Orlando Overview

Welcome to Orlando, a topsy-turvy, Mad Hatter world, where ducks quack jokes, whales kiss, mice are nice, and elephants fly! Here life is carefree, ceaseless childhood, a journey out of reality and into your imagination....a magic kingdom indeed.

Districts

This small but rapidly growing town was created by the Disney Corporation, intent on creating a picture-perfect community, using the latest views on neighborhood socialization. Rimmed by white fencing, Celebration is a cluster of Victorian-style homes on neat streets, with townhouses on a crescent-shaped street, courtesy of Olde England. Celebration's homes, many of which are in the $350,000-700,000 (at the least) range, circle a central shopping, dining and entertainment area with attractive shops and cafes.

Yes, there is a downtown Orlando, although few who come to Orlando ever see much of it. Downtown Orlando is, in fact, one of the prettiest parts of the city, blessed with tree-lined neighborhoods, attractive older homes and its fair share of (but not too many) shops, restaurants, lounges and entertainment areas.

Entertainment

If you're looking for amusement in Orlando, the fun doesn't stop at the parks. Orlando's nights are just as jam-packed as its days. It didn't take the major theme parks long to figure out that the parks were way too quiet at night. Voila!—hot-hot-hot evening entertainment diversions at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios.

Orlando definitely has something for everyone, from comedy clubs to a Texas two-steppin' rodeo bar with live bull riding, from Polynesian luaus to cartoon character dinners. Families can check out fireworks and parades, themed dining events and high-stepping Lippizaner stallions. Music-wise, local and national talent runs the gamut from rock 'n roll, disco and blues to jazz, country and DJ music. Massive movie theaters with 20 screens play Hollywood fare, avant-garde films…and plenty of cartoons. For a taste of Orlando's nightlife, there are martini bars, cigar bars, piano bars, high-energy dance clubs, taverns, posh supper clubs, English pubs, Irish pubs, singalong pubs, happy hours, late hours, wee hours.

Dining and Drinking

While the region's famed citrus groves have shrunk in the face of determined development and urban sprawl, Orlando is still surrounded by vast groves whose several varieties of oranges and grapefruits, limes, lemons and kumquats play an intriguing part in sauces, garnishes and a bevy of tropical drinks.

Add to that, is the seafood-laden waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, both about equidistant from Orlando, where snapper, grouper, dolphin (no, not the bottlenosed, performer variety) lobster, shrimp, stone crabs and pompano play. Toss into that mix a community whose prosperity has lured hundreds of thousands of every nationality—from Asian to European, Caribbean, Polynesian, Latin American, and Canadian—bringing with them the spices and flavors of their native lands.

Where To Stay

Accommodations in every price range and convenience can be found here. Over 100,000 rooms are spread across thousands of hotels, ranging from tiny, inexpensive properties that line U.S. 192 in Kissimmee to towering high-rise hotels along International Drive and near the parks. There are also thousands of apartment-like accommodations, and bed and breakfast inns. Walt Disney World alone encompasses more than 20,000 rooms over various themed hotels.

Did You Know?

Orlando ranks only behind San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Miami as the most visited United States city by foreign travelers. And it ranks only behind Las Vegas for most hotel rooms.

Orientation/Geography

Located in central Florida, Orlando lies just 50 miles from the Atlantic Ocean and 75 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. For what it lacks in beaches it more than makes up with theme parks. Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, Cypress Gardens and Epcot Center are just a few of many parks that elevate Orlando into must-visit status. All are located southeast of Orlando along International Drive ( I-Drive ).


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