Visit Orlando Blog -  Attractions

Wordless Wednesday: New in Orlando for 2012 Edition

Sneak peek of some of the new things coming this year...

TurtleTrek at SeaWorld Orlando

Universal Orlando Resort

It’s the Deal Season for Florida Residents!

Take advantage of Orlando's many unique attractions and incredible discounts. With many Orlando-area hotels, shows and attractions offering Florida resident deals, there is no better time to visit Orlando and experience the adventure everyone is talking about!

Here are some awesome Florida Resident Deals for Orlando-area attractions!

• Gatorland - Step into the wild world of Central Florida's wetlands with a special admission price of only $9.99 through Feb. 26.
• Cirque du Soleil La Nouba - Experience this incredible production at Downtown Disney for 20% off admission any Tuesday through Friday until March 30.

• Kennedy Space Center - Feel what it's like to blast into space all year long with an annual pass available for only $50 through March 7.

• Walt Disney World Resort - Visit three Disney theme parks or pick your favorite and keep going back with the special $99 Wild for 3 Pass available for purchase until May 21 (must be used by May 24). For those hot summer days, an after 2 p.m. annual pass to the water parks is also available.
• Universal Orlando Resort - Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter every week with a Weekday Annual pass for only $114.99.
• SeaWorld Orlando - Feed all your favorite sea animals this year with an Annual Pass for $119.99 that includes free parking plus in-park discounts.

 

Need somewhere to stay when visiting your favorite Orlando attractions? We got you covered with these hotel accommodation discounts!

•  Save 35% on Walt Disney World hotel reservations through March 7.
• Save 36% on Universal Orlando hotel reservations through early June.
• Register online for the Florida Residents Club at the Nick Hotel and receive a variety of discounts including 20% off accommodations in a family suite, $50 off an Ultimate Sliming Experience, 10% off Food and Beverage during your entire stay, 10% off 4-D Experience films and 10% off cabana rentals.

 

Wordless Wednesday: Valentine’s Day Adventure Edition

No fancy outfits required for these dates, get ready for an action packed adventure!

Hang Gliding at Wallaby Ranch 

Horseback Safari at Florida EcoSafaris 

Airboat Ride at Boggy Creek Airboat Rides 

ATV Ride at Revolution The Off Road Experience 

Unique Orlando Gifts and Experiences for Valentine’s Day

It's already February! That means there are only a few days before Valentine's Day. Do you know what you're doing for that special someone? If your automatic answer is the standard dinner-chocolates-and-flowers, consider trying something a little more memorable. Whether you've been dating for a while, just starting, or even if you're planning on asking someone out for the first time, Orlando has a variety of unparalleled Valentine's activities in multiple price ranges to make sure your sweetheart appreciates how much you care and admires your original, romantic flair. Shhh...we won't tell where you got the ideas!

Orlando Balloon Rides
What could be more romantic than a hot air balloon ride at dawn over beautiful Central Florida? Take your special someone on a dream date in the clouds, with a champagne toast and buffet breakfast included! No one will forget a Valentine's Day that starts like this. Tickets are $175 per person.

SeaWorld's Beluga Interaction
If you're lucky enough to live in Orlando, you might take advantage of the unique gift options offered only at theme parks like SeaWorld, where you can enter the water and interact with beautiful and friendly beluga whales. Share an unforgettable experience with the one you love in this rare opportunity. Prices start at $99 per person after park admission.

Universal VIP Experience
You've never seen Universal Orlando like this before, and the VIP treatment won't be lost on your partner. Feel like a couple of A-listers on this guided tour through one of Orlando's top parks, including free refreshments, valet parking, and Universal Express to skip waiting in lines! Choose between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, or upgrade to tour both with star-treatment.

Walt Disney World's Wild Africa Trek
Give the ultimate gift of an unforgettable adventure, perfect for animal lovers or would-be safari-ers. Journey just above Nile Crocodiles across a suspended rope bridge, get a close-up look at massive hippos, and enjoy the stunning views of giraffes and rhinos from an exclusive safari camp. Create a unique memory with your date as you view wild African creatures in their native habitat, and relive the adventure at home with a CD of photos taken along the way, included with the tour. Prices start at $189 per person plus park admission.

Mount Dora Art Festival
If you want to find a one-of-a-kind gift guaranteed to wow your significant other, you could take a little trip to the free Mount Dora Art Festival this weekend, Feb. 4 - 5. From beautiful handmade jewelry to paintings, pottery, and more, there's sure to be something perfect and completely out of the ordinary, often at prices cheaper than typical store-bought gifts. If you're really stealthy, you could bring your lover along and make a relaxing day out of it, watch to see what things he or she likes, and when the kettle corn draws your date's attention, make an excuse to go back and purchase the gift they picked out. It doesn't get any easier to shop for someone!

Paddleboard Yoga
A unique experience in Orlando doesn't have to break the bank; take your date for a Paddleboard Yoga session on Orlando's many lovely lakes. A fun and relaxing adventure, Paddleboard Yoga is perfect for nature-lovers, health-nuts, and adventure-seekers alike. Prices start at just $25 per person.

Painting with a Twist
Is your honey creative or artsy? If so, this might be the perfect place for a Valentine's Day date. Bring a bottle of wine and create a delightful work of art with the help and guidance of professional artists. Canvases, brushes and paint are provided- all you have to do is bring your beau or lady. Valentine's Day classes for couples are $45 per seat- and you get to take home your paintings!

Texas de Brazil
This isn't your typical Valentine's Day dinner. Texas de Brazil offers an incredible dining experience unlike any other, perfect for a romantic and remarkable evening. Browse a wide selection of fresh salads and appetizers, then turn your table card to green when you're ready for the main course! Servers shave various melt-in-your-mouth meats off long skewers right onto your plate, as often and as much as you want. Come hungry and guarantee a good time for yourself and your sweetie. Regular dinner prices start at  $46.99 per person.

Truffles and Trifles Cooking Classes
Make a date out of preparing the meal as well as eating it! Truffles and Trifles offers several evenings of Valentine's Day themed cooking classes that will ensure a delicious meal and a fun, romantic night together. Prices start at $140 per couple.

Wordless Wednesday - Orlando's 12 for 12 Edition

Orlando's 12 for 12 Edition: 12 new Orlando attractions in 2012! Can we get 12 woop woops? 

Wordless Wednesday – Discovery Cove Edition

Let's all take a collective: ahhhhhh. Discover paradise at Discovery Cove in Orlando.

The Scoop on Annual Passes

If you made a new year's resolution to have fun, Orlando is here to help you keep that resolution. Enjoy year-round smiles with an annual pass to Orlando's world-famous theme parks. Visit often and save money. Now, that's fun!   

Walt Disney World Resort

Everyone needs a little magic in their life!  Walt Disney World Resort offers several passes to fit your Disney passion and your wallet.

• Annual Pass- Park-hopper admission and parking in all Disney theme parks for one year, exclusive event access, and discounts on dining, merchandise, and more for $552.74 for adults and $509.07 for children; $414.29 for Florida Residents.
• Premium Annual Pass- Includes all Annual Pass advantages, plus admission to both Disney water parks, Disney's Wide World of Sports, DisneyQuest, and Oak Trail Gold Course for $691.19 for adults and $636.87 for children; $542.09 for Florida Residents.
• Seasonal Pass- Park-hopper admission to all Disney theme parks for one year (excluding blockout dates), exclusive event access, and discounts on dining, merchandise, and more for $286.49 for Florida Residents.

Purchase Walt Disney Resort passes here.

Universal Orlando Resort

Visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, hang out with The Amazing Spiderman, or survive the Revenge of the Mummy whenever the spirit of adventure hits! Universal Orlando Resort offers excitement year-round with these annual passes:

• Power Pass- One year 2-park admission (excluding blockout dates), and free admission to special events such as the Summer Concert Series, Holidays, and Mardi Gras, featuring concerts and a nightly parade select nights February through April, for $189.99; $164.99 for Florida Residents.
• Preferred Pass- One year 2-park admission, free self-parking, discounts on merchandise, food, Blue Man Group Tickets, free admission to special events as above, and more for $259.99; $224.99 for Florida Residents.
• Premier Pass- Includes all Preferred Pass advantages, plus free valet and preferred self-parking, one free Halloween Horror Night ticket (non-peak night), Free CityWalk Club access, and more for $399.99; $349.99 for Florida Residents.

Purchase Universal Orlando Resort passes here.

SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment

Journey to the bottom of the Ocean or to the top of the Cheetah Chase Coaster with these special park Passports. Buy them now to explore and enjoy two (or more!) of your favorite Florida theme parks all year:

• SeaWorld Orlando Fun Card- Pay for a day, play all year- Unlimited park admission through December 31, 2012. $81.99 for adults, $73.99 for children.
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Fun Card- Pay for a day, play all year- Unlimited park admission through December 31, 2012. $79.99 for adults, $71.99 for children.
• Sea World Orlando Year Pass- Unlimited park admission, free parking, and discounts on admissions to Discovery Cove, merchandise, food, and more. One year for $119.99, two years for $169.99.
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Year Pass- Unlimited park admission, free parking, and discounts on admissions to Discovery Cove, merchandise, food, and more. One year for $119.99, two years for $169.99.
• Platinum Pass- All the benefits of a Year Pass, plus free admission to SeaWorld San Diego, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Busch Garden's Williamsburg, Aquatica Orlando, Adventure Island, and more, as well as free parking for all SeaWorld or Busch Gardens parks, and more. One year for $299.99, two years for $439.99.

Purchase Passports for SeaWorld Orlando here.

Purchase Passports for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay here.

Wordless Wednesday – Exotic Driving Experience Edition

Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari 458 Italia, Porsche 997 S and an Audi R8 - oh my! Car enthusiasts have the chance to drive these luxury cars at the new Exotic Driving Experience at the Walt Disney World Speedway.

                                       Christian Fittipaldi

The Year Ahead - What's New at Orlando's Theme Parks in 2012

The New Year has arrived and in 2012, Orlando will offer guests a plethora of exciting new attractions to enjoy at its world-class theme parks!  Here are just a few examples of new thrills to look forward to this year:

SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment
SeaWorld Orlando will open TurtleTrek, featuring a first-of-its-kind 3-D/360-degree dome shaped theater that will immerse guests in the underwater world, taking them on the journey of a sea turtle's life cycle. Discovery Cove will unveil the brand new Freshwater Oasis, featuring wading adventures and face-to-face encounters with otters and marmosets.

Universal Orlando Resort
Islands of Adventure's popular attraction, The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, will be completely reanimated in digital high-definition to be sharper and more realistic than ever before. Universal Studios Florida will open an all new 3-D attraction based on the blockbuster film, Despicable Me. Guests will be trained by Gru, the world's greatest villain, and transformed into an army of mischievous, scene-stealing minions that descend upon his lair. Universal's CityWalk will expand its entertainment options to include the new Hollywood Drive-In Golf attraction, featuring two 18-hole movie-themed mini-golf courses.

Walt Disney World Resort
Disney's Magic Kingdom will unveil the largest expansion in its history with the newly expanded Fantasyland area, set to open in phases and featuring new attractions such as Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid, Be Our Guest Restaurant and Storybook Circus. The Magic Kingdom will also introduce an interactive role-play adventure game in January. Participants will become apprentice sorcerers on an adventure to defeat an army of Disney Villians.

LEGOLAND Florida
LEGOLAND Florida will add an accompanying water park to feature wave pools, water slides, a build-a-raft lazy river and DUPLO Splash Safari for toddlers to its newly opened theme park.

Midnight Magic – Orlando's Top 10 Spots for a New Year’s Kiss

Forget the crowded streets of Times Square, Orlando offers some of the most intimate and memorable spots to ring in the New Year. Here is a list we know you'll enjoy.

10. Wekiwa Springs State Park - Camp under the stars at Wekiwa State Park and share a sweet peck with someone you love at midnight.

9. The Grand Bohemian Hotel - Kiss under the stars and chic chandeliers on the rooftop pool and lounge at this trendy hotel in the heart of downtown Orlando. The hotel's restaurant also offers a romantic New Year's Eve dinner for two.  

8. The IceBar - It's so chilly, you have no choice but to cuddle. And IceBall 2012 is filled with romantic places where you can smooch, cuddle, and dance the night away with a live DJ.

7. The Wine Room on Park Avenue - As the clock strikes midnight around the world, toast with someone special and a sample of wine from this local favorite, which offers 150 varieties of wine.

6. The Melting Pot Orlando - A dimly-lit room and conversation over slowly cooking fondue is why The Melting Pot is one of Orlando's most romantic restaurants. What's more, there is a special 4-course New Year's Eve menu perfect for lovers.

5. Lake Eola Park - Begin the New Year with kisses on a swan boat built for two. You can also catch downtown Orlando's New Year's Eve fireworks display from a cozy, romantic spot.  

4. The Orlando Improv - Share a romantic dinner for two, champagne and laugh the night away at the Improv's special New Year's Eve celebration.  

3. Downtown Orlando - Just as the orange drops, the celebration in downtown Orlando, the area's largest, gets cranking. Share a kiss at a cozy, romantic lounge or right on the brick-lined streets of Orange Avenue.

2. Theme park stroll - There are few things more romantic than sharing a New Year's Eve kiss under a spectacular fireworks show, and all of our theme parks have that and more during their New Year's Eve celebrations.

1. Local concert venues - Check out a top local or international act at one of the concert venues in the area like Hard Rock Live, House of Blues or The Social.

Got to our events calendar for a full listing of New Year's Eve events in Orlando.