Today’s travel tip sheet includes ideas for a getaway perfect for dads, Pride month celebrations, details on Orlando’s new global brand and a spotlight on Historic Eatonville. For interviews and media info: media@visitorlando.com.  

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In this Issue:  

  • Pride Month celebrations 
  • Orlando’s new global brand 
  • Like a local Spotlight: Historic Eatonville 
  • Father’s Day in Orlando 
  • What’s New This Month 
  • DYK? Orlando was named 2022's Best Summer Travel Destination 

Pride Month Celebrations

Orlando’s popularity among LGBTQ+ travelers has as much to do with its diverse, welcoming and inclusive nature as the world-class theme parks, unique experiences beyond the parks and special events. Orlando’s LGBTQ+ lineup includes: 

  • GayDays (May 31 – June 6), is comprised of multiple events staged at world-famous attractions; gay and lesbian clubs; and other unique venues that create a renowned gay and lesbian vacation experience. 

  • Girls in Wonderland (June 2-6), the counterpart to GayDays, caters to female members of the LGBTQ+ community featuring parties, special performances and celebrity appearances. 

  • One Magical Weekend (June 2-6), always on the first weekend in June, is one of the largest LGBTQ+ pride and music festivals in the world. Taking place at Walt Disney World, it boasts a roster of international DJ talent and around-the-clock, world-class events.  

  • Tidal Wave Party (June 2-5), held at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, features a weekend full of water park events and activities for guests to make a splash including private parties and a “Bearaoke” contest. 

  • RED Shirt Pride Day (June 4), an annual tradition, invites visitors to wear a red shirt to Magic Kingdom on the first Saturday in June, inspired by the original 30 or 40 people with “kindred spirits” that met at Magic Kingdom back in 1991. Their courage that started as a social gathering has grown to become one of the longest running, most iconic events in LGBTQ+ history. 

  • The 6th Annual 4.9K CommUNITY Rainbow Run and Family Festival (June 4), benefiting the onePULSE Foundation and the National Pulse Memorial & Museum, honors the lives of those affected by the Pulse nightclub tragedy. The family-friendly event will feature live entertainment, food, games, a Kids Fun Run and more. 

  • The annual Pulse Remembrance Ceremony (June 12), designed to spread messages of love, unity, acceptance, courage and strength throughout the community, traditionally takes place at the Pulse Interim Memorial, which honors the 49 lives lost on June 12, 2016, and is open throughout the year. 

Additional events and details can be found here.  

Orlando’s New Global Brand: ‘Unbelievably Real’ Orlando

Visit Orlando and the Orlando Economic Partnership, the economic and community development organization for the region, launched one singular, comprehensive and consistent brand last month to promote the destination and region. The new “Unbelievably Real” brand platform, which combines what is both fantastical and authentic about the destination, is the product of a first-of-its-kind partnership between both organizations and was developed to speak to all audiences — leisure visitors, meeting planners, meeting attendees, travel professionals, site selectors, business relocation stakeholders and talent.  

One of the first examples of the campaign is a mural designed by Orlando-based artist Clark Orr. Under the Unbelievably Real theme, the new mural brings to life how all aspects of the region shine, from tourism highlights like nightly fireworks and adventures on our waterways to innovative technologies such as simulation and rocket launches. The mural is on display on a painted wall in Brooklyn through July and will also appear in Orlando in the coming months. 

Like a Local Eatonville

Located 15 minutes north of downtown Orlando, the historic town of Eatonville was incorporated in 1887, making it one of the first self-governing, all-Black municipalities in the U.S. — and the oldest still in existence today. Visitors will find a collection of restaurants, historical sites and museums.  

  • American Folklorist Zora Neale Hurston, who grew up in the town, is honored by the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts, as well as the annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities, aka ZORA! Festival, and the ZORA! Festival Season, providing gallery space for artists of African descent.  

  • At the Moseley House Museum, visitors can also explore the history of this community by visiting the second oldest structure in the town featuring exhibits and early memorabilia of the town.  

  • St. Lawrence A.M.E. Church, is one of America's most Historic African American churches and one of the first in the area.   

  • Rise: The Mural Project, is a public mural project inspired by movement that celebrates the culture, history and future of Eatonville, featuring seven muralist, six poets and two calligraphy artists on one wall.  

Juneteenth Celebrations in Orlando

Also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day and Liberation Day, Juneteenth — a portmanteau of “June” and “Nineteenth” — marks the final emancipation of African Americans who suffered through slavery, with the last announcement being made in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. 

From cultural expositions to high-energy parties, Orlando offers a number of Juneteenth events to honor this important day in 2022.  

  • Hosted by the Hannibal Square Heritage Center in partnership with the city of Winter Park, the Juneteenth Celebration in Historic Hannibal Square (June 18, 2022) will feature guest speakers, live performances, a complimentary Father’s Day Community Breakfast, local vendors, and more.  

  • Part of the 2022 ZORA!® Festival Season, Traditions Weekend (June 17, 2022), a free event hosted by Valencia College, School of Arts and Entertainment, east of downtown Orlando, will feature middle school and high school jazz bands, marching bands, brass ensembles, drum & bugle corps, singers and dancers.  

  • Celebrating African American excellence, Black Friday Orlando (June 17-18, 2022) invites guests to explore all of the Black-owned businesses Orlando has to offer. Then, join the concluding Juneteenth Block Party at downtown Orlando’s Orange County History Center from 1 – 6 p.m. on June 18.  

  • Paying homage to the original “Black Wall Street” in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Black Wall Street Juneteenth Block Party (June 18, 2022) will include a day party (1 – 5 p.m.) with DJs, guest hosts, a kids zone, food trucks and vendors, followed by an afterparty (5 – 10 p.m.) with even more DJs and vendors. Both sets will take place at Wall St. Plaza in downtown Orlando. 

  • The Hall on the Yard, located in the Ivanhoe Village Main Street district, will feature a chef-inspired brunch menu, unlimited mimosas and an open bar from 12-4 p.m. as part of the The Art of Brunch at The Hall on the Yard (June 19, 2022).  

Additional events can be found at here..  

A Father’s Day Getaway in Orlando

From unforgettable adventures for the thrill seeker to top-notch sporting events for the sports enthusiast, Orlando offers a variety of activities beyond the parks that are tailor-made for dads to enjoy this Father’s Day and throughout the year.  

Thrills on the water 

  • Spirit of the Swamp Airboat Rides, Wild Florida and Boggy Creek Airboat Rides each offer a classic Florida airboat experience, with up-close views into the beauty of the headwaters to the Everglades alongside native wildlife like bald eagles and alligators.  

  • Epic Paddle Adventures offers a variety of one-on-one tours along with guided group experiences featuring bioluminescence paddle tours, paddleboard in paradise tours on spring-fed waters, night glow paddle tours and floating night glow yoga adventures on beautiful Lake Ivanhoe, near downtown Orlando. 

  • Get Up and Go Kayaking offers several immersive kayaking tours in their fleet of clear kayaks. Kayakers will revel in the surrounding landscape of Rock Springs Run, home to playful otters, fish and a variety of native bird species, while observing the crystal-clear spring water directly below.  

  • Adventures in Florida, Orlando’s original kayaking tour company, offers day tours with qualified tour guides, as well as extended expeditions and lodge trips. Options range from manatee encounters and bioluminescent tours to opportunities to view rocket launches aboard a kayak.  

Adventures on the ground 

  • West Orange Trail stretches from Winter Garden near Walt Disney World Resort in the south to Apopka in the north. This paved trail is approximately 21-acres, bringing Dad close to Central Florida’s gorgeous flora and fauna with ample amenities along the way. 

  • Gatorland’s Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure takes riders in monster-style, off-road vehicles to experience Florida’s natural beauty and various ecosystems.  

  • Revolution Adventures is home to many off-road experiences including ATVs, Dune Buggies and ARGO amphibious Mucky Ducks. Expert riders serve as guides through more than 200 acres of tracks and trails. 

Sports & concerts for dads 

  • Exploria Stadium in downtown Orlando is home to Major League Soccer’s Orlando City Soccer Club and National Women’s Soccer League’s Orlando Pride teams. Celebrate Father’s Day a day early with Orlando City, taking on Houston Dynamo FC on Saturday, June 18.  

  • Rock and roll lovers can enjoy a star-studded musical lineup at Camping World Stadium during the Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe: The Stadium Tour featuring Poison and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts on June 19.  

Additional ideas can be found here.  

What’s New in Orlando this Month?

Stay up to date on Orlando's most recent announcements and openings - from accommodations and attractions to restaurants and events - available here.  

Did You Know?

Greater Orlando was named 2022's Best Summer Travel Destination, according to a recent study from the personal finance outlet WalletHub.com.