Orlando is one of America’s prime tourist sites, home to Walt Disney World and the Universal Orlando Resort. Its variety of theme parks and educational and retail exhibits are sure to satisfy the whole family.
Walt Disney World
With its four theme parks, two water parks and 23 resort hotels, Walt Disney World is the place to go in Orlando. Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach encompass the resort’s primary appeal to tourists. The Walt Disney World Resort offers a wide variety of entertainment, sports and recreational resorts in addition to its core attractions. These include Downtown Disney, ESPN Wide World of Sports and Disney’s BoardWalk. Apart from checking out iconic structures such as Cinderella’s Castle, Spaceship Earth, the Sorcerer’s Hat and the Tree of Life, ensure to set aside time to meet your favourite Disney characters.
Universal Orlando Resort
The Universal Orlando Resort consists of two theme parks: Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. It is the second largest resort in the Orlando region after the Walt Disney World Resort. Universal Studios Florida provides a range of attractions inspired by popular films and television shows. Universal’s Islands of Adventure’s crowd-puller is the newest ‘island’, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, based on the worldwide Harry Potter franchise. Featuring seven rollercoasters and six water rides, the Universal Orlando Resort is a popular tourist destination for older members of the family.
Gatorland
To enjoy the flora and fauna that Orlando has to offer, a visit to wildlife preserve Gatorland is a must. Gatorland features an array of reptiles, including alligators, crocodiles, pythons and lizards. Its main attractions include a petting zoo, and reptile shows such as the popular alligator wrestling exhibit. Branded the “Alligator Capital of the World”, Gatorland is an essential destination for reptile fanatics.
Kennedy Space Center
To enjoy some downtime from the theme parks home to Orlando, pay a visit to the Kennedy Space Center. Serving as a base location for America’s space shuttles, the Kennedy Space Center also features a range of exhibits, artefacts and displays on the history of spaceflight. Take a bus tour through areas used by NASA for space launches, be entertained as well as educated by the variety of IMAX film presentations, and experience what it is like to be an astronaut aboard the stimulator training rides. Visitors also have the chance to enjoy lunch with an astronaut.
Florida Mall
Offering over 250 stores, including Macy’s, Sears and Saks Fifth Avenue, Florida Mall is one of the largest shopping centres in the United States. It is also home to one of the largest M&M stores in the world. Located close to Orlando International Airport, the Florida Mall provides the ultimate shopping experience for visitors.
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Universal Studios Resort
Gatorland
Florida Mall
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