Welcome to Orlando, home to the second-largest convention center in the country located in the heart of the city on International Drive! Whether you’re in the neighborhood for business or leisure, you’re in for a treat! But is a convention center really the ideal spot to bring your family for vacation?
Absolutely! The Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida is home to some of the most exciting, family-friendly annual events that you can imagine. Not only that, but it’s surrounded by dining, attractions, and incredible accommodations! Your biggest problem will be what to experience first.
If you’re planning a visit to OCCC, read on to learn a bit more about what you can expect from the Convention Center District experience! We’ll be covering:
What to Expect at the Convention Center
The Orlando County Convention Center is comprised of two buildings — the West Building and the North-South Building — connected by a walkway known as the sky-bring. It’s located right in Orlando’s tourist district, just a fifteen-minute drive from Orlando International Airport, and it’s convenient to almost any tourist attraction or family-friendly accommodation that you can think of.
And, there’s no missing this award-winning center! You know you’ve found it when you see the iconic white building with massive has scallop shell windows. It’s dotted with palm trees and even has its own lake out front.
You will not have trouble parking. There are multiple options, no matter where in the convention center you end up. A $17 parking fee applies for each car, and overnight parking is not permitted. For those staying nearby, you might even be able to avoid the fees by walking or getting a bike taxi (pedicab).
Once inside, you will be amazed by the sheer size of the space! Clear signage will direct you to one of the seventy-four meeting rooms, two assembly areas, the theater, or the lecture hall. There are even eight food courts right on the premises. Sound overwhelming? Don’t let it be. There will be plenty of staff present to help you navigate between all of the buildings and areas.
OCCC Campus Wayfinding App
Who wants to get lost while on their family vacation? One surefire way to keep everyone happy while visiting the convention center is to know where you’re going — and to get there fast! OCCC has 2.1 million square feet of space to navigate, so a map will surely help!
Luckily, our friends at the convention center have thought of that! They’ve developed an app that you can download on your phone or tablet! The app allows you to download maps that will help you to navigate the entire OCCC campus on foot.
The coolest part might be that the map coordinates with the wayfinding kiosks at the center itself! The second coolest part? You don’t even need wifi or an internet connection to use it.
The convention center hosts so many large, family-friendly, annual events each year that the place tends to fill up! With the app, you won’t get lost, even on the busiest day!
Annual Events at the Convention Center
If you time your family vacation correctly, you might arrive in Orlando, Florida in time for one of the convention center’s fabulous, family-friendly events. Most of the events are annual, so they can easily become part of your new family tradition. There is something for every interest!
A few of the most notable events are:
- Infocomm International
- Surf Expo
- Florida Kids & Family Expo
- Autism 5K-Walk and Family Day Event
- Megacon
- Orlando Boat Show
- Central Florida Home & Garden Expo
- Premiere Orlando Tradeshow
- Central Florida International Auto Show
Theme Parks Nearby
Even if the convention center is your ultimate destination, you’d be remiss to visit Orlando without checking out the local theme parks! They are a thrilling destination for families and individuals alike!
The most famous is probably Walt Disney World, full of all of the rides, food, and attractions you could want in one place! Grab your ears and spend a day greeting your favorite characters and enjoying some of the world’s most dynamic attractions.
If you’re more interested in the cheese than the mouse, you’ll have a blast at Epcot. If you’re more interested in real mice than animated ones, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will keep you busy with its many animal-themed attractions.
Harry Potter fans will be in for a magical treat when they visit Diagon Alley, located within Universal Orlando. On hot days, Universal’s Volcano Bay is the ultimate destination. Beat the heat on one of their eighteen water attractions!
Restaurant Nearby
Orlando is full of unique, family-friendly dining options where even the pickiest eaters will find something to devour! Parents won’t have to settle, either. Orlando is home to some of the world’s greatest celebrity chefs, such as José Andrés and Masaharu Morimoto!
Your kids will love bringing their best friend to dine at The American Girl Bistro. Taco fans will rejoice when they see the menu at the colorful Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food at Universal Studios. Those looking for a show can enjoy some hibachi action at Orlando’s Benihana restaurant!
Kids are huge fans of the sensory explosion Build My Burgers, where giant, decked-out milkshakes are always on the menu! Kids who love to play with their food will have a blast preparing their own Hot Pot at Danketsu.
Gator’s Dockside has a family fun night every Tuesday, where you can enjoy kid-friendly entertainment while you dine!
Where to stay
When you’re at home with all of your kiddos, your entire house may not seem like enough room! Add excitement, water wings, souvenirs, and luggage to the mix, and a cramped hotel room begins to look like a claustrophobic nightmare! During your visit to the Orlando Convention Center, we recommend that you stay in an affordable Villakey vacation rental property.
These kid-friendly properties have multiple rooms, and enough space to spread out and cool off in between vacation activities. Some even have their own swimming pools on the property, so you can relax at your leisure!
If you would like to be extremely close to the Orange County Convention Center, we recommend taking a look at our top vacation rentals at Vista Cay.
Visit the Convention Center in Orlando, Florida
If you’re headed to The Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, you’re in for a treat! You’ll be amazed by both the size and hospitality at the venue. When your event is done, you’ll be in the heart of Orlando’s tourist district, ready for the next adventure!
At the end of the day, your whole family is going to love staying at a Villakey vacation rental property. We can’t wait to welcome you to one of our spacious, centrally-located, and family-friendly accommodations! When you’re ready to book yours, contact our team so that we can answer any questions you may have about your best vacation ever.
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