Why You Should Visit Orlando, Florida

The summer has ended, and now through next spring is the best time to visit Central Florida. The weather is perfect, and Orlando has something to offer everyone, from age two to a hundred and two. The airfare wars are yielding some excellent prices, and during the off-season, spectacular attractions at Disney's major theme parks can be enjoyed without having to endure the long lines and stifling heat of Orlando's summer months.

If you have children, pull them out of school for a week, and take advantage of winter deals. I recommend staying at one of Walt Disney World's luxurious resorts, which range in price from the very affordable to the, well, not so affordable. If you are on a budget, check out Disney's All Star resorts. If not, splurge on the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

No matter where you stay in Disney, you will have access to Disney's four major theme parks. The Magic Kingdom features timeless attractions, such as the Hall of Presidents, and numerous thrill rides like Space Mountain. EPCOT, which consists of Future World and the World Showcase, not only features educational and fun rides, but world class restaurants right within the park. Experience movie magic at MGM Studios, and enjoy exciting thrill rides like the Tower of Terror and the Rock n' Roll Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith. And be sure to visit Disney's newest theme park, Animal Kingdom, featuring the brand new Expedition Everest roller coaster.

Also in Orlando are the Universal Studios Theme Park and Islands of Adventure. These two parks can be explored in a single day during the off-season when there are less lines. The parks offer ticket specials that allow visitors to enter both parks in a single day, so be sure to inquire about such a package.

By day, adults love to shop and browse at Downtown Disney. Or play a couple rounds of miniature golf at one of Disney's amusing courses. At night, adults can play at Pleasure Island, which features some unique nightclubs with modern and retro themes and music.

Restaurants worth trying at Walt Disney World in Orlando include Tony's Italian Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom, Ohana at the Polynesian Resort, and any restaurant at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Wherever you intend to dine in Walt Disney World, especially if characters are involved, be sure to make reservations, even in the off-season.

Other advice for traveling to Disney in the off-season is to check theme park hours, as they are limited during winter months. Not to worry, the lack of lines will allow you to explore the theme parks in much less time. Bring and wear your sunscreen in Orlando, even in the winter.

As for words of caution, you will want to safeguard your items regardless of where you stay, and always carry sufficient identification. I suggest steering clear of "free offers" that involve sitting through time-consuming timeshare presentations. Those Islands of Adventure tickets just are not worth spending one of your few precious days sitting through sales pitches.

Visiting Orlando, Florida, in the off-season can save you time and money, and overall, it is a much more enjoyable experience. Avoid Christmas and Easter breaks when children are off from school. I have found the best months to visit Orlando to be October, November, February and March.

Look online at www.disneyworld.com for packages, including Park Hopper passes to the major theme parks. This being my one hundredth article written for Associated Content, I would like to end this piece by thanking everyone who has read and rated my articles to date. I hope my work on this website has been both enjoyable and informative for my readers.