About Orlando
Orlando is the county seat of Orange County with a population of 385,000. There are 1.3 million people in Orlando’s metro area comprising 115 distinctive communities, 14 incorporated cities, and four counties. Orlando is a culture rich in digital media, performing arts, and the film industry as well as its well-known beaches and theme parks.
With hot summers and warm winters, the beaches are also popular year-round and there are certainly plenty of them to choose from. Be sure to pack your sunscreen, shades, and swimming suit.
Orlando’s history is checkered with storytelling and folklore, none of which can be proven or supported by historical fact. It is not surprising that a city with a storytelling history would become the home of Disney and Universal Studios, the leaders of the present-day art of storytelling.
Outdoor Party Options in Orlando
The venues offered for an outdoor party are both functional and pre-set with exclusives for catering, A/V, and decoration. In the alternative, there are venues for the eclectic and creative for one to incorporate an unusual theme or activity within the motif. These parties can happen in a private backyard, in a city park, or at the poolside of the host owner.
- Decorations
When an outdoor party is not under the guise of a pre-packaged hotel or convention venue, the responsibilities for the set-up, layout and decorations fall upon the party host. The theme and the occasion of the event must be communicated through the venue and the set-up. The logistics of the setup and the breakdown are essential to the planning.
- Catering
The catering to an outdoor party needs to be specific to the theme, the number of guests, and the age of the attendees. An outdoor party in Orlando, especially in the hot, humid, and wet summer months, needs a “Plan B” in both the set-up and the catering service. The versatility and the flexibility of the catering team are important considerations when sourcing this service.
- Permits
There is more to planning an outdoor party than catering, venue selection, and decorations. An important aspect is whether the party qualifies for an 18A permit. The special events coordinator of the Orlando Police Department makes this determination, not city hall.
Outdoor Party Company Options in Orlando
The planning of an outdoor party is a facet of entertainment, and there are plenty of local companies providing products and services to the entertainment industry. When one thinks about it, the services necessary for digital media are also needed for an outdoor party.
- Orlando Party Express
This event planning company provides furnishings, decorations, tables, chairs, and tents for rent. Their specialty is helping their clients plan for outdoor events such as wedding receptions, gender reveals, or parties without a theme. Along with the client’s budget, Orlando Party Express will also consider the time of year and the corresponding weather conditions.
- Puff ‘n Stuff Catering
Puff ‘n Stuff has the scalability in its plans and serving staff to cater to formal and informal outdoor parties. This caterer has experience in serving both private, corporate- and government-owned venues with preferred vendor status. The serving styles and menu options, including bartending stations, will be appropriate to the budget and the prominent theme of the party.
- Special Events Permit
If the Orlando Police Department determines that an outdoor party will require an 18A permit, then an application package will need to be submitted to city hall. The fees will be commensurate with the activities at the party, as will the number of permits. If the party will use a loudspeaker system, drone photography, fireworks, or be considered an assembly, then additional permits and fees will be required.
Pros and Cons of Outdoor Parties in Orlando
The planning of an outdoor party is on a significantly smaller scale than other events in the entertainment industry, but given the number of team members for planning, the scope becomes relative. There will be pros and cons as to the venue, the activities, and the other miscellaneous details. All items in the columns for the pros and the cons must be considered against the whole event and its objectives of it.
Advantages
- Climate
Although the summers are hot, winters are wonderful. Spring and fall are pretty perfect too. The weather is always warm and almost always sunny.
- Transportation
Regardless of the location of the outdoor party relative to the vendors, the highway and road system in and around Orlando are interconnected and easily traveled.
- Beaches
What is better for an outdoor party in Orlando besides the beach? After all, most tourists come for the sandy white beaches and turquoise waters. There are plenty to choose from here.
Disadvantages
- Permit requirements
The permit requirements and the timetable for the processing of the application can be laborious given the stated 60-day period. If the party hosts more than 100 guests, or if the activities require any street closures, then parking will become an issue.
- Competition
The demand for outdoor party venues in Orlando is high. Although there is a variety in the choices in type and model, the offered venues are not as plentiful when compared to the number of visitors and residents of Orlando.
- Cost of doing business
As explained above, the competitive market makes for the high cost of doing business. This aspect of the entertainment industry does not qualify for any exemptions in sales and use taxes. Often, the sales taxes in a county are higher than that of the state.
Famous Locations in Orlando
- Gatorland
A visit to Central Florida will not be complete without an introduction to the alligator. These reptiles are found in inland lakes and rivers and have become prevalent given their prior protected status. Gatorland is about introducing these huge reptiles front and center. This reptile park also features a petting zoo, a zipline course, airboat rides in the swamp, and off-road monster truck rides.
- Ecotours
A kayak tour in the saltwater marshes along the coast or the inland freshwater rivers and springs is the only way to experience the natural environment of Central Florida. During these tours, a participant will view eagles, alligators, manatees, and birds in their natural habitat. The tours can be professional or self-guided.
- Orlando Science Center
The Orlando Science Center is a four-story, hands-on museum that hosts over 700,000 visitors each year. The visitors to this museum are local, national, and international. The exhibits are both permanent and on loan from other accredited museums. There is something for everyone in the Science Center in the planetarium and the IMAX theater. The center's goal is to teach the science in life and bring science to life.