Orlando deserves its fame as the theme park capital of the
world. The Greater Orlando area is filled with an energetic
spirit that rarely slows down. Of course, many of these visitors
come for the two pillars that give the region its reputation:
Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando (although Disney is not
located in Orlando City). But Orlando has much more to offer
than just these two amusement meccas. Of course, the
International Drive area near Universal has many independent
attractions, smaller theme parks, and plenty of hotels and
restaurants. But beyond that, there is much more to explore.
Sprawling areas of unspoiled nature, world-class museums and
theaters, and unique downtown dining and nightlife are just a
few of the things that await travelers who venture outside the
constructed world of theme parks.
Located in central
Florida in Orange County, Orlando is about an hour from each
coast. The majority of the region's attractions are located in
Lake Buena Vista (home to Disney World), Kissimmee, Bay Lake,
Celebration, and other nearby areas.
The Orlando area is
home to some of the largest and most famous theme park resorts
in the world. However, only Universal Orlando is located within
the city limits. Walt Disney World and Sea World are in close
proximity, as are many of the more minor tourist attractions.
Since Orlando is most associated with these popular attractions,
see below for details and descriptions of them.
English is the primary language spoken in Orlando, although Spanish is also spoken by a portion of the population. Because of the large number of international visitors, nearly all theme parks and resorts and many hotels and restaurants offer menus, guide maps, and other information in a variety of languages, from English and Spanish to Portuguese, French and Chinese. Many attractions also employ bilingual or multilingual staff.
Orlando is located roughly in the center of the state, about an
hour's drive from both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and surrounded on
all sides by suburban towns. Altamonte Springs, Maitland, and Winter
Park are adjacent to the north of Orlando. Further north, the city of
Sanford is home to the Orlando-Sanford International Airport, with a
second airport serving the city, and DeLand, home to Stetson University.
Southwest of the city are Williamsburg (home to Sea World) and Lake
Buena Vista (home to Disney World), and the Disney-inspired town of
Celebration. The main airport is just south of the city, as is the town
of Kissimmee.
There are lakes around the city, and much of the
Orlando suburbs have shorelines. Some lakes, such as Lake Monroe,
stretch for miles and are popular recreational areas. The lakes form a
barrier separating the adjacent suburbs.
Many people say that Central Florida has two seasons. Orlando has
mild winters with occasional cold fronts, hot summers with daily
thunderstorms, and mild, mild springs and autumns.
Spring in
Orlando has highs in the 80s (27°C) in March and April, around 90°C
(32°C) in May, and in the low to mid 90s in June. Spring is the driest
time of the year, with some months in the past 10 years having less than
1.5 inches of rain in the spring. Small wildfires are common in many
parts of the country during this time, but those staying in urban areas
will not be affected; March and April are the best months for tourism,
with dry days, sunny skies, no cold fronts, and warm temperatures. In
comparison, late May and early June are hot, humid, and dry.
Summer
brings daily thunderstorms beginning in June, with highs in the mid-90s
from mid-June through mid-September, often reaching 90°F (32°C) by 10 or
11 a.m., and lows in the 70s (23°C). Because of Orlando's proximity to
the two coasts, thunderstorms occur daily in the summer as humid sea
breezes heat up the land. At times, severe thunderstorms can occur.
After the thunderstorms pass, temperatures often drop to the low 80s
(28°C), providing relief from the daytime heat.
Autumn varies more
widely from year to year than spring, with the daily thunderstorms
subsiding in September and highs in the mid to upper 80s until
mid-October. The first cold front of the season usually passes by late
October, bringing highs in the 70s (24°C) and lows in the 50s (12°C) to
low 40s (10°C). Cold temperatures continue through November and
December, with highs dropping to the 24s (24°C) and lows to the 12s
(12°C) by late December. These temperatures are occasionally affected by
cold fronts, and in mid-December, maximum temperatures can drop to the
60s (18°C) and 50s (12°C), and minimums to the 40s (7°C) and below
freezing (32°C).
Winter is about the same as November and December.
Highs in the 70s (24°C) and lows in the 50s (12°C) with cold fronts
every week or two. Highs can drop to 50°F (12°C) and lows to 30°F (2°C)
with cold fronts. There are typically two to three mornings a year with
below freezing temperatures. Slight changes in latitude can make a big
difference in the region's temperatures, with the coldest days dropping
1 to 2 degrees for every few miles to the north.
Most tourists visit
Orlando during the summer vacation months of June through August or
during spring break in March and April. Ironically, the off-season
corresponds to the best weather in the Orlando area. Visiting when the
weather is not as hot means fewer people are in the area, the parks are
empty, and the weather is more pleasant.
Walt Disney World
The main
attraction of Orlando is Walt Disney World. The most visited
tourist attraction in the world (52.5 million visitors
annually). Located 20 minutes southwest of downtown, the
10,117-acre facility includes 4 theme parks, 2 water parks,
multiple theaters, 24 themed hotels, and the Downtown Disney
shopping and nightlife complex.
MagicKingdom. The oldest
park in the complex (opened in 1971). Designed for families with
younger children, the park is teeming with familiar Disney
themes. Among other things, you can see the famous Cinderella
Castle, a replica of the 1950 cartoon. The park consists of 6
areas: Main Street U.S.A., Adventureland (themes from Disney
adventure films), Frontierland (themes from the Wild West),
Liberty Square (themes from American history), Fantasyland
(themes from classic Disney cartoons) and Tomorrowland (sci-fi
themes). The fireworks (“Wishes Firework”) held in the park
every evening are considered the best attraction of the entire
Disney World complex. Price: Day ticket $95 (children 3-9 years
$89).
EPCOT. Amusement park with scientific and technical
themes. Opened in 1982, EPCOT Park (short for "Experimental
Prototype Community of Tomorrow") is twice the size of the Magic
Kingdom. IllumiNations: Reflection of Earth, a combination of
fireworks, lasers, water, fire and light, is presented nightly
in the park and is considered one of the best in the city.
(Wikipedia). Price: Day ticket $90 (children 3-9 years $84).
Disney's Hollywood Studios. Movie-themed park opened in 1989. A
6,900-seat amphitheater hosts the Fantasmic show, one of the
Disney World complex's most popular attractions, every night
after dark. (Wikipedia). Price: Day ticket $95 (children 3-9
years $89).
Disney's Animal Kingdom. The fourth park of the
complex, opened in 1998. With over 200 hectares it is the
largest park. Its theme is the preservation of the animal world
and the whole thing is a zoo or wildlife park with all kinds of
entertainment spectacles. Price: Day ticket $95
(children 3-9 years $89).
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park.
The older of the two water parks at Disney World.
Disney's
Blizzard Beach. The younger of the two water parks.
Downtown
Disney, 1490 E Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista. Shopping,
nightlife and entertainment district on the eastern edge of Walt
Disney World. The complex includes a theater that hosts the
Cirque du Soleil show La Nouba on a regular basis. According to
Tripadvisor, this is the best show in Orlando. (Wikipedia).
Price: Tickets from $67.10 (children 3-9 from $55.38).
Walt Disney World's direct competition is Universal Orlando.
which includes two theme parks (Islands of Adventure and
Universal Studios), a nightlife and entertainment complex
(Universal CityWalk) and three luxury hotels owned by the Loews
Group. The Universal parks include rides and elaborately made
pseudo-movie sets. According to Tripadvisor, the two parks -
particularly the Islands of Adventure - are even more
entertaining than Disney's; However, Disney offers the best
shows. The Universal complex is a good 10 minutes southwest of
downtown Orlando.
Universal's Islands of Adventure, 6000
Universal Blvd. Popular park with themes from well-known cinema
films. Price: Day tickets from $92 (children 3-9 from $86).
8Universal Studios. Entertainment park opened in 1990 with
themes from film and television. (Wikipedia). Price: Day tickets
from $92 (children 3-9 from $86).
Universal City Walk, 6000
Universal Blvd. Complex of restaurants, bars, clubs and music
venues that really comes alive in the evening.
The Seaworld complex is located 20 minutes southwest of downtown
Orlando off the I-4 freeway.
Discovery Cove, 6000 Discovery Cove
Way. Tel: +1 407 513 4600 . Small water park owned by the Seaworld
group. Modeled after a tropical island. Visitors can swim with dolphins
under the guidance of an instructor, or snorkel with rays and other
fish. The most attractive park in Orlando according to Tripadvisor, and
even better than Universal Orlando and Disney World. (Wikipedia). Price:
Day tickets (all inclusive) $259-319 (without Dolphin Swim $169-219).
Prior reservation required.
Sea World, 7007 Sea World Dr. Large
amusement park with marine mammals (whales, dolphins, walruses, etc.)
and many other marine animals, 11 rides and other entertainment
programs. Not worth the trip according to Tripadvisor, but people who
really enjoy looking at animals may have different opinions. Price: Day
tickets $82 (children 3-9 $77).
Aquatica, 5800 Water Play Way. Large
water park, only opened in 2008, with water slides, lazy rivers, wave
pools and other fun facilities. The main attraction is a transparent
tube with which you can slide through a lagoon with dolphins and other
aquatic animals. Price: Day tickets $46 (children 3-9 $41).
Gatorland, 14501 South Orange Blossom Trail. This special zoo, which
is particularly popular with families with children, is located in the
south of Orlando, where you can study the difference between a crocodile
and an alligator, among other things. Price: Admission $26.99 (children
3-12 $33.99).
Fun Spot, 5700 Fun Spot Way. This amusement park with
rides is about fifteen minutes southwest of downtown. The only plus
point of this attraction is that it is free to enter. You pay per trip.
There are 277 churches in Orlando. The Baptists are the most strongly
represented with 78 congregations. This is followed by the Protestant
church with 60 church buildings and then the Catholic parish with 2
churches and 1 chapel.
Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary,
Queen of the Universe, 8300 Vineland Avenue. Extremely popular modern
church with the Catholic community.
Orlando Science Center, 777 E Princeton St. Just north of downtown is this large technology museum, which is particularly interesting for families with children. Open: daily except Wed 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Price: Admission $19 (Children 3-11 $13, Seniors 55+ $17.
International Drive. In the southwest of Orlando you will find this 17 km long road, which, in addition to countless hotels and restaurants, is home to some of Orlando's main attractions. The drive begins 13 minutes southwest of Downtown Orlando at the Orlando Premium Outlets, twice intersects Universal Boulevard (which you can drive here instead because it bypasses the Universal Park complex), then touches the SeaWorld complex, and only turns off Vineland Avenue irrelevant. If you still haven't had enough, head over to the other side of I-4 where the Disney World complex begins.
Lake Eola Park, 195 N Rosalind Ave. The most beautiful park in town, and it's free.
Orlando Shakespeare Theater
iFly Orlando, 6805 Visitors Circle,
near Florida Center. In this facility you can try “indoor skydiving”, i.
H. Weightlessness above a large propeller.
AirHeads Trampoline Area,
33 W Pineloch Ave, 6 minutes south of downtown. Trampolining until you
drop. Admission and viewing costs nothing; if you want to hop, buy
special socks for $2.85 and pay $16.95 for a day.
Orlando International Airport
Orlando International Airport (MCO
IATA). The city's main airport and the busiest in the state. Located
12.5 miles (20.1 km) southeast of downtown, it is close to nearby
attractions and is a hub for Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and
Southwest Airlines. It is also served by flights from many international
destinations in North America, South America, and Europe.
Orlando
International Airport has two main facilities: Landside and Airside. The
central Landside Terminal (one building divided into A-side and B-side)
houses airline counters, baggage claim, car rental agencies, and hotels.
An elevated tramway connects the terminal to four other terminals called
Airsides 1-4, where the boarding gates are located. There are many
stores and restaurants in both the central terminal and the four airside
terminals. The newly constructed "C" terminal is not connected to the
central (A/B) terminal, but is accessible by the same elevated tramway.
During the summer tourist season and near the holidays, security lines
can be very long (over an hour). Combined with long check-in lines, it
is recommended to arrive 2-3 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Orlando is the "Car Rental Capital of the World" and, not
surprisingly, there are many car rental companies at the airport with
numerous car types available for rent. There are also many car rental
companies outside the airport that operate free shuttle buses.
Public transportation in the Orlando area includes the Lynx (☎ +1
407-841-5969) bus system; Lynx buses are located in Commercial Lane
spaces A38-A41 on the Ground Transportation (Level 1) side of the "A"
landside terminal. Fares are $2 per trip, with no charge for transfers
of 90 minutes or less. Reduced fares for youth and seniors require a
Lynx-issued ID and must be applied for at the Central Station Terminal.
Routes from the airport can take you to downtown, International Drive,
Walt Disney World, and nearby Apopka.
Most mid-range to upscale
hotels in the city offer airport shuttle service. In addition, shuttle
services are available from the airport to various locations, including
Kissimmee, theme parks, the University of Central Florida, and the Cape
Canaveral cruise port. The approximate cost of a shuttle van ranges from
$18 to $26, depending on the destination (see the OIA website for more
information on local transportation). You may want to check with your
hotel for discounts on specific shuttle vans and the possibility of free
airport transfers. Disney and Universal also offer free shuttles to and
from the resorts.
Taxis/vans can accommodate up to nine
passengers with baggage and are located on the "A" and "B" sides of the
Landside Terminal at Grand Transportation (Level 1). Fares are
determined by the cab meter regardless of the number of passengers; flat
fares are prohibited.
Orlando Sanford International Airport
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB IATA). The airport is located
in Sanford, 28 miles (45 km) northeast of Orlando. The airport is served
by Allegiant, Flair, and airlines chartered by tour companies. Check
with your airline or tour company for schedules.
Car rental companies
at the airport Alamo, ☏ +1 407 585-3500, toll-free: Avis, ☏ +1 407
585-4420, toll-free: +1-800-327-9633: Budget, ☏ +1 407 585-4427,
toll-free: +1-800-331-1212: Dollar, ☏ +1-407-324-1314, Toll-free:
+1-800-423-4704: Enterprise, ☏ +1 407 585-4400, Toll-free:
+1-800-736-8704: Hertz, ☏ +1 407 585- 4410, Toll-free: +1-800-736-8222:
National, ☏ +1 407 585-4405, Toll-free: +1-800-327-9622:
+1-800-327-9633.
Accessible Minivan, (off-site office) 6307 Hansel
Ave #9, ☏ +1 407 438-8010, toll-free: +1 800 308-2503: +1 800 308-2503.
Monday-Saturday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm, Wednesday 9:30 am - 5:30 pm. Modified
vans and minivans are available for wheelchair users. Shuttles can be
arranged by phone.
For cab service, call Yellow Cab Company of
Orlando, ☏ +1 407 422-2222. editShuttle bus service is available from
American Coach Shuttle, ☏ +1 407 322-1988, toll-free: +1-800-781-8999,
dsalter @horizoncoachlines.com.
Other local airports within a 1.5-hour drive include Daytona Beach
International Airport (DAB IATA), served by Abello Airlines, Delta Air
Lines, and American Airlines; Allegiant, American Eagle, Abello, Delta,
Sun Country Airlines, and TUI (from the UK) IATA Melbourne International
Airport (MLB), which is served by Melbourne International Airport (MLB).
In addition, travelers planning to visit the Gulf Coast from the Orlando
area can use Tampa International Airport (TPA IATA), which is about 80
miles (130 km) W-SW of Orlando and just over an hour drive W-SW. Tampa
International Airport is less congested and a bit easier to drive to.
If you plan to visit the Orlando suburbs and are flying
internationally, consider flying to Miami International Airport (MIA
IATA), 200 miles (320 km) to the south. Miami International Airport can
be reached by Greyhound, Red Coach, Megabus, or Amtrak.
General
Aviation
Kissimmee Airport and Orlando Executive Airport are other
options to consider when flying to the theme parks. Orlando Executive
Airport and Kissimmee Airport are for general aviation and some air cabs
only. Orlando Sanford International Airport offers both general aviation
and commercial flights.
Orlando Executive Airport offers 24-hour
service through two fixed operators, SheldAir Aviation Services and
Showalter Flying Services. Air cab and air charter companies like
Orlando Jet Charter fly a variety of private charter aircraft and jets,
from luxurious Gulfstreams for charter to economical piston twins for
small groups and individuals. By Airplane
By Train
Orlando has
an Amtrak station downtown that operates from destinations such as Miami
and is connected to New York City to the north via the Silver Star and
Silver Meteor lines. The trip takes about 23 hours from New York and 5
hours from Miami. The trains are comfortable and offer both seating and
sleeping options, but delays are common.
Nearby Sanford is also
the southern terminus of the Auto-Train, which carries passengers and
cars between Sanford and Lawton, Virginia, and serves as a car-rail link
from Orlando to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The train runs
daily with no intermediate stops and takes 17.5 hours each way.
For intercity travel within Florida, Brightline provides frequent,
high-speed connections to Miami (3.5 hours) via West Palm Beach and Fort
Lauderdale. Trains depart from and arrive at the Orlando International
Airport station. This is convenient if you have connecting flights, but
you will need to transfer to other destinations in Orlando.
Finally, SunRail is primarily a commuter rail system within Orlando, but
can be used to travel from Kissimmee through the Orlando metropolitan
area to Deltona (DeBary station). There are several SunRail stations
within Orlando.
Orlando Railroad Station, 1400 Sly Boulevard (one
mile south of downtown). Built in 1926 in the Spanish Mission
architectural style, this station is also known as the Orlando
Health/Amtrak station. The only transfers between SunRail and Amtrak at
the same station/crossing platform are Winter Park, Orlando Health, and
Kissimmee.
Sanford Auto-Train Station (Amtrak Auto-Train), 600 S
Persimmon, Sanford. A separate station for the Auto-Train in Sanford,
where cars and passengers can be loaded and unloaded.
Orlando
International Airport Intermodal Terminal, 1 Jeff Fuqua Blvd. terminus
for Brightline intercity trains from Miami.
Highways are everywhere in Orlando, making it a very easy and
convenient (if sometimes congested) way to get to your destination.
Orlando is a sprawling city, with most attractions located far south of
downtown and spread out over adjacent cities like Kissimmee. The roads
are all wide and easy to drive on, and the major attractions are well
marked. However, traffic congestion around downtown is common during the
morning and afternoon rush hours and around the tourist areas where the
theme parks close each night. Orlando ranks eighth in the nation for
traffic congestion, and there are a number of ongoing construction
projects on the area's highways. Traffic information is available on
electronic billboards on the roads, on most local radio stations, and by
calling 511, a free automated service that provides up-to-date traffic
information.
As in most urban areas in the United States, there
are many drivers who like to drive fast and aggressively. More than 50
million tourists visit the Orlando area each year, many of whom drive
with little knowledge of the roads. The combination of these two types
of drivers makes Orlando's roads sometimes hectic. Speed limits in the
Orlando area are higher than in some parts of the United States, ranging
from 45 to 50 mph (~80 km/h) on major roads. The speed limit on
Interstate 4 and toll roads is 65 mph (110 km/h), and in urban areas
near downtown the speed limit is 55 mph (90 km/h). Drivers in the left
lane tend to drive 5 to 15 mph faster than the speed limit. It is the
law to keep to the right side of the road except for passing, but it is
not strictly enforced.
The only major interstate highway through
Orlando is Interstate 4 (commonly known as "I-4"), which runs diagonally
from northeast to southwest through the Orlando area. South of the
Beachline Expressway (SR 528), the road has been widened through
extensive construction, making the highway convenient for commuters
(except during rush hour and weekend evening traffic). Downtown Orlando,
International Drive, Amway Center, The Mall at Millenia, Arabian Nights
Dinner Theater, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Sea World, and
other theme parks and resorts are all located along or near I-4. 4 or
nearby.
All highways in the Orlando area other than I-4 are toll
roads. Tolls are not expensive for short trips within Orlando, but they
can quickly add up for long drives. For example, bypassing Orlando on SR
417 costs $5.50 for a 55-mile (89 km) drive.
If you arrive by plane at Orlando International Airport and rent a car there, you can take the north exit onto SR 528 West to International Drive, Universal Orlando, and Sea World. This will cost you a $1.75 toll. Alternatively, one can take the South Exit to SR 417 South, continue to Exit 5, and take SR 536 directly to Disney, which will take you directly to Walt Disney World. This requires a $2 toll. Toll booths along this freeway use the open road tolls.
SunRail (☏ +1-855-724-5411 (RAIL-411)) operates a limited north-south
route through the heart of the region, with its northern terminus at
DeBary and southern terminus at Poinciana. Bus connections from Orlando
International Airport to the Sand Lake Road station are provided by Link
11, 42, and 111, and from Orlando Sanford International Airport to the
Sanford station by Link 46E. The only interchanges between SunRail and
Amtrak are at the Winter Park, Orlando Heat, and Kissimmee stations.
The base one-way fare is $2, with an additional $1 for each county
crossed. A day pass is $9.50.
Closed on weekends and some
holidays.
The I-Ride Trolley (☏ +1 407-248-9590) runs along International Drive and Universal Boulevard from 8:00 am to 10:30 pm daily, mainly for visitors in the attraction area. Although this service is advertised as a trolley, it is actually a converted bus that runs through traffic and has many stops, making for a slow ride. The main (red) route on International Drive has 85 stops, while the less congested (green) route on Universal Boulevard has 22 stops. Fares are $2 per adult, $1 for children ages 3-9, 25 cents for seniors, and free for infants under 3. One-day unlimited passes are also available for $5 per person. These one-day and multi-day passes are not sold on the buses, but can be purchased at many locations around International Drive. However, since I-Ride's route coverage is very limited (it does not go anywhere near Disney), the LYNX buses (e.g., #8, 42, 50, 111) are a better option for many visitors.
With so many tourists, it is not surprising that dozens of cab
companies operate in the area. From Orlando International Airport (MCO)
to your hotel, or from your hotel to the theme parks, restaurants, or
shopping malls, you should have no problem finding a cab. Mears
Transportation Group (☏ +1 888-983-3346) has a monopoly on taxi service
in Orlando, operating several different brands (Yellow Cab Company,
Checker Cab Company, and City Cab Company) with the same fare and yellow
color scheme. Cab fares and charges are determined by the cab meter
(there is no flat fare). Be aware that cabs without meters are widely
reported to be rip-offs. Plan ahead, know your route, and never hail a
cab on the street. Always call your hotel or have your hotel arrange for
you to get a cab.
Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft can
drop you off anywhere in Orlando (including MCOs and theme parks).
However, MCO limits pickups to high-end services such as Select XL and
Uber Black. These services are picked up at the Express Pickup Tunnel on
Level 1, directly next to the car rental counter, and will probably
translate to a rate equal to or higher than MCO's regular cab service.
Florida Mall, 8001 S Orange Blossom Trail. Large shopping mall in
south Orlando with posh addresses such as Nordstrom and Saks Fifth
Avenue. Food court with some interesting options not found in other
malls.
Lego Store Disney Springs, Downtown Disney Marketplace, 1676 E
Buena Vista Drive. Large Lego specialist shop with play options. One of
the few places in Orlando where you can keep kids busy (at least in
theory) without spending any money.
Middle
Wasabi Modern Japanese Cuisine, 8001 S Orange Blossom
Trail, Florida Mall. The only sushi go-round in the region. If you're
blessed with kids who like raw fish, you can't avoid this restaurant.
Away from the theme parks, Orlando's nightlife is mainly concentrated
around Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando. There
are many walkable bars here. A short walk away is the small Thornton
Park District near the intersection of Washington and Summerlin. Among
the dozens of cafes and pubs, stop by Dexter's on Washington for a drink
or a light meal. For a local vibe, head across the street to Burton's
Frosty Mug, or get a hip urban vibe at the trendy HUE on the corner of
Washington and Central.
Most of the people who congregate
downtown on Central Avenue are "20-somethings," but for entertainment
for the over-30s, the Grand Bohemian Hotel lounge on downtown Orange
Avenue offers live jazz music nightly. The jazz music is excellent and
the atmosphere is pleasant.
For a more professional clientele
with a Latin flair, there is the Samba Room on Sand Lake Road, about 3/4
of a mile west of I-4. This is a lively restaurant and happy hour kind
of place. The exterior is chic, and locals and tourists alike flock here
for quality food, drinks, and people-watching. You may want to ditch the
shorts and flip-flops for something more casual and chic. Head west on
Sand Lake Road, past I-4, and you will find The Samba Room on the left
side of a large shopping plaza. Latin food, music, and mojitos are the
specialty here.
Across the street from the Samba Room, Old Vines
wine bar on Sand Lake Road usually features live jazz music Thursday
through Saturday nights. The wine selection is extensive, and the live
jazz music is some of the best in town. Jazz is played at the front of
the room, by the entrance. There is a partition, and the more intimate
back section is the main dining room.
Along Park Avenue in Winter
Park, a neighboring suburb northeast of Orlando, there are many places
to enjoy fine dining and drinking. Winter Park is known for the many old
grande houses that dominate the historic district of this suburb, which
many consider to be the heart of Orlando's "old money." Park Avenue is a
vibrant pedestrian mall of trendy stores, galleries, restaurants, and
nightspots. With the addition of similar attractions on several
neighboring streets, Park Avenue has grown from a single street to a
district.
Of particular interest and uniqueness on Park Avenue is
the Wine Room, a converted bank where hundreds of wines are available
for self-service tastings. The way to purchase wines here is to
pre-populate a "credit card" for the wines offered by the wine room.
Then, simply insert your "credit card" and you are free to browse the
entire building and select the wines you wish to try. At each wine
station, the amount of the current purchase is automatically deducted
and the balance on the card is displayed. Dress is very casual here, and
you are likely to run into locals and tourists alike.
At the
theme parks, there is Universal Studios' CityWalk. For a nominal
admission fee, both theme parks offer numerous venues for drinking and
entertainment. If you are staying along International Drive, there are
plenty of bars, pubs, and clubs.
Cheap
Motel 6 Orlando - International Drive, 5909 American Way.
Tel: +1 407 351-6500, Fax: +1 407 352-5481.
Motel 6 Orlando - Winter
Park, 5300 Adanson Rd. Tel: +1 407 647-1444, Fax: +1 407 647-1016.
(Universal Studios) Microtel Inn & Suites, 7531 Canada Ave. Tel: +1 407
226-9887, Fax: +1 407 226-9877.
Middle
Best Western Airport
Inn, 8101 Aircenter Ct. Tel: +1 407 581-2800, Fax: +1 407 581-2810.
Best Western MovieLand Orlando, 6233 International Drive. Tel:
+1.407.351-3900, Tel. toll-free: +1.800.327-2114, Fax: +1.407.363-5119.
Best Western Orlando East Inn, 8750 E Colonial Drive. Tel: +1 407
282-3900, Fax: +1 407 282-0416.
Best Western Orlando West, 2014 W
Colonial Drive. Tel: +1.407.841-8600, Tel. toll-free: +1.800.645-6386,
Fax: +1.407.843-7080.
Best Western Plaza International, 8738
International Drive. Tel: +1.407.345-8195, Tel. toll-free:
+1.800.654-7160, Fax: +1.407.352-8196.
Best Western Universal Inn,
5618 Vineland Road. Tel: +1 407 226-9119, Fax: +1 407 370-2448.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando International Drive, 7495 Canada Ave.
Tel: +1 407 351-7000, Fax: +1 407 351-0052.
Fairfield Inn & Suites
Orlando Near Universal Orlando® Resort, 5614 Vineland Road. Tel:
+1.407.581-5600, Tel. toll-free: +1.800.826-7045, Fax: +1.407.581-5601.
Fairfield Inn Orlando Airport, 7100 Augusta National Drive. Tel: +1 407
888-2666, Fax: +1 407 888-8464.
Fairfield Inn Orlando Lake Buena
Vista in the Marriott Village, 8623 Vineland Avenue. Tel:
+1.407.938-9001, Tel. toll-free: +1.877.682-8552, Fax: +1.407.938-9002.
Hawthorne Suites, 7450 Augusta National Drive. Tel: +1 407 438-2121,
Fax: +1 407 438-2275.
Hawthorne Suites, 7601 Canada Ave. Tel: +1 407
581-2151, Fax: +1 407 581-2152.
Hawthorne Suites, 6435 Westwood Blvd.
Tel: +1 407 351-6600, Fax: +1 407 351-1977.
Holiday Inn, 6515
International Dr. Phone: +1 407 351-3500.
Holiday Inn Express, 8686
Palm Pkwy. Phone: +1 407 239-8400.
Holiday Inn Express Hotel &
Suites, 8820 S Orange Blossom Trail. Phone: +1 407 851-8200.
Holiday
Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 7900 Conway Road. Phone: +1 407 581-7900.
upscale
Courtyard Orlando Airport, 7155 North Frontage Rd. Tel:
+1 407 240-7200, Fax: +1 407 240-8962.
Courtyard Orlando Altamonte
Springs/Maitland, 1750 Pembrook Drive. Tel: +1 407 659-9100, Fax: +1 407
659-9101.
Courtyard Orlando Downtown, 730 North Magnolia Ave. Tel:
+1.407.996-1000, Tel. toll-free: +1.800.574-3160, Fax: +1.407.996-1001.
Courtyard Orlando East/UCF, 12000 Collegiate Way. Tel: +1 407 277-7676,
Fax: +1 407 277-5710.
Courtyard Orlando International
Drive/Convention Center, 8600 Austrian Court. Tel: +1 407.351-2244, Fax:
+1.407.351-3306.
Courtyard Orlando Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott
Village, 8623 Vineland Avenue. Tel: +1.407.938-9001, Tel. toll-free:
+1.877.682-8552, Fax: +1.407.938-9002.
Crowne Plaza Hotel, 5555
Hazeltine National Dr. Phone: +1 407 856-0100.
Crowne Plaza Hotel,
7800 Universal Blvd. Phone: +1 407 355-0550. Feature: ★★★★.
Crowne
Plaza Resort, 12000 International Drive. Phone: +1 407 239-1222.
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 5905 Kirkman Rd. Tel: +1 407.351-3333.
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 8214 Universal Blvd. Phone: +1 407 581-9001.
Holiday Inn Select, 12125 High Tech Ave. Phone: +1 407 275-9000.
Holiday Inn Select, 5750 TG Lee Blvd. Phone: +1 407 851-6400.
Holiday
Inn Resort Orlando-Lake Buena Vista, 13351 St Rt 535. Tel: +1 407
239-4500.
Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club at Orlando, 7102 Grand
Horizons Blvd. Tel: +1 407 465-6100, Fax: +1 407 465-6267.
JW
Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, 4040 Central Florida Parkway. Tel:
+1.407.206-2300, Tel. toll-free: +1.800.576-5750, Fax: +1.407.206-2301.
Feature: ★★★★.
Marriott's Cypress Harbour, A Marriott Vacation Club
Resort, 11251 Harbor Villa Road. Tel: +1 407 238-1300, Fax: +1 407
238-1083.
Marriott's Grande Vista, A Marriott Vacation Club Resort,
5925 Avenida Vista. Tel: +1 407 238-7676, Fax: +1 407 238-0900.
Marriott's Imperial Palm Villas, 8404 Vacation Way. Tel: +1 407
238-6200, Fax: +1 407 238-6247. Feature: ★★★★.
Marriott's Royal
Palms, A Marriott Vacation Club Resort, 8404 Vacation Way. Tel: +1 407
238-6200, Fax: +1 407 238-6247.
Marriott's Sabal Palms, A Marriott
Vacation Club Resort, 8805 World Center Drive. Tel: +1 407 238-6200,
Fax: +1 407 238-6219.
Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Water Park,
14500 Continental Gateway. Phone: +1 407 387-5437
Orlando Airport
Marriott, 7499 Augusta National Drive. Tel: +1.407.851-9000, Tel.
toll-free: +1.800.380-6751, Fax: +1.407.857-6211. Feature: ★★★★.
Orlando Marriott Downtown, 400 West Livingston Street. Tel:
+1.407.843-6664, Tel. toll-free: +1.800.574-3160, Fax: +1.407.648-5414.
Renaissance Orlando Hotel Airport, 5445 Forbes Place. Tel: +1 407
240-1000, Fax: +1 407 240-1005. Feature: ★★★★.
Renaissance Orlando
Resort at SeaWorld, 6677 Sea Harbor Drive. Tel: +1 407.351-5555, Tel.
toll-free: +1.800.327-6677, Fax: +1.407.351-9991.
Residence Inn
Orlando Convention Center, 8800 Universal Blvd. Tel: +1.407.226-0288,
Tel. toll-free: +1.866.811-6530, Fax: +1.407.226-9979.
Residence Inn
Orlando East/UCF, 11651 University Blvd. Tel: +1 407.513-9000, Tel.
toll-free: +1.800.257-1562, Fax: +1.407.513-9001.
Residence Inn
Orlando International Drive, 7975 Canada Ave. Tel: +1.407.345-0117, Tel.
toll-free: +1.800.227-3978, Fax: +1.407.352-2689.
Residence Inn
Orlando Lake Buena Vista, 11450 Marbella Palm Court. Tel: +1 407
465-0075, Fax: +1 407 465-0050.
Residence Inn Orlando
SeaWorld/International Center, 11000 Westwood Blvd. Tel:
+1.407.313-3600, Tel. toll-free: +1.800.889-9728, Fax: +1.407.313-3611.
SpringHill Suites Orlando Airport, 7024 Hazeltine Drive.
SpringHill
Suites Orlando Convention Center/International Drive Area, 8840
Universal Blvd. Tel: 1.407.345-9073, Tel. toll-free: 1.866.811-6530,
Fax: 1.407.345-9075.
SpringHill Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista at
Marriott Village, 8623 Vineland Ave. Tel: +1.407.938-9001, Tel.
toll-free: +1.877.682-8552, Fax: +1.407.938-4995.
Staybridge Suites,
8480 International Drive. Phone: +1 407 352-2400.
Staybridge Suites,
8751 Suiteside Drive. Phone: +1 407 238-0777.
Towne Place Suites
Orlando East/UCF, 11801 High Tech Ave. Tel: +1 407 243-6100, Fax: +1 407
243-6111.
Like most U.S. cities, Orlando has its share of dangerous
neighborhoods. Areas that travelers should be aware of include
The Parramore District in downtown Orlando is home to many of the area's
homeless population and has a high crime rate.
Orange Blossom Trail,
located north of Sand Lake Road, is known as a bit of an informal
entertainment district. Drug and prostitution-related crime is common.
Prostitution is not legal in Orlando, and you could spend a night in
jail if you engage in lewd behavior.
Pine Hills, west of John Young
Parkway, in the Silver Star Road and Pine Hills Road neighborhoods. This
area has a large low-income population and suffers from a high crime
rate. The Greyhound bus terminal is located in Pine Hills and should be
noted.
While it is unlikely that any one individual will
encounter serious crime in these areas, it is wise for tourists to stay
away from these areas as they are conspicuous and may unwittingly make
themselves the target of criminal activity.
Crime in the Orlando
area is not particularly high, as the number of annual tourists far
exceeds the local population (~2 million), but a significant amount of
local crime is directed at tourists. Since the most common crime is the
theft of items from cars and hotels, it is especially important to
follow common sense travel precautions in an area such as Orlando.
Never leave valuables in your car and bring any purchased items to
your hotel room as soon as possible. Consider using the hotel room safe.
Do not leave small children unattended for extended periods of time,
especially at the pool. Most hotel pools do not have lifeguards.
Hotel room break-ins occur, especially in open-air hotel and motel
rooms, when victims leave their hotel rooms unlocked and deadbolted.
Whenever you are in a hotel room, always lock the door, even if you
expect someone to be there in a minute or two.
Hurricanes often
get most of the attention, but because of the proximity of the two
coasts, thunderstorms are also frequent and sometimes dangerous. These
occur almost daily during the rainy season from mid-June through
September. Some days it rains for only 10 minutes, while other days
thunderstorms can last for hours, and it is not uncommon for one
location to have no rain, while another location 10 miles away can have
several inches of rain in the afternoon. Summer thunderstorms are the
main reason Florida is the thunderstorm capital of the Western
Hemisphere. During these storms, it is best to stay indoors because of
the frequent and dangerous lightning that falls from the clouds to the
ground. Golfers are especially vulnerable. Dozens of people are killed
by lightning in Florida each year, and many more spend much of their
time receiving treatment for lightning strikes.
Pets should be
left with a friend or put in a kennel. If you are taking your pet with
you, be aware that most theme parks and hotels do not allow pets, but
may offer kennels for a fee.ADA law requires businesses to accept
service animals. A service animal is defined as a dog that is
individually trained to perform tasks or jobs for people with
disabilities. However, emotional support animals, comfort animals, and
therapy dogs are not covered by the ADA, so be prepared to find another
accommodation if you are denied entry. Also, be aware of the temperature
inside your vehicle while parked.
Geographical location
Orlando is located in the center of the
Florida Peninsula. Tampa is 120 km away, Jacksonville is 200 km away,
Miami is 350 km away and Tallahassee is 400 km away.
According to
the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of approximately
261.5 km² (101 mi²), of which approximately 242.2 km² (94 mi²) is land.
The urban area has a maximum west-east extension of 25 km and a
north-south extension of 30 km.
neighboring communities
Orlando borders the cities of Winter Park (to the north) and Belle Isle
and Edgewood (to the south).
city outline
The city is divided
into four boroughs, Northwest, Northeast, Southwest and Southeast
Orlando, which are bounded by the two major freeways through the city
(I-4 and SR 408). Downtown itself is located in the southwest of
Northeast Orlando.
The climate in the Orlando region has characteristics of a tropical
rainy climate, but is still described as a subtropical, humid east side
climate and is given Cfa in the Köppen climate classification. According
to the US Department of Agriculture, Orlando sits on the border of USDA
hardiness zones 9a and 9b. The weather is generally hot and rainy from
May to September (corresponding to the Atlantic hurricane season), while
it is comparatively dry and cool from late October to April. The area's
warm, humid climate is due in particular to its location at sea level
near the Gulf of Mexico and near the Tropic of Cancer.
During the
summer months, the maximum temperatures are between 32 and 36 °C, while
at night the values rarely drop below 21 °C. Due to the high humidity,
the actual temperatures almost never rise above 38 °C, but the perceived
temperature (heat index) rises to up to 43 °C. On September 8, 1921, the
highest temperature ever recorded was 39 °C (103 °F). In summer there
are thunderstorms almost every day, accompanied by short but sometimes
torrential rain showers.
During the cooler months, humidity is
lower and temperatures are more moderate, but subject to greater
fluctuations. The average temperature in January is 15.7 °C, with night
frosts occurring on average 2.4 days a year. The lowest temperature
recorded was −8 °C (18 °F) on December 28, 1894, during what became
known as the Great Freeze. Since the winter climate is rather dry and
the coldest air only arrives after the cold fronts have passed through,
snowfall in the region is very rare. A special feature is the winter of
1977, in which Orlando had to report a closed snow cover for the first
time
Average annual precipitation in Orlando is 1,290 mm. Orlando
has an appreciable risk from hurricanes, although it is rated lower than
southern Florida and generally close to shore. Due to the distance to
the Gulf (70 km) or the Atlantic (120 km), the storms already lose their
greatest force before they arrive. Nevertheless, the city was hit
directly by several hurricanes, such as Hurricane Donna in 1960 and
Hurricane Charley in 2004, and was partly severely devastated.
Before the first European settlers arrived in 1836, the Orlando area
was sparsely populated by the Muskogee and other Native American tribes.
In 1842, shortly after the end of the Second Seminole Rebellion, more
and more settlers moved to central Florida. One of them, Aaron Jernigan,
founded the settlement of "Jernigan" near an old army camp, Fort Gatlin.
In 1857 the town, then consisting of just a few cabins and three to four
saloons, was renamed after US officer Orlando Reeves, who was killed by
the Seminoles in 1835. Livestock farming was still the dominant industry
in the 1850s and 1860s. In 1863 the first courthouse was built, which
was used as a school and church at the same time.
City founding
and upswing
In 1875, Orlando was officially granted city rights with
a population of 85. In 1881 the city was connected to the railway
network; the population of 200 was to increase rapidly in the following
years. Two devastating city fires in 1883 and 1884 led to the formation
of the Orlando Fire Department. In 1890, Orlando already had 10,000
inhabitants, benefiting from the development of the citrus industry. Due
to the favorable climatic location, Orlando became the center of lemon
cultivation par excellence. In 1894, most of the harvest was destroyed
by a frost, the so-called "Big Freeze", which set back the city's
development by decades. In 1895 only 2,481 inhabitants were counted. It
took 30 years for the population to reach 10,000 again. In 1896
Orlando's first City Hall was built. The 1930 census counted 27,330
inhabitants and 1950 51,826 inhabitants.
Orlando's upswing to
today's economic importance did not begin until 1964. Since the early
1960s, anonymous investors had successively and independently bought
swampland that was cheap to the outside world. It turned out that Walt
Disney wanted to build a new theme park on these 150 km² (15,000
hectares) of land. The successful role model Disneyland in Anaheim had
reached the limits of its growth potential because Disney had not bought
enough land there from the start. The Disney World Resort in Orlando
should have enough space to expand. The construction work for this
project was completed in 1971, so the park opened on October 1 of the
same year.
Disney's competitors saw the potential and didn't
hesitate. In the years that followed, other major entertainment
companies settled, and Orlando developed into an unprecedented
entertainment center. The reptile zoo Gatorland, located about 20 km
south of Orlando, was opened in 1949 under the name Florida Wildlife
Institute and renamed Gatorland in 1954.
According to the 2010 census, the then 238,300 inhabitants were
spread over 122,261 households. The population density was 983.9
inhabitants/km². 57.6% of the population identified themselves as White,
28.1% as African American, 0.4% as Native American and 3.8% as Asian
American. 6.9% stated that they belonged to another ethnic group and
3.4% to several ethnic groups. 25.4% of the population was Hispanic or
Latino.
In 2010, 28.5% of all households had children under the
age of 18 and 16.8% of all households had people aged 65 or over. 52.5%
of the households were family households (consisting of married couples
with or without children or one parent with children). The average
household size was 2.29 people and the average family size was 3.03
people.
24.5% of the population was under 20 years old, 37.5%
were 20 to 39 years old, 24.8% were 40 to 59 years old and 13.4% were at
least 60 years old. The mean age was 33 years. 48.6% of the population
was male and 51.4% female.
The average annual income was $55,462,
with 13.6% of the population living below the poverty line.
In
2000, 75.43% of the population spoke English as their mother tongue,
16.60% spoke Spanish and 7.97% had another mother tongue.
The city council consists of a mayor-council government with six
directly elected city councilors and a directly elected mayor.
mayor
Democrat Buddy Dyer has been mayor almost continuously since
February 25, 2003. He replaced Republican Glenda Hood, who prematurely
accepted the office of Secretary of State under Governor Jeb Bush. In
the next mayoral election, which took place regularly in the following
year, he prevailed against his challenger Ken Mulvaney and was able to
narrowly avoid a runoff election. Subsequently, Dyer was accused of
voter fraud, whereupon an investigation was launched and charges were
brought against Dyer. In March 2005, Dyer was suspended from office and
Ernest Page installed as mayor pro tempore. Six weeks later, the charges
against Dyer were dropped, allowing him to return to office.
theatre
In Orlando there are the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, the
Mad Cow Theater and the Bob Carr Theater. The Orlando International
Fringe Theater Festival is held annually in May. In Orlando there is the
theater and concert hall Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
Music
The music scenes of hip-hop, metal, rock, reggaeton and
latino can be found in the city. Rock and pop music in particular has
stood out since the 1990s. Among others, the Backstreet Boys (founded in
1993), matchbox twenty (1995), *NSYNC (1995) and O-Town (1999) come from
Orlando. In 2000 the metal band Trivium was founded and in 2004 the rock
band Alter Bridge. Finally, the bands Blood on the Dance Floor (2007),
Broadway (2007) and Sleeping with Sirens (2009) emerged.
parks
and recreation
There are 17 different city parks including Lake Eola
Park, Loch Haven Park and Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake. Festivals,
markets, concerts and other events are sometimes held there. The parks
can also be rented for private purposes.
Orlando acts as a
promotional vehicle for a number of well-known amusement parks. The Walt
Disney World Resort opened in 1971 and is located in Bay Lake and Lake
Buena Vista, about 20 km southwest of Orlando. Four theme parks and two
water parks cover a total area of around 101 km². The resort was visited
by almost 59 million people in 2019, making it the most visited theme
park resort in the world.
The theme parks at Universal Orlando
Resorts opened in 1990 and 1999, respectively, and welcomed a good 21
million visitors in 2019. Other parks are the theme parks of the
SeaWorld group, two amusement parks of the Fun Spot America group and
the Gatorland attraction. Except for Walt Disney World, all parks are
located along International Drive, a tourist thoroughfare that leads
from Oak Ridge Road in extreme southwest Orlando to World Center Drive.
Strictly speaking, despite the "Orlando" marketing, all theme parks are
outside of the Orlando metropolitan area, with the exception of
Universal Orlando Resort.
Founded in 1989, the Orlando Magic is a basketball team affiliated
with the National Basketball Association (NBA). They play in the
Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. The team's venue has been
the Amway Center since 2010, previously it was the Amway Arena since
1989.
Founded in 2011, the Orlando Solar Bears are an ice hockey
team of the third-tier East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). They play in the
South Division of the Eastern Conference. Their venue is also the Amway
Center. A predecessor team of the same name played in the International
Hockey League (IHL) from 1994 to 2001, which was then still based in the
Amway Arena. Later, from 2002 to 2007, the Orlando Seals existed
(renamed the Florida Seals in 2005), who were also active in various
professional leagues.
Orlando City is a soccer franchise that has
been playing in the USA's highest soccer league, Major League Soccer
(MLS), since 2015. In 2015, the club played its home games at the
Orlando Citrus Bowl. In 2017, the move to the new Orlando City Stadium
took place. Another franchise of the same name (see same article) played
in the United Soccer League (USL) from 2011 to 2014 and was based at the
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Celebration, about 25 km
southwest of Orlando.
Founded in 1991, the Orlando Predators are
an arena football team playing in the South Division of the American
Conference within the Arena Football League (AFL). Its current home is
the Amway Center. Other home venues were the Amway Arena and the CFE
Arena.