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FLORIDA

Orlando travel guide

When to go, what to do, and why you’ll love it

The Times

Why you’ll love it

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Orlando is designed for pleasure. Granted, much of that pleasure is of the adrenaline-high-meets-sugar-rush variety, but don’t let that diminish the creative genius and high-tech wizardry that brings each theme park experience to life.

Walt Disney first imagined-up ultimate family holiday destinations in the mid-1960s and the parks have constantly evolved ever since: there’s a chance to meet with Elsa and Anna at Royal Summerhaus in Epcot; swig butterbeer in Hogsmeade in Universal’s Islands of Adventure; and whiz down a high-speed slide through a 200ft volcano at Volcano Bay.

In 2021 there was the arrival of Florida’s fastest and tallest launch coaster, Jurassic World VelociCoaster, at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at Epcot will make guests “shrink” to the size of Chef Remy as they race through Gusteau’s restaurant. Over in the Aquatica waterpark, Florida’s first-ever duelling waterslide, Riptide Race, opened. This is your chance to sit atop a 68-foot tower before sliding at high speed through tight loops and accelerations into the water below.

Downtown Orlando awaits when you need some respite from the parks. The choice of restaurants is excellent and you’ll also find plenty of fun bars and lounges including the Mathers Social Gathering on South Magnolia Avenue, a speakeasy-style watering hole with an endless supply of cocktails.

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When it comes to culture, pore over the collection of regional art by 25 African-American artists known as the Florida Highwaymen at the Orlando Museum of Art. There’s also a chance to rent a boat and drift along Lake Eola, or fill up at the excellent farmers’ market on Sundays.

Main photo: Universal Studios (Alamy)

What to do

In the city known as the “Theme Park Capital of the World” it’s not hard to guess what the main attractions are — Orlando’s collection of world-class theme parks draws upwards of 70 million visitors a year.

Most of those visitors come for what lies about 20 miles west of Orlando proper. Walt Disney World Resort: 42 square miles of parks (Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the newly revamped Epcot), hotels, golf courses and a shopping and entertainment district all linked by an extensive transportation network.

The most popular park is Magic Kingdom, home to Cinderella Castle, Splash Mountain and the aristocrats of the Disney family, including Mickey and Minnie, who you’ll spot on the daily parade that makes its way along Main Street, USA.

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Expect plenty of buzz around Pandora — The World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom. Here, you can explore the upside-down islands of the Valley of Mo’ara and, in another corner of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Pilot the Millennium Falcon, escape from an Imperial Cruiser and immerse yourself in a galaxy far, far away.

At Universal Orlando Resort’s three parks, the main attractions are centred on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, split between Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley in Universal Studios. The two perfectly recreated worlds are united by the Hogswart Express, a train that whisks you between the two parks. The third spoil, Volcano Bay, is a Polynesian themed water park built around a huge volcano that has two twisting slides running through it.

Along International Drive (aka I-Drive) are some of the city’s other theme parks, including Seaworld Orlando*, which has ditched the controversial orca show in favour of three adrenaline-charged rollercoasters; the glass-smooth Mako hypercoaster is the newest and the fastest, with a top speed of 73mph.

With the theme parks exerting such a magnetic pull on most visitors to central Florida, Orlando itself usually gets ignored. Its nickname of “The City Beautiful” is neither ironic nor misplaced: downtown Orlando is a delight of bucolic lakes, tree-lined avenues, a wealth of top-class museums and a fabulous dining and nightlife scene. Here you’ll find Tiffany art, landscaped gardens drenched in colour-popping camellias and a huge choice of regional and international cuisine.

Where to stay

If Walt Disney World is your focus, you’ll most likely want to stay close to, or actually inside, one of the parks. Disney hotels* are divided between them and are broken up into four categories: value, moderate, deluxe and deluxe villa. Though luxury can be found, what you’re paying for is location, convenience and a whole heap of perks — not least free transport to the theme parks. In some hotels there’s also the opportunity for character interactions, while most have multi-room suites, children’s programmes and a choice of restaurants whose proximity becomes all the more attractive after a long day on your feet.

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If you want to stay near Disney rather than inside a park, there’s a huge choice of accommodation around the resort in Lake Buena Vista*, Kissimmee* and Celebration* in all styles and price brackets. Just across from the Disney Springs entertainment district is a cluster of seven upscale chain hotels, while you’ll find a range of chain motels along Palm Parkway, just outside Disney’s main gates.

Universal Orlando Resort’s collection of nine hotels (divided into four price categories: value, prime value, preferred and premier) all have individual themes and come with a range of perks, including early entry into the parks and priority dining.

International Drive* is Orlando’s tourist hub, with lots of chain hotels and motels that cater to visitors looking for convenience over luxury or style; you can get great deals and guest rooms are usually big enough for whole families. Downtown Orlando* is where you’ll find a range of sleek boutique hotels and business-oriented accommodations.

Food and drink

With the exception of Epcot, in-park dining is generally processed meals and fast food. The choice of restaurants at Epcot’s World Showcase is easily the best of all the parks with a range of often expertly rendered cuisines.

At Universal, the choice of restaurants at the CityWalk entertainment district is constantly improving; you can eat excellent Italian, Mexican and even get your fill of donuts from Portland outfit Voodoo.

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International Drive is lined with midrange chain restaurants of every description, including the world’s biggest McDonald’s. For something more upscale, the five-mile stretch of Sand Lake Road from I-4 (at Whole Foods) west to Apopka-Vineland Road is nicknamed Restaurant Row and has a host of good options, from wine and cigar bars to gourmet burger spots.

Lake Buena Vista and Kissimmee lack no shortage of places to eat, but it’s all uninspiring chain grub. If you want some finer fare, nearby Celebration has some tempting restaurants along the lakeshore where you can sit on the patio and dine in style.

Mills 50, just northeast of downtown Orlando, is the buzziest spot to eat these days, with dozens of Vietnamese, Korean and other Asian restaurants as well as some of the best barbecue you’ll find in Florida. The area is fast becoming a rival to Orlando’s foodie heartland of West Church Street in Winter Park, where you’ll find a selection of the city’s best restaurants, some of which will inevitably feature in the first Michelin guide to the city, due in 2022.

Don’t miss

Of all Orlando’s delights, one of the very best is the upside-down building on I-Drive which houses WonderWorks*: equal parts science museum, video arcade and amusement park. Children of all ages will be entertained by the interactive exhibits, indoor ropes course and 4D theatre.

Know before you go

America’s most popular holiday destination gets very busy, so be sure to book the main attractions as far in advance as possible — up to six months ahead for the big-ticket Disney experiences such as character meets and high-end dining.

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Disney’s replacement for FastPass, Genie+, means you can book your spot in line for the most popular rides on the day rather than 60 days in advance, but be prepared to get up very early on the day to make your reservation. If you’re not staying in the parks — or want to do some exploring beyond them — you’ll need to rent a car.

Take me there

Inspired to visit Orlando but yet to book your trip? Here are the best packages from Tui* and Virgin Holidays*.

Discover holidays to Walt Disney World Resort*
Discover holidays to Universal Orlando Resort*

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