Planning a vacation to Orlando just became easier. Visit Orlando has expanded its free Vacation Planning Services with the launch of OPAL (Orlando Planning Assistance by Locals), an AI-powered trip-planning tool that provides personalized itineraries and insider recommendations based on local expertise.
Available 24/7 on VisitOrlando.com, OPAL combines artificial intelligence with the expertise of Orlando’s destination experts, giving travelers a smarter, more customized way to plan their visit before they arrive.
AI Meets Local Knowledge
Unlike many AI travel planning platforms that rely primarily on publicly available information, OPAL has been trained using insights from Visit Orlando’s local vacation planners. The platform also incorporates trusted travel information from more than 40 sources, including Google Places and TripAdvisor, to create tailored recommendations for each traveler.
Users can ask questions in a conversational format, much like speaking with a travel advisor, and receive personalized suggestions for attractions, dining, accommodations, entertainment, and custom itineraries based on their interests, travel style, and group size.
A New Way to Plan Orlando Vacations
As one of the world’s most visited vacation destinations, Orlando offers far more than its famous theme parks. Visitors can explore Michelin-recognized restaurants, outdoor adventures, entertainment districts, sporting events, shopping, and vibrant local neighborhoods.
According to Visit Orlando President and CEO Casandra Matej, the new platform reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to helping visitors navigate the destination more effectively.
Rather than replacing traditional vacation planning services, OPAL complements them by providing travelers with instant assistance whenever inspiration strikes.
More Than Just an AI Chatbot
Visit Orlando continues to offer several complimentary planning resources alongside OPAL, including:
- One-on-one consultations with local vacation planning experts available by phone, video call, text, WhatsApp, or email.
- Live chat assistance through VisitOrlando.com.
- The “Plan Your Orlando Vacation” Facebook community, where more than 22,000 members share travel tips, recommendations, photos, and advice from recent visits.
These services are available in multiple languages, including Spanish and Portuguese, making it easier for international travelers to receive personalized guidance.
Powered by Mindtrip
The technology behind OPAL comes from Mindtrip, a Silicon Valley-based travel technology company founded in 2023. The platform combines conversational AI with a proprietary travel knowledge base designed to deliver practical, accurate, and personalized travel recommendations in one place.
By blending AI capabilities with local destination expertise, Visit Orlando aims to offer travelers a planning experience that feels more like working with an experienced vacation advisor than using a standard search engine.
Making Orlando Easier to Explore
Whether visitors are planning a family vacation centered around the area’s world-famous theme parks, searching for award-winning restaurants, or looking to discover Orlando’s neighborhoods and outdoor attractions, OPAL provides another convenient tool to simplify the planning process.
The launch reflects a growing trend in tourism, where destination marketing organizations are using artificial intelligence to deliver more personalized travel experiences while maintaining the value of local knowledge and human expertise. For travelers heading to Central Florida, OPAL offers a modern starting point for creating a customized Orlando itinerary before the trip even begins.
