Planning an Orlando trip, Tips: Save money – beat crowds, Universal Studios/Sea World
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Park Guides: A touring plan for Orlando theme parks

Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Universal Studios Orlando Islands of Adventure

All-in-one-place park guides Looking for need-to-know Orlando theme park info organized by park? Click on your destination below. Disney’s Magic Kingdom Disney’s Epcot Disney’s Hollywood Studios Disney’s Animal Kingdom Universal Studios Orlando Universal’s Islands of Adventure Sea World Orlando Each park guide has an overview, and information on dining, surviving, and need-to-know details about each [...] Read more...

Planning an Orlando trip, Tips: Save money – beat crowds
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FAQOrlando Park Guides: How to use them

SeaWorld Orlando main entrance

Each FAQOrlando park guide organizes need-to-know park info (Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom; Universal Orlando’s Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure; and SeaWorld Orlando) in a single location. Each has five sections: • Park overview: Looking at seven Orlando parks and wondering which ones to attend? Or which one to avoid [...] Read more...

Planning an Orlando trip
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Driving safely in Orlando

Curious George car Universal Studios Orlando

May 2012: In most larger U.S. cities, a handful of drivers make it tough on everybody else – and Orlando is no exception. However, it gets worse around the theme parks. Imagine a good driver who is A) stressed because he’s out of his comfort zone, B) not sure where he’s going, and C) scared [...] Read more...

Planning an Orlando trip, Tips: Save money – beat crowds
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12 Orlando vacation discounts

Gatorland entrance Orlando

April 2012: Orlando’s major theme parks – Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World – offer a handful of small discounts that vary by season. But Orlando’s smaller parks, hotels, rental cars, etc., offer larger discounts if you know where to look. Since guests arrive in Central Florida to see Mickey Mouse or Harry Potter, smaller [...] Read more...

Planning an Orlando trip
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Avoiding Orlando vacation crowds

Orlando Peabody hotel and Orange County Convention Center

March 2012: Orlando has busy seasons (Christmas, Easter, and mid-June to August), but that doesn’t mean the theme park crowds are thinner at other times. There is no rule of thumb for “the best time to visit Orlando.” Many times, convention crowds can fill theme parks even during traditionally slow times. To avoid heavy convention [...] Read more...

Planning an Orlando trip
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Orlando’s single rider lines

Single-rider line Orlando Universal Studios Rip Ride Rockit coaster

Many Orlando theme park attractions have three separate lines: The normal one where you stand and wait; the special line where Disney visitors have Fast Passes and Universal visitors have Express Pass; and the single-rider line that promises a shorter wait if you’re willing to split your family up and ride in separate cars. Families [...] Read more...

Other fun things, Planning an Orlando trip
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Orlando Science Center

Orlando Science Center alligators

Too bad the Orlando Science Center doesn’t have a different name – Discovery World, perhaps, or Harry Potter’s Great Scientific Adventure. It could use a public relations boost. Kids actually learn something; they don’t realize they’ve learned something; it’s located in the heart of Orlando’s cultural park; and it doesn’t cost a lot of money. [...] Read more...

News, Planning an Orlando trip
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2012 Universal Orlando update

Universal miniature golf Hollywood Drive-In

January 2012: Universal Studios Orlando released new information about rides, shows and even parade upgrades debuting this year. Overall, it shows a clear push to boost attendance at the Universal Studios park rather than Islands of Adventure, where a boy wizard named Harry Potter continues to draw in tourists. The lineup also reflects a shift [...] Read more...

News, Planning an Orlando trip
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Orlando No. 1 for bargain shopping

Disney Character Warehouse Prime Outlets Orlando

January 2012: It’s official. Forbes – the financial guru that analyzes money in all its forms – released its first-ever list of bargain shopping in America, and Orlando secured the top spot. According to Susan Lomax, VP of publicity for Orlando, shopping is now the No. 1 activity for international tourists, which must come as [...] Read more...

News, Planning an Orlando trip
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Avoid vacation rental home fraud

Hagrid's house Wizarding World Harry Potter Universal Orlando Islands of Adventure

  For many families, renting a vacation home beats hotels because it costs less yet offers more – more privacy, more kitchen, and a home-away-from-home atmosphere. However, a handful of Florida tourists – mainly travelers from outside the U.S. – have pre-paid for a vacation rental home only to discover on arrival that they’ve been [...] Read more...