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New Topiaries Featuring Mirabel, Antonio, Isabela, and Luisa

The festival introduces some exciting new topiaries of Mirabel, Antonio, Isabela, and Luisa from Disney’s “Encanto.” These topiaries near the EPCOT main entrance are a must-do photo opportunity to mark your visit.

Returning and New Food Kitchens

During the festival, you can sample various food from the various food kitchens across the park. Though we don’t have the complete menu list for this year, some of the returning and new booths popping up in EPCOT include Trowel & Trellis, Pineapple Promenade, Northern Bloom, Honey Bee-stro, Jardin de Fiestas, Primavera Kitchen, Magnolia Terrace, La Isla Fresca, Hanami, and Bauernmarkt. Moreover, the Brunchcot and “Farm Fresh” booths are new to this year’s festival.

Returning Favorites and Live Music

Apart from the new topiaries, there are also returning favorites like Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, Tick Tock Croc, Figment, Anna, Elsa, and many more. This fest celebrates greenery, foliage, and flowers through beautiful flower beds, topiaries, and fresh farm-to-table cuisine.

Moreover, the popular Garden Rocks Concert Series is back, featuring favorite tunes at the America Gardens Theatre.

Specialty Menus of Scrumptious Cuisine and Beverages

Over 15 Outdoor Kitchens will offer specialty menus of scrumptious cuisine and beverages. One of the favorites, The Citrus Blossom, is moving to a new location at Odyssey with new menu items.

Commemorative Merchandise

To commemorate your visit, you can also purchase the official ’70s-inspired Orange Bird merchandise, including apparel, headwear, and drinkware.

Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration and Blossoms of Fragrance

For a fun scavenger hunt experience, you can follow Spike the Bee on his pollination trail at Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration. The event is suitable for all ages, and once you find Spike in each garden on your map, add the corresponding sticker of the plant he is visiting.

On the bridge to World Showcase, you can enjoy the scents of spring with Blossoms of Fragrance presented by Scentsy. Surrounded by vibrant butterfly topiaries, guests will be invited to follow their noses to six scent stations to form lasting memories with the help of unforgettable aromas.

Plan Your Visit

To experience the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, you must have valid admission and a park reservation for EPCOT on the same date. Keep an eye on the official site for more details, and don’t forget to capture the magical moments at this blooming festival.

The year-round sun and warmth of Florida make it an ideal destination any time of year, and heading there for a 4th of July celebration means getting some of the best of it, along with some patriotic flair. Set your sights on our Kissimmee resort rentals and enjoy the red, white, and blue activities to build a vacation to keep you happy and busy throughout your stay. Enjoy double the entertainment when you head to one of the area theme parks, many of which offer special patriotic displays and events. 

Avalon Park 

Head to Avalon Park in downtown Orlando for some patriotic fun this 4th of July. The annual 4th of July celebration at the park includes a wet/dry pounce park, community performances, delicious offerings from food trucks and an apple pie bake-off, a bike parade, and community performances. The fun begins at 5 p.m., and you’ll want to stick around until 9 p.m. for a spectacular fireworks display. 

Book Kissimmee Resort Rentals Here!

Fireworks at the Fountain 

Make sure to arrive early to the 45th Annual Fireworks at the Fountain event taking place at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando. The event is being held on the fourth from 5 to 10 p.m. and includes live entertainment, family-friendly fun, food, beverages, and more. A fireworks display begins at 9:15 p.m., with musical accompaniment by the Orlando Concert Band. 

Magic Kingdom 

The Happiest Place on Earth may also be the Most Patriotic Place on Earth this 4th of July! Each of the four parks is celebrating in its own way. At the Magic Kingdom, enjoy “Celebrate America – A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky Fireworks” a 15-minute, 360-degree display that begins at 9:15 p.m. on the 3rd and 4th in the Magic Kingdom. The show hasn’t been seen since 2019, so you won’t want to miss it! Spot Goofy, Donald, and Pluto leading a procession down Main Street USA, too. 

Epcot  

Traditionally known for its international flair and World Showcase, Epcot turns red, white, and blue for special 4th of July events. Disney characters are joined by others like Betsy Ross, Ben Franklin, and more as they dress in patriotic costumes as they appear near the promenade of The American Adventure throughout the afternoon of July 4th. Don’t miss the Voices of Liberty 4th of July Concert, featuring an expanded cast performing a patriotic salute that includes the Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps accompanied by Disney characters on the American Gardens Theatre stage. 

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Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground 

While this year’s plans are still in the works, guests may be able to look forward to events like the Fourth of July Golf Cart Parade and the Fourth of July Beach Bash at Clementine’s Beach. The parade typically takes place on the afternoon of the 4th and Beach Bash is an evening event, that typically takes place on the 4th from 6 to 11 p.m. and includes a live DJ, dancing, food, games, and plenty of Disney magic. 

SeaWorld Orlando 

Celebrate on the 4th with plenty of aquatic fun. Ignite is the park’s patriotic-inspired fireworks display. Pair it with the park’s Electric Ocean event for an unforgettable experience. Electric Ocean occurs nightly on select dates between May 27 and September 5 and includes glimpses of glowing sea creatures at aquatic-themed parties. Festivities start in the early evening, wrapping up with a firework show that starts at 10 p.m., which is best seen from Bayside Stadium. Festivities are included with regular park admission. 

Busch Gardens 

Spend all day at the park, then take in an amazing fireworks display. Fireworks, fountains, special effects, and more come together to create an event like no other. The show begins at 9:15 p.m. on Festival Field, weather permitting. If you can’t make it for the 4th, it’s a summer-long celebration that takes place Friday-Sunday through August 7. 

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LEGOLAND Celebration 

The LEGOLAND Florida Resort is celebrating the red, white, and blue with its “Awe-Summer” at LEGOLAND Florida Resort: Red, White & BOOM event. The event takes place July 2nd-4th during park hours and includes a fireworks show over the waters of Lake Eloise. The event is included with park admission. 

Fourth of July Fun in Florida 

From a cozy studio or one-bedroom for a smaller family or lovers’ getaway full of patriotism to a spacious nine-bedroom for a family or group reunion, Global Resort Homes of Orlando has a vacation rental that’s perfect for you. Step in and feel your stresses and worries melt away, knowing all your needs will be met. Our kitchens come fully equipped with everything you’ll need to make a home-cooked meal. Stretch out with some popcorn and your favorite show or movie, or retreat to a private bedroom for some relaxation at the end of the day. Choose a premium unit for flat-screen TVs, stainless steel appliances, movie, and TV character-themed rooms, home theaters, game rooms, and more. 

Call us today to start planning your 4th of July Kissimmee adventure! 

The year-round sun and warmth of Florida makes it an ideal destination any time of year. Pack your bags and gather your friends and family for a fun and exciting vacation full of sand and sun, as well as some fun indoor rainy day activities in Orlando to escape the heat, or the rainy. Set your sights on the area and its many exciting entertainment offerings and you’ll build a vacation to keep you happy and busy during your stay and memories to last a lifetime.

Crayola Experience

Experience every color of the rainbow, even if you don’t get to see one outside on a rainy Orlando day. Spend some time at the Crayola Experience in the Florida Mall, a two-story, 70,000-square-foot experience featuring 26 hands-on activities to inspire budding artists. Catch a live manufacturing show and see just how crayons are made, make digital art on an interactive wall, create unique keepsakes, create in your own coloring page as you or your favorite character as the star, and even name and wrap your own Crayola crayon!

The Escape Game Orlando

In the last several years, escape rooms have become a popular activity, rain or shine. While your favorite outdoor Orlando activities are put on hold for crummy weather, the fun can head indoors. Work together with your group members to solve a series of clues and puzzles and break out in 60 minutes to win the game. There are different themed rooms to choose from, with varying degrees of difficulty. Choose the topic or difficulty that’s right for you and make sure to book in advance. Ask about age limitations or other concerns you may have, and make sure to bring a mask.

Madame Tussauds Orlando

Located on International Drive with many of Orlando’s other must-see attractions, Madame Tussauds wax museum features life-size and life-like wax models of many U.S. top actors, sports stars, pop icons, political and historical figures, and many others. Each category or group of stars and celebrities is housed in its own room, and the figures are organized and placed in ways that beg for fun and silly photos with you and your group members in the shot, too. Want to see yourself carved in wax? You’ll have a three- to four-month wait, while the professional team of artists and sculptors perfect your image using over 200 different body measurements to capture everything that’s unique about you!

Chocolate Kingdom Factory Tour

Escape the rain and indulge your sweet tooth at the same time. Chocolate and sweets lovers will want to add this to the top of the tour list when the rain has postponed the outdoor fun. Chocolate Kingdom, the Factory Adventure Tour, is an interactive tour that takes guests from the chocolate bean all the way to the creamy, delicious chocolate treats you love to savor. Your Personal Chocolate Tour Guide is joined by a “handsome prince,” as well as the prince’s dragon sidekick to guide you through a Cacao Tree Greenhouse, a one-of-a-kind Chocolate Museum, the Mystical River of Chocolate, and the Micro Batch Bean-to-the-Bar Factory that utilizes old-world machinery to produce the best treats. Enjoy samples throughout the 45-minute tour, and for an additional fee, you can customize your own chocolate bar to take home!

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!

Experience the weird and fascinating right in Orlando! Take some time on a rainy day to visit some unbelievable exhibits. You’ll see artifacts and displays that will have you saying, “I don’t believe it!” The strange collection of world traveler Robert Ripley’s oddities – like a shrunken human head, odd fossilized creatures, and many other pieces from his crazy collection. Another unbelievable exhibit is centered around Mr. Ripley himself. At the height of his career, his average receipt of letters topped 3,000 letters a day for over 20 years. The statistic meant he was receiving more mail than any other individual in history to that point.

Fun Rainy Day Activities in Orlando

From a cozy studio or one-bedroom for a smaller family or lovers’ getaway to a spacious nine-bedroom for a family reunion, Global Resort Homes has a vacation rental that’s perfect for you and your group. Step in and feel your stresses and worries melt away, knowing all your vacation needs will be met. Our kitchens come fully equipped with everything you’ll need to prepare and serve a home-cooked meal. Stretch out with some popcorn and your favorite show or movie in an open living space, or retreat to a private bedroom for some relaxation at the end of the day. Choose a premium unit for upgrades like flat-screen TVs, stainless steel appliances, movie and TV character-themed rooms, home theaters, game rooms, and more.

Call us today to start planning your Orlando retreat!

While a visit to Disney World is on the list for a lot of vacationers heading to Orlando any time of year, there are many other activities and attractions to fill your time. It’s one of the largest cities in the Sunshine State by population, and the loads of tourists heading there for a respite means there are many and varied activities and tours in Orlando to keep you busy and experiencing all the city has to offer during your stay.

Private Helicopter Tour

A unique way to tour the area and see some of the most iconic Orlando landmarks is to take to the skies. Soar high above the Orlando area for a bird’s eye view of your favorite attractions. Flights can last from just ten minutes all the way up to an hour. Your pilot will show you around as well as narrate, offering bits of history, information about the development of the area from empty land to bustling theme parks and tourist destinations. Don’t forget your camera, as you’re sure to capture beautiful photos as you soak up the sights, including Epcot, Disney Springs, SeaWorld, Old Town Orlando, and more. This tour is provided by MaxFlight Helicopters.

Manatee and Airboat Adventure

Get ready for a day full of adventure. The adventure package from Real Florida Adventures is three experiences is one trip. The trip lasts a full 12 hours and departs from your choice of three different departure points. Breakfast is provided along with an overview of the trip. First, you’ll board a boat on the Crystal River and set out for a swim and snorkel experience with manatees, where an underwater camera is a must. Dry off and head to one of Florida’s best kept secrets – Homosassa Springs State Park – for lunch and a tour around the park. From there you’ll be whisked away on an airboat ride on the Withlacoochee River before heading back to Orlando and your departure point.

Central Florida Everglades Airboat Tour

Enjoy the wilderness of the Central Florida Everglades on an airboat tour and alligator encounter. Start your four-hour journey from any of 12 starting points around Orlando. Airboat rides last 30-60 minutes through protected swamps, marshes, and rivers to the headwaters of the Florida Everglades and allow you to get a glimpse of alligators, birds, and lush vegetation as you skim across grassy water, followed by an alligator handling demonstration. The trip includes a visit to Wild Florida Wildlife Park, where you’ll see zebras, turkeys, deer, crocodiles, alligators, tropical birds, and more.

Chocolate Kingdom Factory Tour

Chocolate lovers will want to add this to the top of the tour list. Chocolate Kingdom, the Factory Adventure Tour, is an interactive tour that takes you from the chocolate bean to the creamy, delicious chocolate treats you love to savor. Your Personal Chocolate Tour Guide is joined by a “handsome prince” and the prince’s dragon sidekick to take you through a Cacao Tree Greenhouse, a one-of-a-kind Chocolate Museum, the Mystical River of Chocolate, and the Micro Batch Bean-to-the-Bar Factory that utilizes old-world machinery. Enjoy samples throughout the 45-minute tour, and for an additional fee you can customize your own chocolate bar!

VIP Insider Disney Tours

With four Disney parks to choose from in Orlando, you can spend an entire trip soaking up all the Disney fun and excitement you can dream of. Turn up the Disney fun and head behind the scenes with a VIP insider tour of your favorite park. The private tour takes you and your group to places unseen or off-limits to park-goers during a traditional visit to the park. Park admission is not included in the price of the tour.

Top Tours in Orlando

You came to Orlando to explore and experience a new place on a fun, relaxing getaway with loved ones. Enjoy a stress-free, worry-free stay when you book a vacation rental provided by Global Resort Homes. Your small group or family will enjoy a two-bedroom unit or plan a reunion and book a unit as large as 15 bedrooms for everyone to explore the town together. Play outside on outdoor play equipment, or relax on a private balcony or patio, or splash around in a private pool or hot tub. You’ll love the whimsy of bedrooms decorated in Disney themes as well as the quiet dignity of professionally designed indoor and outdoor spaces. Many units include flat-screen TVs, stainless steel appliances, and decadent master suites. Make a meal in the fully equipped kitchen, then spread out in an open living area. For a luxury stay like no other, choose a premium unit to include perks like a game room, theater room, and even your own private luxury spa to relax and rejuvenate.

Call us today to start planning tours in Orlando full of experiences!

As summer fades into fall and the weather begins to cool down across the map, autumn in central Florida continues onward with plenty of warm days and options for outdoor adventures! The combination of fantastic theme parks, downtown excitement, nature-focused fun, and amazing temperatures makes Orlando a fabulous place to set your travel sights any time of year—but particularly appealing in the fall. Whether you’re a solo traveler hoping to escape the early fall chill, a couple that finds their best bonding moments under the sun, or a family looking for a place to enjoy a getaway that everyone will love, Orlando is sure to have something for you. When you’re ready to plan that Orlando getaway that includes stops beyond the theme parks, the following are just a few of many options to include on your itinerary.

Hike or Bike the Seminole-Wekiva Trail

While the weather is still warm in central Florida in the fall, it’s decidedly more comfortable than in the middle of the much more humid summer months. This makes it the perfect time to take to the trails that run through and around Orlando while you’re in town. If you’re taking a fall day away from the theme parks and can’t wait to lace up your hiking boots or enjoy your surroundings on two wheels, the Seminole-Wekiva Trail is a must! This trail offers up 14 miles of paved pathway running through urban centers and the outskirts of Seminole County. Most adventurers spend an hour or two on the trail, admiring the towering trees in off the beaten path portions of the route or taking in the bustling city centers when the path winds through more populated areas. The majority of this path is both shaded and wide, making it a great place to ride in tandem with family or friends. Beautiful views of the Wekiva River along the way bring nature to life along the route which can be accessed at the San Sebastian Trailhead.

Have an ATV Adventure

If your idea of the ideal fall getaway to Orlando comes complete with some adrenaline-pumping fun, this is the perfect place to hop on an ATV and enjoy an off-road journey with family and friends. There are a variety of local companies that provide hourly and daily rental options when you can’t wait to hit the dirt trails in style. Amongst them, Revolution Adventures in nearby Clermont provides guests with over 230 acres of land to explore on four-wheels. Options to rent ATVs or amphibious vehicles gets guests up close to nature while also indulging that need for speed. In addition to the off-road fun, Revolution Adventures provides options to enjoy fishing, archery tag, and clay pigeon shooting on-site. Revolution Adventures is located at 4000 State Road 33 and is open Monday through Sunday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm with a reservation.

Harry P. Leu Gardens

Central Florida is home to an incredible variety of native flowers and plants. Many of them can be enjoyed in one single stop when you make time for a trip to the Harry P. Leu Gardens during your fall Florida getaway. This sprawling destination covers 50 acres of land and can be found at 1920 N. Forest Avenue. Complete with walking trails, lovely lakes, and a collection of towering Camellias and Oaks, this is a stop where guests can also enjoy meticulously cared for gardens as well. Donated to the city of Orlando in 1961 by Harry P. Leu and his wife Mary Jane, visitors today can savor time surrounded by seasonal colors and combinations of blooms that are sure to inspire and change throughout the year.

Book Time with the Team at Paddleboard Orlando

The beauty of a fall Orlando getaway is that options for on the water fun are still abundantly available to be enjoyed! Central Florida has much in the way of man-made fun, but it’s also an oasis of inland waterways that are designed by nature to be explored. For those visitors looking to make the most of time savoring and exploring the great outdoors, while getting in some exercise too, booking a rental, class, or tour with the team at Paddleboard Orlando is the way to go. With over 35 years in the business, the team at Paddleboard Orlando brings local insight into each and every excursion on the water. This company offers up paddleboard rentals for those looking to enjoy independent adventures as well as guided tours at Wekiva Springs. Kayak and canoe rentals are also available at this destination upon request.

Savor the Stay

There’s nothing like planning an exciting trip to Orlando and having amazing accommodations to keep you cozy while you’re here can elevate the experience from start to finish. Contact Global Resort Homes today to learn more about our property options in the area and to start planning your next amazing Florida adventure!

Families from across the world alongside Disney enthusiasts of all ages make their way towards Orlando, Florida year after year in impressive numbers. Over 20 million visitors stepped through the entrance to Magic Kingdom alone in 2019—breaking previous years’ records with ease. While Orlando is known and loved for its exciting theme park stops, it’s also a destination rich in history. For those that have a heart for exploring more of the stories that make up the destination, there are plenty of historical Orlando attractions to add to your itinerary.

Early Area History

While Orlando is a place that welcomes visitors with open arms today, in the early 19th century, the story was very different. During the Seminole Wars, Fort Gatlin was constructed just south of the city to protect early settlers from potential attacks. The Jernigan family is credited with being the most prominent of establishing settlers in this area and by 1840, the city was named after them. By 1850, the settlement was growing northward and even included a post office. By 1856, the settlement of Jernigan included 85 residents and officially changed their name to Orlando. History provides a few potential reasons for this name change ranging from a local judge naming the city after an admired colleague to a potential naming based on a Shakespeare character, just to name a few.

Orange County Regional History Center

The town of Orlando was officially incorporated in 1875 but its history stretches back centuries to a time when First Nation groups called the land home. Visitors to Orlando looking to learn more about this rich history will want to make a stop at the Orange County Regional History Center while they’re in town. Located at 65 E. Central Boulevard in the heart of downtown, this museum is built into the Orange County Courthouse which holds historical status in and of itself. Inside the museum, visitors can enjoy browsing a collection of displays and exhibits that stretch back nearly 12,000 years in time to highlight local and regional history. From tribal history and major battles through settlement and modern architecture, this museum is charged with preserving and presenting the area’s story in a seamless fashion. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sundays from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm. Admission cost is $8 for adults and $6 for children 5 and up.

Orlando Fire Museum

Establishing a thriving city takes time, and one of the most important parts of the process is making sure there are emergency services firmly in place to protect citizens. Whether you’re a visitor that’s interested in the history of firefighting or are traveling with little ones with a passion for this dynamic profession, a stop at the Orlando Fire Museum promises to please. Situated at 814 E. Rollins Street, the Orlando Fire Museum is built into a restored firehouse dating back to 1926. Situated within the greater Loch Haven Cultural Park, the museum is open to the public Fridays and Saturdays between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and offers up tours that highlight the city fire department’s history. The firehouse was in service from 1926 to 1978 but opened up as a museum in 2002. Inside, guests will be able to browse displays that include everything from a 1926 fire engine to exhibits that highlight the evolution of firefighting gear and tell the tales of major city fires too.

The Mennello Museum of American Art

Art is a fantastic medium for capturing the passage of time and commemorating major moments through painting, sculpture, and design. The best of it all can be enjoyed with a stop at The Mennello Museum of American Art when you’re in Orlando on a historical journey. Found at 900 E. Princeton Street, The Mennello Museum of American Art is a dual museum and sculpture garden where guests can enjoy admiring work of both traditional and contemporary artists. While the work of Earl Cunningham is continuously on display, guests can also find collections that feature the most innovative of sketches, photography, sculpture, and beyond. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.mm with opening hours adjusting on Sundays beginning at noon. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children 6 and up.

Capture the Fun of Orlando

When you’re ready to make your way to Orlando and can’t wait to capture the fun and thrill of it all, having just the right accommodations in place can make all the difference. Reach out to Global Resort Homes today to learn more about our many rental property options in the area that keep you close to those places you want to learn about and explore while living in comfort and style. We can’t wait to welcome you to sunny Florida soon!