The history of Florida’s fourth largest city dates back to the mid-1800s when a small town of settlers grew around the U.S. Army fort built in this central Florida location. By the end of the 19th century, Orlando was the hub of Florida’s citrus industry. And when Mr. Disney began scouting locations for his mouse-themed amusement park in the mid-1960s, Orlando was a perfect choice, not only because at the time land was cheap, but because the area provided a year-round climate of sunny, mild weather. The rest is history and in 2022, Orlando welcomed more than 74 million tourists! And it’s not just the theme parks that draw the visitors – but just in case that’s your plan, the area is home to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and LEGOLAND Florida, to name a few.
If you’re planning a trip to Orlando, you should know that thanks to its central location, beach time on either coast can be achieved in about an hour’s drive, off peak months for the theme parks are January, February, September, and November and that there is a lot more to do here than go to the beach or to a theme park!
As we said, there are beaches in either direction so here are a few options. On the Atlantic side, there’s Cocoa Beach, which can be found on Florida’s Space Coast, along with the Kennedy Space Center and the Ron Jon Surf School (they offer lessons and have a great shop)! If you want to relive your spring break days, Daytona Beach is also about an hour away and the town and the beach are worth the drive. Gulf-side you’ll find Clearwater Beach (laid-back vibe, calm waters and crystal white sand) and St. Pete Beach (a consistently ranked Top 10 beach with great sunsets) – both about an hour and a half drive from Orlando.
Learn all about the history of Orlando and the area with a visit to the Orange County Regional History Center. An affiliate of the Smithsonian, this museum has four floors showcasing the history of the area that spans 14,000 years. Speaking of history, the museum resides in the historic, restored 1927 courthouse. For more history, visit the Citrus Tower in Clermont. Before there was Disney, there were oranges and the Citrus Tower, which was built in 1957 to pay homage to the state’s citrus industry. The tower was actually one of the first major tourist attractions in the state and the Observation Deck offers some fantastic views.
If you’ve been here and done the theme parks, you might like to revisit and see some of the newer attractions and exhibits. Recent additions to Disney World include Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom and Avatar Flight of Passage (new in 2023) where reiders take a 3D flight over Pandora’s otherworldly landscape. Newcomers to Universal include DreamWorks land where guests can enjoy the Trolls Trollercoaster and learn kung fu moves with Po.
Where to stay for your Orlando adventure!
Tropical Palms is the ideal family friendly location where outdoor adventure meets the tranquility of nature. Nestled just 10 minutes away from Walt Disney World Resort, we are the perfect destination for your Disney adventure. Our location advantage is not limited to Walt Disney World Resort, though. We are also in the vicinity of premier shopping destinations and eateries, which makes Tropical Palms the perfect base to explore the beauty and activities Orlando has to offer. From being neighbors to Fun Spot America and the animated atmosphere of Old Town Kissimmee to the colossal presence of amusement parks, excitement awaits every step of the way.’
Nestled in the heart of Florida, Thousand Trails Orlando RV Campground is a haven for those seeking the perfect blend of relaxation and fun-filled activities. The RV campground offers the perfect location near local attractions, including the popular Orlando theme parks. We’re just 20 minutes away from Walt Disney World Resort, making us a favorite spot for families looking to enjoy the magic of the theme parks without the hassle of long commutes.
Sherwood Forest RV Resort is a beautiful RV resort in Kissimmee offering an abundance of amenities and activities. This RV resort is just four miles from Walt Disney World, and 12 miles from Universal Studios. For the ultimate shopping experience, enjoy your proximity to six major malls and outlets, all within 10 miles of the resort.
The beauty and serenity of towering pines await you at Winter Garden RV Resort. Located a few miles from Disney World, this RV resort in Florida is the premier destination for campers seeking a wide variety of activities. After a day of exploring the famous Florida attractions, end the day with a relaxing swim in one of our two heated swimming pools.
A true golfer’s delight! Located in Clermont, Florida, near Orlando, Clerbrook Golf and RV Resort features over 1,250 sites on 287 acres of prime landscape. Everything about the resort is beautiful; lush vegetation, ponds, canals, majestic trees…this resort is truly meant to be seen! Clerbrook is 30 minutes from Universal Studios which makes it the best of both worlds.
As for a don’t miss list, we suggest an airboat adventure through the Everglades, Old Town Orlando (which has shops and dining opportunities in an amusement park setting), and the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens that has some really unique animal encounter experiences like giraffe feeding and meeting a rhino! A trip into nearby Winter Park could be fun for shopping, the Saturday Farmers’ Market, and a visit to the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, noted for its art nouveau collection.
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- Explore the Thousand Trails Camping Pass and the Thousand Trails Cabin Pass.
- Find more campgrounds at ThousandTrails.com!
