Discover Orlando Florida
Orlando gets 75+ million visitors a year — more than almost any city on earth. Most of them come for the theme parks. But Orlando has a lot more going on than Mickey Mouse and butterbeer.
Quick Facts: Orlando is in Central Florida, home to Walt Disney World, Universal, and SeaWorld. Best time to visit: January–February and September–November for lower crowds and cooler temps.
Watch: Discover Orlando Florida — Fun Things To Do Beyond the Theme Parks, guided
4 videos · summaries from the actual guidesHere’s the full rundown — the parks everyone knows, the stuff most visitors miss, and how to do it all without going broke.
The Big Theme Parks
This is why most people come. No point pretending otherwise.
Walt Disney World — Four parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Multi-day tickets are the move — single-day park-hopper passes are shockingly expensive (north of $200/person). Magic Kingdom at night is genuinely magical regardless of your age.
Universal Orlando Resort — Two parks (Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure) plus the new Epic Universe. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter spans both original parks and connected by the Hogwarts Express. Velocicoaster at Islands of Adventure is one of the best roller coasters in the country.
SeaWorld Orlando — Marine park with coasters and animal exhibits. The roller coasters (Mako, Kraken, Manta) are legitimately great. Less crowded than Disney or Universal. Aquatica water park is next door.
LEGOLAND Florida — In Winter Haven, about 45 minutes southwest. Best for kids ages 2-12. The Miniland USA area built entirely from LEGO bricks is impressive regardless of age.
Beyond the Parks
ICON Park — The observation wheel (formerly the Orlando Eye) gives you a 400-foot view of the Orlando area. The complex also has Madame Tussauds, SEA LIFE Aquarium, and a collection of restaurants and bars.
International Drive (I-Drive) — The tourist strip outside the parks. Go-karts, mini golf, escape rooms, dinner shows, and Topgolf. Touristy? Absolutely. But I-Drive Nascar (indoor go-kart racing) and iFLY indoor skydiving are genuinely fun.
Fun Spot America — Two parks in the Orlando area with go-karts, coasters, and rides. The admission model is pay-per-ride or wristband — much cheaper than the big parks.
Kennedy Space Center — Technically on the Space Coast (about an hour east), but most Orlando visitors make the day trip. The Vehicle Assembly Building, real launch pads, the Atlantis shuttle exhibit, and lunch with an astronaut. One of the best attractions in Florida, period.
Gatorland — The “Alligator Capital of the World.” Gator wrestling shows, a breeding marsh with a boardwalk, zip lines over the gators, and an unironic old-Florida charm that the big parks have sanitized away. Been here since 1949.
Nature & Outdoors
Wekiwa Springs State Park — 30 minutes north. Crystal-clear natural spring for swimming, plus kayaking and paddleboard rentals on the Wekiva River. The water is 72°F year-round.
Blue Spring State Park — 45 minutes north in Orange City. Massive manatee gathering site November through March. The spring run is crystal-clear — you can count individual manatees from the boardwalk.
Harry P. Leu Gardens — 50-acre botanical oasis in the middle of the city. The rose garden is one of the largest in Florida. Peaceful and under-visited.
Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve — Hiking trails through flatwoods and cypress swamps on the southwest side of Orlando. Quiet, free, and usually nearly empty.
Ocala National Forest — About an hour north. Natural springs (Juniper, Alexander, Silver Glen), hiking the Florida Trail, and some of the wildest backcountry left in central Florida.
Food & Restaurants
The Ravenous Pig (Winter Park) — James Beard–nominated gastropub. The pork belly and burger are the standards. Excellent craft cocktails.
Se7en Bites (Milk District) — Southern comfort breakfast and bakery. The biscuits and gravy are a religious experience. Lines on weekends.
Hawkers Asian Street Food (Mills 50 / I-Drive) — Pan-Asian street food, loud, fast, and ridiculously good. The roti canai and laksa are standouts.
Boston Lobster Feast — All-you-can-eat lobster and seafood on I-Drive. Not fine dining — but unlimited lobster claws for under $50 is hard to argue with.
Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge — African-inspired buffet inside Disney property. One of the best buffets in Orlando. You don’t need a park ticket, just a dining reservation.
Orlando Resort Properties
Orlando has 5 timeshare resort properties available through promotional deals:
- Magic Tree Resort — Kissimmee, independent timeshare resort near Disney
- Silver Lake Resort (Silver Points) — Kissimmee, independent
- Festiva Orlando Resort — Kissimmee, Festiva chain
- Legacy Vacation Club Lake Buena Vista — Orlando, near Disney
- Legacy Vacation Club Orlando Oaks — Kissimmee
Promotional stays start from $197 for 4 nights / 5 days, up to 6 guests. Attend a 120-minute presentation, then enjoy the rest of your trip.
Call (888) 988-2256 for current Orlando availability.
Vacation Deals
💰 Save on Your Orlando Stay
Qualified visitors can stay at resort-quality properties in Orlando for a fraction of the retail rate — in exchange for attending a 90-to-120-minute vacation ownership preview.
Packages from $197
Call (888) 988-2256 — Check Availability
Must be 26+, meet household income requirements, and attend a presentation about vacation ownership. No obligation to purchase. Full details →
View Orlando Timeshare Promotions →