Orlando, Florida

Orlando Travel Guide: Lake Eola, Orlando
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Orlando is the fifth biggest city in Florida, within its third biggest metropolitan area. Originally a citrus-growing area, Orlando has transformed today into a major tourist destination. This is the home of several gigantic theme parks and resorts such as Walt Disney World (located 21 miles southwest of downtown Orlando), Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando. In fact, it was Disney World that put Orlando on the map.

Cinderella Castle, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World
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Most tourists head to Orlando to visit the theme parks, which began when Walt Disney announced his plans to build Walt Disney World there in 1965. The choice of Orlando, rather than Miami and Tampa, which was under Walt's earlier consideration, was the threat of hurricanes. Orlando's inland location, making it less exposed to hurricane threats, helped Walt Disney in deciding to place his biggest theme park there. Walt Disney World opened in October 1971, fueling an explosive growth to Orlando, which today relies on tourism to propel its economy.

Orlando experiences a humid subtropical climate. There are two distinct seasons: one is hot and wet running from June to late September, and the other is dry, running from October through May. During the hot season, the average high temperature of the day is around the 90's (32-37°C). During the cold season, the average night time temperature is around 50°F (10°C). Orlando has a considerably high risk of hurricanes, although not as high as the coastal cities of Florida.

MissionSpace, Epcot Center
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Travel to Orlando

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the second biggest airport in Florida. The most practical way to move about, upon arrival, is to rent a car. Well, I have to say that Orlando International Airport has the largest rental car market in the world. You can all the major rental car companies represented here, on both Terminals A and B.

Several hotels provide shuttle service from the airport, including the Disney's Magical Express for guests staying at the Walt Disney World Resort Hotel or at any of the Disney Vacation Club resorts.

Some airlines fly to the Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB). Here too you can find all the major rental car companies.

Manatee at SeaWorld, Orlando
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Travel within Orlando

The most practical way to explore Orlando, and visit all its major attractions, is to drive. Orlando itself is a sprawling city. Most of the huge theme parks are located away from the downtown core. The roads are wide and all the major attractions are well signed. However traffic jams are also quite common, especially in the arternoons, and on Friday nights and Saturdays in the tourist areas.

Business in Orlando

Orlando is the state of Florida's major city and global tourism destination, along with being a center for high-technology industries with a large number of aeronautical companies choosing Orlando office space.

Wet-and-Wild Orlando
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Places of Interest in Orlando

List of attractions, each attraction is arranged in alphabetical order within its category.

Theme Parks of Orlando

Aquatica
Water park operated by SeaWorld Parks, located across the road from SeaWorld Orlando.
Discovery Cove
Theme park operated by adjacent SeaWorld where visitors can interact with marine animals.
Florida EcoSafaris
An eco-ranch and wildlife conservation area showcasing 9 distinct Florida ecosystems.
Gatorland
A small reptile theme park.
Holy Land Experience
A theme park with exhibits and presentations focusing on biblical themes.
Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine
A Roman Catholic church that has become a tourist attraction attracting Catholic pilgrims from around the world.
Orlando Watersports Complex
A place to learn or play several types of watersports.
SeaWorld Orlando
Marine-life based zoological theme park.
Universal Orlando Resort
Resort comprising two theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure.
Walt Disney World Resort
The world's biggest and most-visited recreational resort encompassing four theme parks, two water parks and 24 on-site hotels.
Wet 'N Wild
A waterpark.

Gardens and Parks of Orlando

Arboretum of the University of Central Florida
A 80-acre arboretum and botanical garden, home to some 600 species of plants.
Bok Sanctuary
Intricately landscaped gardens with a wide variety of exotic plants and wild birds.
Harry P. Leu Gardens
50 acres of landscaped gardens, with the biggest rose garden in Florida and the largest camellia collection outside of California.
World of Orchids
Enclosed garden featuring thousands of orchids in a natural rainforest setting.

Museums of Orlando

Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
The world's most comprehensive collection of artwork by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
Cornell Fine Arts Museum
Collection of fine arts by a selection of artists.
International Trolley and Train Museum
Museum showcasing 14 model railroad trains traveling through an indoor landscape of mountains, cascades, trestles and tunnels.
Orlando Museum of Art
Museum exhibiting American art, from portraits to landscapes to American impressionist works.
Orlando Science Center
Center with numerous interactive exhibits.

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