Orlando, Florida is a popular tourist destination in Southeastern region of USA. It is famously known for being home to some of the largest and most popular theme parks in the world including Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Universal Studio Florida and Legoland. Many of these theme parks also offers resorts that are popular for family vacation stays.
One notable fact about many of the theme park experiences is that they are always more expensive when compared to other smaller entertainment venues both in Orlando or around USA. This doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to enjoy a family, couple or solo vacation in Orlando. The area offers various alternative budget entertainment options that we will discuss in this blog.
First, of course, we need to discuss about getting into Orlando. Interstate I-95 and I-75 connects central Florida and Orlando. From I-75 drivers can take the ‘Florida Turnpike’ southbound from Ocala or northbound from Miami. This speedy toll highway, with ample rest areas for food, gas and shopping, allows pre or post pay of toll online using your license plate. From I-95 drivers take I-4 from the Atlantic coast (westbound) or Gulf of Mexico coast (eastbound from Tampa).
Orlando Airport is a major international airport with connection from all over North America, Europe, South and Central America. The airport lies just outside the city with shuttle connection from major hotels and resorts. Renting a car from the airport is a useful option if you plan to drive around to see nearby attractions outside the city.
The biggest entertainment draw are of course the Theme Parks as noted above. Disney Theme parks are located around Lake Buena Vista area and the city of Celebration, Florida. In additional to the big theme parks they also offer smaller parks that can be explored in few hours as well as Disney Springs, a large popular area with shopping mall, restaurants and movie theaters. Both Disney and Universal offers single and multi-day passes but they can get quiet expensive as you add various visiting options. Medium size theme parks such as Sea world, Legoland and Gator land can be explored within a day or two and tend to be less expensive. Check out the blog below fro one of our fellow bloggers about her experience at Disney’s EPCOT Theme park.
The city of Orlando itself offers many entertainment options including theater, movies, entertainment venues like WonderWorld, Ripley’s Believe It or Not and about 45 mins drive away is the world famous Kennedy Space Center offering many attractions for Space enthusiasts.
Icon Park is an entertainment complex, a few miles from Sea World Orlando. It has about 9 feature attractions including a 400-foot (120 m) observation wheel, a slingshot ride, a Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, and a Sea Life aquarium. The park also has various restaurants, shops, bars, and kiosk vendors. This is also another economic option to large theme parks.
One key attraction is the ‘Orlando Eye’ which allows visitors view of the entire city from high up above. On New Year’s Eve its a great place to view all the fireworks in various theme parks including the famous Disney Epcot show on seven lagoons.
Check out the video below for highlights of the Slingshot experience at ICON park!
All Around The World 