Orlando is located in central Florida 75 miles northeast
of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater Beach. It is 50 miles due
west of Cape Canaveral, the Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach.
Best known as the home of Disney World, this city is also the center
of the largest concentration of family entertainment attractions
in the world. | Show Orlando Map
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The Climate is semi-tropical
The climate in central Florida is semi-tropical. Summers are oppressively
hot and humid with almost daily afternoon Thunderstorms. Winters
are pleasantly mild with sunny weather and comfortable temperatures.
Hurricane season, between August and December, can produce some
unpleasant weather on the rare occasion when a tropical storm chances
to veer inland in the immediate vicinity. Many US families brave
the heat and flock to Orlando during the summer school holidays
from the beginning of June until the end of August. They invariably
fill the hotels, amusement parks and restaurants with hordes of
raucous children. Adult vacationers and retired folks usually choose
the winter months of December through March to visit Orlando. The
off seasons in the fall and spring are often the best times to visit.
Two major airports serve the Orlando area. Orlando International
Airport is located 8 miles southeast of downtown. It has numerous
daily fights to major cities throughout the USA. Orlando Sanford
Airport is situated about 15 miles north of downtown. It serves
numerous charter airlines from overseas destinations. The Tampa
St. - Petersburg airport is less than two-hour drive to the west
and the Melbourne airport is a bit over an hour to the east.
Airport buses provide convenient, inexpensive transportation to
downtown Orlando and an airport van service provides quick transport
to the International Drive area hotels. Associated Transport of
Florida provides a more luxurious alternative with its fleet of
chauffeured town cars, limousines, mini vans and buses. They can
deliver you in comfort and style to any hotel or attraction in central
Florida. They can even take you on sightseeing excursions. Just
mention USATourist.com for special discounted prices.
Events
Orlando's festivals are not exactly major league, though it must
be hard to organize a brouhaha in the shadow of a theme park that
wants you to believe that everyday's a holiday. The Silver
Spring Rodeo has been putting on a fine show since 1944,
drawing 50,000 spectators and some of the top rodeo athletes to
Orlando in mid-February and again in July. It's the largest rodeo
in the eastern US.
EPCOT International
Flower & Garden Festival is a big to-do at Disney
World in mid to late April. The highlight of October is the Oldsmobile
Scramble, when 100,000 amateur golfers putt it out at
the Walt Disney World Resort. The Oldsmobile
Classic for pros follows.
Getting There &
Away | Show Orlando Map
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Orlando International Airport (MCO), in the far southeastern corner
of the city, is the largest in central Florida. It's served by almost
all major airlines, as well as charters and discount airlines. There
are more packages available to Orlando than to any other Florida
city, as cross-marketing plans with the theme parks and hotels and
various airlines lower prices. The city's also served by Greyhound
bus and Amtrak train.
Getting Around
Orlando International Airport is 9 miles (14km) southeast of downtown
Orlando and 22 miles (35km) northeast of Walt Disney World. A decent
bus service exists between the airport and downtown Orlando's Lynx
Bus Center.
There are a handful of car rental companies at the airport and many
more downtown. Although driving within the city of Orlando can be
complicated - most streets are one-way and ticket-happy meter maids
lie in wait - the area requires a car since it can be difficult
to travel outside of Orlando relying on public transport. To get
to Disney World from the airport by car, take Highway 417 to Highway
536, which runs right to the park. From downtown Orlando, take I-4
south. If renting a car is not an option, there's a bus every two
hours from Orlando's Lynx Bus Center.
Orlando runs a highly efficient and inexpensive city bus system,
including a free downtown circuit. Pick up schedules and route maps
at the Lynx Bus Center. Taxis cannot be hailed on the street; you'll
have to phone to secure one.
Orlando Attractions
| Show Orlando Map |
Walt Disney World
You can't help but be happy in 'the happiest place on earth.' You're
expected to be so at peace that it seems as if the air in Disney
World has been infused with high doses of Prozac. Anti-depressants
aside, the world that is Disney is a true testament to one man's
vision to amuse the masses and make money for the favor. And while
Uncle Walt remains a controversial, authoritarian figure, everybody's
still crazy about his famous mouse.
When California's Disneyland, built in 1955, took off in a big way,
Walt Disney realized that tons of hotels, restaurants and other
tourist draws were springing up nearby and cashing in on his visitors.
As a result, he became determined to control every aspect of vacations
to his theme parks (and to keep all the profits himself). In the
years to follow, Disney discreetly bought up thousands of acres
of land in central Florida until his death in 1966. His successors
opened the second Walt Disney park - Disney World - 5 years later.
In its first year, Disney World saw over 10 million visitors, and
it remains one of the world's top tourist destinations, now attracting
more than 20 million visitors a year. It's also the world's biggest
amusement resort, covering an area twice the size of New York's
Manhattan. It has its own transport system, emergency services,
police force, energy plant and more than 20,000 employees. It would
have made Walt very, very happy.
Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT Center and Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park
are the three main parks within Walt's Disney World. The centerpiece
of the Magic Kingdom is Cinderella's Castle, the most recognizable
of Disney's logos. Within the Kingdom are a series of 'lands,' including
the tautological New Tomorrowland, Fantasyland and Adventureland.
EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, and
its trademark silver geodesic dome is visible throughout Disney
World. EPCOT Center is divided into two main sections: Future World,
a combination amusement and educational park, and World Showcase,
a well-presented re-creation of 11 countries - Canada, China, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, the UK and the USA
(there's a logic in there somewhere).
Disney-MGM Studio's rides and attractions are absolutely first rate,
but it's far less of a working studio than they'd have you believe.
Most of the 'rides' here are 3D, with the notable exception of the
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, which is arguably the park's best
and most terrifying ride. The 3D stuff in Jim Henson's Muppet Vision
3D is so real that kids (and, fess up, adults too) try to reach
for the characters.
It's best to buy your tickets before you arrive, either at a Disney
store or by mail from Walt Disney Guest Communications, since lines
to buy tickets can be very long. There are numerous ticket prices
and options. Disney World is about 20 miles (32km) southwest of
downtown Orlando, west of I-4, in a town called Lake Buena Vista.
The best way to access the park is by car; if that's not an option,
a bus leaves every two hours from Orlando's Lynx Bus Center.
Universal Studios Great Escape
The Universal Studios Entertainment Complex is located closer to
the southern suburbs of Orlando and is not as large as Walt Disney
World. It contains two major theme parks, a luxury hotel, and a
shopping, dining and entertainment center. Its new Islands of Adventure
Theme Park is possibly the most technologically advanced theme park
in the world. It also offers a Wet 'n Wild Water Park just across
the road. Mike says: See the Blues Brother's show in the New York
section of Universal Studios.
Orlando
Sea World
This Anheiser-Busch marine theme park is similar to, but larger
than the Sea World Parks in other parts of the USA. It contains
a huge state-of-the-art roller coaster and several thrill rides,
but the main attractions are the marine shows featuring seals, dolphins,
killer whales and water skiing acrobatics. It is all very entertaining
and educational. Children of all ages enjoy this park.
Theme Dinner Theaters
There are many themed dinner theaters in the Orlando area. Medieval
Times in Kissimmee is typical of this type of family entertainment
experience. You sit at long tables around a great central arena
and feast on a medieval banquet while knights perform equestrian
feats and joust in full armor. Similar shows are offered at King
Henry's Feast, Arabian nights, Capone's Dinner Show, Pirates at
Colossal Studios and at Wild Bill's West Dinner Extravaganza.
Balloon Rides
Orange Blossom Balloons offers spectacular hot-air balloon rides
high over Orlando. Mike says: this is a fantastic experience that
begins with a pre-dawn inflation of the balloon on a mist-shrouded
field, followed by a sunrise flight, and culminating in a champagne
toast and breakfast buffet.
Drive
a NASCAR Race Car
The Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Walt Disney World Speedway
allows you to ride in a genuine NASCAR racecar. If you have the
time, and the money, you can take a half-day driving school then
pilot the racecar around the track yourself. Mike says: Wow, what
a thrill riding at 146 MPH and playing catch with another racecar.
(with wife, Anny in the other racer)
Musical
Entertainment
There are a lot of entertainment options in the Orlando area. The
world's largest Hard Rock Café is located at Universal Studios City
Walk and the giant globe shaped Planet Hollywood is at Disney's
West End. There are all types of musical entertainment from dueling
piano sing-alongs and dance clubs to rock and roll performances.
Check out Church Street Station in downtown Orlando, CityWalk at
Universal, Pleasure Island or West Side at Disney and various locations
along International Blvd. Mike's favorite is House of Blues at West
End for nightly funky blues music in the restaurant.
Florida
Beaches
Orlando is in central Florida about half way between the Atlantic
Ocean beaches and those on the Gulf of Mexico. There are plenty
of swimming pools and man-made beaches on the lakes and in the water
parks around Orlando, but for real ocean surf and sand you must
drive a few hours. Cocoa Beach and Melbourne Beach are about two
hours drive to the east and they provide some nice sand with ocean
surf and not many tourists. Clearwater Beach is less than two hours
to the west near Tampa. It offers great sand with warmer and calmer
gulf waters plus a lot of tourist amenities but bigger crowds.
Gatorland
This is an authentic Florida attraction. Gatorland animal park with
thousands of alligators and crocodiles features a variety of shows
including "gator wrestling" and the "gator jumparoo".
It is great fun for young and old.
Airboat
Rides
These flat-bottomed, propeller-driven boats are an excellent means
of transportation in the shallow wetlands that abound throughout
Florida. There are several locations near Orlando where you can
take an excursion in a typical airboat. The ride can be fast, exciting
and noisy. You can see alligators and wetland wildlife up close.
Golf
Golf is very popular in Florida and can be played all months of
the year. There are over 20 golf courses in the Orlando vicinity
with eight courses located on the Walt Disney World property.
Museums
Orlando has an art museum, a science center and a historical society
museum. It also has a Ripley's "Believe it or Not Museum"
and an interactive Wonderworks.
Spectator
Sports
The Orlando Magic NBA Basketball Team plays at the Orlando Arena.
The minor league Orlando Rays baseball team plays at Tinker Field.
If you are into wagering, Orlando offers a harness-racing track,
a greyhound-racing track and a Jai Alai Fronton.
Additional
attractions in the Orlando area
In addition to the major theme parks and water parks, Orlando provides
a wide variety of family entertainment options. For typical Florida
diversions, I recommend that you visit Gatorland with its vast collection
of native alligators and crocodiles and its "gator-wrestling"
shows or that you try an airboat ride through the swamps at Boggy
Creek Airboats. For adventure and excitement, try a hot air balloon
ride with Orange Blossom Balloons or a high-speed spin in a genuine
NASCAR racer at the Richard Petty Driving Experience.
Even dining can become an adventure in Orlando. Theme dinner shows
such as Medieval Times provide you with entertainment like jousting
tournaments and sword fights while feasting. The dinner show themes
run from Medieval to Cowboy, Arabian Nights, Gangster or Broadway
Show motifs.
Shopping opportunities abound in the area
There are great concentrations of souvenir shops, boutiques, specialty
stores and shopping malls in the theme-park strip along route 4
southwest of downtown. You will find shops scattered throughout
the major theme parks and in the hotel complexes. Disney also offers
a variety of shopping at its downtown area. Universal does the same
at its City Walk. There are many shops and malls in Lake Buena Vista
or along route 192 to Kissimmee and along International Boulevard
near Universal Studios. Additional shopping centers are concentrated
in downtown Orlando at Church Street and in the suburban communities
of Altamonte Springs and Winter Park.
For serious shoppers, there are two very large Belz Factory Outlet
Malls at West Oakridge Road and along International Drive. Orlando
Premium Outlets and the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores are outlet
malls located near Disney World.
Orlando Map
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