Everything You Need to Know to Plan Your Orlando Vacation

Orlando is a city located in the US state of Florida, in Orange County, of which it is the headquarters. It was founded in 1873 and incorporated in 1875. The city is located in the central region of the state. It has a subtropical climate and marshes are very common in the region.

Famous for its tourist attractions, Orlando is the most visited city in the United States and the second most visited in the world, after Paris, France. This makes it include an immense infrastructure of hotels, tourist guides and the most varied types of entertainment for the whole family.

The infrastructure for tourism is so large that the city has more than 100,000 hotel rooms available and 26,000 vacation rental homes. Tourism employs 230 thousand people in the region, and Walt Disney World Resort is the one that employs the most, with 56 thousand employees spread throughout the complex.

In addition to being a tourist hub, Orlando is also a financial center, currently undergoing a phase of intense growth, with numerous expansion projects underway. It is also considered a leader in healthcare research and care for eight consecutive years, with Florida Hospital; it has the second largest university in the state of Florida, the University of Central Florida; has a team in the major American basketball league, the Orlando Magic; and a team in the top men’s soccer league, Orlando City; and also the NWSL women’s soccer team Orlando Pride.

Orlando is a place that, as you can see, has a lot to offer. Taking a vacation in the city is completely disconnecting from the rest of the world. My Park Tickets will now start presenting everything you need to know to plan your next vacation. How about starting to know a little more about the history of this city that is pure magic?

During the Second World War, Orlando became a military base, and many aircraft factories were opened during this period. In 1955, the government inaugurated the Space Program in Cape Canaveral, very close to the city. However, the real change began in 1964, when the genius Walt Disney secretly began buying huge plots of land in the city, totaling more than 11,000 hectares. At the time, it was thought that the land was being purchased by the Space Project. But on November 15, 1965, Orlando’s D-Day, Walt Disney announced the construction of the largest Entertainment Complex in the world!

In 1971, Disney’s Magic Kingdom was inaugurated, an ambitious project, which Walt Disney himself could not see completed, as he died in 1966. Afterwards, paths were opened to other parks, such as Sea World (1973), Epcot ( 1982), Disney’s Hollywood Studio – initially called MGM Studios (1989), Universal Studios (1990), Disney’s Animal Kingdom (1998), Island of Adventure (1999), Discovery Cove (2000) and Legoland (2011), in addition to water parks, resorts and other attractions dotted around the city.

Orlando’s history goes hand in hand with the history of amusement parks built in the city, isn’t it? Let’s now start introducing you to a little more about each park, the must-see attractions, where to eat, where to stay, and everything you need to know before embarking on this adventure!

The Walt Disney World Resort Complex

It’s common for people who don’t know much about this magical resort that is Disney to make the biggest confusion with the name of the parks and their attractions. Nothing better than starting with a little more information about each of the parks that make up the Walt Disney World Resort complex.

Disney’s Magic Kingdom – Disney’s Magic Kingdom, which opened in 1971, was the first theme park built in Lake Buena Vista, near Orlando, and the kickoff for the success that this entire region of Florida has today. A very daring project by Walter Elias Disney, the creator of Mickey.

Walt Disney’s plan for Disney’s Magic Kingdom was to be a magical, fairy-tale kingdom, and it still is today. This is the most famous theme park in the world. In 2013, for example, the place received no less than 18 million visitors! Walt Disney is more alive than ever, don’t you think?

The Magic Kingdom is truly the fairy tale park where magic happens. There you can find Disney princesses and the imposing Cinderella Castle – the one that appears in all the photos! It is in this park that the transition to the dream takes place, and that is why it is recommended that it be the first park to be visited on a trip. It’s a huge park, with many attractions – if you want to know it well, two days are recommended to visit it!

Like other parks, Disney’s Magic Kingdom is divided into different areas, each with a focus. They are: Main Street, Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

The ideal is that you get to know one area at a time and the attractions within the same area and then explore another one, as this way you save time and don’t get so tired. By the way, tiredness after a day at the MK is inevitable, so we suggest that, the day after your visit, you choose to visit a smaller park or a water park to relax!

How about we now present a little more about each area of ​​the park? Starting with Main Street USA: This is the part of the park that you see upon entering, with a main street where, at the end, is Cinderella Castle. The Main Street area has several great stores for shopping, in addition to guest service, restaurants and eateries. It’s worth stopping at Main Street Bakery for a snack!

Adventureland, on the other hand, is a part of the park with a variety of rides, including the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction and the Jungle Cruise, where you can take a cruise in the “middle of the jungle”. Here is the Aloha Isle, where you can taste the famous Dole Whip, an ice cream that is the biggest hit at Disney!

The Frontierland area has a western theme. There you will find some unmissable attractions, such as Splash Mountain, a true Disney classic. It doesn’t turn as sharp as other roller coasters, nor does it turn upside down. Therefore, it is an attraction suitable for those who are not yet used to great emotions. Getting wet here is part of the package, so be prepared.

Another not-to-be-missed Frontierland attraction is the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a Western-themed roller coaster where the cart dives through caves and passes through hills. It’s not such an extreme roller coaster, so it’s suitable for children or adults who are afraid to face the fastest rides and looping rides

Liberty Square is a small area of ​​the park, but it has a beautiful setting and a must-see attraction: the Haunted Mansion, the haunted mansion of Disney’s Magic Kingdom, where you get in a cart and are driven by different rooms of the house. The environment along the promenade is very dark, gloomy and causes a bit of fear. It’s an attraction whose main characters are ghosts and hauntings, so expect to get some scares!

At Fantasyland you find the world of fantasy, with classic and ideal attractions and ideal for children. If you have your young child, pay attention to this part of the park. There you can enjoy the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train attraction, where you embark on the world of Snow White. An attraction for the whole family to enjoy together.

Finally, Tomorrowland is the forward-looking area of ​​MK, with fast-paced attractions and some must-sees for adults! Space Mountain is one of them. It’s a high-speed roller coaster that makes sharp turns, stops and fast maneuvers. It is in a dark indoor area, lit by some special lighting effects and is ideal for when it’s raining.

GENERAL TIPS ABOUT DISNEY’S MAGIC KINGDOM

Must-see attractions: Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Mickey’s PhillarMagic.

Attractions for young children: Mad Tea Party, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Under the Sea: Journey of The Little Mermaid, Peter’s Pan Flight, Princess Fairtyle Hall, “it’s a small world”, Casey Jr. Splash ‘n’ Soak Station, area perfect for cooling off in the heat.

Always avoid scheduling your visit to the Magic Kingdom on a Monday: Since it is the main park in the complex, most tourists arriving in Orlando on Sunday or Monday choose to go to Disney’s Magic Kingdom on the first day of their vacation. trips, that is, the park is much more crowded than the others.

Scroll the park counterclockwise: As in other parks, the mass of tourists always scrolls the maps in a clockwise direction. In other words, if you start the park on your right side as you look in front of Cinderella’s castle and travel counterclockwise, your chances of catching short lines are much higher. Remembering that to go counterclockwise, you have to start at Tomorrowland.

Use the Times Guide to plan your day: First of all, it is important to remember that Disney’s Magic Kingdom is a large park, with many attractions that mix shows and attractions, as well as outdoor performances such as parades, castle performances and the fireworks show .

So, compose your day well to not be in lines all the time while missing the countless activities that will be happening around the park. In this sense, your best friend is the Times Guide, which is found at the park entrance and at the cash registers of stores, food outlets and also in the Disney app.

Epcot – Epcot was the second park opened in the Walt Disney World Resort complex and is still one of the most popular. Epcot is short for Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow. Walt Disney’s original idea was to create a futuristic community where people could live. It would be a community that would never consider itself complete, but would always be transformed by the most pioneering technologies.

After the death of Walt Disney, the original concept behind the creation of Epcot was abandoned to make way for what we see today: a park based on the themes of uniting nations and futurism, all without losing the Disney style.

For now, Epcot is still divided into two major areas: Future World and World Showcase. Future World concentrates most of the park’s attractions and is the part of Epcot that most resembles the structure of other parks: it has attractions, shops, cafeterias and everything else along the lines of Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. That’s where Spaceship Earth is also located, better known as “the ball of Epcot”.

On the other hand, World Showcase is already quite different from other parks. Pavilions representing 11 countries are concentrated in this region: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, United States, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom and Canada. Each pavilion is very different from one another, but they all try to be a miniature of the country they represent, bringing typical elements of the nation.

As most people who visit Epcot only have one day to see everything they can, make sure you arrive early and be ready to leave late! Make a list of the attractions that are a priority for you and visit them first, after all, the park has a lot of fun to offer.

Epcot hosts a few events annually and two of them are worth the trip are the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The first is an event that takes place during the spring and leaves the park much more flowery, with beautiful plant sculptures; the second is a gastronomic event that takes place in the fall, where visitors have the opportunity to taste food and wine from different countries.

GENERAL TIPS ABOUT EPCOT

Must-see attractions: Spaceship Earth, Mission: SPACE, Test Track, Soarin, countries pavilion in World Showcase.

Attractions for kids: Soarin, The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Journey Into Imagination With Figment, Innoventions.

Take pictures with Mickey and his gang: In the Imagination pavilion are meetings with Mickey and Alegria (from Fun), each with a separate line. It’s the perfect place to take a souvenir photo.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Disney’s Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM Studios) is the smallest park in the Walt Disney World complex.

After it went through an expansion process, the face and personality of Hollywood Studios changed a lot, but at its core, it still celebrates cinema, with shows and attractions dedicated to beloved movies.

The cool thing about Hollywood Studios is that it appeals to people of all ages as it has everything from Aerosmith’s super roller coaster, to Disney Junior and princess shows, through Toy Story and Star Wars areas. It can’t be more varied than that, can you?

As it’s not a giant park compared to other Disney parks, it’s easy to get around. In one day you can visit many attractions, but it is important to keep in mind that some of them last several minutes. Therefore, it is important to plan ahead and have your list of activities that are a priority. Hollywood Studios is divided into 7 areas and its look always refers to movie sets.
Between restaurants and eateries, there are more than 20 different places to eat at Hollywood Studios – you can find everything from salads and pizzas to sushi.

Currently, the newest attraction in the area, Rise of the Resistance, is operating only with the virtual queue system. Seats in departure groups are limited and distributed twice a day. The best strategy is to guarantee a spot at the first distribution time, even before going to the park. If you don’t, you’ll still have one more opportunity to try inside the park in the afternoon.

Throughout the day, monitor the queue at the area’s other attraction, the Millennium Falcon, which typically slows down dramatically throughout the afternoon. When that happens, take a detour on your way to get to know this area at once. But don’t worry, Hollywood Studios is small and this less linear path doesn’t get tiring – and it saves you a lot of time in line.

The Toy Story area is beautiful and completely themed. The idea here is to make you feel like you’re in Andy’s backyard, with all of his toys and characters from the movie. It soon becomes clear that all the details have been constructed to make you truly step into this reality and feel like you are seeing the world from the perspective of a toy.

GENERAL TIPS ABOUT DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Must-see Attractions: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror; Toy Story Midway Mania; Beauty and the Beast; Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster; Phantasmic; Star Tours; and Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

Attractions to go with kids: Muppet Vision 3D; Toy Story Midway Mania; Voyage of the Little Mermaid; Beauty and the Beast; Phantasmic; Disney Junior; Honey; and I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure.

Get there early: While Hollywood Studios isn’t Disney’s biggest park, it currently features many new and old attractions that are still super popular. So, to avoid wasting too much time in lines, arrive early – before the park opens. If you are one of the first to enter, you will be able to greatly optimize your enjoyment of the park.

Don’t walk around the park counterclockwise: In contrast to other parks, the suggested route to Hollywood Studios will be far less linear. This is because of newer areas, such as Toy Story Land and Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, which have greatly affected the dynamics of this park.

So the ideal here is that you arrive early and go to Toy Story Land, which tends to get more crowded throughout the day. Since many people arrive at the park later and most people who arrive early start the day at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, taking the opposite route gives you more chances to reduce your waiting time in lines.

Access to Hollywood Studios: Hollywood Studios is on Lake Buena Vista, approximately 20km from International Drive. The region is very well signposted and it is super easy to get to the park.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom – The Animal Kingdom is Disney’s largest park by extension and its main theme, as the name reveals, is animals and nature. A huge part of its territory is dedicated to reproducing the habitat of diverse animals, allowing people to go on safaris and see up close animals that are hard to find in America.

Musicals, educational attractions that promote interaction with animals and 3D presentations are also great attractions of the place, whose main symbol is the Tree of Life. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, it is remarkable how nature is integrated with the attractions. The park has a rustic decor and is like a forest, so many trees are there.

This park is divided into seven different parts: Africa, Pandora – The World of Avatar, Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Asia, Dinoland USA, Oasis and Discovery Island – the park’s central island, in the middle of the Discovery River.

Finding your way around this park isn’t always easy: you may end up losing your sense of direction. Try to reference the Discovery River and always have a map of the park on hand for easy location. Prefer to visit all attractions in an area first and then move on to a new area; this way you avoid the fatigue of walking around in vain.

It’s a big park, with attractions for adults and children, and you should arrive early to see it, as it doesn’t stay open late. In this park there is a show with lights and water called Rivers of Light, a new and very beautiful show.

The focus of the park is flora and especially fauna, so be sure to get there early and visit the animal attractions first thing in the morning. They tend to give the air of grace when the weather is cooler and less hot, so be sure to visit Kilimanjaro Safaris and Pangani Forest Exploration Trail as soon as you arrive.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom has several restaurants, diners and kiosks selling snacks. There is a variety of foods at the park, including healthy options such as salads and fruit. A good option for lunch is the Tusker House, which has characters visiting.

GENERAL TIPS ABOUT DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM

Must-see attractions: Avatar Flight of Passage, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Finding Nemo, Expedition Everest, It’s Tough to be a Bug, Dinosaur.

Attractions for kids: Expedition Everest, Wilderness Explorer, Finding Nemo – the Musical, Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade, Festival of The Lion King, It’s Tough to be a Bug.

Arrive early: First of all, arriving early is important especially so that you can enjoy the Safari while more animals are awake and have a chance to visit the Avatar area with fewer queues. But in the end this also allows you to enjoy your visit to the entire park more.

The Avatar effect: The Pandora area, inspired by the world of Avatar, is one of the main attractions of the entire Disney and that’s why it is always very disputed. Either way, it’s important to know that your approach to visiting Pandora will affect the dynamics of your entire Animal Kingdom programming. A good strategy here can guarantee your peace of mind for the rest of the day.

The Times Guide is your ally: Some of Animal Kingdom’s coolest attractions are its shows, so you won’t want to miss any of them. Therefore, pay attention to the times in the Times Guide and plan your day according to the proximity of each one.

Understand the park map: Since all places are surrounded by vegetation, getting lost in Animal Kingdom is not difficult. So my tip is to keep the map well and use it from time to time so you don’t go off course.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon – Opened in 1989, Typhoon Lagoon is one of the water parks in the Walt Disney World Resort complex. Its theme and setting simulate the story of a tropical paradise that would have been taken by a storm. The place has bad, green areas and is the perfect place to rest. Its symbol is a wrecked boat, Miss Tilly, which reportedly ran aground on Mount Mayday after the storm had passed.

The park has attractions for adults and children. One of the main ones is its wave pool, which, instead of small waves, has a giant wave, almost two meters high. At the site, there is also the possibility of snorkeling in pools with fish, rays and sharks.

There are seven options for snack bars and restaurants to eat and it is forbidden to take food to the swimming pools. At water parks, a refill of soda is valid for one day is sold; when you buy it, you can refill your glass with drinks as many times as you like. The food options in this park are not very healthy. Foods such as hamburgers, pizza, sandwiches, salads, hot dogs, turkey legs, ice cream and snacks are offered.

Popular Attractions: Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool, Shark Reef, Crush ‘n’ Gusher.

Attractions for kids: Castaway Creek, Ketchakiddee Creek and Bay Slides.

Blizzard Beach – This is a Disney water park that started operating in 1995. It is a great alternative to rest from the rush of the huge theme parks and, to top it off, relax in a shady spot with fresh water. The park has a very curious decoration and its theme revolves around snow.

Its main symbol is Mount Gushmore, an artificial snow-covered mountain from which many park attractions emerge. Access to the attractions of Mount Gushmore can be done by cable car, as in a ski resort, meaning you don’t have to face relentless flights of stairs to descend on a waterslide – just take the cable car.

Blizzard isn’t open year-round: It undergoes annual renovations, and while it’s closed, its neighbor Typhoon Lagoon, Disney’s other water park, stays open. This park has more water slide options than Typhoons and its attractions are more extreme. It is a park with varied attractions, aimed at children, young people and adults. In some attractions, usually the fastest ones, there is a height limitation.

Eight cafeterias and restaurants are available to eat over the course of a day, but the foods in this park are usually not very healthy, although there are salad options. Here, Turkey Legs and Sand Pail, a giant ice cream that is served in a beach bucket, are successful.

Popular Attractions: Summit Plummet; Slush Gusher; Chair Lift; Downhill Double Dipper; and Teamboat Springs.

Children’s Attractions: Tike’s Peak; Ski Patrol Training Camp; Melt-Away Bay; and Cross Country Creek.

Now that you know the parks that make up the Walt Disney World Resort complex, My Park Tickets has collected some more valuable information and some Disney secrets for you. Follow it below!

Disney Park Pass System: How does it work?

The Disney Park Pass is the new reservation system for Disney theme parks. Exactly because it’s new, it has caused many doubts in many visitors. We’ll explain to you how this new Disney reservation system works so that you can easily plan your next visit.

Due to the pandemic of the new coronavirus, Disney created this reservation system in order to better manage movement in the park and promote greater physical distance between visitors.

To enter a Disney theme park, all visitors aged 3 and over need, in addition to a valid ticket, a reservation, both for the same day. It’s important to remember that you can only reserve one park per day. If your ticket is the Annual Pass or you have the Park Hopper benefit, you can visit more than one park on the same day, but after 2 pm.

If you do not already have a ticket, before purchasing it you should consult the availability of reservations for the theme parks. Reservations are limited. After checking the dates and choosing the ideal one for you, it’s time to find the ticket option that suits you best. Only after purchasing tickets you can make reservations.

To make your reservations, just follow 4 simple steps:

1- Confirm that your ticket is linked to your Disney account;
2- When you start making the reservation, you’ll be asked to create a group with everyone who will go to the park with you. So all reservations will be made at the same time;
3- Choose the date and Disney theme park you would like to visit from among the available reservations;
4- Review carefully and confirm the park and the date you selected and that’s it! All done!

A very important detail is that a reservation for the park must be made each day of entry. That is, if you have a multi-day ticket, you’ll need to make a reservation for each day of your visit.

It’s recommended that you make your reservation for Disney parks as soon as you purchase your ticket, as availability may change until the reservation is finalized.

Disney Park Pass reservations cannot be modified, but they can be canceled. If you want to cancel an existing reservation to make another one, first check the availability of dates and the park you want.

The Disney Park Pass System was created for your safety. It’s not a complicated process, but it’s extremely necessary! Be sure to make your reservations: without them you won’t be able to enter any of the Disney theme parks.

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Disney’s Annual Pass – year-round magic!

Walt Disney World receives thousands of guests every day. Some families even visit the parks more than once a year. They’re true fans of the world of magic! Most of these regular visitors opt for the ticket called Annual Pass. Have you heard about it?

The Annual Pass is a ticket that you pay once a year and it gives you the right to visit the parks every day for 12 months unlimitedly. You can also choose to include the water parks. Who owns Disney’s Annual Pass is called Passholder.

If you and your family are regular visitors to Walt Disney World, the Annual Pass is a very interesting option, as you’ll end up saving a lot of money. Ah, each member of the family must have their own individual Annual Pass, okay?

You don’t need to live in Orlando or in the United States to be entitled to purchase Disney’s Annual Pass: anyone can purchase this ticket and enjoy its benefits.

Among some advantages of having the Annual Pass are:
unlimited entry for 1 year to Disney’s 4 main parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios;
free parking in the parks;
access to Memory Maker and Disney PhotoPass: all photos taken at the park by official Disney photographers and photos at attractions will be available in your My Disney Experience account for free download;
special discounts at Disney complex stores, restaurants and hotels;
participation in exclusive Passholder events;
and gifts on special occasions.

The ticket for those who purchase Disney’s Annual Pass is in the form of a bracelet: the famous Magic Band! You can choose the color of your Magic Band from the 8 available options and it’ll come with an Annual Passholder tag so that cast members, the iconic Walt Disney World employees, can identify that you have the Annual Pass ticket.

The Passholder visitor is able to make better use of Disney parks, as he doesn’t have fixed days to visit the complex. He can choose, for example, to go only at night to see the fireworks show or during the day to have a delicious Mickey ‘s Ice Cream Bar and take a stroll on Main Street.

The Annual Pass is a ticket sold directly and exclusively by Disney. How do you know if the investment is worth it? Well, the best thing to do is to add up all your expenses and think about how often you visit Walt Disney World.

If you don’t visit Disney more than once a year, you can take advantage of incredible ticket promotions by visiting https://www.myparktickets.com/ and choosing the best deal for you and your family!

The important thing is to enjoy the Disney magic!

Free Things You Can Do at Walt Disney World

Did you know that Walt Disney World Resort offers a number of fun free activities that you can enjoy with your whole family while in Orlando? Discover now all you can do at Disney World without spending a penny!

Visit Disney Springs

Formerly known as Downtown Disney, Disney Springs is a shopping and entertainment hub filled with delicious restaurants and stores. Admission is free, so you can take a walk there to get to know the place!

At Disney Springs you’ll find the World of Disney store, the largest store with Disney products in the entire complex. The LEGO store is also a great option for anyone visiting the place with children.

If you’re out there looking for stores to shop, you’ll find Zara, Sephora and many others! There are several options of restaurants at Disney’s Springs too, for all budgets and tastes! Disney Springs really is a place worth visiting!

Walk around Disney’s BoardWalk

Disney’s BoardWalk is an extensive boardwalk with numerous restaurants, bars, hotels and an environment conducive to a great walk. It’s located next to EPCOT and is great for those looking for something different and quiet to do in Orlando.

Be sure to go there in the late afternoon for a coffee and enjoy the sunset. You’ll love it!

Watch a movie outdoors

All hotels in the Disney complex offer amazing programs for the whole family. And the best part: you don’t need to be staying in any of them to be able to participate!

One of the coolest activities is “Movies Under the Stars”, which takes place every night outdoors at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, where you can watch a Disney classic under the starlight! Unmissable!

Participate in Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long

This attraction also takes place for free at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. It’s ideal for children but, of course, the entire family can participate!

This Campfire has a musical performance by Chip ‘n’ Dale, the famous Disney squirrels, and you can even enjoy the fire to roast marshmallows and enjoy yourself. Children will have a lot of fun!

Watch Disney’s Magic Kingdom Fireworks Show

It’s possible to watch the Disney ‘s Magic Kingdom fireworks show without paying for park admission! How? Watching from some of the specific areas of the complex!

Some resorts offer a great view of the fireworks show and you don’t have to pay anything for it!

You can, for example, go to the rooftop of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the pier of Disney’s Grand Floridian or the beaches of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort! Incredible!

Take drawing lessons

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort offers free and super fun drawing lessons for people of all ages. You can see how every detail of the main Disney characters is done and even learn to draw your favorite! Awesome!

Collect Disney’s celebration buttons

Disney offers free celebration buttons to all guests! To get yours, just go to any store within the parks or resorts in the complex and ask for yours!

There are several models available, one more beautiful than the other, great to collect or give to a loved one!

Meet wild animals up close

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge you have the opportunity to see several species of wildlife up close, as the resort is home to giraffes, zebras, antelopes and various other animals that can be observed while hiking there. A unique experience!

So, did you like the tips?

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Disney’s Best Character Dining Restaurants
If you are visiting the Disney parks in Orlando for the first time, you may not be aware that there are many restaurants that allow you to have a meal with your favorite Disney characters. This experience cannot be left out of your trip!
How about visiting some restaurants in the Walt Disney World complex where you can have breakfast, lunch or dinner with Mickey and all his friends?
Disney’s Magic Kingdom
In Disney’s most magical park you can have a fairytale meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table and meet princesses Ariel, Aurora, Mulan, Snow White and, of course, Cinderella!
At The Crystal Palace, you have the opportunity to meet the Pooh teddy bear and all his friends while enjoying a menu inspired by the South of the United States.
At the Be Our Guest restaurant, you and your family will enjoy a real feast inside the Beauty and the Beast’s palace and still find both of them there!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the little ones will have the most fun. That’s because at the Hollywood & Vine restaurant they’ll have breakfast with Disney Junior characters!
At the same restaurant there is the option of Minnie’s Seasonal Dining, a dinner with Minnie and her friends that takes place on selected nights throughout the year. Unmissable!
Epcot
At Epcot, you and your family have the option of having a super fun meal with Chip ‘n’ Dale and his Friends at The Garden Grill restaurant.
At the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, located in the Norwegian pavilion, you can enjoy a banquet in a medieval palace together with the Disney princesses! Pure magic!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you can have a meal at a super fun African-themed restaurant, the Tusker House, and meet Donald Duck and his friends there!
Plan to head to Tusker House before the Rivers of Light fireworks and light show, as dining there guarantees you a premium seat to the attraction!
Disney’s BoardWalk
During breakfast, the Trattoria al Forno restaurant is attended by Ariel, Prince Eric, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. Be sure to take pictures with them and ask for autographs!
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
At the 1900 Park Fare restaurant, located in the Grand Floridian hotel, you and your family can have breakfast with Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Tigger and Winnie the Pooh.
At dinner time you become Cinderella’s and Prince Charming’s guest of honor! Simply magical!
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Perhaps Chef Mickey’s is Disney’s best-known character dining restaurant. There you can have breakfast or enjoy a nice dinner with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald Duck and Goofy!
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
At the Polynesian hotel there is a super different restaurant called Ohana, with Hawaii-inspired decor! There you can find Lilo and Stitch, Pluto and Mickey!
Did you enjoy learning more about Walt Disney World Resort’s character restaurants? Remembering that they are very popular, so it is necessary to book in advance!
Need tickets to Disney parks in Orlando? Visit myparktickets.com!

It’s time to introduce you to another group of parks that is very successful and guarantees a lot of adventure and fun: the parks of the SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment group.

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Group

SeaWorld is a group made up of four parks in Orlando, plus others in other cities, all of which have an aquatic, marine or animal theme. They are all amazing and worth a visit, regardless of your age. We will now introduce each of them to you.

SeaWorld Orlando – SeaWorld is one of Orlando’s most popular parks. It is visited mainly by families with children, as its theme is all about animals. The park has several extreme attractions, such as roller coasters, but it is famous for its attractions with marine animals, including the famous shows with the orca, the “killer whale”. At SeaWorld, visitors have the opportunity to see whales, dolphins, sea lions, sharks, penguins, turtles, fish and many other animals.

It’s a medium sized park, not too tiring to spend the day, whose main attractions are the animal shows – those with children shouldn’t miss it! Water is always present there, so be ready for the possibility of getting a little wet throughout the day. By the way, wearing a dry outfit is a good idea!

As animal shows are the main attractions of the place and they happen only a few times a day at pre-set times, organize your daily schedule focusing on the time of the shows you want to visit.

The park’s best-known attraction is One Ocean, held at Shamu Stadium; in this performance, orca whales weighing tons perform various stunts in the air and impressive moves for animals of this size – those in the front rows of the stadium always get wet.

Blue Horizons is a presentation that mixes dolphin acrobatics, a circus look and the participation of trainers, who do several pirouettes in the air. All presentations with animals are scheduled and take place at least three times a day. Make sure to arrive a little before show time to get a seat close to the show.

Other must-see attractions in the park, especially if you’re with children, are: Shark Encounter, where people can feed sharks and walk around in the middle of a huge aquarium, full of sharks; Turtle Trek, which mixes a 360º 3D experience and also allows you to see various animals, including turtles; and Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, which begins with a movie about penguins and ends in an icy environment where real penguins live!

Adventure lovers should include in the list a ride on the Kraren, fast roller coaster; at Manta, a very different roller coaster, which imitates the movements of a stingray and, therefore, the carts carry people in a non-traditional way: on their stomachs; and Mako, without a doubt one of the best additions to this park in recent times. It’s “just” Orlando’s fastest, tallest and longest roller coaster. Without a doubt, it’s a must for everyone who likes adrenaline.

SeaWorld has restaurants and diners for daytime dining and, in addition to being able to purchase them separately, a meal plan called the All Day Dining Deal is sold, where you can eat at some of the park’s restaurants throughout the day at one fixed price. If you want a different experience, we suggest going to the Sharks Underwater Grill, a restaurant where, instead of walls, there is a huge aquarium with sharks.

SeaWorld Orlando is divided into areas. They are: Sea of ​​Shallows, Sea of ​​Legends, Sea of ​​Ice, Sea of ​​Delight, Sea of ​​Mystery, Sea of ​​Fun, Sea of ​​Power. It is also possible to buy the Quick Queue, a pass that allows you to take shorter queues at the attraction. If you buy online, you must inform the chosen day to use the pass. Our tip is just buy it at the park itself, because that way you have the opportunity to look at the length of the lines and assess whether it’s worth it.

GENERAL TIPS ON SEAWORLD ORLANDO

Park closes earlier: As an animal park, SeaWorld closes earlier most of the year than other parks. In the autumn and winter months – from September to April – the park closes between 5 pm and 6 pm. In the spring and summer months – from May to August – between 9 pm and 10 pm.

Fireworks Show Also: In the warmer months when the park closes later, some special whale shows and fireworks shows are included in SeaWorld’s schedule.

Direction and timetable: Program your way through the park counterclockwise, from right to left on the map. Most tourists walk clockwise. Besides, being a park with many shows, always have the map and the schedule of the day at hand. It’s very important to schedule yourself according to show times to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay – Busch Gardens is a theme park in Tampa, Florida, about 120 km from Orlando. It is part of the Sea World group and, like the company’s other parks, has a strong animal theme, but here, instead of aquatic animals, the focus is on animals from Africa.

In addition, it has water rides and several thrilling roller coasters. No wonder that many adults choose Busch Gardens as their favorite amusement park, such is the variety of fast and adrenaline rides. It is a very large park, with many different attractions and that pleases a varied audience.

Busch Gardens is divided into different areas and they have names linked to the continent and African culture: Congo, Jungala, Stanleyville, Safari of fun, Bird Gardens, Pantopia, Nairobi, Egypt, Cheetah Hunt and Morocco. In each of these areas there are restaurants, cafeterias and stores with themed products. Those who want to shop don’t need to carry bags throughout the day, as a free delivery service is available at the end of the park.

Busch Gardens has restaurants, diners and kiosks to buy food during the sightseeing day, including: Crown Colony, Morroccan Delight and Refresh Market.

Lockers are available throughout the space and are usually located near attractions where the use of loose objects is prohibited, such as roller coasters. Lockers are paid for in 25-cent coins and cost approximately $0.50-1; so if you have spare coins, it’s worth taking them. Next to the lockers there is usually a machine for exchanging notes into currency as well.

GENERAL TIPS ABOUT BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY

Main attractions of the park: Montu, SheiKra, Cheetah Hunt, Kumba, Congo River Rapids.

Cool attractions to go with kids: Stanley Falls Flume, Skyride, Serengeti Express Train, Safari of Fun area, Treetop Trails, Ubanga-banga Bumper Cars, Air Grover and all animal areas.

Access: Busch Gardens is in Tampa, accessed from Orlando via I-4 East. For those without a car and already purchased their tickets, there is the possibility of using a free shuttle that leaves from some points in Orlando. It must be booked at least the day before. If you are traveling during peak season, make sure you book a few days in advance to find space on the buses. See here for more details on how to get there by car and about the Busch Gardens shuttle.

Watch the Time Guide: Busch Gardens has a few shows going on daily, so if you want to see them, be sure to pay attention to the schedule.

Counterclockwise: As in most parks, the tip is to walk counterclockwise, that is, starting in the Edge of Africa area, then Egypt, continuing through Nairobi, Pantopia, Congo, Jugala, Stanleyville, Sesame Street, Bird Gardens, and finally Marocco.

Aquatica: Aquatica is one of the water parks of the Sea World group. It has attractions for adults and children, and while it’s not big on space, it has a great variety of attractions. Going to this park is a good alternative for those who are with the family and want to rest from the walks made in the theme parks.

As part of the Sea World group, Aquatica has a strong connection with animals and nature. Its scenery and decoration are beautiful, with many plants, trees, waterfalls, rivers and even an artificial beach. You can spend all day in the park!

There is no lack of attractions for children and lounge chairs for adults to relax. Those who want a private atmosphere can even rent a private cabin.

One of its most famous attractions is the Dolphin Plunge, a transparent water slide that passes through a pool with dolphins. For those with children, the tip is to play on the Walkabout Waters, a playground full of toys for them.

There’s no way to use a pass to jump the line at rides, so be prepared for long lines whether visiting the park in the summer or on weekends. The park is usually busier in the morning and emptier in the afternoon. Therefore, visiting it in the afternoon is a good technique to find fewer lines.

Lockers and towels are available for rent. There is also an easy payment service called a cashless wristband, which you can use to pay for services consumed at the park with a wristband – just authorize the charges to be made to your credit card. Three restaurants are available for dining and in them you will find pizzas, sandwiches, wraps, among other delights.

GENERAL TIPS ON AQUATICA

Access: Aquatica is in Orlando, on Water Play Way 5800, close to International Drive and SeaWorld.

Opening hours: In general, the park is open between 10 am and 5 pm, but in the summer months the hours are extended. That’s why we recommend that before you go, you check out the full calendar on the Aquatica website.

Discovery Cove: Discovery Cove is much more than a theme park: it’s an exclusive resort filled with animal experiences where you’ll feel like you’re in the Caribbean. And the coolest? It’s all inclusive!

A place unlike anything you’ve ever seen! This is Discovery Cove Orlando. There you won’t find extreme rides, adrenaline-filled attractions or queues! Discovery Cove is a true sanctuary for different species of marine animals and the ideal place for those looking for a day of rest in Orlando.

Visiting Discovery Cove is like having an exclusive Orlando resort experience, as around 1000 visitors are allowed per day on the site, making it very popular depending on the time of year.

As the Discovery Cove Orlando ticket is all inclusive, those who spend the day at the resort are already guaranteed food – breakfast, lunch, snacks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks – diving clothes, masks and snorkels, lockers, towels, sunscreen eco-friendly and parking.

Another interesting point about the Discovery Cove ticket is that, as the resort is part of the SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment group, you can opt for a ticket that also serves as entrance to SeaWorld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens parks and save a lot with it!

The tip for those who want to spend a pleasant day at Discovery Cove is to arrive early to be able to book the best time for the tours and enjoy breakfast, as the resort offers a complete and well-prepared meal
.
The resort’s main attraction is the “Dolphin Swin”, an experience of just over 30 minutes where you can play, feed, swim and take pictures with the dolphins. Simply unmissable!

In addition to the pools where the dolphin experience takes place, Discovery Cove offers several other really cool attractions. One of them is The Grand Reef, where you can swim with giant stingrays and lots of fish!

If you’re looking to relax, you’ll love the Wind-Away River, a gentle flowing river where you can take a dip or just enjoy the gentle sway of the water. The route has some caves along the way, which you can explore with your snorkel and diving mask.

There are still some attractions that you need to pay a separate price, in addition to the ticket price, to enjoy, such as being a dolphin trainer, swimming with sharks, feeding stingrays and Sea Venture, where you have the opportunity to dive with an oxygen tank, even if it is not certified!

Spending a day at Discovery Cove Orlando is to relax and make the most of the contact with animals and nature. For those who want to get away from the rush of theme parks and outlets, this is without a doubt the perfect place!
Now that you know the parks that make up the SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment group, My Park Tickets has pulled out some more valuable information and park secrets for you. Follow it below!

5 Things You Must Eat At SeaWorld
As you enjoy your day at SeaWorld watching the shows, having fun on the roller coasters and watching the park’s beautiful and fantastic animals, don’t forget to take a moment to sample some delights.
My Park Tickets separated 5 delights that you can’t miss when visiting SeaWorld Orlando!
1- Shamu Premium Ice Cream Bar – When in doubt about which dessert to try in the park, try this classic! Just as Disney has Mickey ice cream, SeaWorld also has one with their favorite mascot!
This fluffy ice cream by Shamu is vanilla topped with a delicious chocolate cone and a great choice for the hottest days. It can be found in several places in the park, both in outdoor carts and in small stores.
2- Dippin Dots – This SeaWorld ice cream with colorful dots is a favorite among visitors. There are hundreds of super cold and very tasty balls, which melt in the mouth offering incredible flavors.
At SeaWorld you can find Dippin Dots of vanilla, tutti-frutti, chocolate, banana-split and a multitude of other flavors! You will be surprised!
3- Shamu Brownie Sundae – Since the weather in Orlando is usually quite hot, the third option on our list of delicacies for you to try at SeaWorld is also an ice cream!
The Shamu Brownie Sundae consists of ice cream scoops, two large brownie slices, whipped cream, cherry and toppings of your choice: there’s sprinkles, chocolate, marshmallows, m&m and everything else you can imagine. You can find this delicious dessert at Sea Harbor Soft Serve, near Shamu’s Happy Harbor children’s area.
4- Funnel Cake – You can’t miss the Funnel Cake! This dessert, which you can also find at Disney parks, consists of fried dough with cinnamon and sugar, which can be accompanied by strawberry sauce and whipped cream. This delicacy is usually served warm and at SeaWorld you can find it at Captain Pete ́s!
5- Caramel Popcorn – SeaWorld’s caramel popcorn can’t be left out of your gastronomic tour through the park. You can find the gourmet version of this popcorn, served with whipped cream and m&m, during the Seven Seas Food Festival, which runs from February to April, and Electric Ocean, from May to September.
In the park’s stores you can find a simpler version of this caramel popcorn, which comes in a bag. No matter which version you choose, you are sure to fall in love with this delight!
Did you like our list of SeaWorld delights? Is something you love missing? Tell us in the comments!
Be sure to buy your tickets to SeaWorld Orlando with My Park Tickets!

7 Must-See Attractions at SeaWorld

SeaWorld is a park famous for its marine life and especially for its whale and dolphin shows. But, SeaWorld Orlando has plenty of amazing attractions for all ages. Emotion is not lacking there!

Check out now 7 must-see attractions at SeaWorld Orlando:

1- Manta – Manta is considered by many to be the best roller coaster in the park. It is not the tallest, nor the longest. However, it has a differential that makes it unique: the fact that you do the entire route as if you were lying down! This is because this attraction seeks to imitate the movement of a stingray.

2- Kraken – Kraken is a roller coaster for those who are not afraid of adrenaline! In addition to not having footrests, she is one of the fastest, tallest and longest. The route is fast and full of turns and it still passes close to the water! Do you have the courage to face it?

3- Journey to Atlantis – Get ready to get wet! The Journey to Atlantis attraction is a roller coaster with a super high drop into the water, in addition to several extreme curves. Excellent for cooling off on the hottest days.

4- Mako – Mako is Orlando’s tallest and fastest roller coaster! It got its name from one of the fastest sharks that inhabit the ocean. This attraction is for those who are not afraid of high speed and like a lot of adrenaline. Unmissable!

5- Shark Encounter – Have you ever thought about being separated only by a glass of sharks and other various marine animals? This aquarium called the Shark Encounter is one of the most famous attractions at SeaWorld Orlando! You can’t miss it!

6- Infinity Falls – Infinity Falls is a new attraction at SeaWorld Orlando, perfect for those who like a lot of adventure and excitement. It is all inspired by the tropical forests of South America, full of animals and rivers.

Surrounded by an incredible landscape, you will have an unprecedented experience as you pass through a wild river and see what is left of an ancient civilization. It does not stop there. After passing through rapids, you’ll ride an elevator no less than 40 feet tall and land in rafting style. Get ready to get really wet in Infinity Falls. It’s fun for the whole family!

7- Antarctica – Empire of the Penguin – The last attraction on our list will make you fall in love with penguins! This area of ​​the park was the biggest investment in the entire history of the SeaWorld Orlando group. The attraction recreates the environment in which penguins live in Antarctica and you can see these cute animals up close. You will love it!

Did you like our list of must-see attractions at SeaWorld Orlando? You can purchase your tickets to Orlando’s best parks on our website www.myparktickets.com.

Discover the All Day Dining Deal: the meal plan from SeaWorld and Busch Gardens
The park’s meal plans exist to make life easier for visitors, and can even be a source of savings. With them you can have the experience of visiting new restaurants and taste different meals.

The All Day Dining Deal doesn’t have different types of plans and can be used by all visitors to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens without the need to stay in one of the hotels in the complex. Oh, and it’s individual: each member of the family must have his own.

As soon as you purchase the All Day Dining Deal, you receive an identification bracelet that entitles you to a starter or dessert, a main course and a drink at any of the participating restaurants. You can make as many meals as you like, choosing one or more items available, but always leaving an interval of 1 hour between them.

This is really cool because, for example, if you have lunch half a day and choose a starter instead of dessert and have a full meal, in the next hour you can stop by a participating restaurant, grab a soda and a candy, without the main course if you don’t want to, and be delighted!

All restaurants with All Day Dining Deal are quick service style: they have no waiters, you order them yourself, pick up your food and sit at the table. But it’s very simple, you just need to choose your items, check at the cashier normally and, instead of paying, your bracelet code will be registered electronically.

It’s very important to always be aware of the special pamphlet you will receive when you purchase the All Day Dining Deal, as it’ll contain all participating restaurants.

If you plan to arrive at the park in the morning and only leave at night, the All Day Dining Deal will be perfect, as you will be able to enjoy several different meals throughout the day, in addition to visiting several restaurants. In that case, it’ll make your trip a lot easier!

To purchase the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens All Day Dining Deal, you must have a valid entrance ticket. But this is very easy: accessing www.myparktickets.com/ you can buy your park ticket plus the All Day Dining Deal all at once and at prices you won’t find anywhere else! Enjoy!

How about introducing now another group of parks that is very successful in Orlando: Universal Orlando Resort?

Universal Orlando Resort

The history of Universal Orlando is intertwined with the history of Orlando: from humble beginnings where all attractions broke on day one and forced the park to offer free tickets to all visitors, to massive expansions that completely transformed attractions and the spirit of the park until reaching the great revolution with the arrival of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and, soon, the fourth park in the complex: Epic Universe.

Universal Studios Florida – If Disney’s parks are reputed to be dedicated to children, Universal’s are known for having more options for adults. Universal has two parks, Universal Studios and Island of Adventure. Both are right next to each other and within Universal’s entertainment complex, called Universal Citywalk.

Universal’s first park in Orlando was Universal Studios Florida, which opened in 1989. It has attractions primarily for young people and adults, and virtually all of them are linked to Universal’s movies, television, and characters.

It’s a park that reveals what movie studios and sets look like on a recording set. Universal Studios Florida is a big park, but not a giant one, and it can be seen in a day. Getting around is easy, because it has a lake in the center, making it easy to find.

Universal Studios is divided into different areas: Production Central, New York, San Francisco, World Expo, Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone, Hollywood and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.

Inside Universal Studios there are several restaurants. Among them: Beverly Hills Boulangerie, Mel’s Drive In (fast food), Krusty Burger (from The Simpsons character), Moe’s Tavern (Moe’s bar, from The Simpsons character), Nathan’s and others. Some restaurants are part of the Dining Plan, Universal’s food and beverage plan that allows you to drink and eat in the parks for a fixed price.

Among the highlights of this park are super modern simulators and 3D attractions, which are very real. Insert into the script: Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, a roller coaster where you can choose a song to listen to during the adventure; Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, 3D Minions attraction that is a super success; Transformers The Ride, another very cool simulator; Shrek 4D, film in four dimensions; Revenge of the Mummy, an indoor roller coaster; and The Simpsons Ride, the Simpsons simulator.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure – Islands of Adventure was the company’s second park to open in Orlando in 1999. Like Hollywood Studios, it’s a park focusing on Universal’s released films and their hit characters. It’s big, has a variety of attractions – including roller coasters and state-of-the-art simulators. It has attractions faster than Studios and is ideal for those who like a little adrenaline.

Islands of Adventure is divided into different parts. They are: Marvel Super Hero Island – which has attractions with characters from Marvel, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, The Lost Continent, Seuss Landing, Skull Island: Reign of Kong and The Wizard World of Harry Potter. Among the most popular attractions are: Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey – Harry Potter simulator located inside Hogwarts, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Jurassic Park River Adventure and the new Hogwarts Express.

Our tip is to get there early and start the day at the Harry Potter area, as that’s where people run as soon as the park opens; that way you have the possibility to find the emptiest attractions. Another method is to leave the Harry Potter area and the most popular attractions for the end of the day, in the late afternoon, precisely because at this time many people have already been to the attractions and they may be emptier. It all depends, of course, on the time you visit the park.

Volcano Bay – Volcano Bay is Universal’s newest water park, bringing Orlando another option to relax in the theme park and shopping schedule. And everyone likes something new, right? In addition to the attractions, this park also brings the great news of the virtual queue.

Volcano is not only the newest park in the city, it is also the one that was built the fastest – in just 3 years! The park is full of details. It is themed around the islands of the Pacific and a large volcano that is like a central landmark of the place.

Like the other water parks, and unlike the theme parks, Volcano Bay is also a place for you to relax and enjoy the day at the pools, without the pressure of doing all the attractions. The difference is that Universal took it very seriously and that’s why Tapu Tapu was created, a bracelet that allows, among other functions, you to virtually enter the line of attractions instead of standing idle for a while waiting for your turn.

Visitors receive Tapu Tapu at the park entrance. It doesn’t cost anything and you don’t need to leave any security deposit when withdrawing, but you have to return it when you leave the park, ok? She’s cute, but it doesn’t work for anything outside the Volcano. So no need to take it away as a souvenir! At the exit there is a place to leave the bracelet, as well as some employees giving advice on returning it.

The park’s opening hours may vary according to the time of year, so it’s always worth checking the Universal website before visiting.

Now that you know the parks that make up the Universal Orlando Resort group, My Park Tickets has set aside some more valuable information and some park secrets for you. Follow it below!

Now that you know the parks that make up the Universal Orlando Resort group, My Park Tickets has set aside some more valuable information and some park secrets for you. Follow it below!

Halloween Horror Nights – Universal Orlando Halloween Party

Orlando’s theme parks take Halloween parties very seriously. The interesting thing is that each of them has a very different type from each other. There are those for the whole family, where you can go in costume with your children and have a lot of fun around the park asking for candy!

But, some are really scary, made especially for those who have a lot of courage or just love to be scared! That’s the case of Halloween Horror Nights – the famous Halloween party promoted by Universal Orlando Resort.

Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights is one of the most popular events in the city, ideal for those who like to be scared. The party takes place on select nights at Universal Studios after the park closes to visitors and a separate ticket must be purchased in order to participate.

At this Halloween party, everything is thought out and prepared to scare visitors a lot. Throughout the park you’ll find several terrifying houses and mazes inspired by the most famous and frightening horror movies and series in cinema. These are the most popular experiences of the night, and it’s because of them that Halloween Horror Nights is so popular.

In addition to the houses and labyrinths inspired by horror movies and series, you will also be able to enjoy several nightly shows and the famous Scare Zones, which are places scattered throughout the park where you will come across several scary characters!

As Halloween Horror Nights is a really popular event, you need to be prepared to face a lot of queues. If you can, choose to purchase the event’s special Express Pass. That way, you’ll be able to cut all the lines and to enjoy Halloween at Universal Studios much more!

Another tip is that some attractions in the park continue to function during the event and will certainly have shorter lines than during the day. You can enjoy riding the “Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit” or the “Revenge of the Mummy”, for example.

Halloween Horror Nights also has several exclusive products from the event such as mugs, sweatshirts, socks, t-shirts, fridge magnets and much more! You can find them at various stores and kiosks throughout the park.

Did you like to know a little more about Halloween Horror Nights, this super famous event in Orlando?

Know the different types of tickets that the Universal Orlando Resort has to offer

Universal Orlando Resort offers different types of tickets for its visitors. Generally, the longer the combo of days and parks, the cheaper it is! Below, you can check out some popular ticket options Universal offers and choose the ideal ticket for you and your family.

Park-to-Park Tickets

Option 1: 3 Park 4-Day Park-to-Park Ticket.
With this ticket you can go to Universal’s 3 parks in Orlando – Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay – for 4 days. The cool thing is that you can take the Hogwarts Express, which is an attraction that recreates the Harry Potter train and that goes from one Universal park to another, free of charge and on the same day!

You will also have access to Universal CityWalk, a place with many restaurants, shops and shows, with the classic Hard Rock Cafe and The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen.

Option 2: 2 Park 4-Day Park-to-Park Ticket.
With this ticket you visit Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure for 4 days, as well as being able to board the Hogwarts Express and move from one park to another at no additional cost, with access to Universal CityWalk.

Single Tickets

There are several options for individual tickets to Universal parks. You can opt for “One Day”, which is a ticket valid only for one park and you need to choose which one you want to visit – Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure. Volcano Bay’s “One Day” ticket usually costs a little less.

There is also the option “Park-to-Park One Day”. With it you can visit Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure on the same day and you have the right to take the Hogwarts Express to make the bridge between the two parks. Oh, and you decide which of the two parks you want to visit first, okay?

Some options to boost your tickets

You can purchase the “Universal Express Pass” if you don’t want to waste time at the attraction lines when visiting Universal Orlando Resort’s parks. It’s ideal for anyone thinking of visiting Orlando during the high season, when the parks are full. There are options that sell the “Express Pass” along with the park ticket. It’s usually the option that is more affordable!

Another cool way to boost your tickets is by purchasing the “Universal ‘s Superstar Character Breakfast”, where you’ll be able to meet the Universal Studios characters and have an exclusive and delicious breakfast with them! Children will love it!

Whatever your choice, always look for an authorized ticket reseller to securely secure your tickets. My Park Tickets has the best Universal ticket combos on the market at the best prices! Visit https://www.myparktickets.com/ and check it out!

Annual Pass Universal Orlando Resort: benefits and advantages

Have you ever thought about having a free pass to enter Universal Orlando Resort parks when you want and whenever you want? With the Annual Pass it’s possible! This ticket is perfect for those who visit the parks more than once a year, as its value and the benefits it offers are well worth it! Find out a little more about this type of ticket.

With the Universal Orlando Resort Annual Pass you have unlimited access for 12 months to the two parks: Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, (you can also enter the Volcano Bay water park). With this ticket you can move between one park to another during the day as many times as you want.

You can choose to move from one park to another by walking through the CityWalk, a place with several shops and restaurants – including the famous Hard Rock Cafe – or you can board the Harry Potter train, the Hogwarts Express, which makes the round trip to each of these parks. An attraction you need to know!

In addition to the convenience of not having to worry about buying tickets, Universal’s Annual Pass gives you access to other very interesting benefits:

Universal Express Pass – included in Universal Orlando Resort’s Annual Pass. With it you can skip the line once at each park attraction after 4 pm;
Prime Self-Parking – after the first visit using the Annual Pass you’ll no longer pay for parking;
Park-to-Park without blocking – there are no blocked dates: you can move from one park to another whenever you want;
Discount in stores – the Annual Pass benefits the visitor with 10% to 15% discount in stores within the park;
Hotel discounts – 25% to 30% discount on official Orlando Universal Resort hotel rates;
Meal discounts – Annual Pass holders also get 10% to 20% discounts at some CityWalk restaurants.

To purchase your Annual Pass, simply access the official Universal Orlando Resort website and search for the plan that best suits you and your needs. There are 3 different Annual Pass categories, with specific benefits:

1- Power Pass – unlimited access to the two parks – Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure – but with blocked dates and it’s only possible to visit one park per day.

2- Preferer Pass – unlimited access to both parks, being able to visit both on the same day, without blackout dates.

3- Premier Pass – the most complete, because with it in addition to unlimited access to the two parks on the same day, without blackout dates, you are also entitled to the Universal Express Pass.

The Annual Pass is a ticket specially designed for those who visit the parks more than once a year. If this is not your case, don’t worry: at https://www.myparktickets.com/ you’ll find the best tickets at the best prices! Access and check the promotions!

What to do in Orlando outside the traditional park circuit?

The Best Outlets and Malls in Orlando

Orlando is a city that has a huge variety of stores and products. The infrastructure for shopping is incredible: there are wonderful shopping centers and outlets, where you can find everything you need with great quality and unbeatable prices!

In Orlando are present the big luxury brands and several international brands. But the best stores and prices are undoubtedly in the city’s outlets and malls. The tip is to reserve at least an entire day for shopping at each place, after all they are huge!

Find out now which are the best places to shop in Orlando:

Premium Outlets

The Premium network has two large outlets in the Orlando area: the Premium International Drive outlet and the Premium Vineland outlet. These are the two most visited places for those looking to shop cheaply in the city.

Both have stores like Coach, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, Victoria’s Secret, Adidas, Calvin Klein, GAP, Forever 21 and many others!

Premium Outlet International Drive – 4951 International Drive.

Premium Vineland Outlet – 8200 Vineland Avenue.

Outlet Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores

Located minutes from the Disney complex, it’s a great alternative for shopping in Orlando. The place has more than 300 stores with a wide variety of products and prices. There you’ll find excellent brands such as Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, GAP and many others.

Address: 15657 S Apopka Vineland Rd.

The Loop Outlet

Located in the city of Kissimmee, The Loop outlet is very popular for being quieter, with fewer lines and very good prices. His style is very similar to Orlando’s outlets: an open-air mall! There you’ll find several great stores, with many famous brands.

Address: 3208 N John Young Pkwy, Kissimmee.

Shopping Florida Mall

The Florida Mall is the largest in Orlando, with more than 270 stores and restaurants. There are numerous brands that visitors to the city love such as Sephora, Zara, Abercrombie and Fitch, Aeropostale, Apple, H & M, Michael Kors and many others.

Address: 8001 S Orange Blossom Trail.

Shopping Mall at Millenia

This is a slightly more luxurious mall in Orlando, great for those looking to shop and buy luxury brands. It’s located just off International Drive and has stores like Burberry, Cartier, Chanel, Gucci, Rolex, Louis Vuitton and others.

Address: 4200 Conroy Road.

Pointe Orlando

This open-air mall doesn’t have as many store options, but you can find amazing prices and really good restaurants. It’s a really cool place to walk around as it’s usually empty and quiet. There you’ll find Hollister, Armani, Victoria’s Secret, Tommy Hilfiger among others.

Address: 9101 International Drive

Be sure to use discount coupons when shopping in Orlando. Coupons really work and will save you a lot! Information about discount coupons can usually be found on outlet and mall websites.

The tip is to print the available coupons close to the date of your visit, as they have an expiration date.

Did you like to learn more about the best outlets and malls in Orlando? When you come to the city on vacation, be sure to buy your tickets to the theme parks with My Park Tickets at the best prices in the market!

Discover Celebration: The City Created by Disney

Have you heard about Celebration? It all started with Walt Disney’s dream of building a futuristic model city called EPCOT – Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. After his death in 1966, this idea became a theme park.

Later, this project was taken off the paper in the form of Celebration, but a little different from what Walt Disney had envisioned: it became a perfect urban grouping that mixes common architectural styles in the North of the United States and was opened in 1994.

The city has beautiful houses organized around a center with a lake, tree-lined sidewalks and several paths that pass through the swamps, so famous in Florida. About 9,000 people live in Celebration and the Disney Company still owns the area entirely.

Celebration is located in Kissimmee County, right next to the Disney parks. To give you an idea, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is located just 9 minutes drive from the city!

For those who are in Orlando and want to take a different and peaceful tour, the city of Celebration is a very interesting option. The tip is to go into town for lunch, an afternoon snack, or even dinner at one of the local restaurants.

Celebration town center is around Market Street and Front Street, where you can find the Market Street Cafe, a diner serving a variety of American delights like waffles, eggs and pancakes.

You can rent a bike at Celebration Bike Rental and take a tour of the city or even go on a guided tour and learn about many of Celebration’s curiosities and secrets.

On the main street of the city there are several shops, restaurants and sweet shops. Those visiting Celebration at night can head to the Imperium Food and Wine, a wine bar with a rich wine list. On Sundays, you can visit the Farmer’s Market, which is open from 9am to 2pm with small producers of fruits, vegetables, breads and cheeses.

A 15-minute drive from the town of Celebration is “The Paddling Center”, where you can rent a kayak or stand up paddle and paddle through the waters of Shingle Creek. An experience very different from the parks in Orlando!

Celebration may not be the futuristic city envisioned so many years ago by Walt Disney, but without a doubt it’s a very different and enjoyable trip to take when visiting Orlando with your family. It’s worth knowing and enjoying all the charm of the place!

Florida’s famous Springs

Florida has much more to offer than just parks and beaches. The famous Springs can be visited to the north, just two hours away from Orlando. In fact, there are some even closer! These natural parks are really breathtaking.

First of all, it’s important to say that the best option for visiting the Springs is by renting a car. That way you’ll have more freedom to explore and enjoy everything in your time. Don’t worry: the roads are great and super safe! Now know a little more about some of them.

Blue Spring State Park

This park is just 1 hour drive from Orlando. It has an excellent structure, with parking, dressing room, water equipment rental and convenience store. There you can kayak or float, go hiking and still swim peacefully with the manatees! An incredible experience!

DeLeon Springs

Just a 1-hour drive from Orlando, this park has a super complete infrastructure. There you’ll find the famous restaurant “The Old Sugar Mill”, where you prepare your own pancakes with the filling you want. At De Leon Springs it’s possible to swim, dive, fish, go boating, picnic and hike.

Silver Springs State

Approximately 1 hour from Orlando you’ll also find Silver Springs State. Swimming isn’t permitted in these Springs, but you can rent kayaks and paddle across the complex of rivers and springs in the park. The most popular tour there is the glass bottom boat, where you’ll have the chance to see all the beauties hidden under the water.

Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area

This Spring is for those who love to appreciate nature, since there the structure is very simple. It’s a maximum of 1 hour from Orlando. The visitor needs to bring his own snack, which he can eat at the picnic tables available in the park. But it’s worth knowing because the bathing areas are huge and the waters are super blue. Really incredible!

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

This park also functions as a zoo. It’s just over 1h40 from Orlando and has a very nice infrastructure, with several trails that lead to the animals. Many of them are there in recovery and then will return to nature. It’s possible to visit manatees up close and learn a little more about them. It’s truly a sanctuary on Earth!

These are just a few examples of Springs that you can get to know on your next visit to Orlando. There are still many other options of equally amazing natural parks there, you just have to choose what you find most fun for you and your family!

The 4 best beaches near Orlando

For most of the year, Orlando is a very hot city. For this reason, many tourists choose to dedicate a few days of their trips to get to know the nearest beaches and rest a little after the park and shopping marathon.

Discover the best and most famous beaches near Orlando for you to plan your next trip and relax with your family and friends!

Daytona Beach

Located 1 hour from Orlando, Daytona Beach is one of the most sought after beaches for offering a complete structure and several leisure options to its visitors, with local parks by the beach. The city is also home to several Stock Car attractions, so it attracts many tourists and racing fans. An excellent place to rest, sunbathe, relax and enjoy a lot!

Another cool place on Daytona Beach that is worth visiting is the Daytona Beach Pier and Boardwalk. Located on Ocean Avenue, it’s one of the main attractions of the city and usually gets crowded on weekends.

Cocoa Beach

This is the closest beach to Orlando and one of the main ones on Cape Canaveral. If you like to surf, this is the perfect beach for you: the sea has excellent spots with incredible waves. Cocoa Beach is also home to the largest surf shop in the world, the “Ron Jon Surf Shop”, which is open 24 hours a day. There you’ll also find several restaurants, bars and shops close to the beach.

Clearwater Beach

Leaving Orlando, it’s possible to get there in just over an hour by car. Clearwater is part of a region in the Gulf of Mexico, so it’s one of the most beautiful beaches, with calm, warm and clear water and white sand. The climate is hot almost all year round and the place is very pleasant, with excellent infrastructure and several piers with wonderful views, perfect for enjoying the sunset. It’s no wonder that it’s one of the favorite beaches for tourists visiting Orlando!

Anna Maria Island

This island, located 2 hours from Orlando, has simply spectacular beaches! The sea is very calm, with a pleasant temperature, and the sand is very white, which makes it a great place to spend the day and enjoy the Florida heat. In fact, if what you are looking for is tranquility, you have to choose the beaches on Anna Maria Island instead of the ones closest to Orlando, which are more busy and more frequented by tourists. Among the main beaches on Anna Maria Island are: Bean Point Beach, Coquina Beach and Bradenton Beach.

Florida is certainly a region blessed by nature. After all, these are just a few examples of beaches for you to enjoy there with your family. There are several other places close to nature for you to know when you visit Orlando. Fun options are not lacking in the land of magic!

To finish our tour, how about some more affordable hotel tips for you to stay with your family in Orlando?

Tips for good and cheap hotels in Orlando

Planning a trip from scratch can be challenging, especially if you’re going to a place you’ve never been before. With that in mind, we have put together this incredible list of good and cheap hotels in Orlando, so that you have a comfortable, economical and magical visit.

Rosen Inn International Hotel

Located on the famous International Drive, this hotel is very close to Universal Orlando Resort and just 15 minutes from the Walt Disney World complex. It offers free transportation to some parks and its reception is open 24 hours, in addition to having swimming pools, games room, mini-market and a gift shop.

Comfort Inn & Suites Convention Center

An excellent option for those who want to visit Orlando, this hotel has well-equipped and comfortable rooms, internet access, free parking and an excellent location, close to several restaurants and great supermarkets such as Walmart and Whole Foods.

Floridian Express Extended Stay Hotel

For those who like comfort and convenience, this hotel is a great alternative. In your very well equipped room you’ll find air conditioning, a refrigerator and a desk. The guest also has a 24-hour reception and luggage storage option if needed. It’s just 6 minutes from Universal ‘s Volcano Bay.

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson

This hotel has very clean and comfortable rooms with a minibar and microwave, an excellent breakfast and very well trained staff. With an incredible location, it’s close to several restaurants around the clock and just 7 minutes from Walmart.

Celebration Suites

With a family atmosphere, this hotel offers great value for money. It has large, comfortable rooms with full kitchens, free parking and is very well located: about 15 minutes from the Walt Disney World complex and 25 minutes from Universal Orlando Resort.

Melia Orlando Celebration

This hotel has excellent infrastructure, with large, well-equipped rooms and huge swimming pools. The location is great, with easy access to all of Orlando’s major theme parks and outlets. There are good dining and shopping options nearby.

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort

Our last choice of hotel in Orlando is for those who want to enjoy Disney magic throughout their stay in the city. Compared to the other hotels on this list, it has a higher price, but offers absolutely all the advantages that a Disney guest might want, such as free transportation and different times to enjoy the parks, in addition to the hotel being fully decorated and having modern and equipped rooms.

Whatever your choice of hotel, Orlando is definitely ready to welcome you and your family. Your stay in the land of magic will be absolutely incredible!

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