Best-kept secret: Relax away from the theme park scene and head to Orlando suburb Winter Park, which has a range of boutique shops, restaurants and cafes.
Must do: Plan ahead. Orlando has so much to see and do that it can be overwhelming.
TASTE
Best coffee spot: Barnie's Coffee Kitchen on Park Ave in Winter Park.
Best spot to get a sweet treat: Head to the Downtown Disney Marketplace and try a sundae or shake at the Ghirardelli icecream and chocolate shop.
The best local flavours: East End Market is a hub for locals to try the foods and crafts of emerging talents. You'll find merchants selling a range of foods from sushi to Italian featuring locally grown ingredients.
Where should families eat? Head to City Walk and share the volcano nachos at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. Admission to City Walk is free and it is just outside the entrance to Universal Studios Orlando.
Where should couples dine? Cafe Tu Tu Tango in the Convention Center area for music, dancers and tapas.
Where to hang out when the sun goes down: Many hotels offer views to the nightly Disney fireworks show. Take it in from your balcony.
PLAY
Best shop: The Mall at Millenia indoor mall has 150 stores, and is a good place to get the holiday shopping done.
Be one of the first to: There are three highly anticipated theme park rides opening in 2016. Disney's Epcot Park will open the Frozen Ever After Ride, Universal's Islands of Adventure is currently building Skull Island: Reign of Kong and the Mako Hypercoaster at SeaWorld Orlando will feature a 60m drop.
Best sporting event to catch: Orlando is home to NBA team Orlando Magic and the Orlando City Soccer Club entered the Major League Soccer this year.
Best selfie spot: Pose in front of Walt Disney's iconic Cinderella Castle at the entrance of Magic Kingdom.
Best place to swim: You can either hit one of Orlando's water parks like Wet 'n Wild or drive two hours west to the white sands of Clearwater Beach.
STAY
Best couples retreat: If you want to be away from the theme park hotels, then The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott share the same 200ha property at Grande Lakes. You'll get resort-style amenities yet still be within a short driving distance of the theme parks.
Best family retreat: If you book a Savanna View room at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, you'll be able to wake up every day to grazing giraffes and zebras.
GETTING THERE
Fly into Orlando International Airport from Houston ( two and a half-hour direct flight).
For more information: Visit DiscoverAmerica.com
