When you’re looking for a fun-for-all getaway destination, there’s no better place to find yourself than vibrant Orlando, Florida. If your plans have you adventuring toward Florida with the kids included in your traveling crew, you’ll want to make sure you drop by when Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend in Orlando is in full swing. Hosted at SeaWorld each year, this annual event is one-of-a-kind and one you simply won’t want to miss.
When travelers head to Orlando, they often do so with a long list of activities and attractions to check out and enjoy with good reason. This year, consider adding a stop at the annual Harvest Festival Orlando at nearby Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards to your fun-filled itinerary. You won’t have to go far at all to find the fun and delicious moments that await! This is a highly anticipated annual event that’s hosted each summer at the winery that’s designed to bring locals and visitors together in good company. It’s typically a three-day event that’s ideal for solo visitors, couples, and families too. It’s $10 a person for adults to enjoy the festival and those 12 and under can enjoy the festivities at no charge.
Each year, upward of 60 vendors, artisans, and local crafters set up showcases at the annual Harvest Festival at Lakeridge Winery. A visit to the festival is a chance to enjoy a wide variety of tasty food options as well as Lakeridge award-winning wines. Live music makes this event as entertaining as it is palate-pleasing and if you’d like, you can leave a $2 donation at the door that will go towards supporting the Hospice Foundation. That’s something everyone can feel good about.
For many Harvest Festival goers, this Lakeridge Winery event is best loved for its grape-stomping fun! In the true and authentic tradition of winemaking, guests are invited to give barrel stomping a try while when they drop by or just enjoy others putting their stomping skills to the test. Whether you stay for a few hours or hang out for several days, this is a festival you won’t want to miss out on when you’re heading to Orlando this year.
Making the most of your Orlando getaway comes down to the details that elevate the experience at every turn. When temperatures rise, cool off in style by making sure to add the following water parks in Orlando to your itinerary while you’re in town!
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On the Hunt for a 3 Bedroom House with a Pool? Browse Here! We have to admit (and not because we’re biased), Orlando is no stranger to putting on some of the best Halloween celebrations in Florida. And despite some of the setbacks we’ve all faced due to COVID-19, that hasn’t stopped Orlando from coming up with frightening fun ways to celebrate the spooky season. From drive-ins to trick-or-treating and some of the best haunted houses around, here’s your ultimate spooky guide to Halloween in Orlando for 2020.
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Expect to see surprise Halloween floats heading down Main Street U.S.A. chauffeuring some of the most iconic characters from Jafar to Maleficent (and of course, we can’t forget Mickey Mouse and all of his pals)! And don’t forget to grab some of the exclusive Walt Disney World merchandise before you head out. With new items like the Madame Leota sipper and the Walt Disney World Halloween 2020 pins, you’ll go home with more goodies than you expected.
The Magic Kingdom® Park’s daytime festivities are in full swing and will go on through October 31st, 2020. Make sure to check out the full details here!
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Choose from a family-friendly Halloween flick as the first showing, or come to the late-night showing for some of the most iconic horror movies of all time. Choose from popular films like Disney’s Frankenweenie, Beetlejuice, and The Purge. And what’s a good movie without a meal to munch on? Choose from the variety of food trucks on-site or stick with two soft drinks and two bags of good ol’ popcorn for $12.
Flicks & Frights can be reserved online at just $40 per vehicle (20% off for annual pass holders). Check out SeaWorld Orlando’s website for the movie lineup, dates, and to reserve your vehicle spot.
These two heart-pounding houses also have the option for Virtual Line™ through the Universal Orlando Resort app, giving you the chance to reserve your spot and enjoy the rest of the park.
For the shoppers, explore four terrifyingly immersive rooms inside of the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store. Here, you’ll discover the best merchandise and specialty food items themed around houses of Horror Nights past, present, and possibly future. It’s a great spot to visit for your ultimate Halloween fix.
For the little ones (12 years of age and younger), head over to Universal’s Islands of Adventure for trick-or-treating at participating retail locations! Keep an eye out for the pumpkin-marked locations to ensure every spot is visited! It’s time to fill their free trick-or-treat bag with the tastiest Halloween goodies.
And whether you’re visiting one park or both, guests can now come in costume throughout the day! Dress up in your favorite classics or match with your children’s Halloween attire.
With all of this and more, it looks like we’re going to be pretty spoiled for choice at Universal Orlando Resort. Check out Universal Orlando’s website for all of the details, terms, and conditions.
For those of you who are interested in a family-friendly version, check out The Haunted Road’s daytime experience. This adventure takes you and your family through an enchanted forest where you’ll encounter some friendly fairytale creatures. This experience promises to provide music, storytelling, and plenty of fun (along with a contactless sweet treat) for the whole family!
Think you have what it takes to brave The Haunted Road? Visit The Haunted Road on select dates from September 25 through November 7, 2020 for the most unique Halloween experience around! Tickets must be purchased in advance, so please head to The Haunted Road’s website for more information on how to reserve your vehicle. (Photo Credit: The Haunted Road)
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Take the kiddos down the dirt roads to discover a pumpkin patch offering some of the best variety of pumpkins grown in the U.S. If you’re dreaming of sunflowers and zinnias, Southern Hill is well known for its stunning sunflower and zinnia fields. Choose your favorite blooms and take them with you as a souvenir, or capture breathtaking photos to share with family and friends!
And what’s a day to the farm without treats? Munch on Southern Hill’s popular blueberry doughnuts and sip some of the best blueberry lemonade you’ve ever tasted. Guests may also visit 8 food trucks during the weekends and the gift shop offering homemade jams, candles, and more.
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the Southern Hill Farms Fall Festival and learn more by checking out their website and reserving your day! It’ll be one of the best fall days you’ll have all season.
Choose from one of the four Sunday’s in October to face your fears with flicks like Scream and Hocus Pocus! Tickets are $10 per vehicle and must be purchased in advance to reserve your spot. Check out Old Town’s Halloween Drive-In event on their website to learn more.
Enjoy a Weekend in Orlando of Fun Each January
A January trip to Orlando is a fun way to ring in a new year. It’s also the right time to make the most of the Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend at SeaWorld Orlando. This inviting and exciting event is hosted at the end of the month and is a full weekend dedicated to themed Sesame Street activities, amazing performances, and character meet-and-greets too. While the event is created to thrill children, it’s likely that everyone in your group, including the adults will find something that inspires. There are hands-on activity stations to check out and plenty of places to stop and grab photos so you can remember the fun long after you’ve left Orlando and returned home. When you purchase a general admission ticket to SeaWorld during this time of year, the Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend activities are all included in the cost.
What to Expect During Your Weekend of Sesame Street Adventure
The concept behind Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend at SeaWorld is always to foster a sense of community and provide guests with activities and performances that focus on being thoughtful, kind, and helpful to one another. It’s ultimately a developmental learning experience for kids that provides hands-on learning around the concepts of giving and sharing. A highlight that’s highly anticipated each year is the chance for young guests to enjoy a story time with Big Bird. Kids are invited to step into Big Bird’s nest as he reads some of his favorite stories and those moments that have only been seen on television suddenly become real! Storytime is held at designated times throughout each day of the weekend fun, so you’ll want to be sure you check in on the calendar to enjoy at least one session while you’re here.The Sesame Street Party Parade is another exciting event held during the Sesame Street Kid’s Weekend in Orlando. Those who attend will enjoy award-winning performances at select times throughout this special weekend. Spectators will find it hard to resist dancing and singing along as characters like Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Oscar the Grouch make their way through Sesame Street Land on beautiful and colorful floats. It’s a big concert and dance party that’s fun for the entire family and full of energy!
Oscar’s Trash Can Activity is another must-try during your Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend visit. This is a craft-based activity that’s as fun as it is innovative and certainly Oscar the Grouch-approved. Kids can come over to the workspace and use discarded materials to repurpose them into a creative work of art. It’s an activity that’s engaging and also a good look at how recycling works, and how important conservation and environmental protection are too. All of these concepts are part of SeaWorld Orlando’s overriding mission and are infused into the activities seamlessly for guests during this fun weekend.
A trip to Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend in Orlando is also a chance for guests to make the most of fun character meet-and-greets. Little ones can get their photo taken with Baby Bear who teaches lessons on caring, adventure, and bravery. Snapping a picture with Honker and Dinger is sure to delight while fan-favorites like Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, Rosita, and Elmo will also be on-hand to meet with guests and take great pictures too.
As you move through the various stations, activities, and attractions that make up Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend, your little ones have the opportunity to earn Hero Badges as proof of the great traits they’re learning about and possess. Badges are earned for courage, kindness, patience, and beyond! Earning badges leads to being qualified to become a part of the Everyday Heroes Club. The program is designed to motivate and inspire little ones. The program also provides opportunities for guests to meet with local Orange County Fire and Rescue professionals as well as the local Sheriff’s Office department members to learn what first responders and community safety professionals do.
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Now is an amazing time to begin turning your Orlando travel plans into a reality. When you’re ready to book your vacation rental that keeps you close to the fun while infusing luxury, comfort, and style into your stay too, the team at Magical Vacation Homes has you covered. Reach out today to learn more about our exciting options and to get started. We can’t wait to see you in sunny Florida soon!Spending time far from the daily grind of life can be refreshing and revitalizing, especially when you know that you’re heading to Orlando, Florida in the name of fun! Solo travelers, couples, and families, and friend groups alike find reasons to return to Orlando year after year in the name of one-of-a-kind adventures and magical moments. Whether you’re someone who can’t wait to shop and dine their way through a stay, or you have every intention of spending as much time as possible checking out every world-class theme park in town, Orlando is a destination designed to inspire. It’s also a place where guests can enjoy mind-bending museums, amusement-style rides, and opportunities to get into nature and connect with wildlife as well. While the options are seemingly endless when it comes to customized adventures in Orlando, a trip this way in summer and early fall 2023 comes with even more delicious fun to add to the itinerary with the return of SeaWorld’s Craft Beer Festival. While SeaWorld is loved for its collection of shows, attractions, rides, and marine life on-site, the annual Craft Beer Festival adds a flavorful twist to the experience with every visit. The event is highly anticipated by locals and visitors alike and is designed for those guests who are 21 and up. It’s a great way to spend time with family and friends enjoying the best SeaWorld exhibits have to offer while also enjoying a refreshing beverage or two to cool off when temperatures rise.
What to Expect at the Craft Beer Festival at SeaWorld
Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast or just excited to enjoy a palate-pleasing moment this summer in Orlando, the SeaWorld Craft Beer Festival is sure to thrill. It’s an event you simply won’t want to miss if only for the fact that the park will be hosting no less than 100 craft brews right on-site! This impressive lineup means plenty of options for flavorful fun and exploring new brews you might not be familiar with. In addition to the collection of craft brews at the festival, participants will enjoy access to wines, seltzers and cocktails as well enhancing the experience even further. If you’re worried about curbing cravings alongside those tasty beverages, you can’t let go of stress and focus on the fun instead. The SeaWorld Craft Beer Festival also has plenty of delicious snacks and bites on-site so that you can find the perfect pairing to go with your drink no matter what brew you choose. The festival also enjoys a variety of live entertainment and performances which means it’s bound to be an experience you won’t soon forget.Planning Your SeaWorld’s Craft Beer Festival Visit
To participate in the SeaWorld Craft Beer Festival in 2023, you’ll want to be sure to visit the park between July 28th and September 4th. The festival is hosted every Friday through Sunday during this timeframe and kicks off at 12:00 pm. The festivities until for an hour before park closing, giving guests plenty of time to check out everything that’s going on and worth tasting! Making the most of the fun is more convenient than ever thanks to the fact that your general park admission ticket also works as your Craft Beer Festival entrance ticket. You’ll just need to make sure you have your ID on hand and ready to present to participate. In addition to the traditional brew options on-site, those who are looking to invest in even more fun can opt to purchase an additional festival package that provides options for more samples. When you do, you’ll receive a sampling lanyard indicating just how many delicious options await. An 8-item sampler lanyard is available for $55 while a 12-item sampler lanyard is available for $70. Guests can also choose to purchase a separate festival ticket that includes the Dinner Series at SeaWorld as well. The ticket provides entrance to this savory and special event that includes a fantastic on-site dining experience and park access starting at $109 per person and running up through $129 per person depending on the night you select. Dinner tickets are your way into an elegant four-course meal at the Sharks Underwater Grill where you’ll enjoy time in the private Reef Room while listening to a guest speaker that hails from the Craft Brew Festival lineup. It’s a great way to enhance the fun of the festival even further.
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Now is the perfect time to begin turning your Orlando travel plans into a reality. When you know you’re going to want incredible accommodations to top off your stay, the team at Magical Vacation Homes has you covered. Reach out today to learn more about our exciting property options in Orlando that infuse luxury, comfort, convenience, and style into every moment of your getaway. We’ll handle the details so that you can focus exclusively on the well-deserved fun ahead. Our team can’t wait to welcome you to sunny Florida soon!
Enjoying Time at Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards
Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards has built a reputation for excellence and fine winemaking in Central Florida that’s truly one-of-a-kind. The winery is easily accessible at 19239 US Highway 27 in Clermont and is open to the public for delicious moments daily between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. It’s a simple stop to add to even the busiest of itineraries and when you make time to enjoy a visit for either the festival or just for fun another time of year, you’ll have the option to include a guided tour of the grounds and facilities into your experience. There are also options to make the most of a tasting session when you’re looking to enhance the overall flavor of your visit. Tasting sessions and comprehensive site tours are available to participate in daily starting at 10:00 am. Tours often last 45 minutes and leave every 30 to 40 minutes alongside a knowledgeable and friendly guide. Things kick off with a 10-minute informational video providing insight into the wine-making process and tours end with well-deserved sips of award-winning wine. Guides on these tours also provide insight into how the facility is set up for production and highlight the scenic areas of the vineyard along the way. If you choose to enjoy a tasting session on-site, you’ll have the chance to enjoy the varietals that the winery is known for ranging from dry and sweet options to sparkling selections too.Vineyard Details
When you head to Lakeridge Winery & Vineyard to enjoy the annual Harvest Festival, you’ll find yourself in a place that hosts over 80 acres of planted vineyards. The land here is successful with growing native muscadine grapes alongside hybrid varietals. The vineyard’s annual crop is always impressive and becomes a product that’s sold in retail settings as well as on-site at the vineyard. On average, the vineyard welcomes more than 160,000 people annually who come to make the most of time in the tasting room, touring the grounds, or enjoying annual events like the Harvest Festival! There’s also a gift shop on-site for visitors to check out when they drop by. Weekend events at the winery are also a hit with guests and happen on Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 4:00 pm. These events include food, beverages, and live entertainment too. Celebrate in Style at the Harvest Festival in Orlando
Year over year, Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards produces more than 100,000 cases and 1 million bottles of wine. That’s something to celebrate at Harvest Festival time! On top of that, the winery has earned more than 600 awards for winemaking excellence over the years. Since opening in 1989, the Lakeridge Winery & Vineyard has been an icon of flavor, fun, and amazing views too. In total, the estate sprawls across 127 acres of land, all of which is on full display during the Harvest Festival. No more than 25 miles from Orlando, this winery is easy to reach and a welcome stop for those looking to celebrate in a savory style. Known for producing everything from Welder, Noble, and Carlos to Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon, Lakeridge Winery is well worth a visit when Harvest Festival rolls around.Book Today
Savor the Orlando experience and make sure you have amazing accommodations too when you reserve your vacation rental through Magical Vacation Homes. Reach out today to learn more and to start planning!Check Out Aquatica Orlando
A highlight stop for many travelers to Orlando is SeaWorld. While this park is a great place to get up close to fascinating marine creatures in abundance, it also hosts its own thrilling water park known as Aquatica Orlando. Operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Aquatica Orlando is a family-friendly water park that’s brimming over with pools, attractions, and rides to check out while you’re in town. The park’s attraction known as The Reef Plunge is a particularly appealing option as water park guests can slide down a clear tube that gives a prime view of marine creatures swimming overhead! Weightlessness can be experienced on Aquatica Orlando’s Karekare Curl while the Riptide Race gives water park-goers a chance to compete for top speeds on the slides. When you’ve had your fill of waves pools and splash pads, be sure to make time to enjoy on-site shopping and dining options at Aquatica Orlando too. Guests here will find it’s simple to let an afternoon of fun turn into a full day of water park adventures.
Experience Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
Travelers making their way to Orlando are likely to have some Disney-focused fun on their must-do list. While the magic of Disney is inevitably appealing, those who love water parks as well won’t want to miss a chance to spend a day exploring Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. An ideal destination for families, Typhoon Lagoon lets visitors of all ages enjoy everything from splash pads and wave pools to lazy rivers, rides, attractions, and more! Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is open every day of the week between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm making it a convenient addition to an already packed Orlando itinerary. Customizing your time at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is made simple with options to book private beach shacks, cabanas, and umbrellas during a visit. Beach shacks can be reserved for small groups and large groups of visitors alike. While you’re reserving your cabana, go ahead and purchase an advance ticket for the water park’s after-hours glow party which is sure to thrill as well! During a water park visit this way, Typhoon Lagoon guests can make the most of incredible rides and attractions ranging from the surf pool and crush n’ gusher to the Ketchakiddee Creek area which is ideal for little ones looking to splash around. While the water-based fun is sure to delight, it’s easy to work up an appetite at Typhoon Lagoon too. Fortunately, guests will find this park has a variety of savory and sweet options to enjoy while they’re here. The Leaning Palms is a perfect option for a mouthwatering lunch while Go Slurpin’ serves up wine, beer, and handcrafted cocktails upon request. If you make time for a stop at Happy Landings Ice Cream, you and your crew can treat yourselves to cones, smoothies, and shakes galore!Make time for Universal’s Volcano Bay
For all the Disney fun that Orlando offers up, it’s just as exciting to set aside some time on the itinerary for a trip to Universal. Another highlight destination within the greater Orlando area, Universal provides guests with access to behind-the-scenes movie fun that’s one-of-a-kind. Universal is also home to Volcano Bay water park which is a delight when temperatures rise alongside the desire to find even more fun to be enjoyed! Volcano Bay is named for the artificial volcano that acts as the water park’s centerpiece, making this stop easy to identify from the moment you step through the gates. Around the center volcano, guests will find plenty to enjoy in the way of splash pads, wave pools, water cannons, water slides, lazy rivers, and more. If you’re more in the mood to sit back and watch the excitement, there are plenty of lounge areas readily available too. The park is open daily from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm and options to rent private or family-focused cabanas help personalize each and every visit. Whether you purchase a pass exclusively for the park or wrap up the cost into a multi-day Universal pass, it’s well worth your time to check out while you’re in town. From the Krakatau Aqua Coaster to the tranquility of the park’s Waturi Beach—there’s no shortage of options for fun waiting to greet you here.
Enjoy Your Florida Getaway & These Water Parks in Orlando!
There’s never been a better time to make the most of an incredible getaway to Orlando. When you’re looking for amazing accommodations to match that keep you close to the fun and living in style, the team at Magical Vacation Homes is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our lineup of luxurious property options available and how we can help you start planning your next trip!Orlando, Florida is a city that provides a variety of unique experiences for travelers to enjoy. Whether you’re a Disney enthusiast or crave a sunny Central Florida stop to enjoy, Orlando is the place to be. It also happens to be an amazing destination for couples who are looking to make the most of a romantic escape complete with an itinerary filled with fun activities for two. When you’re ready to enjoy the ultimate couple’s getaway in this direction, the following are just a few of the many romantic activities in Orlando that you’ll want to be sure to add to your must-try list. Whether you add one or all of them, these activities are a great way to embrace the best of your time together in Orlando!Plan a Romantic Meal at The Grande 7593 Chophouse
For the couple that finds their romantic stride most easily over the experience of a mouthwatering meal, book a romantic dinner for two at The Grande 7593 Chophouse. Located within Reunion Resort, The Grande 7593 Chophouse sets the romantic scene from the moment you walk through the front door. On February 11th and 12th, enjoy Valentine’s specials. On February 14th, bring your loved ones to enjoy a special Valentine’s menu featuring a Seafood Tower, Surf and Turf, Chocolate Hearts for Two, and many more delicious dishes. Be sure to make your reservations early so you can enjoy this special menu.Rent a Charming Stay for Two
Getting out and exploring Orlando with your significant other is romantic in and of itself. However, booking a luxurious and charming vacation rental for two can elevate your experience even further! Couples who book through Magical Vacation Homes will enjoy picking and choosing from a wide variety of romantic rentals that are spacious, bright, and endlessly welcoming. Complete with tasteful furnishings, full kitchens, large bedrooms, the best of technology, and beyond, a stay here is sure to inspire. Be sure to ask about our properties that highlight the romance with access to pools and hot tubs as well as private balconies, decks, porches, and patios too.Enjoy a Couples Massage at The Four Seasons Orlando
Making the most of a romantic trip to Orlando for two should always include some well-earned time focused no being pampered. When you’re looking for a place where relaxation and rejuvenation are both top priorities, The Four Seasons Orlando is the place to be. Located at 10100 Dream Tree Blvd, The Four Seasons Orlando is a popular destination for those looking to book everything from couples massage and hot stone treatments to facials, scrubs, beauty services, and beyond. Whatever your idea of a great couple’s spa day may be, it can be found here in abundance.Take a Ride on The Wheel at ICON Park
The Wheel at ICON Park is one of Orlando’s most iconic attractions. It also happens to be a great activity to add to the itinerary when you’re planning a romantic adventure. This 400-foot Ferris Wheel offers up cozy capsules to step into as you make your way up and around, enjoying spectacular views of the city as you go. A ride can be booked to include a champagne package when you’re looking to incorporate some romantic flavor into the mix. A trip around the wheel takes about 20-minutes, giving you plenty of time to enjoy with your significant other.Take a Helicopter Night Tour with Orlando HeliTours
If you’re a duo that loves to take your romantic travels to new heights and is always looking for a way to up the romance factor, booking a night tour with Orlando HeliTours is a terrific idea! This helicopter tour company offers amazing aerial view tours of the greater Orlando area and those who book a flight for two at night will enjoy the added benefit for viewing the glittering cityscape from above! As you soar about Orlando highlights like Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World and beyond, your pilot will make sure to point out what you won’t want to miss. These tours for two can be booked as 15-minute flights all the way through to hour-long adventures upon request. Orlando HeliTours is headquartered at 8991 International Drive and operates daily between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm. This is one of the most romantic activities in Orlando!Book Your Getaway & Enjoy Romantic Activities in Orlando
There’s no reason to wait when you’re ready to enjoy the best of a romantic adventure in Orlando. Reach out to Magical Vacation Homes today to learn more about our many rental options in the city and how we can help you start planning your unforgettable vacation!The holidays are always a special time of year, but if you have the chance to take your festivities on the road—even better! There’s something exciting about enjoying traditions in a new place, still surrounded by those you love most. This is especially true when your travel sights are set on exciting Orlando, Florida. This part of the state has a way with holiday fun that’s hard to top. When you’re looking for a list of Christmas activities to do in Orlando that will make your holiday getaway unforgettable, the following should definitely be added to the list.Enjoy Night of a Million Lights
If your travel plans have you in Orlando anytime between November 12, 2021 and January 2, 2022, you’ll want to be sure to make time on the itinerary for a trip to Night of a Million Lights. Hosted by Give the Kids the World Village, this spectacular event is not only inspiring but raises money to help fuel future trips offered by the organization to children who are critically ill. Night of a Million Lights is a kid-friendly event complete with a castle to tour, a mushroom-capped carousel, and plenty of on-site buildings that look like they came straight out of a Willy Wonka film! During this time of year, each of these on-site features is covered top to bottom in twinkling holiday lights for guests to enjoy. In fact, the event showcases over 3 million lights making it a moment you won’t soon forget. Night of a Million Lights is found at 210 South Bass Road in Orlando and is open daily between 5:00 pm and 10:00 pm. Admissions is $25 to $40 for adults and anywhere from $15 to $20 for kids. This is one of the best things to do in Orlando during the Christmas season!Check Out the Christmas Celebration at SeaWorld
While SeaWorld is notorious for its take on marine life and fun, during the holidays, things transition seamlessly towards the festive. If you’re lucky enough to be in Orlando any time between November 13th and January 2nd, you’ll want to be sure to head this way to enjoy time at the Christmas Celebration. This family-friendly event gives guests an opportunity to see SeaWorld transformed into a winter wonderland complete with sparkling lights, award-winning ice skating shows and visits with Santa himself! The holiday extras are all included in the price of general admission this time of year, so just showing up is enough to make the most of the holiday fun! This is definitely one of the best Christmas stuff to do in Orlando!See Oh, What Fun! for Yourself
Between November 21st and January 2nd, those Orlando visitors looking to immerse themselves in the beauty and wonder of the North Pole will find everything they’re looking for and more at Oh, What Fun! This holiday event is hosted at Lake Nona near the Orlando International Airport. It’s an open-air winter wonderland designed to inspire the mind and senses. Guests will enjoy thousands of dazzling lights and holiday decorations paired with delicious holiday treats, Santa meet and greets as well as nightly snowfalls to enjoy! There’s entertainment on the hour as well as a menorah lighting on the nights of Hanukkah.
View the Universal’s Holiday Parade Featuring Macy’s
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is a household name for many and while you can only see it one day a year, at Universal Orlando, see larger than life balloon in Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s! From beloved character balloons to Santa Claus, a trip to Universal Orlando between November 12, 2021, and January 2, 2021, families will be overjoyed to see all the festivities going on.Attend the Winter Park Christmas Parade
In its 69th year, the annual Winter Park Christmas Parade is an iconic event in this part of Florida. Hosted on December 4th, the parade is free to attend and has been something locals and visitors alike look forward to each and every year. This parade has earned the title as Central Florida’s oldest continuous holiday parade, giving visitors even more of a reason to put it on their must-experience list!See A Christmas Carol
If you’re the type of holiday traveler that looks for those traditional moments to enjoy no matter where you roam, this one’s for you. Make sure to book tickets to A Christmas Carol at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater when you’re in town over the holidays. Situated in Loch Haven Cultural Park, this theater keeps you close to modern downtown while transporting you through time using a story that’s been beloved for generations. The show runs from December 1st through December 24th.
Book Your Getaway & Enjoy Magical Christmas Things to Do in Orlando
No matter when you arrive in Orlando, the team at Magical Vacation Homes has your accommodations covered. Let us get you set up in a home away from home that brings the comfort, style, and convenience you deserve into your getaway. Reach out today to learn more about our many property options and to begin planning your next exciting trip this way!While a visit to Disney World is on the list for many vacationers who hit the road to Orlando, there are many other activities, attractions, and experiences to fill your time outside of the Happiest Place on Earth. Orlando is one of the largest cities in the Sunshine State by population, combined with loads of tourists heading there for a respite and some fun means there are many and varied activities and Orlando tours to keep you busy and experiencing all the city has to offer throughout your stay.VIP Insider Disney Tours
There are four Disney parks to choose from in Orlando, and you can spend an entire trip soaking up all the Disney fun and excitement you can dream of and still need to come back for more. Disney fans can turn up the Disney fun and head behind the scenes with a VIP insider tour of a favorite park. The private tour takes you and your group to places behind-the-scenes, to places and activities unseen or off-limits to park-goers during a traditional visit to the park. Park admission is not included in the price of the tour.Private Helicopter Tour
Go up, up, and away, as you tour the area from a bird’s eye view. Board a helicopter for a unique way to tour the area and see some of the most iconic Orlando landmarks. Soar high above the Orlando area and witness a different view of your favorite attractions. Flights can last from just ten minutes all the way up to an hour. Your pilot will show you around, point out major points of interest, as well as narrate, offering bits of history, information about the development of the area from vacant land to bustling theme parks and tourist destinations. Don’t forget your camera as you’re sure to capture beautiful photos while you soak up the sights, including Disney Springs, Epcot, Old Town Orlando, Sea World, and others. This tour is provided by MaxFlight Helicopters.Central Florida Everglades Airboat Tour
Choose your starting point and head out on a wild Central Florida Everglades adventure. The airboat tour and alligator encounter is a four-hour journey starting from your choice of 12 points around Orlando. The airboat ride is 30-60 minutes depending on the package you choose and takes you through protected swamps, marshes, and rivers to the headwaters of the Florida Everglades. You’ll get a glimpse of alligators, birds, and lush vegetation as you skim across grassy water, followed by an alligator handling demonstration. The trip also includes a visit to Wild Florida Wildlife Park, where you’ll see alligators, crocodiles, deer, tropical birds, turkeys, zebras, and much more.Chocolate Kingdom Factory Tour
Chocolate lovers will want to add this sweet stop to the top of their must-see list. Chocolate Kingdom, the Factory Adventure Tour, is an interactive tour that takes you from the cocoa bean to the creamy, delicious chocolate treats you love to indulge in. Your Personal Chocolate Tour Guide teams up with a “handsome prince” and the prince’s dragon sidekick to take you through a Cacao Tree Greenhouse, a one-of-a-kind Chocolate Museum, the Mystical River of Chocolate, and the Micro Batch Bean-to-the-Bar Factory that utilizes old-world machinery in the creation of delicious desserts. The 45-minute tour includes samples along the way, and for an additional fee you can customize your own chocolate bar!Manatee and Airboat Adventure
Get ready for a day full of outdoor adventure. The package from Real Florida Adventures is three experiences in one trip! The trip lasts a full 12 hours and departs from your choice of three different departure points around Orlando. Breakfast is provided while you are given an overview of the day’s activities. At your first stop, you’ll board a boat on the Crystal River and set out for a swim and snorkel experience with manatees, so you’ll want to make sure you have an underwater camera. Dry off and head to the next stop: Homosassa Springs State Park for lunch and a tour around the park. From there you’ll be whisked away on an airboat ride on the Withlacoochee River before heading back to Orlando.Orlando Tours
Enjoy a stress-free, worry-free stay when you book a vacation rental provided by Magical Vacation Homes. Your small group or family will enjoy a two-bedroom unit or plan a reunion and book a unit as large as 15 bedrooms for everyone to tour and experience the town together. Watch the kids play outside on outdoor play equipment, relax on a private balcony or patio, or splash around in a private pool or hot tub at your rental. You’ll love the whimsy of bedrooms decorated in various Disney themes as well as the quiet dignity of professionally designed indoor and outdoor spaces. Many units include flat-screen TVs, stainless steel appliances, and spa-like master suites. Make a meal in the fully equipped kitchen, then spread out in an open living area for some relaxation. For a luxury stay like no other, choose a premium unit to include perks like a game room, theater room, and even your own private luxury spa to relax and rejuvenate. Call us today to start planning Orlando tours full of experiences to remember for a lifetime!A Touch of Fall at the Magic Kingdom® Park
If you’re having the fall blues over the cancellation of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, turn that frown upside down for some daytime fall fun at the theme park. Feast on frightfully delicious treats and get into your favorite costume as the park welcomes daytime guests to dress up and enjoy the Halloween festivities.
Expect to see surprise Halloween floats heading down Main Street U.S.A. chauffeuring some of the most iconic characters from Jafar to Maleficent (and of course, we can’t forget Mickey Mouse and all of his pals)! And don’t forget to grab some of the exclusive Walt Disney World merchandise before you head out. With new items like the Madame Leota sipper and the Walt Disney World Halloween 2020 pins, you’ll go home with more goodies than you expected.
The Magic Kingdom® Park’s daytime festivities are in full swing and will go on through October 31st, 2020. Make sure to check out the full details here!
SeaWorld Orlando’s Flicks & Frights Drive-In
Get ready for a blast from the past and revel in the nostalgia of drive-in movies at SeaWorld Orlando! Flicks & Frights is SeaWorld’s first-ever Halloween drive-in experience and it’s sure to deliver both friendly spooks and horror without ever having to leave your car. This activity is great for physical distancing and caters to guests of all ages.
Choose from a family-friendly Halloween flick as the first showing, or come to the late-night showing for some of the most iconic horror movies of all time. Choose from popular films like Disney’s Frankenweenie, Beetlejuice, and The Purge. And what’s a good movie without a meal to munch on? Choose from the variety of food trucks on-site or stick with two soft drinks and two bags of good ol’ popcorn for $12.
Flicks & Frights can be reserved online at just $40 per vehicle (20% off for annual pass holders). Check out SeaWorld Orlando’s website for the movie lineup, dates, and to reserve your vehicle spot.
SeaWorld Spooktacular
The little ones will absolutely love this event! Head over to SeaWorld Orlando for its annual SeaWorld Spooktacular, an all-day trick-or-treating event at the theme park. Let the kids pick out their best Halloween costume and venture down the walkways of the Trick-Or-Treat Trail to collect the yummiest candy around.Add onto your experience with Count Von Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast or visit the Cookie Monster and decorate your own festive cookie at the Cookie Decorating station. There’s also plenty of games, a live DJ, and face painting to add some extra excitement to your child’s already awesome costume! Spooktacular is a great way to experience all of the Halloween fun while still being immersed in the fun attractions SeaWorld Orlando has to offer. To learn about the weekend event, including dates and hours, please visit SeaWorld Orlando online for more information.
Halloween at Universal Orlando
(Writers note: Events were added to the blog after the announcement from Universal Orlando Resort, 2:15 p.m., Sept. 22). Halloween season at Universal Orlando Resort is going to be SCARY good this year. Though we won’t get the chance to experience the 30th year of Halloween Horror Nights, Universal Studios will be hosting two haunted houses on Sept. 26-27 and Oct. 3-Nov. 1. Included with your day admission ticket, guests can brave Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives and Revenge of the Tooth Fairy all day long.
These two heart-pounding houses also have the option for Virtual Line™ through the Universal Orlando Resort app, giving you the chance to reserve your spot and enjoy the rest of the park.
For the shoppers, explore four terrifyingly immersive rooms inside of the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store. Here, you’ll discover the best merchandise and specialty food items themed around houses of Horror Nights past, present, and possibly future. It’s a great spot to visit for your ultimate Halloween fix.
For the little ones (12 years of age and younger), head over to Universal’s Islands of Adventure for trick-or-treating at participating retail locations! Keep an eye out for the pumpkin-marked locations to ensure every spot is visited! It’s time to fill their free trick-or-treat bag with the tastiest Halloween goodies.
And whether you’re visiting one park or both, guests can now come in costume throughout the day! Dress up in your favorite classics or match with your children’s Halloween attire.
With all of this and more, it looks like we’re going to be pretty spoiled for choice at Universal Orlando Resort. Check out Universal Orlando’s website for all of the details, terms, and conditions.
The Haunted Road: A Drive-Thru Halloween Experience
You don’t have to leave your vehicle for a good scare. Experience Central Florida’s first contactless drive-thru theatrical event at The Haunted Road. This immersive experience takes you through a “world of disarray” with terrifying encounters as you drive between scenes. Similar to a drive-in theater concept, you’ll turn on your radio to the corresponding station as scary tales tell the story of The Haunted Road. It’s a haunting drive unlike any other that has been one of the most anticipated Halloween 2020 events in Orlando.
For those of you who are interested in a family-friendly version, check out The Haunted Road’s daytime experience. This adventure takes you and your family through an enchanted forest where you’ll encounter some friendly fairytale creatures. This experience promises to provide music, storytelling, and plenty of fun (along with a contactless sweet treat) for the whole family!
Think you have what it takes to brave The Haunted Road? Visit The Haunted Road on select dates from September 25 through November 7, 2020 for the most unique Halloween experience around! Tickets must be purchased in advance, so please head to The Haunted Road’s website for more information on how to reserve your vehicle. (Photo Credit: The Haunted Road)
Fall at Southern Hill Farms, Festival
There’s something special about being on a farm during the fall season. Before you even ask the question, yes, even Central Florida has its own gorgeous farm for everyone to visit. Southern Hill Farms Fall Festival is a yearly event occurring between September 26 and November 8, 2020, just outside of Kissimmee in Clermont, Florida.
Take the kiddos down the dirt roads to discover a pumpkin patch offering some of the best variety of pumpkins grown in the U.S. If you’re dreaming of sunflowers and zinnias, Southern Hill is well known for its stunning sunflower and zinnia fields. Choose your favorite blooms and take them with you as a souvenir, or capture breathtaking photos to share with family and friends!
And what’s a day to the farm without treats? Munch on Southern Hill’s popular blueberry doughnuts and sip some of the best blueberry lemonade you’ve ever tasted. Guests may also visit 8 food trucks during the weekends and the gift shop offering homemade jams, candles, and more.
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the Southern Hill Farms Fall Festival and learn more by checking out their website and reserving your day! It’ll be one of the best fall days you’ll have all season.
Halloween Drive-In Movie at Old Town
For those of you exploring the Kissimmee area, Old Town now offers Halloween Drive-In Movie nights! Pull up in your car with your best snacks and food for an evening of jump scares and Halloween classics.
Choose from one of the four Sunday’s in October to face your fears with flicks like Scream and Hocus Pocus! Tickets are $10 per vehicle and must be purchased in advance to reserve your spot. Check out Old Town’s Halloween Drive-In event on their website to learn more.
Scream N’ Stream
You may have heard of Boggy Creek River Adventures, but you’ve never heard of it like this! Come for the candy or prepare for the scares at Scream N’ Stream, Kissimmee’s ultimate driving experience. Choose between the family-friendly trick-or-treating drive or the haunted drive-thru house. No matter which one better fits your group, you’re bound to have a ghoulish time.The events run every Friday and Saturday through the end of October and start at $56 per vehicle when booked in advance. Learn more about each frightful experience online and reserve your spooky (or candy-filled) evening today! With all of the ghoulish things to do during Halloween in Orlando, your visit will be nothing short of eventful. Let us know in the comments which event you’re looking forward to the most and be sure to check out our available magical vacation homes on special for the fall season! As always, we’ll see you in the next blog post! Have a magically frightful day.View this post on Instagram
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