Orlando Resort Villa

Orlando: history

Orlando grew up around an army fort of the 1830s and was a quiet town of orange groves for most of its history. In the 1960s Walt Disney quietly bought a large area of land south-west of the city.

The Magic Kingdom opened on 1 October 1971 and changed everything. Epcot followed in 1982 and Universal Studios Florida in 1990. Universal's newest park, Epic Universe, opened in 2025. The Kennedy Space Center is about an hour to the east.

Orlando: tourist attractions

• Magic KingdomCinderella Castle, classic rides and the evening fireworks.
• EpcotFuture World and the pavilions of eleven countries.
• Hollywood Studios & Animal KingdomStar Wars and Toy Story, and a safari with live animals.
• Universal Studios & Islands of AdventureThe Wizarding World of Harry Potter across two parks.
• Epic UniverseUniversal's newest park, opened in 2025.
• SeaWorldMarine life and big roller coasters.
• Disney SpringsShopping, restaurants and music in the evening, with free entry.
• ICON ParkA 400-foot observation wheel on International Drive.

Orlando: excursions nearby

• Blue Spring State Park about 35 milesManatees gather in the warm spring in winter.
• Legoland Florida about 45 milesRides for younger children.
• Kennedy Space Center about 55 milesRockets, the Space Shuttle Atlantis and, with luck, a launch.
• Cocoa Beach about 60 milesThe nearest Atlantic beach.
• Clearwater Beach about 105 milesWhite sand on the Gulf of Mexico.

Distances are approximate. Tell us which excursions you want and we add them to your quote.