not for nothing almost 52 million tourists visit it every year (BestDay, n.d.). Hotels are generally adapted for good rest. But they also have connectivity options in case work needs to be done.
In addition, there is a very interesting offer of properties that are rented on a short-term basis. So lodging options are plenty.
To organize a trip to this destination, regardless of whether it is for business or pleasure, there are three very marked seasons (Orlando Florida Destination Guide, 2018):
- High season: mid-June to mid-August and mid-December to early January.
- The middle season: from the end of May to mid-June, the last fortnight of August and all of October.
- Finally, the low season: May, September, November, early December and almost all of January.
Now, in more detail, know how to best plan the various trips that can be made to Orlando.
For fun
The best thing to travel to Orlando is to be specific in the things you want to visit. There are so many options, it can be overwhelming.
For example, if it doesn’t take much time or budget, it’s a good idea to choose one of the Disney or Universal theme parks that interest you most (Orlando Florida Destination Guide, 2018). There are so many things, that it is worth dedicating a whole day to each one.
But there are also other options, for example, taking a shopping trip through the big outlets (Thompson and Mantz, 2019). In addition to what has already been mentioned, some activities that we recommend you enjoy are (Intriper, 2018):
- Visit water parks like SeaWorld Orlando.
- Walk through Downtown Orlando to enjoy its cinemas, theaters, bars and the mythical Planet Hollywood.
- Shop at Premium Vineland Ave and Premium International Drive, outlets with more than 50 stores.
- Enjoy a free show or concert at the Lake Eola amphitheater.
As we discussed at the beginning, you can’t do everything. A 4-day trip could include two parks, a downtown walk, and a day of shopping.
For work reasons
The Orange County Convention Center is the second largest of its kind in the United States. It is very likely that it will ever be necessary to travel to Orlando for a congress or event held there.
More than 230 events are held annually, with a flow of 1.4 million attendees (Orange County Government, n.d.). If you find yourself in such a situation, you are likely wondering what recreational options are available. It actually has three interesting plans:
1. One mile away is Pointe Orlando, a shopper’s paradise. If you go a little further, 3 miles, you will reach the Victoria Secret Outlet, with very low prices on the brand’s products (Google Maps, n.d.).
2. Nightlife is also a possibility. At the Pointe Orlando Mall, there is a wide variety of restaurants, bars and places to listen to music (Orlando Vacation, n.d.). 3. If the above were not enough, you can also connect with nature. Very close to the convention center is Butler Chain of Lakes, where you can go boating and fishing (Orlando Vacation, n.d.).
Family plan to enjoy a business trip
Another option to travel to Orlando for work and then turn it into a pleasure plan, is to invite the family. You can arrive with peace of mind, concentrate on your event or business and as soon as it is over, receive your loved ones to start a vacation.
It’s very easy because the convention center is 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport. From there it is accessible to move to the various parks (Orange County Government, n.d.).
Travel to Orlando: the door to the ocean
Just because it’s in central Florida doesn’t mean traveling to Orlando means missing out on the beaches. Miami is only 3 and a half hours away (Google Maps, n.d.).
A good idea is to rent a car and make stops at the paradisiacal beaches of Interstate 95 until you reach Miami.
Other points that can be visited are (Intriper, 2018):
- Legoland: The Lego theme park that is in Winter Haven, 45 minutes from Orlando.
- Kennedy Space Center: It is in Cape Canaveral, 45 minutes from Orlando. It is one of NASA’s strategic bases.
More than traveling to Orlando: opportunities to invest
It’s not just attractive travel to Orlando. This city is also good for investing, especially in the field of real estate (Garro, 2018). Orlando is a city that has been consolidated as a tourist destination for years. But the convention center has strengthened its vocation in the field of business tourism.
For the real state there is a very attractive indicator: although the price of real estate has risen, it still remains below the national average (Garro, 2018).
Another fact that we want to highlight is that during 2019, 55% of foreigners who bought properties in Orlando came from Latin America (Gómez, 2020).
There are 3 attractive markets for short or long term rentals (Garro, 2018):
- Tourists attract theme parks.
- Business travelers from the convention center.
- The category of baby boomers that performs medical tourism in the area.
- Orlando is home to the University of Central Florida, the largest public campus in the United States by number of students.
For all the reasons we have mentioned, traveling to Orlando is an excellent idea. Whether to do business, search for properties, enjoy with the family or simply take a picture with Mickey Mouse.
References
BestDay, (undated). Orlando area, United States. Retrieved from https://www.bestday.com.ar/Orlando-area-Florida/
Garro, L. (April 21, 2018). Why it’s good business to invest in Orlando. The Nation. Retrieved from https://www.lanacion.com.ar/propiedades/por-que-es-un-buen-negocio-invertir-en-orlando-nid2127743
Nation. Retrieved from https://www.lanacion.com.ar/propiedades/por-que-es-un-buen-negocio-invertir-en-orlando-nid2127743
Orange County Government. (undated). Convention Center.
Retrieved from https://espanol.orangecountyfl.net/ConventionCenter.aspx#.X4SzTJMzZfQ
Gómez, A. (May 11, 2020). COVID-19 makes it easier for
foreigners buying property in Orlando. Hello News. Retrieved from https://holanews.com/el-covid-19-hace-mas-facil-para-extranjeros-comprar-propiedades-en-orlando-2/
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Google Maps. (undated). [Map of Orange County, United States in
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Intriper. (January 18, 2018). 7 Great Things to Do in Orlando
(in addition to the Theme Parks). Retrieved from https://intriper.com/lectura/7-actividades-geniales-para-hacer-en-orlando-ademas-de-los-parques-tematicos/
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Orlando Florida Destination Guide. (July 9, 2018). The best season
to travel to Disney World? Retrieved from https://espanol.orlando-florida.net/articulos-de-prensa/la-mejor-temporada-para-viajar-a-disney-world
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