Orlando Travel Blog

In addition to world-class theme parks such as Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando, the Orlando area offers a variety of festivals, events and fairs in 2011 that are sure to please visitors and residents alike. On most weekends throughout 2011, but especially during the fall, you’ll discover lively festivals and events going on somewhere in Orlando. Mark your calendar for the following Orlando events this fall:

2011 Orlando Home Show
October 7-9, 2011
Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida
Enjoy interesting exhibits, talk to home improvement experts and listen to special guest speakers at the Orlando area’s largest home design and landscaping showcase, which will take place at the Orange County Convention Center.

2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
September 30 – November 13, 2011
Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Take an eclectic tour of the world at the 2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival as you sample delicious foods and fine wines during this international culinary celebration, which also offers nightly Eat to the Beat! concerts, celebrity-che cooking demonstrations, children’s activities and the talents of street performers from acrobats to musicians.

2011 Halloween Horror Nights
Select Nights Between September 23 & October 31, 2011
Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando, Florida
Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights is the largest Halloween event in the United States and spread out over both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Events at the month-long fright fest include specialty designed haunted houses and mazes, inescapable scare zones, a Halloween parade, thrilling shows and live music, as well as an assortment of wandering ghouls, zombies, demons, werewolves, ghosts, goblins and vampires.

2011 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Select Nights September through November 2011
Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando, Florida
This after-hours extravaganza at Disney’s Magic Kingdom allows guests to dress up in Halloween costumes and also features the “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade and the “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks spectacular. There’s trick-or-treating as well and also the opportunity to enjoy rides and attractions from 7 PM to midnight.

2011 SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular
TBA, 2011
SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando, Florida
Halloween meets the sea at SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular, carving an underwater “fantasea” where children can dance with an ice DJ, learn from a school of fish and play with a sea fairy. SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular uniquely brings children’s “fantaseas” to life with enchanted pathways and charming sea creatures, providing the utmost in family-friendly trick-or-treating.

2011 Children’s Miracle Network Classic
October 17-23, 2011
Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
One of the most popular events on the PGA Tour, the Children’s Miracle Network Classic at Walt Disney World Resort has served as an annual tradition since 1971, the same year Disney World opened its doors. The Children’s Miracle Network Classic, takes place at Disney’s championship Palm and Magnolia courses.

2011 Festival of the Masters
November 11-13, 2011
Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Festival of the Masters at Walt Disney World Resort is simply one of the most acclaimed open-air art festivals in the United States. Approximately 150 award-winning artists display their diverse wares at this immense outdoor showcase at Downtown Disney that also includes live entertainment, culinary offerings and children’s activities, as well as the House of Blues Folk Art Festival.

Good sources for more information on upcoming Orlando festivals and events include the “Orlando Seasonal Events” section of the Orlando, Florida Guide, as well as the Friday entertainment sections of the Orlando Sentinel and the Orlando Weekly, a weekly arts and entertainment publication.

Seeking spacious and affordable accommodations during your Orlando vacation getaway this fall? Look no farther than Westgate Resorts, which offers spacious suites, abundant amenities and convenient access to Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando theme parks, as well as other Orlando area attractions. Choose from Westgate Resorts properties such as Westgate Blue Tree Resort, Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, Westgate Leisure Resort, Westgate Palace, Westgate Towers, Westgate Town Center and Westgate Vacation Villas. For more information about Westgate Resorts, visit www.westgatedestinations.com.

2011 Way Of Grace Fest A Fall
6pm – Saturday October 29, 2011
8550 Clarcona-Ocoee Road, Orlando, FL 32818
A Free Community Event
Fest-A-Fall is the annual Way Of Grace Ministries Orlando Fall Festivals. It is a FREE community event. A night of family fun and enjoyment for young and old alike, Fest-A-Fall includes: Games, Food, Hay Rides, Bouncy Houses, A Fun House Campfire with S’mores, Trunk-Or-Treat, A Pumpkin Carving Competition, Face Painting …and much more And best of all…It’s FREE! Fest-A-Fall takes place on Saturday, October 29, 2011 on the grounds of Way Of Grace Ministries at: 8550 Clarcona Ocoee Rd, Orlando, FL 32818 and starts at 6pm.