Orlando Holidays

Orlando is bursting with family-friendly attractions and theme parks, but Universal Orlando Resort™ and Walt Disney World® Resort are the biggest. If you wanted to, you could spend your entire holiday riding rollercoasters, discovering fairy tale worlds, and meeting all your favourite characters.

Meanwhile, shopaholics will love International Drive Mall. This place is home to lots of the best-loved brands in the world, as well as plenty of restaurants, bowling alleys and places to unwind as a family. When you’re there, make sure to take a ride on The Wheel at ICON Park. The 120-metre landmark offers some of the best views across the city.

You can also get a taste of the central Everglades at Gatorland. It’s a fun family day out, packed with zip-lines, exhibits, rides and even four rare albino alligators. If you’ve got curious little minds with you, Orlando Science Museum is bound to be a hit. And, less than an hour’s drive east of Orlando, you’ll find the Kennedy Space Center – NASA’s gateway into outer space.

Nature might not be the first thing you might associate with an Orlando holiday, but this part of Florida has plenty of lovely parks and green spaces. Hidden in the heart of the city is the urban oasis of Leu Gardens. Wander through 50 acres of manicured garden, visit the museum or sit by the shores of Lake Rowena. You can also try paddle-boating at nearby Lake Eola, or wander through the park next to it.

If you fancy escaping the city for a day, the sprawling Lake Apopka is just half an hour’s drive west. It has a large population of alligators and you can take the loop trail around its shores. Alternatively, Moss Park is in the other direction and it’s home to deer, raccoons and plenty of other wildlife. Wekiva Springs State Park is another favourite of locals, where you can hike, cycle, horse ride or canoe through more than 7,000 acres of parkland.

Downtown Orlando – also known as the Central Business District – is where the city’s best bars, restaurants and nightlife spots can be found. Begin your evenings at Church Street. It’s packed with upscale restaurants including Ceviche, Artisan’s Table and Ember, all serving up contemporary cuisine. Hamburger Mary’s Bar & Grille might not look like much, but it’s where Orlando’s best weekly drag shows are held – you’ll stop by for one drink and end up staying for an evening of raucous entertainment.

A ‘block party’ is held on Wall Street Plaza every weekend and it’s always an occasion to remember. But if that’s not your thing, catch Broadway-quality shows, ballet and world-class musicians at Dr Phillips Centre for Performing Arts. And if you’re in the mood for a good laugh, SAK Comedy Lab is the best place to see up-and-coming comedians on their way to the top.

Holidays to Orlando are best planned for spring, as temperatures are generally in the mid-to-high twenties and humidity is lower. March to May is the ideal time to go, as you’ll be able to explore without the summer crowds and stifling heat. Autumn is also a great time to visit, as the weather remains warm and Halloween and Thanksgiving celebrations are in full swing.

Summer is Orlando’s busiest period, but temperatures can reach the high thirties and it is very humid. All of the main attractions are usually packed with locals on their summer breaks. Thunderstorms and even tornados can affect the city from late August to early September, so it’s not the ideal time for a break here.

Winter is Orlando’s quietest season, but virtually all of its theme parks and attractions stay open. Temperatures are usually in the low-mid teens and rarely dip to single figures – but it’s best to pack warm clothing, just in case.