Top 10 Reasons Why Orlando Rocks

Sometimes people ask me why I love talking about Disney and why have I been so many times before.
I tell them the same ol' reasons. "It's not just Disney, but the whole Orlando experience and there is so much you can do". So with that said, I thought it was time to discuss my top 10 reasons for visiting Orlando, in reverse order and no prizes for guessing the top two:


10. It's An All Season Destination
Being in the tropics, the best time to go would be Spring or Autumn as it's warm enough for water parks, but not so hot that's you're having to douse 5 liter's of water a day! OK, slight exaggeration there, but summer is incredibly hot although the rain in the afternoon can be welcome, but it too is over powering at times.
But one of the most magical times to go is the build up to Christmas. All the parks have their own decorations and most have special parades or shows. The Grinchmas as Universal is a lot of fun and the famous parade in "the World" is on my bucket list. Although don't expect to go on too many attractions on Christmas day, that is mainly a soak up the atmosphere day. And get there early, as the gates close at about 11am as they have reached maximum capacity. Another one to avoid is 4th July.

But as a 365 destination, it means as an adult without kids you can avoid the crowds if you go outside the school holidays. And I would recommend just after Easter time or just before Thanksgiving (another full park day), as all attractions are likely to be open.




9. It's Not Just for Kids
Yes, a lot of families go there, but plenty of them don't have kids, or at least young kids and there are loads of adult only parties there (OK that didn't sound right). Most of the parks stay open really late and if you're staying on property, (Universal or Disney) there are extra hours when most of the youngsters are tucked up in bed for the next day.

Outta Control Comedy Dinner

There's a plethora of bars, clubs and shows in Downtown Disney or Universal City Walk and places like I Drive and Church Street Station have night time entertainment for any kind of taste. Actually I wouldn't recommend Church Street Station for kids anyway as it tends to be popular for Hen and Stag nights.
I would highly recommend you go to at lest one of the dinner shows, one of the most popular these days is Wonderworks and the Outta Control Comedy Dinner. 

8. It's For Families
OK, so that a contradiction to the previous reason, but that is the beauty of Orlando, anyone can go and enjoy themselves, but kids are the main target market here, let's not "kid" ourselves (see what I did there?) But I really don't have to say more than that do I?




7. Sports and Leisure Facilities
If theme parks are not your thing, then you'd probably think Orlando is the last place you'd think of. But look past the parks and there are plenty of things to do, OK I admit, you don't have to go to Orlando to do this stuff, but it's a great accompaniment for the people on your trip who don't just want to do parks. From balloon rides to the tree top adventure playgounds, from off-road 4x4 tours to the Airboat rides on the everglades. Now if speed is your thing, then you're going to love the Richard Petty driving Experience at Walt Disney World, here you can have a simple ride along experience or even take the NASCAR race car yourself.

But if you prefer a relaxing round of Golf, you have a choice of five Arnold Palmer Golf course at Walt Disney World, two of which have hosted PGA tournaments.
Then there is a host of activities at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, where you can try out from over 60 different sports at any level. Or catch one of the many sporting events that are held there or even watch one of the international teams that use the facilities for their off-season training.


6. The Night Life

I've already mentioned some of the night life in our number 9 reason, but there is plenty of things to do when that burning sun goes down (and if the kids have had an afternoon nap?) in Orlando.

I would first suggest the evening entertaining at some of the parks, Wishes Fireworks display at the Magic Kingdom or Illuminations at Epcot, both of these can be upgraded to a dinner experience at selected restaurants.
In Downtown Disney, there are many shows, including the world famous Circe du Soleil - La Nouba that can only be seen in Downtown Disney.


While over in Universal City Walk, there are also a wide range of shows and restaurants, but the high light would have to be the amusing Blue Man Group.

Now outside the parks over in I-Drive, there are a dozen of dinner shows for all the family, you can have an Arabian night, support your favorite Pirate or even experience the Medieval Times.

 

5. Other Theme Parks

Outside of the big two (we'll get to them!) there are other parks that can add to your Orlando Experience:

Sea World
This has always been a favorite of mine and one I tend to do on my first day. Although in recent times they have been subject of much criticism, the park attendances seem to be unaffected and with the Aquatica water park and Discovery Cove's VIP experiences, the park(s) offer some incredible family fun.

LegoLand
Opened in 2011 this park is huge with over 50 rides, show and attractions, including a water park, it's the second biggest Legoland after Windsor, UK.


Busch Gardens - Tampa
OK, not stricty Orlando, but only an hours drive from there. Before Animal Kingdom opened, I would always make a trip to this park, as I love the animals, it has over 2,700 of them! The attractions here are awesome and give anything in Orlando a run for its money.



4. The Resorts
One of my top tips is to stay on property, of course there is more choice at the world with 18 Disney themed hotels and 5 other franchises with a Four Seasons' on its way. But now even Universal have 4 themed hotels, with more to come. 

Staying at a resort hotel just tops the whole experience, with the free transportation that drops you off at the gate and not the car park, the extra hours and speedy boarding at the most popular attractions. The theming is for all tastes, From the All Star Sports/Music/Movies, to Yacht and Beach club, to the Animal Kingdom Lodge, to The Grand Floridian. So find one that suites your taste and budget and book it!


3. The Water Parks
Florida is hot in the summer and still very warm in the winter, the water parks traditionally have a month or two off either side of the new year, but open for the rest of the time. There are some of the tallest water slide drops in the world right here in Orlando and there are a few to choose from.


Wet 'n Wild

Wet 'n Wild

Voted the number one water park in Orlando by most blogs, forums and comparison sites and has recently become part of the Universal Orlando Resort parks. There are some excellent thrill rides here, along with plenty of slides for families and the less adventurous.

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon,
Disney's first water park opened in 1989 was one of the first ever water parks to have a wave machine pool. This park has some thrill slides but mostly focuses on the relaxed beach atmosphere.

Disney's Blizzard Beach,
The strangest theme for a water park, but the story is (as always with Disney) a freak snow storm hit Florida and creates an instant ski resort, but the Florida heat quickly melts the ice to be come a slushy water park. The rides here are more thrill based than Typhoon Lagoon boasting one of the tallest slides in the world - Summit Plummet. 

Note: The two Disney water parks have different closing times for refurbishments, so there is at least one water park open at World Disney World.

Aquatica
This is Sea Worlds entry and one of the newest water parks in Orlando. 
It seems to have two or three of every type of slide and water attraction. It has a South Pacifc theme and with live animal enclosures within some of the attractions. It's been a hit since it opened in 2008 and well recommended.


2. Universal Orlando

Escape from Grigotts

We'll I don't have to talk too much about this park as you can check out some of my posts right here. But as to sum up, this resort is just getting better and better, as thier Harry Potter franchise is just a storming success and with Diagon Alley opening this summer, there are more stages to come. There is also talk of 2 more resort hotels, for me this resort is becoming part of a 2 destination vacation along side...








1. Walt Disney World of course.

The park that started it all in Orlando. Disneyland was Walt's first park and where he walked. But World Disney World was the dream he sadly never got to see and if it wasn't for his brother Roy, we may never have seen.
And it may not be in the form that Walt originally had in mind, especially parks like EPCOT, but Roy's business mind and leadership kept the dream alive.



So there you have it, as if you really needed it, my top ten reasons to visit Orlando. So what are you waiting for, start planning and get booking, you know you want to...enjoy more.

Dale