Orlando flights and travel guide

With its main attractions including Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios, tourists take flights to Orlando more than any other place in Florida.

Walt Disney’s vision turned Orlando, and the adjacent Lake Buena Vista and Kissimee areas, into the world’s busiest, biggest, and best-known theme park, Disney World. The park opened in 1971 and has been making childhood fantasies come true ever since. Today, Disney World includes Epcot, a futuristic showcase of the world’s different cultures; Disney's Hollywood Studios, a working animation and television studio; and Animal Kingdom, where you see animals in themed habitats. SeaWorld gives visitors an interactive look at the sea and all its facets, featuring themed animal habitats, up-close encounters with animals, and performances by the famous aquatic SeaWorld stars. Universal Studios is a movie-themed park with thrilling rides, production studios and film sets, and onsite luxury hotels.

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Orlando climate

The mild season is October through April with warm temperatures and low humidity. May to September is a time of high humidity and afternoon storms. The hurricane season is June through November. Late autumn tends to have the best weather.

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When to fly to Orlando

Orlando’s theme parks are popular year round, regardless of the weather.

Peak season:

More than the weather, school vacations determine Orlando’s peak seasons. The busiest times for Orlando flights are Christmas, March spring break, Easter week, and mid-June to mid-August.

Off season:

The best time to find a cheap flight to Orlando is late May or early June (excluding Memorial Day weekend), as soon as the school year ends; late August, if you must go in summer; or Thanksgiving, which is not as busy as other holidays. There are fewer tourists at the parks from early September until just before Thanksgiving, as well as in early February and early May.

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Getting around Orlando

There are plenty of ways to get around Orlando’s tourist scene. Lynx buses and I-ride trolleys travel between the theme parks, but you’ll have to know the schedule ahead of time. Shuttle buses that run by the Mears Transport Group are more expensive, but they run all over the city to hotels, Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios and the airport. If you’re staying at Disney World, you won’t have to worry about getting around. All the Disney hotels have a free transport system connecting the parks with buses, monorails, ferries and water taxis.

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Orlando insider information

• Make a plan before you get off your flight to Orlando — there are so many possibilities. Purchase theme-park tickets online to avoid standing in line at many of your favourite attractions. If you need to buy tickets after you arrive, get to the park an hour before it opens to queue up for tickets.
• Check out the Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau website.  It provides international guides and maps; advance ticket sales, including Magicards; links for booking hotel rooms and transport; information on the Orlando night life; restaurant cuisines; and links to goings-on at the theme parks and in Orlando.
• To beat the crowds at Disney World, use the FastPass system to schedule a ride time rather than waiting in line. For all parks, start at the far end of the park and work your way back to the entrance. Also, go to the big rides first so you miss the mid-afternoon rush.
• Other attractions you might want to visit are Wet N’ Wild, Orlando’s most popular water attraction; the Kennedy Space Center, just an hour’s drive from Orlando; and Busch Gardens, also an hour’s drive from Orlando.
  
• Orlando is hot and muggy in the summer and mosquitoes and no-see-ums (tiny bugs with a big bite) love that weather. Make sure to pack or pick up insect repellant, especially if you’ll be near the water.
• Don’t forget to pack or pick up suntan lotion with a high SPF rating (30 or higher), a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.

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Orlando airports

Orlando has one international airport and several others nearby.

Orlando International Airport (MCO) (website: www.orlandoairports.net)

Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) (website: www.flydaytonafirst.com)

Tampa International Airport (TPA) (website: www.tampaairport.com)

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