By James Tehrani
We all know Orlando is where innovation comes to play!
Coming off an epic—and dare we say euphoric?—LIVE in Music City last year, we’re so excited to bring PrismHR LIVE to Orlando, Florida, for the first time June 8-10, 2025, at the beautiful Gaylord Palms Resort.
With all the great tech and innovation on display in Central Florida, Orlando is the perfect place to showcase all the high-tech advancements available to today’s HR outsourcers, whether it’s for Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) or Payroll Service Bureaus and other outsourcers.
For those wanting to extend their trip, Orlando, as you know, is one of the vacation destinations in the world.
We could talk about all the world-class theme parks, such as Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, Seaworld and Legoland.
We could also mention that we will provide shuttle buses to Disney Springs on June 8 and that we have an amazing evening planned on June 9 at Universal’s Islands of Adventure—which features eight “lands,” including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park and Marvel Super Hero Land—with Express Passes you can’t pass up.
We could even tell you this will be your chance to check out the new Universal Epic Universe—which is scheduled to open May 22, 2025, shortly before PrismHR LIVE. It will have five “worlds,” including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World and Dark Universe featuring Universal monsters.
We could, but you probably know all that. So here’s a guide to some extra fun in case you want to make your trip a full vacation.
Quick History
Back in the 19th century, Orlando was originally called Jernigan. It was named after the first permanent residents in the area. The name was changed to Orlando a few years later and incorporated in 1875. There are a few theories on where the name Orlando came from. And while there are more than 450 cities in the United States that start with the letter “O,” Orlando is one of the few places in the country with a name that begins and ends with the 15th letter of the alphabet. Some others are Owasso, Oklahoma; Oswego, located in nine U.S. cities, believe it or now; and Omao, Hawaii.
Did you know the oldest amusement park in Orlando dates back to 1949? Can you guess what it is? That’s right … it’s Gatorland. Today, Gatorland is home to alligators, birds, crocodiles, capybaras and more, but the idea for a gator gathering actually dates back to the 1930s when Owen Godwin Sr. decided to build an alligator pit in his back yard. His wife, Pearl, created souvenirs to sell customers who came to see the gators, too.
After World War II, Godwin opened up Snake Village and Alligator Farm in Central Florida. The name was changed to Gatorland in 1954. Today, about 400,000 people visit the 110-acre theme park each year, which houses more than 3,000 alligators and crocodiles along with many other animals.
Hidden Orlando
While Disney World is filled with “Hidden Mickeys” and there are many “Easter eggs” at Universal, Orlando itself has its own hidden treasures. Such as?
Glad you asked.
Located on 50 acres, the Harry P. Leu Gardens near downtown Orlando is the perfect place to visit for anyone wanting a low-key afternoon. The garden is home to more than 15,000 botanical specimens and 3,500 different plant species. If you come in before PrismHR LIVE or stay after, you can even check out Late Night Thursdays with live music. There’s even a monthly outdoor movie night taking place on June 6 where you can have a picnic and watch Toy Story in the garden for a nominal fee (tickets go on sale on June 2 and must be bought in advance).
Also picturesque is the Tibet-Butler Preserve near Disney World, which offers 3.6 miles of hiking trails. The preserve also has a picnic area as well as a butterfly garden. Keep in mind that the Palmetto Passage, which is called “the wildest trail in the complex,” does close when there’s flooding.
Another relaxing alternative is a quick stroll around Lake Eola Park in the heart of Downtown Orlando. It’s just under a mile long and quite the scenic route. You can also rent a swan-shaped paddle boat and get a bite to eat at one of the local eateries.
Want to see some animals up close in the comfort of your vehicle? Take a leisure ride on the Lake Apopka wildlife drive. Located about a half-hour from Orlando, you can see hundreds of bird species, alligators and many other creatures along the 11-mile, one-way drive that takes about an hour to complete unless you decide to stop along the way.
Fun in the Sun
Need a wet-and-wild experience? How about checking out Aquatica, which features several attractions designed to whet your adventurous appetite. Aquatica’s Ihu’s Breakaway Falls slide is listed as the “steepest multidrop tower of its kind in Orlando,” and Ray Rush features slide, splash and soar (thanks to water jets) components to add fun and thrills.
How about a sportier experience? The Orlando Watersports Complex offers several options, such as wakeboarding, waterskiing and wake skating. Need something for the kids, too? There’s also a full aquapark that should keep the children amused for hours with lots of water-splashing fun.
And if you’ve got a little extra time, you can head about 90 minutes northwest of Orlando to River Ventures for a fun day of swimming and snorkeling with manatees. You can even say hi to the newest trio in the aggregation (the term for a group of manatees), namely—no, not that Namely—Nolia, Amethyst and Waffles. All were rescued in 2023 and released into the Crystal River in February 2025.
More Fun
PrismHR LIVE ends about 4 p.m. ET on June 10, which will give you plenty of time to get ready to see pop/hip-hop/country megastar Post Malone at Camping World Stadium that evening.
If you’re planning to stick around after LIVE, DJ Pauly D from the MTV reality series Jersey Shore will be spinning tunes at The Vanguard located in the Central Business District of Orlando on June 13. Doors open at 10 p.m.
That same night, country music star Luke Bryan will be “shaking it for you” at the Orlando Theatre. If you get to LIVE early, Shakira is playing at Camping World Stadium on June 4.
Dining Options
We’re guessing you’re already well-versed in the dining experiences at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort, but what if you’re ready to try something different?
Obviously, Orlando dining also has great options for oenophiles to observant foodies alike.
Hungry for some Cajun food, the Voodoo Bayou comes highly recommended. Appetizers include Shakey’s Gator Tail, a spicy “chicken-fried” dish, as well as buttermilk biscuits with jalapeno pear jam. Entrees range from a Cajun ribeye steak dinner to redfish served on the half-shell. Of course, there are traditional gumbo, etouffee and jambalaya options as well.
In the mood for some sushi? Kabooki Sushi has two Orlando locations. They serve up sushi rolls such as the Ghost, which has tempura eel and torched salmon ingredients, and the Hokkaido, which is made from lump crab, scallops and black garlic.
Prefer comfort food? The IceBar in Orlando offers “Pizza Logs,” which are basically fried pizza rolls, street tacos, flat breads, sliders and more. Tropical drinks include the Tropical Whipped Bikini, Flaming Hurricane and Fire & Smoke. Bring a jacket. It will be cold in the IceBar, but much warmer in other parts of the establishment.
If you’re in for a fun time, Permanent Vacation in nearby Maitland, Florida, offers a tropical experience with fun drinks like the Raw Safari and the Grog Bowl to share. There are several mocktails as well.
If you’re looking for fine dining, perhaps you’d want to take a jaunt to a two-Michelin-starred restaurant called ÔMO by Jônt for a “Journey” or a “Jaunt.”
Have a taste for a glass of wine? The Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards in nearby Clermont, Florida, offers everything from Southern Red made from Muscadine grapes native to the area to Sunblush, which is similar to a White Zinfandel. On the weekends, the winery even features live entertainment and food from various vendors.
Don’t Miss PrismHR LIVE!
Of course, PrismHR LIVE is known for its own great dining and fun experiences. In the past, we’ve gone to baseball games, had karaoke nights and hosted a BBQ party to name a few.
Here are some of the attractions we have in store this year:
- Disney Springs: Kick off LIVE on Sunday evening (June 8) with some fun at Disney Springs! Discover dining, shopping and attractions like you’ve never seen before—it’s truly a place to build your own magical adventure.
- Women at LIVE Lounge: With so much going on at LIVE, we’ve created a special place for women to take a break. This exclusive space is designed to foster connection, relaxation and inspiration. Last year, our lounge featured cozy seating, massage chairs, workstations and special snacks and beverages. It’ll be the perfect place to recharge.
- Universal Islands of Adventure: Party with your fellow attendees on Monday evening (June 9) with drinks, desserts and … rollercoasters! There’s something for everyone at the theme park—and you’ll get an Express Pass to skip the line for a truly amazing adventure.
Register now and don’t miss all the fun! We’ll see you in Orlando! It’s time to play!
James Tehrani is PrismHR’s content marketing manager. He is an award-winning writer and editor based in the Chicago area.
