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. The city's culture is rich in digital media, performing arts, and the film industry as well as its well-known beaches and theme parks.
Orlando's weather is characterized by hot summers and warm winters. Its beaches are popular year-round, and there are plenty of them to choose from. Aside from beaches, Orlando is also popular for its amusement parks, including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld.
Given the abundance of outdoor spaces, you can easily find the ultimate outdoor party venue for your needs. Downtown Orlando, in particular, has a concentration of spaces designed for corporate events, baby showers, family reunions, and other special events.
Many event venues in Orlando already come with packages for catering, audiovisual, and decoration. For those who would like to customize the space according to their liking, there are bare spaces in the city that can be rented for events, such as private backyards, city parks, and poolside venues. In this case, consider hiring third-party services to enhance the event space.
Decorations
For empty event venues, the responsibilities for the setup, layout, and decorations fall upon the party host. It's a good idea to communicate the event theme and setup to the venue manager for transparency.
Catering
Before choosing a local caterer, make sure to identify the event theme, the number of guests, and the age of the attendees. An outdoor party would typically involve dishes that are easy to serve, such as finger foods, sandwiches, pastas, and salads. The versatility and flexibility of the catering team are important considerations when selecting one.
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, especially if you're hosting an event on public property that disrupts the public rights of way. Contact the Office of Special Events for more information on this area.
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 caters to formal and informal outdoor parties. This caterer has experience in serving private, corporate, and government-owned venues. They offer various serving styles, menu options, and bartending stations, all of which are appropriate to the budget and the 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, or fireworks, then additional permits and fees will be required.
Planning an outdoor party can be tedious, so it's important to think through all the benefits and drawbacks of going this route. Orlando's warm weather is perfect for outdoor parties, but consider how the high living costs, venue competition, and permit requirements may affect your planning.
Climate
The weather in Orlando is always warm and sunny, making it easy to host outdoor parties without worrying about rain or storms suddenly disrupting the event.
Transportation
The highways and road systems in the Orlando area are interconnected and facilitate easy travel.
Beaches
The beach seems to be the perfect venue for an outdoor event. After all, most tourists come for the sandy white beaches and turquoise waters. There are plenty to choose from here in Orlando.
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, which means you should start researching venues in advance and securing your preferred venue as early as possible.
Cost of doing business
Orlando's competitive market explains the high cost of doing business in the city. This means that venue rental rates and fees for services will be expensive.
Gatorland
A visit to Central Florida will not be complete without an introduction to the alligator. Given their prior protected status, these reptiles are found in inland lakes and rivers and have become prevalent. Gatorland is about introducing these huge reptiles to the public 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.