In the expansive United States of America, widely known as ‘the land of opportunity’ many cities are world famous with some being iconic. Orlando, the south eastern most US state of Florida, stands out for many good reasons. The most sacred fact is that Orlando remains the most visited tourist destination in the US with a record 62 million visitors in 2014, up from 59 million in the previous year. Orlando has succeeded in keeping the glitzy New York trailing at number two for several years.

Why is Orlando so special and attractive? If the US is the land of opportunity, then Orlando is the city of dreams, not alone but with family. With seven of the world’s top theme parks all in one sunny location, Orlando is the theme park capital of the world. The latter makes Orlando by far the best family destination in the world.

Among its best-known theme parks and water parks are four theme parks and two water parks at one of a kind Walt Disney World Resort – Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach Water Park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, and Typhoon Lagoon; two theme parks at Universal Orlando Resort – Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter straddling both; three parks from SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment – SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica – SeaWorld’s Waterpark and Discovery Cove; and LEGOLAND Florida Resort. 

Apart from these there are over 100 other amazing attractions in Orlando. In fact according to Orlando Tourism officials on average it would take nearly 70 days if one were to visit or enjoy each of the varied and unique mix of legendary theme parks, water parks, spectacular museums, world-class entertainment and blockbuster rides and attractions.

However for families keen to enjoy a good holiday in Orlando, the city offers a host of shorter entertainment and sightseeing tours good enough to savour the best of the Orlando experience.

To serve ever growing visitors to Orlando, the world’s award winning airline, Emirates in September launched direct daily flights to Orlando from Dubai. 

Emirates’ daily flight EK219 departs Dubai at 3:50 a.m. local time and arrives in Orlando at 11 a.m., a flying time of 16 hours and 10 minutes. The daily return flight EK220 departs Orlando International Airport Terminal B at 1:20 p.m. and arrives in Dubai International Terminal 3 at 12:20 p.m. the following day, with a flying time of 14 hours.

From Colombo, Emirates operates 27 flights a week to Dubai, with its daily flight EK 653 departing Colombo at 20:35 hours and arriving in Dubai at 02:05 hours, providing the perfect connection with the new Orlando flight.

Emirates’ Orlando flights are operated with the latest Boeing 777-200 LR aircraft, which seats 266 passengers, including eight in private First Class Suites, 42 in Business Class lie-flat beds and 216 in spacious Economy Class seats. Emirates operates a fleet of 147 Boeing 777s including freighters, the most of any airline in the world.

Emirates passengers in all cabin classes enjoy renowned service provided by a multilingual crew representing more than 130 nationalities, savour regionally inspired gourmet cuisine and immerse themselves in the award-winning in-flight entertainment system – ice Digital Widescreen – offering more than 2,000 channels of movies, TV programs, music, games and podcasts. Parents flying with children are well-attended with access to free strollers at Dubai International Airport, a choice of children’s toys, specially prepared children’s meals and dedicated children’s channels on board to keep younger passengers entertained.

Given its pre-eminence as the most visited US holiday destination, Orlando has the best of class accommodation even in a global scale.  According to officials, Orlando has approximately 450 hotels and more than 116,000 guest rooms. Accommodations range from luxury resorts and themed hotels to charming bed and breakfasts, economy hotels/motels and campgrounds. Vacation ownership units, private condominiums and homes are also available.

The city also boasts of over 5,000 restaurants offering a wide range of cuisine for their global clientele. Orlando also has a thriving nightlife with ultra-hip bars, high-energy dance clubs, laid-back pubs and multi-venue entertainment complexes.

Orlando is also famous for world class shopping experience with 12 versatile shopping malls and outlet centres. In the selection, The Mall at Millenia is a must visit as it is considered 10th most profitable shopping centre in the world. It has over 150 stores offering exclusive discounts as high as 40% by luxury and best in class retailers.

Orlando International Airport serves nearly 37 million annual passengers, of which 12.5% are international. MCO is the second busiest airport in Florida. In its ongoing efforts to value and delight its customers, Orlando International Airport has embarked on a series of Capital Improvements valued at over $ 1.3 billion and has approved designing a new South Terminal project all aimed at enhancing The Orlando Experience. By 2017, Orlando will be among the first destinations with on-airport intermodal facilities in the US and the first airport in Florida to conveniently support air travel, ground transportation and rail.

To find out how you can enjoy a family holiday in Orlando visit http://www.visitorlando.com/

Plenty to do in Orlando

One thing is for certain: there is plenty to do in Orlando. With seven of the world’s top theme parks and more than 100 other amazing attractions, the toughest part for visitors is choosing which attractions to visit. Here are two popular venues:

Walt Disney 

World Resort

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park – the future home to Avatar, this park offers exciting adventures and unique encounters with real, exotic animals, plus one-of-a-kind guest experiences with fictional animals and giant dinosaurs from the prehistoric world. Not-to-miss attractions include Expedition Everest, a high-speed train adventure; ‘Finding Nemo – The Musical’, a live 30-minute musical show; TriceraTop Spin; Primeval Whirl!; DINOSAUR, Kilimanjaro Safaris and Festival of the Lion King, a live 30-minute musical show.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios – A theme park with a complete motion picture and television studio. Feature attractions include Toy Story Mania!; Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show; Disney Junior – Live on Stage!; Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, MuppetVision 3-D and Voyage of The Little Mermaid.

Epcot – Guests visit 11 nations at World Showcase and fast-forward to tomorrow in Future World. World Showcase offers a kaleidoscope of nations – The American Adventure, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Norway and the United Kingdom. 

Magic Kingdom Park – This quintessential Disney theme park features six magical lands with attractions, restaurants and shops based on favourite Disney themes of fantasy, yesterday and tomorrow. 

The New Fantasyland expansion includes the Storybook Circus area with Barnstormer Coaster featuring the Great Goofini family-style ride; Dumbo, the Flying Elephant; Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station; Enchanted Tales with Belle; Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, Be Our Guest Restaurant within Beast’s Castle, and Princess Fairytale Hall for memory-making encounters with the Disney princesses. The 2014 completion of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train completes the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history. Other popular attractions include Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, and The Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor.

Universal Orlando Resort

Universal’s Islands of Adventure – Featuring some of the most innovative and technologically advanced thrill rides and attractions, this park consists of seven themed islands: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, The Lost Continent, Seuss Landing and Port of Entry. Guests can swing above the streets on The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, soar above Hogwarts on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and feel the fury on The Incredible Hulk coaster.

Universal Studios Florida – With cutting-edge attractions based on pop-culture icons, Hollywood blockbuster films and hit television shows, this park transports visitors into a highly imaginative world where they can become heroes of their own adventures. Guests can experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley or take an action-packed mission on TRANSFORMERS: The Ride - 3-D or battle the supernatural at Revenge of the Mummy. They can also ride along with Shrek and Donkey at Shrek 4-D and hang out with America’s favourite animated family on The Simpsons Ride or in the Simpsons-themed area, Springfield. There’s also thrill coaster Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, the 3-D experience Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, The Superstar Parade and Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories.

Orlando’s history

Before Mickey Mouse called Orlando home, the destination was a leader in the emerging citrus industry, fulfilling the country’s need for grapefruits, tangerines and oranges. As the citrus industry flourished, the City of Orlando was officially incorporated on 21 July 1875. Capitalising on Orlando’s near-perfect, year-round flying weather, aviation brought another economic boom to the city. Orlando’s Municipal Airport became the Orlando Army Base and quietly contributed to the war efforts both before and after World War II as one of the first places to train bomber pilots. 

The military built a second Air Force Base which today is the Orlando International Airport. The Wells’ Built Museum of African American History preserves Central Florida’s unique African-American history and heritage through tours of the museum and South Street Casino, home to famous performers like B.B. King, Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald. The Orange County Regional History Center chronicles life in Orlando when the area was first known for its cattle ranches and, later, orange groves.