Orlando | Become a Child Again with your Children

The Perfect Day in Orlando

The perfect day with children in Orlando begins and ends with a visit to Magic Kingdom. In summer, we plan to arrive at the parking lots around 8:30 AM. This way, we still have a few cooler hours in the park, as it will get very hot. The entire Disney World is perfectly organized, so even the journey there is a pleasure and builds anticipation to the highest level.

In the park, there are many opportunities to make children’s eyes light up: The girls climb onto the laps of the princesses, whom they believe to be real, and have them sign their autograph books one after another. The boys bravely meet the Pirates of the Caribbean or have their picture taken with Mickey Mouse. Throughout the day, there are parades and other attractions.

To ensure we don’t miss any of our personal highlights, we’ve prepared in advance and ideally even put together a small agenda. Strolling through the individual themed areas is a feast for the eyes. The facades of the houses on Main Street are very sweet and designed with great attention to detail.

From one themed area to another, the Disney World architects were creative, so that the appearances keep changing and greet us with amazement as we enter each new world. In the various show shops, we have fun with the adventures of Winnie the Pooh for the little ones, all the way to the Space Mountain roller coaster for the big ones.

There are two highlights of the day that we shouldn’t miss: The “Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade” at 3 PM and the “Wishes Nighttime Spectacular” fireworks at 10 PM. Understandably, small shining children’s eyes get tired faster than the big ones, so the perfect day in winter could also start later if we want to experience both highlights. In any case, after this perfect day, not only our children will sleep blissfully.

Theme Parks

Events

More than just a Theme Park Region

Those who believe Orlando is only the capital of theme parks in Florida haven’t experienced Downtown yet. Between modern skyscrapers and historic facades, the real heart of the city pulsates, offering many entertainment options. Church Street attracts with a selection of trendy restaurants, cocktail bars, and live music.

The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts hosts high-caliber shows – from Broadway musicals to ballet. Those who enjoy street art should stroll through the Mills 50 district. And every Sunday, Lake Eola Park transforms into a lively farmers market with local products and street food. It’s a perfect place to enjoy the city without roller coasters for once.

Just north of Orlando, in Longwood, stands a true natural monument: a descendant of the legendary “Senator” Oak, which was once among the oldest trees in the world. Today’s Lady Liberty is over 400 years old and impresses with its majestic appearance.

The Big Tree Park is small but atmospheric – a perfect stop for nature lovers, photographers, or anyone who just wants to take a breath. A wooden walkway leads through the swamp area, accompanied by typical Florida sounds: rustling, bird calls, and maybe even the distant splash of an alligator.

Winter Park, just a few minutes north of Orlando, is an elegant district with a European flair. Here, galleries, boutiques, and cafes line Park Avenue, a tree-lined shopping street with style. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum houses the world’s largest collection of Tiffany glass art. Those seeking relaxation can take a leisurely boat tour through the connected lakes and admire magnificent villas. In conclusion: Winter Park is a must for connoisseurs and culture enthusiasts.

Those seeking peace and nature in Orlando should pay a visit to the Leu Gardens. Over 50 acres await you with tropical plants, palm groves, and a colorful rose garden. Particularly impressive are the centuries-old oaks with hanging Spanish moss. The garden is not just a place for botany enthusiasts, but also for walkers, photographers, and romantics – perfect for a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

History of Orlando

Florida has been part of the United States of America since 1821. Three years later, the swampy Mosquito County was founded. In 1837, the first settlers from Europe came to Orlando. Until then, the area was sparsely populated by various Native American tribes. Shortly after the end of the Second Seminole Uprising in 1842, more and more settlers were drawn to Central Florida, including Aaron Jernigan. He founded the settlement of Jernigan near the old army camp Fort Gatlin.

In 1845, Florida became a state and Mosquito County was renamed to the more promising Orange County. In 1857, the city was then named after US officer Orlando Reeves, who was killed by the Seminoles in 1835. Due to its favorable climate, Orlando developed into the center of the citrus industry in the following decades.

Huge plantations were established over the years. At this time, Orlando was a typical western town in the east. There were many cattle, lots of gambling, and brawls. With a population of 85, the 5 km² city was registered in the city register in 1875. The so-called “Big Freeze”, an unusual frost in this area, destroyed most of the citrus harvest in 1894. Since monoculture predominantly prevailed here, the local economy took a long time to recover from this setback.

The foundation for Orlando’s current economic significance was only laid many years later in 1964. Since the early sixties, anonymous investors had successively and independently purchased cheap swampland. It turned out that Walt Disney wanted to build a new theme park on these 150 km² properties because the successful model Disneyland in Anaheim had reached the limits of its growth.

The Disney World Resort in Orlando was to have sufficient space for expansion. Its construction was completed in 1971. Disney’s competitors recognized the potential and didn’t hesitate long. Thus, in the following years, many other large companies in the entertainment industry settled in Orlando, allowing it to develop into the unparalleled entertainment center it is today.