Orlando continues to grow and evolve, solidifying its reputation as one of the nation’s top destinations for both leisure and business travel. In 2012 the city welcomed more than 57 million visitors, making it the most visited tourist destination in the United States. While known worldwide for its theme parks, Orlando also draws more than 5 million business travelers annually for meetings, conventions and corporate events.
The Orange County Convention Center ranks among the largest in the country by exhibition space and is the largest convention center in the world to earn LEED Gold certification. A multi-year $187 million renovation is underway to modernize the facility, adding a new ballroom, upgraded furnishings and enhanced wireless capability to support today’s meeting and event demands.
Surrounding the convention center are roughly 17,000 hotel rooms within walking distance, plus a wide array of entertainment options along International Drive. New venues such as KINGS Bowl — featuring 22 lanes, billiards, a full-service restaurant, an outdoor bocce court and weekend DJs — complement other attractions. The Orlando Eye complex, built around a 425-foot observation wheel and opening in stages, expands the area’s offerings with an aquarium, a wax museum, dining and retail.
Shopping has become a major draw for visitors. Within a short drive of downtown there are a dozen malls and outlet centers carrying major department stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s, alongside boutique designer shops including Giorgio Armani, Burberry, Chanel and Dior. Orlando Premium Outlets recently expanded with The Promenade, a 110,000-square-foot addition featuring Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH and a dozen more retailers.
Orlando’s cultural scene is robust as well. The city hosts the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Orlando Ballet and the Orlando Repertory Theatre, while nearby Winter Park features the Cornell Fine Art Museum. A major new arts venue, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, will open in downtown Orlando this November. The center will house multiple theaters, an outdoor plaza, a banquet room and serve as the new home for Broadway touring shows and the Orlando Ballet.
The Dr. Phillips Center’s plaza and banquet facilities provide an appealing alternative for evening receptions and VIP gatherings beyond the convention center. Unique private-event options abound across the region: VIP access to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando, behind-the-scenes safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, private waterpark experiences at SeaWorld’s Aquatica, or exclusive tours of the space shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center. These specialized offerings set Orlando apart as a destination for memorable corporate incentives and group experiences.
Killer whales at Sea World © James Elliott | Dreamstime.com
Family travel blends easily with business in Orlando. Walt Disney World continues to expand; New Fantasyland added Princess Fairytale Hall where young guests can meet Disney princesses, and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train coaster completed the project’s final phase. Disney has also announced an Avatar-inspired land for Animal Kingdom, promising dramatic floating mountains and bioluminescent landscapes.
Other parks keep pace with new attractions and immersive experiences. SeaWorld’s Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin offers an up-close penguin habitat. Universal Orlando’s Springfield area brings The Simpsons to life with themed dining and entertainment, and thrill-seekers enjoy rides such as the 3D Transformers experience. LEGOLAND Florida continues expanding family-friendly attractions, adding DUPLO Valley with toddler-focused rides and play areas.
Hotel development keeps pace with attraction growth. Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort joins other on-site properties, while luxury options like the Four Seasons Resort Orlando open within the gates of Walt Disney World. The Four Seasons features family amenities such as water slides, a lazy river and an activity center, plus adult-focused offerings including a championship Tom Fazio golf course and an adults-only pool with a rooftop steakhouse that provides views of nightly fireworks.
For a quieter, boutique experience, Winter Park’s Alfond Inn offers 112 rooms, a farm-to-table restaurant, outdoor pool, fitness center and flexible meeting space, all surrounded by a notable collection of contemporary art. The neighborhood also supports a thriving dining scene, with restaurants recognized for culinary excellence.
Once a landscape of citrus groves before Walt Disney World opened in 1971, Orlando has transformed into a world-class city capable of accommodating large numbers of leisure and business travelers. Beyond theme parks, visitors discover culture, fine dining, expansive shopping and a variety of resorts — all set in a warm climate that rarely faces extreme cold.
SCENIC DRIVES
Winter Park, just a 15-minute drive northeast of downtown Orlando, is a scenic escape known for its chain of lakes and historic charm. A drive down East Morse Boulevard reveals lakefront estates and the tree-shaded grounds of Rollins College. Park Avenue, Winter Park’s main thoroughfare, leads through a quaint downtown lined with boutiques and cafés. South Park Avenue borders Central Park and its green spaces, while North Park Avenue provides access to the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, home to an extensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, including notable stained-glass pieces from the late 19th century.