United States : Travel guide to Orlando, Florida | Sightseeing and Attractions

Orlando is well known to Americans and Canadians alike, and you can guess that what attracts them most of all, besides the sunshine, are the various parks like Disney World and Universal Studios!

In this article, we’ll explain how to get there and get around, detail the different parks and show you the must-sees.

The city of Orlando is located in the state of Florida, which is known as the Sunshine State, and is about 40 kilometers from the sandy beaches of the eastern Atlantic.

Also, Orlando is one of the few places that brings together so many visitors from all over the world. You will hear every language, see every nationality and gender. The city hosts multiple theme park events and festivals, and is known for its LGBTQ+ celebrations.

In general,Orlando International Airport will be the arrival point, but many also choose to arrive from Miami International Airport. Count 3 hours 30 minutes of driving if this is your case.

Air Canada offers flights to Orlando, as well as Air Transat or WestJet, depending on the Canadian city of departure.

I was able to find flights for an average of $450 each way in economy or using 15,500 Aeroplan points and $82.

With the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card welcome bonus , with no annual fee in the first year, you earn enough points for 2 round-trip tickets.

Flair Airlines can also be an option for Orlando Sanford Airport (SFB) starting at $320, basic luggage option included. However, flights are not as frequent, which can quickly become a problem in case of a cancellation or change of flight.

It is also possible to fly from Plattsburgh (PBG) or Burlington (BTV) to Orlando. Be sure to consider the associated costs (gas, parking, hotel) when choosing this option.

Finally, some people choose to drive to Florida, despite the inflation of prices at the pump.

It will take an average of 23 hours of driving and one night in a hotel before arriving at destination, but it can be interesting for a family to save on airfare and car rental where you must also count the cost of car seats.

If your goal is to get directly to Disney World and Universal Resorts from the airport, you will usually have bus and shuttle service available.

To get around the city, there are several options: cabs, buses, Uber or Lyft, rental cars, or the I-Ride trolley to hop on and off every 20 minutes on the International Drive.

Renting a car is often what people choose to do. When we go to Orlando, we often choose Hertz.

So why not consider renting an electric car: it’s an option to consider for your wallet, and it’s environmentally friendly.

Travelers who make this choice also benefit from free valet parking in certain hotels and parking lots, as well as privileged locations to charge their cars in the World Disney parks!

Although Florida is known for its sunshine and high temperatures in the summer, it does rain from time to time due to its subtropical climate.

In winter, the temperature will be around 21°C while in summer, the mercury will often be around 32°C. Ideal, isn’t it?

Walt Disney World Resort is located in Lake Buena Vista whileUniversal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando are in the tourist district on International Drive. We are talking about a maximum distance of 15 minutes by car. Nothing crazy considering the size of each park!

Orlando is a city of fun, where childhood dreams come true, and much more happens. Indeed, you’ll find princess dresses, weddings, attractions, shows, shopping, sports activities such as golf, tennis, water sports, or time to relax in a spa or on the beach.

All conditions are there for you to have a big smile on your face at the end of your stay.

Also, this year is quite unique: it’s the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort. For the occasion, the castle is most elegant with its draperies and embellishments; the characters are dressed up in iridescent outfits and touches of gold magnify the decorations. Magic is everywhere.

And of course, the “Disney’s Enchantment” fireworks are a must if you want to feel park’s magic.

To buy your theme park tickets at a discount, in addition to rewards points, consider services like Undercover Tourist.

Advisors can also help you get the latest deals or prepare your trip if you want to visit theme parks. Some of them follow us and are part of our facebook group.

But don’t forget to check out our ultimate guide to Disney to save with loyalty points:

SeaWorld is a park that helps rescue and rehabilitate animals. It offers unique experiences between crazy attractions (Hyper coaster Mako) and endearing encounters (Penguins, Dolphins, Beluga, etc).

Do you prefer Universal Studios? offers three parks:

• Universal Studios based on mythical films (Men in Black, Harry Potter, and many others)
• Universal’s Islands of Adventure, to be in the heart of the action and experience thrills with Marvel attractions, Jurassic World VelociCoaster for example,
• Universal Volcano Bay, divided into four zones, is a water park that’s not only a feast for the eyes but where you can also relax with an island cocktail.

We all wish to go to Orlando to try every attraction and attend every event (parades, fireworks, festivals)! But as you would have to leave for several weeks to do everything and have a big budget, you will have to make choices and be organized to avoid wasting money.

There are plenty of shops. It’s hard to list everything. But here are a few places to check out.

For starters, Disney Springs is the place to be if you want to stroll around, shop for the most famous brands, window shop, find a Disney outfit, or eat at one of the many restaurants (reservations recommended). Also, you can park for free.

Here again, there are events and activities: the Cirque du Soleil show Drawn to Life , Live Music, a carousel, an express train, etc.

There are several shopping centers in the area, such as the Mall at Millenia and the Florida Mall as well as outlets. The Orlando International Premium Outlet and the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlet are the closest to center or to attractions.

If you want to visit Orlando, and skip the Disney parks, there are several hotels with slides or even water parks to consider such as the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center or the Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites, Waterpark, an IHG hotel.

More simple, affordable and efficient: look at the Courtyard Orlando Downtown, 1st out of 389 hotels in Orlando or the Delaney Hotel.

Finally, if you plan to visit the United States, consider getting a credit card with no foreign currency conversion fees.

The best option in Canada is the HSBC World Elite^® Mastercard^®, whose current offer is as follows:

I hope that all this information will help you to prepare your trip to Orlando and to enjoy it as much as possible, as Orlando has so much to offer. I’m already looking forward to my next trip!