A huge numbers of theme parks and attractions; over 170 golf courses; lake water sports include water-skiing, jet-skiing, sailing, fishing, airboat rides and speed boats; car and drag racing; spectator sports, such as dog racing, jai alai (a fast-moving ball game), baseball, basketball and, at times, rodeo. Indoor surf park and sky diving. At night you can enjoy Pleasure Island and CityWalk nightlife parks, with a variety of clubs, bars and restaurants; themed dinner shows, including jousting knights, murder mysteries, swashbuckling pirates and Polynesian feast nights; Pointe Orlando has a 21-screen cinema complex and 4 nightclubs. Comedy theatre.

General Description

A metropolitan area on a huge scale (15 by 30 mls), Orlando comprises 3 counties - Orange, Seminole and Osceola - and ranks as one of the fastest-growing urban centres in the USA. It developed as a tourist destination only slowly till the opening of Disney World Resort Florida in 1971, after which things really took off. Today, over 100 attractions make Orlando America's number-one tourist destination. There are several distinct areas in this conurbation: Walt Disney World Area, located in the southwest; Kissimmee in the extreme south; International Drive in the central area; Florida Mall between the airport and downtown; Downtown and Colonial Drive in the northeast; and the Altamonte Springs/Winter Park area in the far north. During the morning and evening rush hours and at weekends, the major thoroughfares are gridlocked, so allow extra time for getting from A to B. Also give this fact serious consideration when deciding where to stay; it is a choice between cheaper hotels involving longer journey times against more expensive properties that are right on top of things.

Public Transport

The public bus system is quite limited and not easily accessed by tourists. The I-Drive trolley bus is an efficient, dedicated tourist service operating along International Drive and Universal Boulevard resort area, with over 94 stops. Car hire is the most practical option and cheaper than in Europe, but distances are great and the traveller needs to be prepared for heavy traffic. The Interstate exit numbers changed in 2002; both sets of numbers are well signposted, but it can be confusing. Florida law allows right turns at red traffic lights and headlights must be on during rainstorms. Shuttle buses can be arranged at most hotel receptions to different locations (sometimes free of charge). Taxis are readily available and can be found at major hotels, restaurants and attractions.

Location

Location: In the southeastern United States, in the centre of Florida state. 60 mls southwest of Daytona Beach (Atlantic Ocean, east coast). 95 mls northeast of Tampa (Gulf of Mexico, west coast). 135 mls south of Jacksonville. 240 mls northwest of Miami. Orlando international airport is 6 mls east of International Drive resort area.
Position: A flat area of land that was originally swamp and citrus groves. Very verdant, with trees and lots of water features, lakes, rivers etc.
Dialling Code: 407
Website: www.go2orlando.com

Serving Airports

Orlando International
Flight time from the UK: 9 hrs
Orlando Sanford International
Flight time from the UK: 9 hrs

Market/Suitability

Something for everyone; families with children will probably get the most out of it but, with the huge range of things on offer, there really is no doubt Orlando has something for every pocket and persuasion.

Beaches

A large number of artificial beaches on many of the resort's 300-plus lakes, many in the Disney World area.

Shopping

An enormous choice, the following only touching the surface. Prime Outlets is the largest mall with major brand name stores; The Mercado Center and Pointe Orlando on International Drive have over 60 shops and 5 restaurants respectively; Florida Mall has 200 shops and a busy food court; Church Street Station Exchange is a multilevel retail centre in a historic train station. Flea World is one of America's largest markets under one roof (104 acres). Park Avenue is a downtown shopping area full of exclusive boutiques, designer stores, restaurants and tourist outlets.

Entertainment

Daytime: huge numbers of theme parks and attractions; over 170 golf courses; lake water sports include water-skiing, jet-skiing, sailing, fishing, airboat rides and speed boats; car and drag racing; spectator sports, such as dog racing, jai alai (a fast-moving ball game), baseball, basketball and, at times, rodeo. Indoor surf park and sky diving.
Nightlife: Pleasure Island and CityWalk nightlife parks, with a variety of clubs, bars and restaurants; themed dinner shows, including jousting knights, murder mysteries, swashbuckling pirates and Polynesian feast nights; Pointe Orlando has a 21-screen cinema complex and 4 nightclubs. Comedy theatre.

Eating Out

Over 5,200 restaurants: you name it, they've got it - the full range, from fast food to fine dining. Many smaller hotels and motels serve only a basic breakfast.

Accommodation

More hotel rooms than any other city in the USA. Confusion often arises over the plethora of chain hotels with similar names; check the property address to avoid confusion. A wide selection, from basic motels to country clubs and first-class themed resorts.

Local Excursions

Theme parks: Cypress Gardens; Gatorland; Splendid China; The Holy Land Experience; Kennedy Space Center; Sea World; Discovery Cove; Universal Studios; Islands of Adventure; Epcot Center; Disney-MGM Studios; Magic Kingdom; Disney's Animal Kingdom; and many more. Water parks: Typhoon Lagoon; Blizzards Beach; Wet 'n Wild; and others. Cultural and special interest: Central Florida Zoological Gardens; Don Garlit's Museum of Drag Racing; Botanical Gardens; Orlando Museum of Art; US Astronaut Hall of Fame and Space Shop; Ripley's Believe It or Not Odditorium; WonderWorks; Aviation Museum; Titanic Exhibition. Wilderness and nature reserve in Seminole County.?

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