The resort grounds are stunning, with water features and pathways made for wandering.
Winner: Best Staycation Hotel or Resort | Four seasons Resort Orlando
When it comes to escaping without ever leaving Central Florida, readers have spoken. Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort has been voted the winner of Orlando magazine’s 2026 Best of ORL award for Best Staycation Hotel or Resort, and with good reason why.
The luxury resort, nestled within the Golden Oak community at Walt Disney World Resort, has become a favorite destination for locals seeking a vacation experience without the hassle of airports, road trips or extensive planning. Its combination of world-class amenities, exceptional service and a resort atmosphere that feels worlds away from everyday life helped it earn top honors in this year’s readers’ choice competition.
Spanning more than 26 acres, the resort offers something for nearly every type of traveler. Families flock to Explorer Island, home to a five-acre water park featuring a lazy river, water slides, splash zones and family pools. Adults can retreat to the Oasis, an adults-only pool complete with underwater music and private cabanas, or indulge in treatments at the resort’s award-winning spa.
Capa’s views are unparalleled.
Dining is another major draw. Guests can enjoy everything from casual poolside fare to elevated dining experiences, including the rooftop Capa steakhouse and Ravello, both recognized for their culinary excellence. The resort also offers golf at the Tom Fazio-designed Tranquilo Golf Course, tennis and pickleball courts, fitness classes and a variety of seasonal activities.
Service here is top notch. Want to visit the parks? The property will arrange transportation. Want a tea party in your room? The team at Four Seasons Resort Orlando will make it happen. Need a lounger or two by the pool any time of day? Not a problem at all.
One of the property’s biggest advantages is its ability to appeal to both families and couples. Children can take part in the complimentary Kids For All Seasons program, while parents enjoy spa treatments, fine dining or a quiet afternoon by the pool. Evening fireworks views from select rooms and restaurants add another layer of magic to the experience.
The resort grounds are stunning, with water features and pathways made for wandering.
The resort’s reputation extends beyond industry accolades. Recent guest reviews, including those from our team, have praised the property’s attentive service, expansive pool complex, family-friendly amenities and ability to serve as a destination in itself, even without visiting nearby theme parks.
As staycations continue to grow in popularity, Four Seasons Resort Orlando has positioned itself as the ultimate local escape. Whether guests are floating down the lazy river, enjoying a spa day, dining above the skyline or simply relaxing in a luxury suite, the resort delivers the feeling of a faraway vacation just minutes from home.
For Orlando magazine readers, that combination made the choice easy. Four Seasons Resort Orlando is officially the Best Best Staycation Hotel or Resort in the 2026 Best of ORL awards.
Publisher’s Note: This is, by far, my favorite resort to unwind at in Orlando. There guest to staff member ratio is unparalleled, and so is the recreational space, meaning there is always an exceptional chair for you by the adult or family pools, splash pad, or lazy river. No waiting; no racing to save a chair at 6:00 a.m. with a towel and a prayer. No, at Four Seasons Resort Orlando, you’ll find pure, unadulterated bliss, ready for you on your schedule.
: The Asian Lantern Festival brings the enchantment of the season to Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens each holiday season. Courtesy Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Winner: Best Holiday Event or Festival | Asian Lantern Festival
The Asian Lantern Festival at Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens has been voted the Best Holiday Event or Festival in Orlando magazine’s 2026 Best of ORL awards, recognizing one of Central Florida’s most visually stunning seasonal attractions.
Since its debut, the annual festival has transformed the zoo into a dazzling nighttime wonderland, featuring hundreds of handcrafted illuminated lanterns, larger-than-life displays, cultural performances and interactive experiences. Produced in partnership with international artisans, the event has become a signature holiday-season tradition for families throughout Central Florida.
The festival typically takes place from late fall through early winter, offering guests an opportunity to experience the zoo after dark. Intricate lantern displays depicting animals, flowers, mythical creatures and scenes inspired by Asian culture line the pathways, creating a colorful spectacle that attracts visitors from across Florida and beyond.
What sets the Asian Lantern Festival apart is its combination of art, culture and entertainment at a price point that is obtainable to most. Many of the lanterns stand several stories tall and are handcrafted using thousands of feet of silk and LED lighting. The event also incorporates live performances, including acrobatics, juggling, dance and other cultural demonstrations that add to the immersive atmosphere.
Over the years, organizers have continued expanding the festival with new displays and attractions, ensuring that returning guests discover something different each season. The event has become one of the zoo’s largest annual draws, helping introduce new visitors to the facility while supporting its conservation and education efforts.
For many visitors, the experience provides a chance to see the zoo in an entirely new light. As glowing lanterns illuminate the grounds and performers entertain crowds throughout the evening, the festival delivers an experience that feels both festive and culturally enriching.
With its breathtaking displays, evolving attractions and memorable nighttime atmosphere, the Asian Lantern Festival continues to shine as one of Central Florida’s premier seasonal events and now holds the title of Best Holiday Event or Festival in Orlando magazine’s 2026 Best of ORL awards.
Enzian’s theater offers multi-level seating options. Certain membership levels can reserve seats in advance (a fantastic perk for those who don’t want to rush).
Winner: Best Movie Theater | ENZIAN
For movie lovers across Central Florida, a trip to Enzian has always been about more than simply watching a film. It is an experience built around cinema, community and a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling. That dedication has earned Enzian first place in Orlando magazine’s 2026 Best of ORL awards for Best Movie Theater.
Located in Maitland, Enzian has long stood apart from traditional multiplexes. As Central Florida’s only full-time independent cinema and home to the Florida Film Festival, the nonprofit theater has cultivated a loyal following through its carefully curated programming, unique single-screen venue and combination of film, dining and cultural events.
The recognition comes during a transformative period for the theater. As Enzian celebrates its 40th anniversary, the organization is investing in a major technological upgrade that will elevate the moviegoing experience while preserving the traditions that make the venue special. The theater recently launched a capital campaign to install dual reel-to-reel 35mm and 70mm projection systems, replacing its aging equipment and opening the door to thousands of archival film prints previously unavailable for screening.
The project also includes a new state-of-the-art projection screen and a significant sound system upgrade designed to deliver brighter images, sharper contrast and more immersive audio. Combined with Enzian’s existing 4K laser projection capabilities, the improvements will allow audiences to experience both classic and contemporary films at the highest possible quality.
The addition of 70mm capability is particularly noteworthy. Revered by filmmakers and cinephiles alike, the large-format film presentation offers extraordinary image detail and has been championed by directors including Christopher Nolan, Quentin Tarantino and Paul Thomas Anderson. Once the installation is complete, Enzian will become one of only a handful of theaters in the Southeast capable of presenting both 35mm and 70mm reel-to-reel film exhibitions.
While the technology upgrades represent an exciting future, Enzian’s enduring appeal remains rooted in its atmosphere. Surrounded by towering oak trees and featuring the popular Eden Bar, the theater offers a distinctly Central Florida setting where film enthusiasts gather not just to watch movies but to celebrate cinema as an art form.
That combination of innovation, preservation and community engagement continues to set Enzian apart. As audiences increasingly seek experiences that cannot be replicated at home, the theater’s commitment to both cutting-edge presentation and classic film culture has made it a cornerstone of Orlando’s arts scene. Its first-place finish in the 2026 Best of ORL awards reflects not only its legacy, but also a future that looks brighter, sharper and more cinematic than ever.
Morse Museum houses the largest collection of Tiffany works in the world. It’s a spectacular place to visit, whether you’re a local or a visitor.
Winner: Best Museum | Morse Museum
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art has once again cemented its reputation as one of Central Florida’s premier cultural institutions, earning first place for Best Museum in Orlando magazine’s 2026 Best of ORL awards.
Located in downtown Winter Park, The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art is internationally recognized for housing the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Its galleries feature Tiffany’s iconic leaded-glass windows, lamps, jewelry, pottery and decorative art, along with significant collections of American art from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The museum’s appeal extends beyond its renowned Tiffany holdings. Throughout the year, visitors can explore rotating exhibitions, lectures, films and educational programs that make art accessible to audiences of all ages. Recent exhibitions have highlighted Tiffany’s lesser-known paintings, salon-style art displays and historic jewelry collections, continuing the museum’s mission of education and discovery.
The award comes as the Morse continues to invest in its future through expanded educational programming. The museum is developing a new pavilion designed to support lectures, workshops, films, student programs and community events. The project reflects the institution’s growing emphasis on public engagement and lifelong learning, providing additional space for educational initiatives while preserving the museum’s celebrated galleries. The pavilion will help the Morse accommodate increasing demand for its programs and strengthen its role as a cultural gathering place in Winter Park.
For many Central Florida residents, the Morse has become synonymous with arts education and community traditions. Its annual Christmas in the Park event, now in its fifth decade, transforms Winter Park’s Central Park into an outdoor showcase of illuminated Tiffany windows accompanied by live music, drawing thousands of visitors each year.
The museum also remains one of the area’s most accessible cultural destinations, offering free admission on Friday evenings during much of the year and a robust calendar of public programs.
