Talk of the city of Orlando — the home of the American theme park vacation, smack bang in the centre of Florida — and you risk bringing out the cynic in anyone older than 14. But a few minutes there can quickly convert even the most jaded. I know this, because I visited it in the company of a group of journalists, a species known for its cynicism. Three days later, many emerged with their own set of Mickey Mouse ears.
I, myself, was drinking the Kool-Aid from the get-go. I love Disney and theme parks, and my inner 7-year-old emerges frequently, especially if there’s a mention of Frozen. (I left Orlando with Minnie Mouse ears, a Mickey Mouse balloon and a full-size Elsa costume — and a lot fewer dollars than I arrived with.)
If there was anyone that was going to make the most of discovering all that the new direct (a whopping 15 hours, 50 minutes) Emirates flight to Orlando has to offer in the space of three days, it was me.
Here are five reasons you should have this Florida city in your itinerary:
1. Walt Disney World, VIP-style
Not Disneyland, which is in California and much smaller. It’s hard to fathom just how massive this park, opened by Disney in 1971, is, but they provide a helpful comparison: It’s three times the size of Manhattan. And it’s all pretty much about fun, thrills, food, shopping, fireworks and Minnie Mouse ears in every possible colour.
Not just one park, but four, Walt Disney World is Orlando’s original attraction, and a family can easily spend a week in this one place — thanks to the world-class hotels on site, golf courses, water parks, shopping and shows (the only permanent Cirque du Soleil show in the world).
With limited time, I made a beeline to the heart and soul of WDW – the Magic Kingdom, the home of Cinderella’s castle, Main Street USA and Space Mountain, itself divided into 6 “lands”. This is not the home of upside-down, heart-stopping rides (head to Universal Studios for those). Here, it’s about immersing yourself in Disney nostalgia.
In 10 hours, I did most of the rides, some shopping, had lunch and caught the astonishing daily parade – thanks to the VIP service that whisks guests around the park.
Two dedicated VIP “cast members”, clad in tartan uniforms and armed with endless smiles and never-ending Disney knowledge, guided us around the park, and after asking us what our priorities were, took us to the front of the lines for all the rides, got us priority placement at the crowded parade, and drove us, exhausted, back to the hotel.
It’s a brilliant – albeit pricey – option for those who want to get the most out of WDW in a short time; have a large family to juggle; or can’t be bothered to undertake the substantial planning that’s needed to tackle the park.
My do-not-miss highlights:
- Arrange a meet-and-greet with a character. These have to be booked in advance, and are the only way you can get up, close and personal with Mary Poppins, Mickey or Anna.
- The Parade: This daily event, with all your favourite characters on floats from Cinderella’s castle down Main Street, is spectacular, infectious fun. I defy you not to wave back at Ariel.
- Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain: The rides here aren’t the newest or most terrifying (head to Universal Studios for those). Peter Pan’s flight is old-school puppetry fun.
- Shopping: The Emporium has everything your family and friends back home never knew they needed.
- The Private Premium VIP Tour varies between $400 and $600 per hour, depending on the season – not including your park tickets, and must be booked in advance; call (407) 560-4033. One-day entry to Magic Kingdom is $111.83 for those over 10, and $105.44 for children 3-9.
2. Epcot
Walt Disney’s dream of the future — technology and the world’s cultures living together in harmony – hasn’t quite worked out yet, but this WDW park is a fun place to imagine it (that said – so is Dubai). While the Magic Kingdom is great fun for all ages, skewing younger, Epcot will entertain the kids, but the adults will even feel more comfortable, thanks to an abundance of top-notch food and drink and thrilling rides. Those include Mission: Space, designed with NASA scientists to recreate a rocket launch. It’s seriously, seriously nauseating. Be warned. (Keep an eye on the sky: If you love rockets, look out early in the morning. We saw a launch from Kennedy Space Center, 50 miles away, from our hotel, the Waldorf Astoria, which is inside the WDW resort. You can also see the nightly fireworks at the park from hotels in the resort.)
Dinner at Epcot’s World Showcase is a must-do: Intricately detailed pavilions recreating 11 nations – from France and Japan to Mexico and Morocco – surround a pretty lagoon. Each has shops, bars and restaurants themed to the nation – and pretty authentically too; Morocco is especially stunning. I sat with a view of sunset over the lagoon at Spice Road Table there, eating Mediterranean-style food; the garlic-chilli shrimp deserves a double order.
3. Universal Resort
If you thought the Magic Kingdom was ridiculously detailed, wait until you see the two Harry Potter worlds at Orlando’s <ital> other <ital> theme park. Magical doesn’t even cover it. Universal is where the rides lose the tweeness of Disney and become thrilling rollercoasters, with a focus on 3D, immersive visuals – as in the Transformers, Minions and Simpsons rides here. J. K. Rowling’s pages come to life in the new Diagon Alley, a faithful recreation of the London street where you can shop for robes, wands, Butterbeer and everything you need for the dark arts (in damp and creepy Knockturn Alley), before going into Gringott’s bank, where Bill Weasley and the key characters join you on a dramatic rollercoaster escape. Then, board a full-size Hogwarts Express for the ride to the famous wizarding school, located in the adjoining Islands of Adventure park (a two-park pass is needed). Disembark to a strange sight: Snow-covered village roofs and Hogwarts, in the blazing Florida sunshine. More rides here, including the centrepiece Harry’s Forbidden Journey, are alongside shops and restaurants such as the Three Broomsticks.
Universal also has VIP guides to whisk you around the rides. A one-day park-to-park ticket is $147 (child 3-9, $144); VIP guides are an additional $349.
4. Orlando, the city
Disney and Universal (and Seaworld) are the beating heart of this swampy city, but there are thriving neighbourhoods with residents who aren’t related to Mickey Mouse; one highlight is Winter Park, home to some of the city’s best restaurants and quaint shopping. It’s an oasis of calm after a day at a theme park, especially the unique Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. The displays of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s gorgeous stained glass – including many lamps and recreations of his home – are breathtaking, as is an entire Byzantine chapel. Stop for dinner at Luma On Park, a sophisticated yet friendly restaurant serving modern American cuisine – spotting an American football star or two isn’t unusual.
Shopping in Winter Park is boutique-based. If it’s big-name American brands you’re after, head to Mall at Millenia: Many stores in this mall, including the Louis Vuitton, have the highest takings of any in the US – not surprising since Orlando is America’s biggest tourist destination. You’ll find Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Anthropologie, Victoria’s Secret and high-end European brands. Outlet shopping is also popular: Orlando Premium Outlets has malls on International Drive and near Disney on Vineland Avenue. Orlando locals are also avid football (ie soccer) fans – their local team, Orlando City, features Brazilian Kaka.
5. The flight connections
All of America flies to Orlando, and hence from Orlando’s airport you can also fly to many destinations – some of which were until now difficult to reach from the UAE. We’re now one connection away from Mexico (Cancun and Mexico City), the Bahamas, Jamaica (Montego Bay) and Colombia via Emirates’ codeshare partner jetBlue. Emirates’ other partner out of Orlando is Alaska Air, which can take you to Seattle or San Diego.