If you’re looking for good reasons to visit Orlando in 2019, you’re in the right spot. January is a time when people often feel excited, energized and excited about the future. They make goals and plans and are
encouraged by the possibilities that the upcoming year will bring. Many people make New Year’s Resolutions that focus on their health, their finances, and their relationships. New habits are started, and old ones are squashed and this New Year becomes your year. But all too often we neglect to include travel and experiences into our plans for the year. Here are 13 reasons to visit Orlando in 2019:
#1 January
There’s no better way to start a brand new year than by going on vacation. The winter temps are mild, and most of the families who are here for Christmas have left by mid-January, so the parks aren’t as crowded,
and the traffic is bearable. Music icons like Billy Joel, Cher, and Johnny Mathis will be wooing audiences all month long at the Amway Center. Annual events like the Scottish Highland Games and a four-day
celebration of interactive technology hosted by the Orlando Science Center, make January a great time for art, music and culture enthusiasts to visit The City Beautiful.
#2 February
While the rest of the county is shoveling snow, families are heading to Florida for warm(er) temperatures and activities geared towards families, couples, and groups of friends. If your team makes it to the Super Bowl, there is no better place to catch the big game than in one of Orlando’s coolest sports bars, like the NBC Sports Bar and Grill at Universal’s CityWalk or the ESPN Sports Club at the Disney Boardwalk. If you’re looking to surprise your sweetie for Valentine’s Day, Disney has many magical proposal options that are
popular in February, such as popping the question at Cinderella’s Royal Table. February is also a favorite time for wine festivals and Orlando’s Annual Chili-cook off. Crowds at the parks are minimal, weather is decent, and you can find some great deals for President’s Day and Valentine’s Day.
#3 March
Spring break is a great time to visit Orlando. The sun is out but it is not yet the peak of summer. Most of the locals have headed out of town, making it a perfect time for visitors to come explore. March means the International Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot and country music fans’ favorite event: Country Thunder at the Osceola Heritage Park. If you are passionate about celebrating your Irish Heritage on St. Patrick’s Day (or you just love Irish beer and a reason to party) there are many Irish Pubs in the area that offer live music and entertainment to celebrate the occasion.
#4 April
We aren’t going to lie, April can get a little busy in Orlando. People are itching for an escape as they enter the middle of the year, and many travelers love the idea of spending Easter in a luxury vacation home. The weather is exceptional during this time, and many families skip the craziness of the parks altogether and spend time in the pool. The run Disney Star Wars marathon weekend is also in April. Other fun events include the APC National Pie Championship, The SeaWorld Seven Seas Festival, and an Easter Sunrise Service at Bok Tower Gardens. It may be busy in April, but with a little plan and preparation, you can fill an April vacation with fun for the whole family.
#5 May
If you bring nothing else to Florida for your May vacation, bring sunscreen. There is no beating around the bush, Orlando is H-O-T in May. Thankfully though, the Sunshine State has plenty of ways to beat the heat. Vacation homes with pools are an obvious reason people come to Orlando in May and offer a cool retreat from the scorching sun. There are splash pads, water parks, and indoor activities where the AC is on full blast all around the city. May is the first month where Disney’s water parks Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are open consistently, and the parks are open for longer starting this month. Indoor attractions like Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum, Wonderworks on I-Drive, the Orlando Science Center, a ride on the SunRail to get some ice cream in downtown Winter Park, Dave and Buster’s, or a walk-through tour of the Sea Life Aquarium provide hours of entertainment away from the sun. If you are coming to Florida specifically for the heat and sunshine, you’re only an hour or so away from the beach. One thing you can be sure of when visiting Florida in May is that it will rain. You’ll appreciate these short, mid-afternoon storms as they cool
everything down (and often send people running out of the parks, making shorter lines for you!)
#6 June
Another hot month, but Orlando in the summer is unlike anywhere else this time of year. The Silver Spurs Rodeo takes place the first weekend in June in Kissimmee, and Clermont hosts Summerfest, an annual event
featuring food and wine, grape stomping, live music, and work from local artists. SeaWorld hosts Festival of The Sea in June, an outdoor event compete with seafood tastings, a kids area, and arts and crafts vendors. Disney’s water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach) are popular during this time, as well as free
splash pads at community parks like Lakefront Park in Kissimmee.
#7 July
Orlando takes Independence Day seriously, and the first weekend in July is an incredible time to visit. The red, white and blue fireworks show at Disney is a must-see, along with patriotic parties at Universal Studios, Seaworld and Legoland. Downtown Orlando also takes the 4th of July seriously, putting together an all-American fireworks display around the iconic Lake Eola fountain. Red, Hot and Boom is another popular event featuring music, food, brews, and incredible fireworks. Did we mention vacation homes with pools are another popular reason to come to Florida in the middle of summer?
#8 August
Just because the summer season is coming to an end does not mean you will be able to escape the heat in August. It is still very hot and very humid in August, and the crowds at the parks are still ranked as moderate
to peak times. If you have a vacation home near the parks, you can always go in the morning, leave at the hottest part of the day, come home for a swim and a nap and head back out when the sun goes down. Lovers of 90’s pop music will be excited that the Backstreet Boys will be performing in mid-August, following New Kids on The Block in July. Celebrate National Beer Day (Aug 3) at the Dead Lizard Brewing Company, Crooked Can or Sea Dog Brewing Company.
#9 September
Usually, by September the kids are back in school, which makes it a lot less crowded at the parks. If you aren’t going to be in the area for Halloween, never fear: you can partake in Halloween festivities starting in
the middle of September. Even though it won’t feel like fall in September, there are many fall-themed events to experience. Corn mazes as Long and Scott’s farm, trying secret menu items at over 50 of Orlando’s most popular restaurants during Magical Dining Month, the Latin Jazz and Art Festival, Orlando City soccer games, and movie nights under the stars are just a few things to add to your September trip itinerary. The hottest artists in Christian Music rock the stage at Rock The Universe at Universal Studios and at Praise Wave at SeaWorld. You can also experience the Lakeridge Winery Wine and Cheese Festival, Vintage Market Days in Kissimmee, and the spooky Haunt at Old Town to get you in the Halloween spirit.
#10 October
If you are lucky, the temperatures in October just might get down to the 70s and you will see all the locals break out their sweaters and boots. October is a fun time to visit Orlando, as there are many fall and Halloween themed events (both scary and kid-friendly) to try. If you enjoy paying to have the daylights scared out of you, you’ll love Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios; scare zones, haunted houses, live performances and other creepy events to scare your socks off. For those who don’t like to be scared, more
family-friendly events like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney, SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular, Winter Garden’s HalloweenFest and trick-or-treating around some of the area’s most beautifully decorated neighborhoods offer fun ways to stock up on sweets!
#11 November
November is a great time to visit Orlando, as the temperatures are finally falling and it is starting to really feel like fall. You’ll see the first signs of Christmas around the theme parks, but there are some great options for Thanksgiving, especially for those who don’t want to cook. Places like The Alfond Inn at Rollins, Art Smith’s Homecoming Kitchen at Disney Springs, or The Edison at Disney Springs offer a delicious Thanksgiving meal with all of the fixin’s, but make sure you make reservations way ahead of time to get in. Everyone’s favorite ice sisters are back on the big screen in early November in Frozen 2, and you can watch it at the luxury dine-in theatre at Disney Springs! Hello Dolly and The Jersey Boys Musicals will be showing at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Downtown Orlando is hosting its annual beer festival, and there are 7 Orlando Magic basketball games to see!
#12 December
There’s nothing like spending the holidays in Florida. Temps rarely drop below the 40’s, so while Floridians are bundled up in their winter gear, everyone else is out and about enjoying the attractions. Disney in December is straight up magical, and if you’ve never done Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, it should be a must for your 2019 holiday season. All of the surrounding theme parks completely transform in December, and you can find many local events to celebrate the closing of the year. In Celebration, there are carriage rides, “ice skating” and falling snow during the evenings. The beautiful thing about Orlando is its diversity, which means no matter what you celebrate, you can find a way to do it here. From Chanukah family festivals to Kwanzaa celebrations on Church Street in Downtown Orlando, your family can celebrate the holidays here! December means family gatherings and big meals for many, so reserving a vacation home makes it easy
for everyone to wake up together on Christmas morning.
#13 Staying In A Magical Stays Vacation Home
Families from all over are letting go of the idea that every vacation must be spent in a cramped and overpriced hotel room. Families looking to experience the area like locals, spread out and relax and enjoy a more comfortable and convenient vacation are now more than ever opting to stay in vacation home. When you stay in a Magical Stays Vacation Home, you:
- Are just miles from the theme parks
- Have your own private kitchen to make meals at home
- Don’t have to share a bathroom
- Have your own private pool (in most homes)
- Have a dedicated management team on standby to answer any questions
- Have the entire place to yourself
- Get so much more for your money than staying in a hotel
- Have private and spacious bedrooms
- Can pick the vacation home that best suits your style, budget, and itinerary
- Are in total control of your vacation!
- Experience the Orlando area like a local
- Let Magical Stays Be Part Of Your 2019 Travel Plans!
So there you have it! 12 months of 2019 packed with things to make your family vacation unforgettable. Instead of making the traditional New Year’s Resolutions, why not make a commitment to travel more and give your family more experiences?
Check out our calendars to see the luxury vacation homes that are available each month and get started planning your 2019 vacation. This is your year to go, see, and give your family priceless memories that they’ll never forget.Consider these 13 great reasons to visit Orlando when planning your 2019 vacation!
