Exploring Orlando! Orlando is without doubt one of the most visited holiday destinations in the world. Situated in Florida, USA, this sun drenched city is home to a number of world-class theme parks and a host of other thriving tourist attractions. Either a thrilling adventure at Disney World or a relaxing family holiday spend by one of the city’s many lakes, Orlando holidays offer the very best of vacations. The following guide will help you decide what time of the year to go, and how to get the best out of your visit.
Best Time to Visit Orlando
Orlando has good weather all year long. But finding the best time to visit depends on what you want to do.
Winter (December to February): The best time to visit, with cooler temperatures between 50s and 70s (°F), and lighter crowds after the craziness of the Christmas holidays. The outdoor activities are still enjoyable. If you want to visit the theme parks, this is the time when wait times are the shortest and the weather is best for walking around.
Spring (March to May) Another great time of year to travel to Orlando is in the spring. The weather doesn’t get too hot and the humidity hasn’t kicked in yet, usually in the 70s and 80s. Theme parks clear out at this time and outdoor attractions like the Kennedy Space Center are popular for spring break and Easter so plan your trip accordingly. Exploring Orlando.
Summer (June to August): This is Orlando’s busiest time of year as kids are out of school. Temperatures routinely make it into the 90s, and frequent afternoon rain showers add more humidity to the mix. But if you’re travelling with children and this is the only time you can go, bite the bullet – just be prepared for crowds that are out in full force. Orlando’s many water parks will help beat the heat.
Fall (September to November): Fall is the best value for beating the summer crowds without making much of a sacrifice on the weather: most days remain in the 70s and 80s, and several of the theme parks host fun Halloween events. Early fall, particularly September, can still be hot, but October and November are much more comfortable. Exploring Orlando
Top Attractions and How to Explore Them | Exploring Orlando
Theme parks are not all that Orlando has to offer, but if you’re going to visit, you might as well make the most of them. Here’s how… 1. Disney World: Magic Kingdom. This is your must-do Orlando attraction, full-stop. Do make a reservation for the FastPass+. First thing: head to Mickey’s PhilharMagic, the 3D cartoon show in Fantasyland – the queue here is always ridiculously long, but you can get in on your FastPass+. After watching Mickey’s PhilharMagic, you will be better prepared for the Wreck-It Ralph attraction in Tomorrowland, where the motion-simulation ride is a 3D game. Exploring Orlando.
Then, Fantasyland has some of the best rides in the park. Next, hop aboard the Jungle Cruise in Adventureland (second queue, as it doesn’t require FastPass+) and then move on to Pirates of the Caribbean (but don’t get on the ride – instead, sit on a bench during the boat’s slow chug around the ride). Grab a bite to eat (there’s a snack bar and nice waterfall area, which will make you feel like a jungle explorer rather than a tourist at Disney). Exploring Orlando
At noon, jump on the Haunted Mansion, the dry fun-house ride in Liberty Square (again, no FastPass needed, but the queue moves slowly). Then have lunch, then head to Space Mountain (heavy on the second lunch, as you’ll be spending a while here). The standby FastPass+ queues on these attractions are horrendous: 110 minutes, 75 minutes, 40 minutes. Exploring Orlando! You don’t want to be in any of them! Skip the most popular shops, and opt for slightly less popular ones (such as the Briar Patch in the Country Bears Jamboree area in Frontierland) so you can avoid long lines at the cash registers. The Jungle Navigation Co Ltd skipper Canteen in Adventureland has a good selection of food. Cool off, and relax in an air-conditioned hammock! When you’re ready to go back to the world, do so via the Tom Sawyer Island rafts. Exploring Orlando.
Then, head to the New Fantasyland area for your dinner-and-a-show, where the Be Our Guest restaurant serves the Grey Stuff (it’s delicious!) and Tangled’s lantern dance. Finally, get to the front of the park and watch the fireworks, but only if the fireworks have not been canceled. Exploring Orlando.
2. Disney World: Animal Kingdom.
The magic is strong in the air here. Will you be impressed by the animals? Possibly (but mostly not). Should you book an in-park three-course lunch at the Tusker House? Yes, definitely. Other than that, use your FastPass+ for Kilimanjaro Safaris (a bumpy bus safari), see the Finding Nemo display, check out the Genie character (and the rug from Aladdin), ride on Expedition Everest, and then move on to a Harry Potter park (Universal or Warner Bros, your choice). Exploring Orlando.
3. Disney World: Epcot. Should you ride Test Track in Future World? Not really. Instead, go to Mission: SPACE, shoot your way to Mars, and then watch the 360-degree 4D movie of the mission’s doomed return journey to Earth.
4. Disney World: Hollywood Studios. Yes, you will see the Star Wars attractions, but there is very little else to do in an otherwise unfinished and cheaply themed park.
- Walt Disney World Resort The key attraction of Orlando tourism is Disney World, consisting of four theme parks – Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You can spend almost a full day in each one. Tip: Download the My Disney Experience app to check wait times, book dining and buy ‘Lightning Lanes’ (Disney’s new paid FastPass system). The light area of the image shows the smallest crowds (at Mickey’s Toontown) Visit mid-week during school term to avoid big crowds. Exploring Orlando.
- Universal Orlando Resort The company’s flagship attraction is Universal Orlando, which has two main parks (Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure) and the ultra-popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Potter aficionados aren’t the only ones here, however: thrill-seekers will love rides such as The Incredible Hulk Coaster and Revenge of the Mummy. Tip: The two parks are linked by the Hogwarts Express – you’ll need a two-park ticket to ride, hence the name, but it’s well worth it to see both in the same day. Express Passes are also a good investment if you’re going in peak season and don’t want to wait in those long queues.
- SeaWorld Orlando SeaWorld Orlando features a wide variety of roller coasters as well as encounters with animals and amazing live shows. It’s home to one of the tallest and fastest roller coasters in Florida, called Mako. Top Tip: Get there early, before the crowd. Not only are the animal shows worth watching, but the exhibits are also less crowded in the morning. Reserve opportunities for feeding dolphins or sea lions in advance. Exploring Orlando.
- ICON Park ICON Park on International Drive has The Wheel, a huge observation wheel offering views over Orlando, as well as several restaurants, bars and attractions such as Madame Tussauds Orlando and SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium. Pro tip: ICON Park is fun in the evening, and there are several family-friendly casual-dining options nearby. You can regularly find coupons for The Wheel and other attractions that offer combo tickets and bring the price way down.
- Lake Eola Park Escaping the clutches of the theme parks, head to downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola Park for a calming swan boat paddle along the lake, a walk or a free concert at the amphitheater. TIP: If possible, go on a Sunday morning to browse the Orlando Farmers Market held there – there are stalls every week selling local produce, crafts and food.
Getting Around Orlando | Exploring Orlando
As Orlando is a large town, how you get around depends a lot on where you are staying. Out-of-towners usually rent their own vehicles, especially those who are planning to visit a series of theme parks, although the hotel chains at some of the biggest parks, such as at Disney or Universal, offer extensive free transfer services via bus, bateau or monorail to get you between your resort and the park. Exploring Orlando.
Public transport in Orlando is poor: one option is to use the I-Ride Trolley which operates through the International Drive area, calling at many attractions and hotels, but there are ride-sharing apps such as Uber and Lyft all over town. Exploring Orlando.
Final Thoughts
And it is worth pointing out that it’s not all theme parks – no matter that they account for an awful lot of fun in Orlando. Orlando can be an adrenalin-soaked destination, a family vacation, or, like ours, a place to relax and recharge. Like any worthwhile destination, there’s a season for Orlando that best suits your needs. Now that we have our tried-and-true equipment for staying sane and seeing everything in Orlando – apps, Express Passes, Early Park Access – we can come when we want, and enjoy the mix of magic and excitement that makes Orlando a great trip no matter what the season. Exploring Orlando.