3-Step Plan for Your Orlando Vacation
Orlando was recently dubbed the No. 1 travel destination in the U.S., and this city has a lot to show for it.
From our theme parks and entertainment to our one-of-a-kind restaurants, it’s no wonder Orlando continues to maintain its title as America’s most-visited destination.
If you want to see what the hype is all about yourself, then here’s your step-by-step guide to planning the perfect vacation in Orlando.
Step 1. Decide What to Do
What kind of vacationer are you? The thrill seeker or looking to chill?
There’s never a dull moment in Orlando as there are hundreds of things to do. Whether you’re a thrill seeker or a laid-back vacation lover, there’s always something for everyone.
For Thrill Seekers
Thrill Rides at Theme Parks
An Orlando vacation staple includes visiting one of our theme parks. Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and Walt Disney World are the best places to start when you’re in the mood for fast rides and scenes themed by some of your favorite blockbuster movies and more.
Ride lines at these theme parks can get crazy. If your main concern is getting on them, then it’s important to know what kind of rides you can find at each theme park.
Universal Orlando, Islands of Adventure, and Universal Studios are home to some of the most exciting roller coasters in Florida.
Revenge of the Mummy and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit™ are two roller coasters in Universal Studios that are perfect for those who love an exhilarating ride. At Islands of Adventure, be sure to add Jurassic World VelociCoaster, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™, and The Incredible Hulk Coaster® to your list of crazy coasters to ride.
SeaWorld Orlando has five “high thrill” rides: Pipeline: The Surf Coaster, Ice Breaker™, Mako®, Kraken®, and Manta®.
Disney World has a variety of adventure-filled parks to choose from. Each park has thrill seekers covered with rides with big drops and fast speeds.
At Animal Kingdom, there’s Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, DINOSAUR, and Avatar Flight of Passage. Hollywood Studios is where you’ll find Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™, Slinky Dog Dash, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
EPCOT has three thrill rides: Test Track, Mission: SPACE, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Magic Kingdom brings you TRON Lightcycle/Run, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
Fun Outside of the Theme Parks
Andretti Indoor Karting is an amusement center in Orlando that has over 100 arcade games, virtual reality, laser tag, and indoor go-kart racing. It’s family friendly and perfect for people of all ages.
Axe throwing is another exhilarating activity, and you can do it at Axecelsior in Dezerland Park Orlando. There’s even kid-friendly axe throwing for children ages 8 or younger.
The Escape Game Orlando puts your problem-solving skills to the test with its seven interactive escape rooms. Let excitement overtake you as you hunt for clues to help you escape before time runs out.
For the Laid-back Vacationers
Shopping
Buying new things is one of the best parts of a vacation, and Orlando has plenty of places to shop until you drop.
The Mall at Millenia and the Florida Mall are Orlando’s two malls, and they each have a variety of stores ranging from casual wear to haute couture.
If affordability is a concern, there are also two outlet malls in Orlando: Orlando International Premium Outlets and Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets. These outlets carry brands you love at a fraction of the price.
Disney Springs is a great place to go when you want a combination of food, shopping, and entertainment. There’s free parking and free admission.
Sightseeing
Orlando is too big to only be good for its attractions. There are endless sights to see around town.
Museums are a great place to kick off the sightseeing. They’re affordable and home to works of art from all over the world.
There’s the Rollins Museum of Art, Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, the Orlando Science Center, the Maitland Historical Museum, the Orange County Regional History Center, the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Garden, and the Orlando Museum of Art.
Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando offers beautiful scenery and a chance to get in touch with nature. Rent swan-shaped paddle boats, attend a concert in the Walt Disney Amphitheater, and enjoy gorgeous views of Orlando’s skyline.
If you really want to see what Orlando has to offer, do so from the sky in an Orlando Heli-tour. You can soar over all of Orlando’s theme parks and neighborhoods and see why we’re called “the City Beautiful.”
Low-energy Activities
ICON Park is a popular stop for tourists, and it has rides like the Wheel and the Orlando Starflyer. Right next to this park are Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and Ripley’s Mirror Maze, which offer unusual sights and one-of-a-kind experiences for people of any age.
Adults over 21 can hone their inner artist and unwind with paint and wine at Painting with a Twist. Learn a new skill and bring your favorite bottle of wine to make your vacation even more relaxing.
It’s hard to miss the giant floating hot air balloon when you enter Disney Springs, but did you know that you can ride it? It’s called the Aerophile, and it’s the perfect way to get a bird’s eye view of the park.
Another Disney activity can be found at Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf. Reserve your spot or just show up for a quick game at $14 per adult and $12 per child. This 18-hole miniature golf course makes for a great affordable, family-friendly activity.
Step 2. Decide Where to Eat
Trying to do all those activities is sure to work up an appetite. Luckily, Orlando has plenty of unique restaurants to go around. This may be a good or bad thing depending on how easily you can decide on what to eat.
No worries, we’ll help you break it down meal by meal.
Kick off your festivities with the most important meal of the day: breakfast. Restaurants like @ The Diner, Hash House A Go Go, Le Café de Paris, and Flapjack Johnny’s are some of the tastiest and family-friendly places to eat breakfast in Orlando.
For lunch, Fresh & Co, Mia’s Italian Kitchen, JoJo’s ShakeBAR, and The Polite Pig at Disney Springs offer bites both big and small and flavors that are sure to tickle your taste buds.
Deciding where to eat for dinner doesn’t have to be difficult when you have places like Chima Steakhouse, Mu Restaurant, The Melting Pot, and Café Tu Tu Tango that are not too far from the festivities.
To top it all off, you can get your sugary fix from some of the best dessert spots in Orlando. We have Voodoo Doughnut at Universal CityWalk, Sampaguita Ice Cream, and Smallcakes Cupcakery & Creamery to suit all your sweet needs.
Step 3. Decide Where to Stay
When you’re hunting for the perfect price for your Orlando vacation this Travel Tuesday, make where to stay an easy decision by rooming at one of our Rosen Inns. We offer affordable, family-friendly comfort and amenities and continue to serve as Orlando’s Best Vacation Value®. The best part about these activities is that they’re just minutes from our hotels, so you can kick off the fun in no time at all.