Over the past 45 years, Orlando has developed from a quiet Florida town into one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world. This all started when Walt Disney World opened its doors in 1971, quickly becoming a theme park that attracts literally millions of people every year. For many years, Disney World had free reign over the Orlando market. However, competing theme parks started to open in the late 1980s. This trend has continued into the present day, causing Orlando to become one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. If you are planning to take a vacation to Orlando in the near future, it would be a good idea to make your way over to the Hipmunk website. You will be able to compare hotel and airfare prices, enabling you to get the best deal. Here are some things you should not miss during your Orlando vacation.
Florida has hot weather for most of the year. Therefore, people visiting the sunshine state may want to cool off by going to a water park. This is especially true for people who visit Orlando in the middle of the summer when temperatures are at their warmest. Typhoon Lagoon is a water park that is owned by Disney. If has a wide variety of rides and water slides. If you feel like doing some surfing during your visit to Florida, you do not need to go to the ocean. Typhoon Lagoon has a wave pool where you can surf for as long as you want. There are also areas of the park that are specially designed for small children. For those people that are brave and seek adventure, Shark Reef is the place to be. Visitors will be allowed to swim with several species of sharks. This activity is certainly not for the faint of heart.
2. Islands of Adventure
This is part of the Universal Studios theme park. The park is divided up into five different islands. Each of these islands has its own set of attractions that are completely unique. In other words, you can visit all five islands and have five completely different entertainment experiences. Each island also has its own unique theme.
3. Orlando Science Center
This is a great place to visit for people who are interested in learning about the world around them. There is a large natural history component to the museum. Plenty of dinosaur skeletons are on display to amaze people of all ages, but especially young children. There are also plenty of interactive exhibits on hand that are specially designed for children, making this a great place for families. There is a cinema that regularly presents movies and laser shows.
4. Wet ‘N Wild
This was one of the first water parks to be constructed in the state of Florida. It also has developed the reputation of being one of the best. There is no shortage of rides and entertainment that your entire family will be able to enjoy. Among the many fun activities that you can choose from are flumes, chutes, a wave pool, raft rides and water slides. There are also rides that are designed for one person or multiple people. For people who simply want to relax, The Lazy River will let you float peacefully down a river in an inner tube.
This article was contributed by Fiona Moriarty of Hipmunk, a comprehensive travel search website allowing you to find the best deals on anything from flights and hotels to train rides and Homeaway rentals.