Orlando (Florida)

Introduction

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Orlando, Florida, is host to over 52 million visitors each year. Famous for its theme parks, the city and local area has more hotel beds than any other city in the USA, except for Las Vegas.

Neighbourhoods

There are over 100 neighbourhoods in Orlando.

Sights and Activities

Walt Disney World
Four theme parks - Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom, and two water parks - Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon - comprise the world famous Walt Disney World Resort. It is said that people should allow seven full days to explore the 47 square miles of pure fun. Magic Kingdom's Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin and The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm are considered to be amongst the best family theme park rides in the world. Animal Kingdom's Dinosaur and It's Tough to Be a Bug are also widely known as great thrill and 3-D simulation rides respectively.

Universal Studios Florida
Love films? Love shopping? Universal Orlando Resort may live up everyone's expectations. All the rides and attractions at Universal have been designed so that people can feel immersed into the most popular Universal Studios films. Men in Black Alien Attack, Back to the Future: The Ride, E.T. Adventure, Terminator 2: 3D, and the Simpsons ride have been highly rated by theme-park fans. Universal Studios' sister site, the Island of Adventure offers the most innovative rides and attractions ever created, such as The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls and Incredible Hulk Coaster. For those looking for other type of entertainment, CityWalk is full of shops, restaurants and clubs.

Seaworld
When visiting Orlando and particularly the theme parks, it is strongly advisable to start with SeaWorld Adventure Park, as its stadium style shows ensure short queues under the heat. The park features sea lion, dolphin and orca shows, which run at particular times. Therefore it is also good to plan in advance the day with the help of a show schedule.

Discovery Cove
Discovery cove is not the typical park in Florida, it is more about interacting with nature and animals. People have the chance to swim with dolphins, learn about exotic birds, tropical fishes and land mammals, explore artificial coves. Situated just opposite to SeaWorld, there are no roller coasters and all people need is swimming suits and snorkels for the day.

Wet 'N Wild
Considered America's best water park, Wet'N Wild has attractions for the entire family. It was also given the first Lifetime Achievement Award by the World Waterpark Association thanks to its high quality service and world-class thrill rides, which ensure a full-day of fun. It is run by Universal Studios Recreational Group since 1998 and it is strategically located on International drive.

Aquatica Park
Aquatica, SeaWorld's waterpark has got the most thrilling rides amongst Orlando's water parks. There are two river rides, a couple of massive wave pools, more than 30 water slides and white sand beaches, surrounded by the most amazing and exotic sceneries. The park is part of the Worlds of Discovery, who also run Busch Gardens Tampa and Adventure Island.

• Central Florida Zoo - This zoo features over 125 different animal species in addition to ZOOMair - a ropes course above the trees.
• Mandara Spa - With locations across the world, Mandara offers relaxing spa treatments for everyone.
• Eo Inn and Spa - Orlando's premiere boutique hotel and day spa.
• Kennedy Space Center - Take a special look into NASA, train in a space simulator, meet a real astronaut - and if you come on the right day you can even watch a rocket launch.
• Fantasy of Flight - An educational exhibit on the history of air flight.
• Revolution: The Off Road Experience - Offers 4-wheeling, 4x4, dune buggying and more.
• Sammy Duvall's Watersports Centre - http://www.sammyduvall.com/ - Riding on watercrafts and parasailing above Disney make this an experience for people looking for thrills in and above the water.
• Green Meadows Farm - Kids and families will enjoy this peaceful petting zoo.
• The Holy Land Experience - A religious museum/theme park re-creating the biblical times.
• Gatorland - An alligator preserve that allows you a hands-on experience.
• Enzian Theater - A cinema for the indie/alternative crowd that also offers food and alcoholic beverages.

Events and Festivals

Check the Orlando Events Calendar for more information.

Weather

Orlando has a temperate tropical climate with generally warm and humid weather. Winters last from December to February but it's mostly around or slightly above 20 °C during the day and around 10 °C at night. Snow and frost are very rare, but have occured during extreme circumstances when winds directly from the north blow down to Florida. Summers from late May to September are unbearably hot and humid with days generally over 30 °C and nights between 20 °C and 24 °C. Most rain falls during this period, but a shower or two is also possible during the winter months. From June to November is also hurricane season, though Orlando is not as severely hit as coastal areas in general.

Getting There

By Plane

• Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the major airport for the city and many airlines serve destinations within the USA and to Europe and South America. The airport is located about 11 kilometres from the CBD of Orlando. It's the second busiest airport in Florida and even in the top 30 worldwide.

To/from the airport

• Bus: Lynx provides a sub-station at the airport with service to Downtown Orlando and other area routes.
• A complimentary coach transportation service for guests staying at Walt Disney World resort hotels. The motor coach service is operated by Mears Transportation. Guests have to book in advance reservations.
• Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Line, SunCruz Casinos, Sterling Casinos and Mears Transportation all run scheduled buses from the airport to Port Canaveral for incoming cruise passengers
• The community of The Villages in Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties operates a shuttle between the community and Orlando International Airport. The shuttle stops at Lake Sumter Landing and Spanish Springs
• Taxis and rental cars are both widely available at the airport as well.

• Orlando Sanford Airport (SFB) caters for scheduled and charter flights from Europe, plus flights to and from the Caribbean. Allegiant Air serves around 30 domestic routes.

By Train

• The Silver Service/Palmetto, operated by Amtrak, travels between New York and Orlando.
• The Autotrain travels between Lorton, Virginia (near Washington DC) and Orlando.

By Car

By Bus

Greyhound Lines serves Orlando, linking with its national routes.

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

The distances between the main Orlando theme parks means that the easiest way to travel is by car. Wide highways connect most areas, some of which can be very crowded during the rush hour. Many international rental companies have a wide selection of rental cars and these include Sixt Hertz, Avis, Dollar, Thrifty, Enterprise, Budget and Alamo/National. Most companies will require you are at least 25 years of age, although younger people might be able to rent cars at slightly higher rates and with some insurance differences as well. A national driver's license is usually enough, but an additional international one is recommended. Also note that it usually costs more to include lots of other extra things. For example extra drivers, GPS, the first full tank, SLI (Supplemental Liability Insurance), PAI (Personal Accident Insurance, usually covered already at home), road assistance/service plan, and drop-off costs for one-way rentals.
If you want to book a car, it is recommended that you book your car before arriving in the USA. This is almost always (much) cheaper compared to just showing up. Also, try and book with a so-called 'broker', which usually works together with a few or many car rental companies and can offer the best deal. Some examples include Holidayautos, Holidaycars and Sunny Cars. Some of the cheapest deals to book from Europe, includes Drive-USA, which also has a German version.

For more information and tips about renting cars and campers, additional costs, insurance, traffic rules, scenic routes and getting maps and fuel it is advised to check the USA Getting Around section.

By Taxi

Orlando is visited by millions of tourists each year and this means that the region require more taxis to serve this great population of travelers. There are several taxi companies that are operational in the region.

By Public Transport

Lynx provide local bus services which reach most corners of the Orlando area. They call at the Disney Transportation Center, which there are transfers to Disney's own transport to their parks and resorts.

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

• Fulton's Crab House - A traditional style crabhouse right on the water located in Downtown Disney.
• Kres Chophouse - An upscale steak house located in Downtown Orlando.
• Emeril's - Famous chef Emeril Lagasse's restaurant located at Universal's CityWalk.
• Luma on Park - American cuisine with an extensive wine list.
• http://www.funkymonkeywine.com/ - A restaurant featuring a variety of sushi and wine.
• Norman's - Impeccable, somewhat affordable food inside the Ritz Carlton.
• 310 Lakeside - Classic American cuisine overlooking Lake Eola.
• Cala Bella - A seafood restaurant located at Shingle Creek Resort.
• Ming Court - Nightly oriental folk music performances compliment a wide selection of sushi, dim sum and more.
• K Restaurant Wine Bar - Upscale American dining.
• Le Coq Au Vin - A modern twist is given to classic french foods at this restaurant.
• The Black Olive - Mediterranean inspired Italian cuisine.
• Urban Flats - Flatbreads and wine are the centerpiece of this modern-casual restaurant and wine bar.
• Hamburger Mary's - A gay-friendly burger joint with drag shows and drinks.
• Cuba Libre - A cuban restaurant that turns into a Latin dance club by night.

Drink

Sleep

• Hard Rock Hotel - The famous rock 'n roll themed hotel combines restaurants, clubs and shows to provide an entertaining place to stay.
• Nickelodeon Family Suites - A hotel aimed at kids and families offering up a chance to see a Nickelodeon show taping, experience a 4-D movie, and get splashed with the famous green slime.
• Rosen’s Shingle Creek Resort - A stunning resort complete with a spa, golf course, pools and beautiful suites.

Budget

Mid-Range

The Ramada Convention Center on International Drive is two miles from Universal Studios and SeaWorld, five miles from Walt Disney World.

Upscale

Walt Disney World Resorts offer several high level hotel resorts.

Work

Learn

• University of Central Florida
• Webster University Orlando
• De Vry University Orlando

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also: International Telephone Calls

Post

The US Postal Service is very good and well priced mail system. There are hundreds of big and small post offices in Orlando. If wanting to send a letter or postcard it is best just to leave it in a blue mail box with the proper postage. There are also private postal services like FedEx, UPS and DHL.