There are few places more exciting to spend your summer in than Orlando. Not only does the Sunshine State experience some fantastic – albeit chaotic – weather during these months, but the region itself comes to life with all manner of events taking place around Orlando! There is seemingly no end to the number of exciting things you could be getting up to here, with something to suit everyone’s tastes.

If you’re visiting Orlando this summer, we’ve compiled a list of some of the exciting things you could discover! From new attractions to the biggest events, you will be spoilt for choice during your stay.

Check Out The New Rides

No visit to Orlando would be complete without taking a wild ride through some of Orlando’s finest theme parks. Home to some of the biggest and best attractions around, Orlando is the perfect place for children - young and old - looking to see their dreams come to life! This summer, almost all the major locations in Orlando have got something new to discover, which will excite both first-time visitors and those coming back for more!

In late August 2019, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This hotly-anticipated expansion comes complete with exotic shops from the franchise and a Millennium Falcon experience that fans young and old will love! Meanwhile, in June, a new Harry Potter ride opened at Universal Orlando Resort. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is an epic roller coaster located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal’s Islands of Adventure park.

For those with younger children, SeaWorld Orlando has a brand-new Sesame Street land with eight attractions that will bring this street to life. Complete with parades, shopping and plenty of interactive fun, this is an excellent option for families visiting Orlando this summer. LEGOLAND Florida also expanded earlier this year with the opening of THE LEGO MOVIE World, including new rides and a host of characters from the popular films. You can discover more summer events at LEGOLAND Florida here.

Enjoy Local Events

During the summer, Orlando is full of local events and celebrations for you to check out!

SeaWorld’s Electric Ocean is a lively evening event that runs on select nights from May to September. Featuring lights, music and the park’s much-loved sea creatures, this visual spectacle is perfect for those wanting a night’s entertainment. At Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay – around one hour from our villas in Orlando – the summer nights mean the park stays open till late! Complete with DJs and a fireworks show at 9:30pm, Busch Gardens offers another thrilling theme park day out for those that are looking for something new.

Another exciting evening opportunity is the Bioluminescence Kayaking Tour by BK Adventure. Located one hour out of the city, this popular activity sees you peacefully kayak your way down the Indian River Lagoon’s marvellous Bioluminescent Bay, naturally-lit in an array of colours by the diverse sea life underneath. This event is quite popular, particularly during July and August when the glowing plankton is at its brightest, so booking in advance is recommended.

Another alternative from the theme parks, Leu Gardens is a beautiful 50-acre botanical world in Downtown Orlando that is also hosting a range of wonderful events this summer. These include a Fairy Festival on 23rd August, which turns the gardens into a fantasy wonderland that the kids will love to explore, as well as numerous movie nights throughout the summer months.

Watch Live Sports

Everyone enjoys the thrill of live sport and, in America, they often do it bigger and louder! Americans love their sport, and during the summer, many of their biggest sporting competitions are underway. Thankfully, there is the opportunity to sample a range of events in the Orlando area.

During the summer, one of the biggest sports across The States is baseball. The Tampa Bay Rays represent Florida in Major League Baseball, the sport’s premier competition. Although they are located one hour and forty minutes drive from the centre of Orlando, these all-day events are definitely worth the trip for sports fanatics.

For something closer to your villa, Orlando City Soccer Club play in America’s top league, the MLS, and their season also runs throughout the summer, making it the perfect activity for football fans!

Cool Off at the Water Parks

As the name ‘Sunshine State’ suggests, Florida can get particularly warm during the summer months. Temperatures between June and August regularly hit the 30-degrees Celsius mark, and the humidity is high, which is a great excuse to spend some time cooling off at the region’s many water parks!

SeaWorld’s sister site, Aquatica, is one of Orlando’s premier water parks and was voted America’s best by USA Today! KareKare Curl, which opened earlier this year is the park’s newest ride. A weightless experience that sees you glide along a curve-shaped wave in a rubber ring, this attraction is already a hit with families! Full of a range of water-based rides and activities, Aquatica is the perfect choice for those looking to spend a day in their trunks or bathing suits.

However, there are plenty of choices, and Walt Disney World also has two water parks of its own! Typhoon Lagoon is a tropical oasis complete with a giant surf pool in the middle, which is perfect for escaping the heat. This park has a range of exciting rides and chilled food and drink areas with plenty of shade. Typhoon Lagoon also hosts the popular H2O Glow Nights from May through to the end of August. Taking place on Thursdays and Saturdays, this sees the park transformed into a neon-coloured spectacle as the sun goes down and includes DJ performances, as well as Toy Story-themed events for the kids.

Meanwhile, Disney’s Blizzard Beach is a fantastic place for families to enjoy. Full of exciting activities for young children and relaxed environments for resting adults, this is an excellent place for family fun in the water. For those looking for a little more adrenaline, however, this park is home to Summit Plummet, one of the world’s biggest free-fall body slides!

Nona Adventure Park is a newly-opened, family-friendly water sports park situated on Lake Nona, to the south-east of Orlando. With sports like wakeboarding on offer, alongside an exciting floating obstacle course, this is an alternative option for cooling down in the summer sunshine.

Another new water park to visit in Orlando is Island H2O Live. Located in Kissimmee, this fully interactive park is an excellent combination of relaxing locations and exciting thrill rides. As the name suggests, the park also welcomes a selection of live events, including DJs and special guests.

There is no shortage of exciting events and attractions for you to discover this summer in Orlando. Here at Debbie’s Villas, we’ve been helping people make the most out of their stay for many years. Our selection of beautiful American villas are located in prime locations, including our villas near Disney World, so take a look today!

Whatever your tastes or interests, this region will help you to create memories that will last a lifetime!