For travel-lovers stuck at home looking for a virtual positive break, Visit Orlando has compiled a list of 20-plus virtual thrills from the theme park capital of the world, including 360-degree online experiences, new Facebook Live broadcasts, live streamings of special films and YouTube videos.
“We recognize that now, more than ever, we all want to escape from reality, even if it’s just for a moment,” said George Aguel, President & CEO of Visit Orlando. “Whether you like floating down a lazy river in one of our resort pools or immersing yourself into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, we hope these experiences provide a much-needed break from everyday life.”
From the comfort of their home, “virtual visitors” can now soar down a 60-m. roller coaster drop, watch fireworks over the famous Cinderella Castle, zipline over alligators and even learn from experts how to draw Mickey Mouse, all aggregated on Visit Orlando’s blog, VisitOrlando.com/blog. Some of the notable options include:
Orlando Virtual Tour: Viewers can click into 85 experiences throughout Orlando, from theme parks and hotels to dining and shopping hot spots, with a 360-degree perspective. Check it out HERE.
Walt Disney World: Watch a sneak peek of new rides like Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, enjoy character meet-and-greets, learn to draw Mickey Mouse in a how-to tutorial, and much more from the Disney Parks YouTube channel.
Universal Orlando Resort: Travel to different worlds virtually like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley and experience the parks with 360-degree videos of some of the most popular roller coasters, explore holiday events and take a closer look into the restaurants that make up Universal CityWalk from UOR’s YouTube Channel.
SeaWorld: Check out a penguin colony and other cool experiences at SeaWorld HERE.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort: Explore the theme park and ride an indoor/outdoor steel roller coaster The Dragon HERE.
Aquatica Orlando: Float down the river with gushing geysers at Roa’s Rapids in a virtual action river experience with high tides and gushing geysers. Click HERE.
Gatorland: From Gatorland’s School of Croc, a Facebook live presentation at 10 a.m. every day showcases animals and adventures. In the afternoon, their YouTube channel shares live-action encounters with animals including Burmese pythons, crocodiles, alligators and monitor lizards.
Central Florida Zoo: Peak into animal habitats through a new daily video series on Facebook live.
Kennedy Space Centre: Learn about living in space, Mars and rocketry or tour Space Shuttle Atlantis during a new series of Facebook lives from KSC.
Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art: Explore the facility’s galleries via the museum’s website.