A Bundle of Fun
Everyone is familiar with the phrase, “You can’t please everyone,” and the folks at Dezerland Park Orlando are no exception. They just don’t seem to believe in the tired, old cliché—and upon stepping foot in Florida’s largest indoor attraction, it’s easy to see why.
The 850,000-square-foot space was officially unveiled in late 2020 and has quickly established itself as a prime destination for fun, no small feat in a city known throughout the world for its entertainment options. There truly is something for everyone here, from families with young children to event planners or corporate executives looking to hold team-building activities.
“Our goal is to be a place where anybody from 3 to 103 can find something to do and enjoy it,” says Lana Vegosen, director of marketing. “We don’t consider ourselves to be in competition with the other attractions or amusement parks in the area; we consider ourselves to be a complement because families can visit when it rains or when it’s too hot. You can find temperature-controlled comfort and shelter here. It’s a place where you can go in between activities, or for the day or weekend and there’s enough to see and do.”
Originally founded by Israeli-American real estate developer Michael Dezer as a facility to store his $200 million car collection, he recognized the potential to welcome in guests of all ages for a wide variety of experiences and partnered with Sebastian Mochkovsky to create Dezerland Park Orlando. His vehicles are still a major part of the property—more on the awe-inspiring Auto Museum later—but the park also includes a long list of attractions for children or adults who consider themselves young at heart.
That includes the largest indoor karting track in Florida; one of the state’s most massive arcades with 300 video, skill and virtual reality games; a pinball arcade and museum filled with 150 machines; a 30,000-foot trampoline park featuring dodge ball and super slam basketball; boutique bowling lanes; bumper cars; glow-in-the-dark miniature golf; axe throwing; a rage room to rid stress by smashing breakables, electronics and mannequins; and a play shooting gallery with light bikes for the kids. Bass Pro Shops and a Cinemark movie theater are also on-site.
Thunderfoam arena and a kids’ VR experience, a barbershop lounge and tattoo parlor, and a cigar lounge are also scheduled to open later this year.
The best part is that admission and parking are free, and guests can tailor their visit to their specific interests and budget. “Each attraction ranges in price from about $10-$27 per person before any discounts or coupons,” Vegosen says. “It’s very affordable, and whatever the price point, we can accommodate it.”
An entire afternoon can be spent in the Auto Museum alone, which houses more than 2,000 movie, celebrity, historical and military vehicles in 18 different themed rooms. The crown jewel is the world’s largest James Bond collection, highlighting $100 million worth of screen-used vehicles, planes and memorabilia. Guests can also pose for photos with multiple Batmobiles or their favorite cars from the Fast & Furious, Mad Max and Harry Potter franchises or take a stroll down memory lane and gaze at vehicles from Knight Rider, Miami Vice and Magnum, P.I.
Private tours can also be arranged to learn more about cars once owned by Queen Elizabeth II and Kate Middleton or the Guinness World Record Holder for longest limousine, which has a helicopter pad, putting green and Jacuzzi and seats 75. For those who see a car they really love, Dezer also accepts offers on just about every vehicle in the museum.
“The Auto Museum is improving and changing every day,” Vegosen says. “We’re always acquiring new vehicles and adding new elements, so it’s constantly evolving. It may be very different than what you saw a year ago, and if we’re doing our job right, it will be different next week, next month and next year, too.”
The Auto Museum is a major draw for individuals and groups hosting parties and events at Dezerland, but any of the attractions can be added to a customized package, ranging from casual to high-end. They have hosted everything from car clubs to sneaker conventions to fundraisers, along with birthdays, anniversaries and corporate events. They have a liquor license and several catering options on the premises, with outside catering also welcome, and there is more than 300,000 square feet of event space, including outdoor possibilities, for events on any day of the week, even before or after hours.
“I like to think of the entire property as a massive event space with infinite possibilities,” Vegosen says. “It lends itself to whatever the party organizer or host wants to curate and we’re happy to make it happen.”
Even for a regular trip to Dezerland, guests don’t have to leave when their stomachs start growling. Just as there is an attraction for everyone, there is a different type of cuisine for each visitor, from the food court with Italian, Mexican, burgers and frozen yogurt to a fine dining experience at Legends Resto & Lounge. The trampoline park has a menu geared toward kids, and people flock to Shaken Not Stirred, the James Bond-themed lounge that is also a great place to catch a game on TV.
Clearly, Dezerland is accomplishing its mission of providing wholesome entertainment for the entire family, but the team is not resting on its laurels and continues to grow with the hopes of meeting customer demand.
“We have more attractions coming soon and new restaurants on the way as well,” Vegosen says. “You just never know what you’re going to see here.”
Dezerland Park Orlando
5250 International Drive | Orlando
(321) 754-1700
