6 ways to explore Orlando without leaving your couch
Orlando is the city of theme parks, but there's more to it than that -- relaxing poolside at a resort perhaps, or getting in touch with your nature-loving side or trying something new and daring like indoor skydiving. And, just right for our current homebound existence, you can have more than 85 Orlando experiences at home via virtual reality.
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Here are six of the top things to do if you go to Orlando or, for now, visit virtually.
Tour the theme parks
People come from all over the world to experience the magic and thrills of the theme parks like Disney World or Universal Orlando, but that's on hold while we work together to slow the spread of coronavirus. However, there are virtual workarounds to get to the fun.
For instance, you can skip the lines and get a sneak peek at rides like Mickey and Minnie's Railway and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance on the Disney Parks YouTube channel. Better yet, you can take as many virtual rides as you'd like of park favorites like Space Mountain. Just looking to take in the magic of Disney? You can gawk at Cinderella's Castle with a virtual tour while getting the lay of the land for a future trip.
Over at Universal Orlando Resort, you can virtually transport yourself to places like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter among other park favorites.
Related: TPG's guide to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando
Do you have a Lego fan in the house? Head to LEGOLAND where you can virtually experience The Dragon indoor/outdoor roller coaster.
Related: Complete guide to traveling during the deadly coronavirus outbreak
See wildlife up close
If you want to see wildlife, Gatorland hosts a Facebook Live every day at 10 a.m. ET. You can also watch live-action encounters with animals like the Burmese python on YouTube.
The Central Florida Zoo also hosts daily Facebook Lives that offer a peek into the animal habitats along with educational tidbits from the zookeepers.
Do something daring
There's more to up your adrenaline in Orlando than roller coasters. For example, you can zipline over live alligators on the Screamin' Gator Zip Line at Gatorland.
If heights plus dangerous reptiles below is a bit too thrilling for you, take the driver's seat at Andretti Indoor Karting and Games for a high-speed chase on an indoor track.
Meanwhile, if you're all for heights but can skip the animals, then iFly Orlando may be your speed. Here you can experience what it's like to fly in a high-energy vertical wind tunnel. This is something you'll definitely want to experience for real, but for now the internet will have to do.
Relax and unwind
Let's be honest, working from home isn't quite as relaxing as we all dreamed it would be. The city of Orlando has quite a few places where you can go to recharge — there's the lazy river at the five-acre waterpark at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, or you can take a swan boat ride at Lake Eola Park or float down Roa's Rapids at Aquatica Orlando waterpark.
Learn something new
So you've become a full-time parent and teacher and you're stuck in the house? Well, Orlando's got you covered when it comes to educational materials that don't necessarily require any heavy lifting on your end.
To see what it's like to live in space, tune in to the Kennedy Space Center Facebook Live series. Learn about Mars and rocketry or tour the Space Shuttle Atlantis at the space center which is just down the road from Orlando.
Finally, for aspiring engineers and Disney fanatics alike, you can get lessons in theme park design and engineering in a free course taught by Disney Imagineers, Khan Academy and Pixar.
Grab some popcorn and enjoy free entertainment
If you're looking for something more, let's say, culturally enriching to binge besides "Tiger King," there are a few options.
If you're interested in music, you can watch previously recorded live performances from the Timucua Arts Foundation in Orlando. You can also help support Central Florida artists via a Digital Music Flea Market hosted by Timucua as well.
Related: Stuck at home? Stream these 12 movies to cope with travel wanderlust
Can't decide what movie to watch next? Get a daily recommendation and insider film info from a cinema expert on the Enzian Theater's Facebook page .
Finally, if you prefer indulging in art, you can virtually explore the galleries of the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. To learn more about the museum located in Winter Park near Orlando, you can stream two films — A Legacy for the Community and The Tiffany Chapel: A Masterpiece Rediscovered.
Related: 10 iconic museums you can tour online
Bottom line
For now, travel is on hold and Orlando theme parks are closed indefinitely. Luckily, you can still get a taste of some of Orlando's greatest experiences at home. This is the perfect opportunity to start outlining your itinerary for a future trip — the places you'll stay, the rides you'll take, the earning and spending strategy for making it all happen.
If you're planning a big trip to Orlando once this is all over like we are, be sure to check out our guides on where to stay during a visit to Disney World or Universal Orlando, or both.
For more trip inspiration:
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.