It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Jack Kerouac House in Orlando, FL gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Orlando, FL is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Universal Studios Florida in Orlando, FL with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Ocean Prime or visit Titanic The Artifact Exhibition, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Orlando, FL, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Orlando, FL understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Orlando, FL 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida’s minimum wage just went up to $14 an hour this past week — part of a plan voters approved a few years back to slowly bump it up to $15 an hour. But some businesses are already paying their employees even more than that.What You Need To Know Evan Delaney’s specialties are baking and owning a business. He owns Great Harvest Bakery in downtown Orlando. But there’s something else he takes pride in — making sure his employees are taken care of when it com...
ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida’s minimum wage just went up to $14 an hour this past week — part of a plan voters approved a few years back to slowly bump it up to $15 an hour. But some businesses are already paying their employees even more than that.
Evan Delaney’s specialties are baking and owning a business. He owns Great Harvest Bakery in downtown Orlando. But there’s something else he takes pride in — making sure his employees are taken care of when it comes to pay.
“Even though everyone here qualifies as a tipped worker, we don’t pay them as that. They get paid above that,” Delaney said.
Delaney pays his team more than minimum wage, plus tips, to help them keep up with the cost of living.
“Tips are welcomed, they’re encouraged, we would love them, but we want to earn them, and not have it be an expected part of the employees’ wage,” Delaney said.
According to CareerSource Central Florida, the average advertised salary in the region back in August was around $24 an hour — that’s about 71% higher than the new minimum wage.
“Businesses, small, medium and large, particularly in our big industries in Central Florida, you know hospitality, as well as healthcare and construction, have really already began to increase salaries at the starting wage,” said Pamela Nabors, CEO of CareerSource Central Florida.
Nabors says that even though people are still applying for jobs, the market is holding steady.
“Businesses that are looking at wages and creating their job descriptions and salary structures in a way that meets the market, it makes them much more competitive,” Nabors said.
As prices continue to rise, business owners like Delaney are doing what they can to make sure their employees can keep up.
“I like to focus on that being the goal rather than trying to pay someone a dollar less or pay somebody cheaper,” Delaney said.
Florida’s minimum wage will go up again next year, officially hitting $15 an hour by Sept. 30, 2026.
In the first 3 months since Florida's Super Speeder" law went into effect, more than 100 drivers have been arrested in Central Florida for excessive speeding. The law went into effect on June 1, 2025.FOX 35 Orlando reached out to various law enforcement agencies in Central Florida to see how many arrests have been made under the new law. Based on the numbers provided, Orange County has made the most arrests.What is the Super Speeder law?House Bill 351, known as Florida's Super Speeder Law, was p...
In the first 3 months since Florida's Super Speeder" law went into effect, more than 100 drivers have been arrested in Central Florida for excessive speeding. The law went into effect on June 1, 2025.
FOX 35 Orlando reached out to various law enforcement agencies in Central Florida to see how many arrests have been made under the new law. Based on the numbers provided, Orange County has made the most arrests.
House Bill 351, known as Florida's Super Speeder Law, was passed as part of the state's larger effort to crack down on excessive speeding and to hopefully reduce deadly crashes on Florida's roadways. It effectively criminalized "dangerous excessive speeding."
In Florida, the maximum speed limit on freeways is 70 mph. Under the new law, drivers caught going over 100 mph or more than 50 miles above the posted speed limit can be arrested, their car towed, and must attend a court hearing. Penalties include:
Orange County Sheriff John Mina said the new law simply comes down to safety and saving lives.
"When you're going over 100 miles an hour, when you go 50 miles an hour with a posted speed limit, when your crash, people are going to die. You're not going to survive that crash, and the people you hit are not going survive," he said.
He hopes it brings down dangerous driving.
"I think you will see, year over year, you're going to see those speeds decline. My hope is that we will see those traffic fatalities related to high speeds decline as well."
Various law enforcement agencies have shared bodycam from some of those accused of dangerous driving on social media – and plenty of drivers have told those officers various reasons for their alleged speeding.
GAINESVILLE — Florida’s 29-21 must-win against Texas was the complete performance the Gators (2-3, 1-1 SEC) needed and had failed to produce during a disappointing September. Coach Billy Napier’s team will need to build on the effort if he’s to keep his job, but Saturday’s performance was a essential step.Here are five things learned as UF sent home Texas (3-2, 0-1) with a loss during its first trip to Gainesville since 1940.Napier and the Gators need to summon some killer instinctLeading ...
GAINESVILLE — Florida’s 29-21 must-win against Texas was the complete performance the Gators (2-3, 1-1 SEC) needed and had failed to produce during a disappointing September. Coach Billy Napier’s team will need to build on the effort if he’s to keep his job, but Saturday’s performance was a essential step.
Here are five things learned as UF sent home Texas (3-2, 0-1) with a loss during its first trip to Gainesville since 1940.
Leading 19-7 in the third quarter, Florida faced first-and-10 at the Texas 25 after a 60-yard catch by Vernell Brown III. Three plays and a false start later, Trey Smack kicked a 38-yard field goal that kept Texas within two possessions.
Boos from a sellout crowd followed a 4-yard run by tailback Jadan Baugh on third-and-nine, with UF on the edge of the red zone. Even amid an impressive outing by the Gators, frustration with Napier’s conservative play-calling endured.
Rather than try to deliver a knockout blow, UF’s coach settled for three points. The decision ultimately allowed the Longhorns to stage a comeback bid. A 15-yard facemask penalty on Gators true freshman lineman Jeremiah McCloud on the final drive rekindled memories of the USF loss when two defensive penalties opened the door for an upset.
High drama in the Swamp might have been avoided with some bolder play calls.
Consider the fourth quarter when UF led 29-14 after reaching Texas territory. The drive stalled after two Baugh runs sandwiched a screen pass. On third-and-3 Baugh lost three yards on a day when quarterback DJ Lagway had found something in the middle of the field.
A Florida team with limited margin for error better capitalize when opportunities arise.
“At the end of the game we’ve got to be able to finish it a little more stronger than that,” Lagway said.
Florida has had first-year freshman receivers burst onto the scene. Perhaps never have the Gators had two at the same time.
Time will tell, but Brown and Wilson were a dynamic and at times unstoppable duo against Texas.
After sitting out four games with a foot injury, Wilson stole the show. The Tampa native’s six catches, 111 yards and two scores were all school records for a true freshman in his first college start.
The 6-foot-3, 213-pound Wilson’s 55-yard touchdown encapsulated his skill set. He left Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad in the dust just past the the line of scrimmage, caught the ball, shook off safety Jelani McDonald along the sideline and ran over All-America safety Michael Taaffe on the goal line.
“He’s a specimen,” Lagway said of Wilson.
Not to be outdone, Brown’s 60-yard catch showcased the 18-year-old’s athleticism. The 5-foot-11 ¼, 178-pound Orlando native outmuscled and outmaneuvered defensive back Graceson Littleton, another freshman from Tampa.
Brown also had a 14-yard run on third-and-4 during the Gators’ opening driving. He finished with a team-high 141 all-purpose yards that would have been more if Texas had not punted away from him.
Ike Hilliard and Reidel Anthony were an impressive pair when they arrived in 1994 but didn’t immediately take full flight. Willie Jackson Jr. had 10 touchdowns as a freshman in 1991 and Jabar Gaffney 71 catches in 2000.
After Saturday, Wilson and Brown are on their way to joining elite company.
The 20-year-old brought forth his form to outplay Arch Manning during a showdown of high-profile sophomores.
Lagway was accurate early on and eventually produced explosive plays sorely missing a season after he made defenses pay down the field. After completing one pass to a wide receiver longer than 20 yards in losses to LSU and Miami, Lagway had four Saturday.
“They give a lot of underneath stuff, so early on just taking what they’re giving us, getting some early completions to get our confidence going,” he explained. “Then eventually they’ll start creeping up — they did a little bit — and we got over the top of them.”
Lagway’s ability to capitalize was a good sign.
An injury-plagued offseason limited his workload, curtailed his development and undercut his confidence. During the bye week, Lagway rebuilt his belief and established synergy with Wilson, who had injury issues himself.
“When I was in, he was out,” Lagway said. “We really had a good two weeks just to work on our connection.”
Lagway finished 21 of 28 for 298 yards, two scores to Wilson and an interception, one of two ill-advised throws on an otherwise well-managed day.
The future is suddenly brighter while a five-interception nightmare at LSU and 61-yard effort at Miami appear to be behind him.
Lagway left the field gingerly and entered the medical tent after the Gators’ second drive ended with a 34-yard field goal by Smack.
Florida’s QB returned and didn’t miss a snap. The Gators’ offensive line, in its best game to date, kept the pocket clean to allow Lagway to operate.
But he lacked the mobility to capitalize when opportunities arose. Meanwhile, Manning ran for 74 yards, not including sacks, to showcase dual-threat abilities Lagway possesses but has rarely deployed because of injuries.
A hamstring strain in 2024 sidelined him during a 49-17 loss at Texas. He returned to lead a four-game winning streak while relying on his arm. A calf injury limited him during fall camp when he needed snaps.
Lagway brushed off Saturday’s development, though it’s worth monitoring.
“Nothing too crazy,” he said. “I’ve been here before, been in this situation. Just got to get better and continue to work.”
Tyreak Sapp’s tackle for loss on Texas’s first offensive snap was the redshirt senior end’s first TFL in three games and set the tone for a dominant day up front for Florida’s defense.
“We did exactly what we wanted to do and it was fun doing it,” said Sapp, who led UF with six tackles.
Sapp and his peers overwhelmed an offensive line with four new starters and rattled Manning, who suffered six sacks and two interceptions.
Senior Brien Taylor Jr. finished with 1.5 sacks, the first for the former junior college transfer who also had two hurries. UF pressured Manning 23 times after recording just 34 in the Gators’ first four games.
Sophomore nose tackle Micai Boireau also had his first sack. Meanwhile, true freshman Jeremiah McCloud continued his disruptive play while capitalizing on the void caused by veteran Caleb Banks’ foot injury.
The Gators’ defense has been solid despite inconsistent play up front. When Sapp and Co. are on their game, UF’s D is stellar.
Up next …
UF (2-3, 1-1) at No. 5 Texas A&M (5-0, 2-0)
When: 7 p.m., Saturday
Where: Kyle Field, College Station
TV: ESPN
Favorite: Texas A&M by 9.5 points
ORLANDO, Fla. - Heavy rain and scattered storms are expected to pick up across Central Florida, and this weather pattern is expected to continue through the weekend, bringing the potential for localized flooding.Here is a look at what we can expect tonight and over the weekend.What will the weather look like tonight?What's next:A few scattered showers will stick around overnight. Lows will fall into the low-and-mid-70s.What will the weather look like...
ORLANDO, Fla. - Heavy rain and scattered storms are expected to pick up across Central Florida, and this weather pattern is expected to continue through the weekend, bringing the potential for localized flooding.
Here is a look at what we can expect tonight and over the weekend.
What's next:
A few scattered showers will stick around overnight. Lows will fall into the low-and-mid-70s.
What's Next:
Our unsettled pattern continues into the weekend.
Rain and storm chances will gradually increase thanks to a boundary and moisture leftover from Imelda.
It's growing increasingly likely that heavy rain will impact our coastal counties this weekend and into early parts of next week.
Flooding is possible, especially near the coast. A Flood Watch is in place for Brevard and Volusia counties until 8 a.m. Sunday. This is where rainfall totals could rise beyond 3 inches with some spots possibly picking up more than 6–8 inches.
A weak area of low pressure could form near the Bahamas and track over Florida this weekend and possibly early next week. Even though it has been outlined with a 10% chance of development from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), if a low were to form, it would most likely be non-tropical. If this happens, it will only help to increase our potential for heavy rain. Regardless, low-lying areas especially will need to monitor this threat.
This unsettled trend looks to hold into early next week, with highs staying in the upper-80s.
The rough surf and high rip current risk will remain for much of the week, and larger than normal breaking waves will be likely as well into the weekend.
Looking Ahead:
Rain chances continue into Monday and then will begin to settle down by midweek.
The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the FOX 35 Storm Team on Oct. 3, 2025.
Orlando, the theme park capital of the world, is a huge destination for families, attracting tens of millions of visitors to Disney World and Universal Orlando every year. But with all there is to do here, it's easy to get lost in the logistics and hard to make the most of your time. The city’s theme parks are massive and complex, so it pays to know the ins and outs of the best experiences — especially if you don’t want to spend your entire vacation within the parks.Orlando’s done...
Orlando, the theme park capital of the world, is a huge destination for families, attracting tens of millions of visitors to Disney World and Universal Orlando every year. But with all there is to do here, it's easy to get lost in the logistics and hard to make the most of your time. The city’s theme parks are massive and complex, so it pays to know the ins and outs of the best experiences — especially if you don’t want to spend your entire vacation within the parks.
Orlando’s done its share of growing and growing up, and these days, there’s far more to entertain vacationers beyond princess-loving kids and wand-wielding wizards. The city is brimming with natural beauty (cypress-lined lakes and freshwater springs bubbling up in a parfait of emerald and turquoise), cool neighborhoods, and cultural highlights. Just venture north to enjoy the atmospheric Orlando neighborhoods where the non-animatronic residents live, work, and play.
After a perfect weekend, you may find Orlando’s biggest surprises are all the layers you never suspected it had in store — and how easy it is to balance time at Disney or Universal with everything the city has to offer.
Who I am: I’ve called Florida home for more than half of my life, having crossed the state and back to live in the Jacksonville beaches, Cocoa Beach, downtown Orlando and, for the last decade or so, Tampa. During my time in Orlando, a favorite after-work pastime was wakeboarding on one of its hundred-plus natural lakes. Since then, I’ve written extensively about Florida and Orlando, from articles to guidebooks, during my 25-year career as a travel writer.
How to get around: If you plan to venture beyond the theme parks to proper parks in Central Florida’s natural landscape and downtown’s neighborhoods, you’ll want to rent a car — get one at the airport for better selection and more competitive pricing. Public transport exists, but you’ll spend more time figuring it out (and waiting for it) when you could be out enjoying yourself.
That said, don’t sleep on SunRail, Central Florida’s mass transit commuter rail service. When staying downtown, it’s a stellar way to hop between Church Street and the cafe- and boutique-lined Park Avenue in Winter Park.
Book early: Character dining events at Walt Disney World Resort fill up quicker than Tinkerbell gets her glow on. Especially if you plan to visit over a holiday or any other peak period, set a reminder 60 days before the day you plan to be at the park to secure your reservations (that’s the furthest in advance you’re allowed to book).
Know the seasons: Needless to say, it’s the Sunshine State, and no matter the time of year, you’re going to want to pack all the sunscreen, hats, rashguards, and coverups for any outdoor fun. Staying hydrated is also key to not becoming another heat stroke victim. Keep in mind that the summer months bring regular afternoon downpours that can be intense, if short lived (pack a poncho if you want to keep going through the rain). Hurricane season runs from June 1 through the end of November — even though Orlando is inland, it’s seen major effects from more than one storm in the past.
Four Seasons at Walt Disney World
If you’re ready to seriously splurge, the hotel made TikTok-famous by a “fully conscious” baby’s desire to stay here has something for everyone: a lazy river (complete with rapids and waterfalls), complimentary kids club, adults-only pool, 13,000-square-foot spa, and Michelin-starred dining at Capa, the Spanish-inflected rooftop steakhouse, which boasts views of Disney’s fireworks.
Evermore Orlando Resort
The closest you’ll get to an Orlando hotel with a beach-like feel is this sprawling property with hotel rooms, suites, multi-bedroom condos, and houses — all centered around an 8-acre human-made lagoon where you can swim from a white sand beach, paddle out on a stand up paddleboard, or swing from a rope swing or in a hammock. Other amenities include four full-service onsite restaurants and two Jack Nicklaus-designed championship golf courses.
The Alfond Inn
At this boutique property in Winter Park, works from theRollins Museum of Art are displayed in the hotel’s public spaces to encourage lingering (look for a painting by Iraqi-born artist Mohammed Sami and Argentine artist Tomás Saraceno’s exquisite floating sculptures). Kids can busy themselves cooling off in the rooftop pool while you stay dry on the sidelines under an umbrella, spicy margarita in hand. Everyone wins.
407-203-2460
