There is a good reason why Orlando is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Florida! Between its amazing theme parks, great shopping and dining, and no shortage of fun things to do in and around the city, you can visit Orlando again and again while always finding something new. Although any time of year is the perfect time for an Orlando getaway, the summer and fall seasons are the most popular and typically have the most events and activities to explore. During the summer and fall months, you can enjoy time at the beach, family-friendly theme park fun, and seemingly endless events. Whether you want to spend your time here relaxing and recharging or want to go all out and see as many attractions as you can, the perfect Orlando vacation is waiting for you! Keep reading to learn more about all the fun that awaits you in Florida with our ultimate guide to summer and fall in Orlando!
Any experienced traveler will tell you that where you choose to stay can truly make or break your vacation experience. When you visit Orlando, not only will you want to be in the center of all the action, but you’ll also want to enjoy spending time at your rental property. With our selection of vacation homes in Orlando, you get the best of both worlds! Our selection of homes is carefully curated to be conveniently located near all of the action in Orlando. Whether you prefer to be closer to the beach, the golf course, or the theme parks, the perfect vacation home is waiting for you in Orlando. In addition to their great location, our vacation rental homes offer some of the best perks you’ll find anywhere in Orlando. In this competitive vacation rental market, our properties stand out above the rest of the competition. We have homes in some of the most desirable resort communities in Orlando and offer an impressive list of amenities. Don’t make the mistake of staying in an overpriced or over crowded theme park hotel and don’t settle for one of our competitor’s vacation rentals. Make the most of your vacation in Orlando by choosing one of our amazing properties!
First and foremost, Orlando is known for its world class list of theme parks. If you are looking for family friendly entertainment and attractions, then choosing to spend your vacation in one of Orlando’s theme parks is a great place to start!
The first and perhaps most iconic theme park in Orlando is Walt Disney World! Here at the iconic “House of Mouse,” you’ll find not one, not two, but four entire theme parks, each with its own theme and list of great attractions. Fans of classic Disney films will love the Magic Kingdom, home to Cinderella’s castle and classic attractions such as Space Mountain and Peter Pan’s Flight. Epcot explores our world, both past and present, real and fictional, with the main attraction here being the opportunity to travel around the world at the World Showcase, which features food, drink, and sometimes attractions that represent dozens of countries around the world. Hollywood Studios, as the name would suggest, is a celebration of movie magic and the park which features the most live entertainment. Last but certainly not least, Animal Kingdom celebrates nature and wildlife, from dinosaurs to the fictional world of Avatar. In addition to a unique theme and list of attractions, you’ll also find that each park features its own character interactions, shows, parades, and dining!
Universal Studios is another one of the premier theme parks in Orlando that attracts visitors from all over the world. Consisting of two separate parks, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, Universal is connected by the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which spans both parks. Here, you are transported into the magical version of London and get to experience thrilling attractions in Hogwarts castle and enjoy foods from the films and books such as butterbeer! Universal Studios also have great thrill rides, like the newly opened VelociCoaster and rides that will delight any classic movie fan, like the backlot tour where you get to see the sets from iconic films.
Anyone interested in the ocean should definitely make a stop at SeaWorld! A perfect combination of aquarium, zoo, and classic theme park, here you’ll find plenty of thrill rides alongside animal shows and encounters. Meet orcas, dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, and more at one of the many shows or exhibits. Those looking for thrills will be delighted by the many high speed roller coasters here! However, there is still plenty of fun to be had for the whole family, especially with their newly opened attraction Sesame Street Land, which brings the characters of the classic children’s television program to life and is sure to delight the little ones!
Last, but certainly not least, those looking for animal themed fun with a Florida twist should look no further than a day in Gatorland! As you might expect, the main attraction here is the iconic Florida native alligator! Not only will you get to see dozens of alligators, but you also have the chance to watch them feed, learn about them from trained animal experts, and even zipline over their enclosures! In addition to alligators, Gatorland features also exotic creatures such as crocodiles, birds, snakes, tortoises, and more. For a uniquely Floridian theme park experience, Gatorland is a must!
Although we could devote our entire guide to just theme park fun, we want to be sure you learn about how to explore all of Orlando! If you are planning a summer in Orlando, consider centering your trip around the 4th of July holiday to see some of the best fireworks shows in the nation. You’ll find that many of the theme parks have their own unique fireworks shows planned so you won’t miss out on great fireworks if you are planning your holiday around a theme park trip. However, the City of Orlando hosts a fantastic fireworks show that is sure to wow the whole family! At Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando, enjoy the Fireworks at the Fountain event from 5pm to 10pm. Before the fireworks show, enjoy live entertainment, family friendly activities, and food and drinks. The fireworks start promptly at 9:15, set to a live performance by the Orlando Concert Band. Best of all? This patriotic show is free to attend!
Orlando isn’t just full of theme park entertainment; you can also enjoy live sport events and even have a chance to get out and be active during your vacation here! Orlando may be an unexpected destination for live sports, but they host three professional sports teams. The Orlando Magic is the local NBA team, and any basketball fan should make the time to head to a game if you are traveling to Orlando in the early summer season. If you are visiting the Orlando area during the late summer or early fall, soccer is in season! Orlando is home to two professional soccer teams: Orlando City SC with Major League Soccer, and Orlando Pride with National Women’s Soccer League. Both are fun, fast paced sports environments that are fun for any live sports fan, even if you aren’t necessarily invested in the specific team.
For those who want to get in on the action themselves, consider signing up for one of the many annual 5k races in the Orlando area that are fun for both adults and kids alike! The Run Nona 5k & Nemours Kids’ Run is a great annual event that gets your family active and helps you beat the heat. Adults can join the Run Nona 5k, while the Nemours Kids’ Run is specially designed to keep little ones engaged in fun activities. Enjoy a block party atmosphere with live entertainment, splash pads, a foam zone and more! Register to get a t-shirt and finisher medal. Another fun annual 5k in the Orlando area is the Battle of the Bands 5k. This race is unique because it features local bands performing at each mile marker throughout the course, making for a great racing environment.
Of course, we can’t talk about sports in Orland without talking about the great golf courses here! If you are a golfing enthusiast, bring your clubs along to Orlando with you and hit some of the best links in Florida. The Shingle Creek Golf Course is the top-rated course in Orlando. Located just one mile away from the Orlando Convention Center, this course has everything you could ask for in a great golf course: great design, tournament quality conditions, first class services, and a great location. This course is a Greens of Excellence award winner and also boasts the Best of Orlando 2021 award from GolfOrlandoFlorida.com. If you are looking for a fantastic public golf course, head to Orange County National. Here you’ll find 36 holes of championship golf, as well as a 9-hole course and a 360-degree driving range. Orange County National is consistently rated one of the top courses in Orlando and is a great choice for your next visit to Orlando!
Looking for great events and conventions during your vacation? Luckily, Orlando has you covered! One of the most popular conventions in the Orlando area is MEGACON Orlando. Taking place in August each year, this is the largest convention in honor of sci-fi, horror, comics, anime, and gaming. Attracting about 100,000 guests each year, this is a great chance to break out your favorite cosplay, enjoy panels about your favorite shows, movies, and games and maybe even get a photo or autograph from your favorite celebrity!
For more great family friendly entertainment in Orlando, head to the Florida Kids and Family Expo! Not only is this a great event for local families to find resources within the Orlando area, but there is tons of fun to be had for all families! Enjoy classic carnival attractions, bounce houses, a petting zoo, two days of live performances, train rides, live character interactions and more! This is a can’t-miss event for family fun during your next Orlando vacation!
However, if you are looking for a more grown-up night out, Orlando is full of adults-only entertainment as well! Throughout the busy summer and fall seasons, many comedians go on tour and Orlando is a must stop for them. Leave the kids at home and head out to see live acts such as Joe Rogan and Nikki Glaser for seemingly endless laughs. There’s also great live music all summer in Orlando at local venues Hard Rock Cafe or House of Blues, with a variety of acts coming to perform from pop and R&B to rock and hip hop!
Orlando may be known for great entertainment, but they are no slouch when it comes to amazing shopping and dining! Head to Mall of Millenia for a high-end luxury shopping experience at boutiques from brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Tiffany & Co. They also offer a concierge service and a personal stylist shopping experience sure to give you the full luxury experience. Whether you want to window shop or are in search of a high-end gift or souvenir, the Mall of Millenia is a great option for shopping in Orlando.
In addition to great luxury shopping, Orlando has some awesome shopping and dining areas that are conveniently located near the major theme parks. The Disney Springs and City Walk areas are located near Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, respectively. Although this may seem like an extension of silly theme park fun, these areas are actually filled with some of the best shopping and dining in all of Orlando! From high end shops to great boutiques for souvenirs, from quick service bites to high-end dining. Disney Springs and City Walk are a must visit for anyone looking to shop (and dine!) until you drop!
As you can see, Orlando has no shortage of events, attractions, entertainment, shopping, and dining! Make the most of your summer or fall in Orlando by choosing to stay in one of our rental properties that put you in the heart of all the action. Book today!
