A Guide To Orlando Wonders
Orlando is one of the main destinations in the United States. Disney and Universal parks attract people from all over the world and fulfill the dreams of the little ones (and the not-so-small ones). You will not lack things to do in Orlando: from feeling in a Harry Potter movie to taking a picture with Mickey Mouse. In this post we tell you the most important things to do in Orlando.
Enjoy like a child in the Magic Kingdom Park
The main attraction of Orlando is to visit the Disney parks. It is worth spending at least one day at Magic Kingdom, the main park. Its icon is Cinderella’s castle, where every night there are fireworks, music and lights show, held at 9pm. Do not miss it because it is pure magic! In addition, it is the park with more attractions and shows directly related to Disney characters. You can’t leave Orlando without spending at least one day in Magic Kingdom.
Take a picture with Mickey and Minnie the explorers in the Animal Kingdom
Another highly acclaimed Disney park is Animal Kingdom. As the name implies, it is dedicated to animals. You could say that it is a zoo set by Disney. You can even do a safari and see giraffes, elephants or zebras in one of the attractions. We don’t like it too much since we are not supporters of zoos, and in addition, it is very crowded. But the decoration of the park is very successful and perfectly recreates various parts of the world such as Africa or Nepal.
That aside, it’s the best park if you want to take a picture with Mickey and Minnie together. They are both all day in the Adventurers Outpost booth. They wear a suit of explorers and they are hilarious. During the early hours of the day there is not much queue, so it is a great opportunity to meet them.
Feel like in a movie in the magical world of Harry Potter
The most popular part of Universal Studios is Diagon Alley, where you can immerse yourself in the Harry Potter universe. There is a super original roller coaster that combines real falls with virtual reality. You have to try it! But the magic is not there. If you have entrance to the two Universal parks you can reach Hogsmeade aboard the Hogwarts Express train. It seems like a super original way to move from one park to another, it is a truly magical journey that will delight Harry Potter fans.
Dive from the highest water slide in the USA at Universal’s Volcano Bay
Universal has not wanted to be left behind and has also opened a water park. It is mounted around a 200 feet (61m) volcano. Are there several water slides that cross this false volcano, including the highest in the entire country. There are also several swimming pools and water attractions for all ages.
See dolphins in Clearwater Beach
Just a two-hour drive from downtown Orlando there is a crystal clear water beach. You can consider renting a car in Orlando to get there, it will be useful also to visit all the Disney, Marvel, Universal parks around.
So after a pleasent drive, you will arrive to Clearwater Beach. Many say it is the best beach in the United States, those in Hawaii may have a say, but from mainland you can tell! The white sand and the crystal clear water make it an ideal beach to spend a very relaxed day. That is why many celebrities have spectacular mansions there. But the most interesting thing about Clearwater Beach is that you can easily see dolphins near the shore.
Learn about life aboard a rocket at the Kennedy Space Center
A fascinating visit to do in Orlando is the Kennedy space center. It is named in honor of President Kennedy, who proposed them as a launching center for manned missions. Kennedy did not see it finished, but it has served its purpose since 1968. In addition, it serves as a teaching and entertainment center. You can tour the facilities, try a launch simulator, see the costumes used for various missions and even the rockets, there is even a hall of fame for American astronauts. The 3D projections about life in space are also very interesting. If you want to explore the launch control room and take-off facilities further, you can take a guided tour.
The rates are quite high, but it is worth investing that money in learning and spending a very entertaining day.
Go on an excursion to the oldest town in the United States
A good plan to do in Orlando for history lovers is to discover St. Augustine. Another good reason to have a rent a car in to move around Orlando area. This city is considered the oldest city of European origin in the United States. It was discovered in 1565 by a Spanish explorer and was the capital of Spanish Florida until 1824. Today you can visit its historical wonders, such as Fort Matanzas and Castillo de San Marcos. Its cobbled streets still retain many colonial buildings.
Find bargains at the Orlando Premium Outlets – Vineland Ave.
Orlando is a shopper’s paradise. And it is that one of the most popular things to do in Orlando is to take advantage of the good prices of its outlets. There are many shopping centers with discounts in the city, but we especially recommend the Vineland Ave Premium Outlets. There are clothing and accessories stores for all tastes and budgets. We found great deals on Converse, GAP, Victoria’s Secret and Polo Ralph Lauren.
The shops are outdoors, so it seems a more pleasant place to spend the day than a closed mall. There is also a food court with several restaurants. If you can, avoid going on the weekend because that’s when there are more people.
Discover the Harry P. Leu Gardens botanical garden
If you want a place to breathe calmly after so much theme park we recommend this botanical garden. There are a lot of different flowers according to the time of the year, always very well maintained. The place is very quiet and has a special charm. To give you the idea of how beautiful it is, there are many weddings. Admission fees are cheap and really worth it!
If you want to continue your trip around the USA with us, be free to explore our travel section for more guides!
