ENDLESS FUN IN SUNNY ORLANDO

BY JOSH VEAL

fFilled with sun, fun, STEM and performance opportunities, Orlando is one of America’s top travel destinations.

This hub in central Florida is home to some of the most famous theme parks in the world, including Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, in addition to fantastic performance venues, museums, indoor fun parks and so much more. There’s even history to be found, especially in the nearby Kissimmee.

So pack the sunscreen and get ready for fun as we dive into everything Orlando has to offer student groups.

First up, let’s head to one of the attractions that made Orlando the destination it is today: Disney World, which is officially wrapping up its 50th Anniversary celebrations this month (March 2023) and heading into a new era. For those who’ve never been, Disney World is built around four themed parks: Magic Kingdom, with classic attractions and the iconic Cinderella Castle; Hollywood Studios, now featuring Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge; EPCOT, featuring attractions from all around the world; and Animal Kingdom, home to real nature alongside Pandora - The World of Avatar.

If you’re familiar, now’s a great time to check out everything new at Disney World. The iconic Splash Mountain has just recently been rethemed to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and check out the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, a rotating coaster.

Even better for student groups is the newly reimagined Disney Imagination Campus, which offers incredible programs for students to dive into STEAM by designing their own theme park and learning what makes the magic happen behind the scenes. Or try out a performing arts workshop, teaching students to perform, sing and/or act at a high level. The park itself also offers multiple opportunities for bands and choirs to perform in front of a live audience.

Another hugely popular attraction nearby is Universal Orlando, which also offers a variety of excellent opportunities with STARS Performance Programs. This includes stage performances, marching performances and performance workshops, such as “Sound Design: Music and the Art of Foley.”

Of course, student groups love the park itself as well, home to three theme parks: Universal Studios, home to thrill rides and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley; Islands of Adventure, with water rides, Jurassic Park and Hogsmeade; and Volcano Bay, an epic water theme park. There’s something for everyone across these parks, especially if you love the magic and fun of cinema. Be sure to check out the newer experiences, including Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and The Bourne Stuntacular.

Yet another favorite amusement park nearby is SeaWorld Orlando, which offers not just up-close animal encounters, but thrilling rides and roller coasters. Here, students can experience educational programs that include workshops, hands-on activities, animal encounters, and even sleepovers. Plus, there’s the opportunity to perform in front of park guests with SoundWaves!

Teens will especially love the thrilling rides at SeaWorld, such as the new Ice Breaker, the parks’ first launch coaster that culminates in a reverse launch with a 100-degree angle drop, the steepest in the state. And coming in 2023 is Pipeline: The Surf Coaster, which puts riders in a vertical standing position, as though you’re surfing.

If you’re looking for a smaller day of entertainment, check out Andretti Indoor Karting & Games. Bowling, laser tag, VR, a full arcade, and a massive go-kart track—this place has tons of options for a full day of fun, including customizable in-house meals.

For a day full of edu-tainment, you’ll want to head to WonderWorks, a museum/amusement park with 28,000 square feet of hands-on learning fun. You’ll find more than 100 exhibits across six Wonder Zones, ranging from the Space Discovery Zone to the Imagination Lab. Science, technology, art—they have it all. It’s the perfect place to encourage students to discover the world and ask questions on their own, all while having fun doing so.

For more educational fun, visit the Museum of Illusions. With over 50 exhibits, this museum offers endless eye-fooling amusement and an opportunity to talk about how what we perceive isn’t always reality. Especially in a world of digital editing and fasttraveling news, it’s important to be able to discern illusion from reality. This museum helps you do just that with interactive exhibits and puzzling games.

If you’re looking for a top-notch place to perform with your band or choir, Steinmetz Hall is the new theater at the prestigious Dr. Phillips Center. This space is one of the world’s most acoustically advanced theaters, having officially achieved an N1 sound rating, the lowest level at which humans can detect sound. The School of the Arts here offers classes, summer programs, master classes, training seminars, school-day performances and educator workshops. Or, bring your group for a cultural experience such as the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra or a touring Broadway play.

If you want to introduce students to the world of interactive theater, go with Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows. These 2.5-hour long experiences include a 45-minute comedy mystery where all the clues are presented, a delicious dinner to ponder what you’ve seen so far, and a chance to ask questions and uncover additional clues after you eat. There are even prizes at the end, so you know your students will be invested.

Want to dive into history while still having that signature Florida fun? Head to Old Town in Kissimmee, just minutes north of Orlando. This recreation of a classic Florida town features historical architecture across 18-acres, with over 70 unique and affordable shops, restaurants, bars, rides and family friendly attractions. Mine for gold at Black Market Minerals, catch a magic show at the Great Magic Hall, and get rid of all that pent-up teen energy at the Xtreme Ninja Challenge.

If you’re planning to perform at any of these lovely places in Orlando, you might also want to consider leaving your dozens of instruments at home and instead renting when you arrive. Band Room Orlando exists specifically to help performance groups avoid the hassle and hazards of traveling with instruments, so talk to them about short-term rentals for the whole band.

Finally, if you’re looking for a place to stay, there are multiple great SYTA member options. Best Western Orlando Gateway Hotel is near the airport and all the big theme parks, and works great with student groups. Holiday Inn Orlando Celebration is welcoming of groups and directly across the street from Old Town and just three miles from Walt Disney World Resort. CoCo Key Hotel and Water Park Resort has nearly 400 rooms to work with, a 54,000-square-foot outdoor water park, an arcade and more.

BY JOSH VEAL