Orlando

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Orlando, Florida, for most people conjures up the image of theme parks, mainly Disney, but it has a lot more to offer than that. In fact, Disney is not technically in Orlando. Make sure that you don't miss Downtown Orlando and charming Winter Park.

	orlando Travel Guide : 1 Get in 1.1 By air 1.2 By car 1.3 By bus 1.4 By train 2 Get around 2.1 By trolley 2.2 By car 2.3 By bus 3 See 4 Do 5 Shopping 6 Eat 7 Drink 8 Sleep 9 Contact 10 Stay safe 11 Cope 12 Get out 13 External links

Get in

By air

Those travelling by air can enter via Orlando International Airport (MCO). Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB) is located north of the city in Sanford, and mainly caters to charter flights from Europe as well as regional carriers. Other International air options are Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) to the northeast, Tampa International Airport (TAM) to the southwest, and Melbourne International Airport (MLB) to the southeast.

By car

Most in the Western and the Midwest United States would enter by Florida's Turnpike via Interstate 75. Prepare to pay a total of $3.25 in tolls if you get off at Interstate 4. Those going to Disney World from the Turnpike can use US 27 as a shortcut to US 192 and only pay $1.25 in tolls on the Turnpike.

Those arriving by sea at Port Canaveral can take SR 528, the Bee Line Expressway.

Most in the Eastern United States would enter by Interstate 4 via Interstate 95.

From Miami, visitors would take Florida's Turnpike. From Fort Myers, visitors would take Interstate 4 via Interstate 75.

By bus

Orlando has a Greyhound bus station to the west of Downtown on SR 423, John Young Parkway. Visitors arriving by Greyhound can go south on SR 423 to Interstate 4 to get to the major Attractions.

By train

Orlando has an Amtrak station, and serves as the eastern terminal for the Sunset Limited, which goes north to Jacksonville before turning west to Los Angeles. It also is a stop for the Silver Star, which runs from Miami to New York City.

Sanford is the southern Terminus of the Amtrak Auto Train, which carries people and automobiles between there and Lorton, Virginia, effectively serving as a car-rail link from Greater Orlando to the (Washington) DC Metro Area.

Get around

By trolley

International Drive has the I-Ride system where you pay a flat fee to travel from one stop to another. There are 49 stops along the length of International Drive, and the fare is $0.75 per ride. Per-day and multi-day bus passes are available from many locations. For a complete list of pass sales locations, click here (http://www.iridetrolley.com/passes.asp).

The free Lymmo system operates in a circuit in Downtown Orlando, from City Hall to the Centroplex and back.

By car

The car is still king in Orlando, and it is a very easy and convenient (if not congested) way to get to your destination. The roads are all wide and easy to drive on with all the major areas signposted, but traffic jams around downtown are common in the afternoons, and around the tourists areas on Saturday nights.

If you arrive by air via Orlando International Airport and get a rental car, go to the North Exit and head to SR 528 West to get to International Drive, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld. This will require $0.75 in tolls. A short-cut to Walt Disney World is the South Exit to SR 417 South, following it to Exit 5, and taking SR 536 straight into Disney. This requires $2.00 in tolls.

In Orlando, the main area tourism area is International Drive, a strip of road that runs parallel to Interstate 4 for about 10 miles. All the tourist areas are close to I-4.

To get to the Space Coast beaches, such as Cocoa Beach, as well as the cruise terminals of Port Canaveral, use SR 528, the Bee Line Expressway (recently renamed to the Beach Line), which is I-4 Exit 72.

By bus

Orlando is also served by the Lynx bus company and it seems to be quite comprehensive. Check out http://www.golynx.com for details.

See

• Orlando Museum of Art
• Menello Museum of Folk Art
• Morse Museum in Winter Park
• Lake Eola Fountain
• Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Theater at Loch Haven Park - Permanent Home of the Orlando Shakespeare Festival
• Mayor Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre - Home of the Orlando Broadway Series and various other good travelling shows..

Do

Orlando is primarily one of the biggest tourist destinations because of the theme parks and resorts in the area. Nearest to International Drive is Universal Orlando, which includes two theme parks, three hotels and a shopping district. SeaWorld Orlando is a singular theme park with the biggest rollercoaster in the Orlando area, and is popular with people fascinated with marine life. A twenty minute drive out of Orlando brings us to Walt Disney World, the reason Orlando is so famous as it is. Comprising of four theme parks, two water parks, dozens of hotels, three shopping and dining districts, eight golf courses and much much more, it is the largest privately managed tourist destination on the planet.

• Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista
  • Theme Parks
    • Magic Kingdom
    • Epcot
    • Disney-MGM Studios
    • Disney's Animal Kingdom
  • Water Parks
    • Disney's Blizzard Beach
    • Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
  • Shopping Districts
    • Downtown Disney West Side
    • Downtown Disney Pleasure Island
    • Downtown Disney Marketplace
  • Recreation
    • Golf courses
    • Nature treks
    • Fishing excursions
    • Bicycle riding
    • Petting zoos at most hotels

• Universal Orlando, International Drive
  • Theme Parks
    • Universal Studios Orlando
    • Universal's Islands of Adventure
  • Shopping Districts
    • CityWalk Orlando

Shopping

In recent years Orlando has come into its own as a world class shopping destination. In addition to the factory outlet shopping that is prominent is the Disney area, Orlando is also home to the upscale Mall at Millenia which includes Nieman Marcus and Bloomingdales among many expensive art galleries and stores. If you want to drop a half million dollars or more on art, stop by the Millenia Gallery. Not to be missed are the boutique shops on Park Avenue in Winter Park and the quirky artsy stores on Ivanhoe Blvd. near downtown. Also, the huge Florida Mall will expose you to many of the shopping choices that the USA has to offer. As is the case with most of the USA it has lots of opportunity for shopping, normally at cheap factory outlet prices. Belz Factory Outlet World and Orlando Premium Outlets are your best bets for factory outlet shopping. They are on the North and South ends of International Drive, respectively.

The resort areas have excellent shopping if you are looking for something unique or a good souvenir. Downtown Disney is a large area containing not only many Disney-themed stores, but also many unique shops. Basin is especially notable in that it has a huge collection of unique and interesting bath and body products like shampoo bars and loofah soap. Citywalk at Universal is also a very fun atmosphere that is always packed with people. They don't have as many stores, but it is still worth visiting.

International Drive has all the tourist traps you would imagine, from every kind of eatery anyone could ever require to gift shops selling very gaudy goods.

• Fairvilla Megastore, 1740 North Orange Blossom Trail (1 mile North of Hwy 50/Colonial Drive), Ph: (407) 425-6005, 1 (http://www.fairvilla.com). Intimate apparel, exotic fashions, sensual accessories, romantic gifts, playful novelties, passionate books and tantalizing movies! Monday-Saturday 9AM-2AM & Sunday 10AM-2AM.

Eat

Pizza late night is an option in the Universal/Sandlake/International Drive area with Broadway Pizza http://orlando.citysearch.com/profile/2398715/orlando_fl/broadway_pizza.html , Sunday thru Wednesday open till 2am, and Thursday thru Saturday, open and DELIVERY till 4am.

Restaurant Row on Sand Lake Road is probably the largest collection in the region of outstanding dining options (Just make sure you have a large amount of cash on you). Try:

• The Samba Room
• Moonfish
• Morton?s of Chicago Location: Dr. Phillips Market Place, 7600 Dr. Phillips Boulevard. Tel: 407-248-3485. Reputedly the best steak house in Orlando! A five star restaurant. Morton?s is expensive and dinner reservations are a good idea. Romantic lighting and Sinatra in the background. http://www.mortons.com/website/index.html
• Season's 52
• Roy's

At Universal CityWalk, Emeril's offers expensive but outstanding meals. They also have Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, a NASCAR Cafe and a Hard Rock Cafe (in addition to a Hard Rock Hotel).

International Drive carries some excellent dining as well, including Bahama Breeze and Cafe Tu Tu Tango.

An excellent local barbecue place that is off the beaten path is Bubbalou's Bodacious BBQ'. The nearest to International Drive is north about 2 miles on SR 435, Kirkman Road, on the corner of it and Conroy-Windermere Road.

One of the most imaginative dining venues is the Gaylord Palms Resort. This resort features a "biosphere" -- 4.5-acres of soaring glass-covered atriums, all themed to the Sunshine State (including free animal exhibits, like alligators!) The resort features the popular Sunset Sam's Fish Camp, set inside a 65-foot sailboat (sailing in an indoor lagoon), Old Hickory Steakhouse, and the very popular Villa de Flora buffet (named "Best Sunday Brunch" several years in a row!) Features free valet parking for diners. http://www.gaylordpalms.com

The House of Blues, Planet Hollywood, Wolfgang Puck Cafe and Coco Bongo are at Downtown Disney West Side, by the AMC Pleasure Island 24 Theatre. There is also a Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney Marketplace.

Drink

Nightlife in the "real" Orlando is centered mostly around Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando. Here you can walk and find something for everyone from the chic urban Rhythm and Flow to the Mulvaney's Irish Pub. Downtown Orlando is vibrant and fun, with many bars and several dance clubs.

A short walk away is the tiny Thornton Park District, located near/around the intersection of Washington and Summerlin. Among the dozens of cafes and pubs, you might stop in for a drink and a quick bite at Dexter's on Washington. For local flair head across the street to Burton's Frosty Mug, just be warned that the person next to you at the bar may have been occupying the same seat for over 20 years. Sample the hip urban environment at the trendy HUE at the corner of Washington and Central.

Down near the theme parks are mall-like Downtown Disney and Universal CityWalk. While they can offer some good times with upbeat music and street performers giving it an active atmosphere, it's can also feel contrived and fake.

Sleep

Top choice for lodging is the art-filled Westin Grand Bohemian, however it is rather far from the attractions. There are many excellent resort-style hotels. Orlando has more hotel rooms than any other City except Las Vegas. Try to avoid the tourist trap hotels on portions of Internatinal Drive and U.S. 192 in Kissimmee. Both have nice hotels as well... do your homework.

Here are a few options:

• Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn (http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/disfs),14500 Continental Gateway ,Orlando, FL 32821. In addition to the Nickelodeon colors and themes, the hotel has added over $25 million in amenities and features: Two amazing pool complexes with waterpark features like slides, flumes and wet/dry play areas; The Lagoon and The Oasis pools are completed and offering live Nickelodeon entertainment pool side.
• Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate  (http://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/default.asp?h_id=62), 1500 Masters Blvd. Orlando/ChampionsGate. Phone: (888) 444-OMNI (6664). The hotel is located within minutes of Walt Disney World, Sea World and a myriad of water parks and other attractions. ChampionsGate Golf Course has been honorably mentioned in Golf Magazine's "10 Most Distinctive Places to Play".
• DoubleTree Guest Suites Orlando Hotel in the Walt Disney World Resort 2305 Hotel Plaza Boulevard. (407) 934-1000. Within the Walt Disney World Resort®. Orlando Airport is 15 miles away and within minutes of Disney Marketplace, Pleasure Island, and Disney's West Side. http://dtsuites-orlando.felcor.com/
• Embassy Suites North Orlando Hotel 225 East Altamonte Drive. (407) 834-2400. 19 miles from Orlando Airport and six miles from downtown Orlando - close to the business district, shopping and the many local attractions, and there is a complimentary shuttle within a five-mile radius. http://esorlando-north.felcor.com/
• Embassy Suites Orlando Hotel & Convention Center on International Drive 8978 International Drive. (407) 352-1400. 244 Two-Room Suites, ten miles from Orlando Airport MCO, and just minutes from Walt Disney World®, Sea World and Universal Studios. http://esorlando-international-drive.felcor.com/
• Holiday Inn Nikki Bird Orlando Hotel 7300 West US 192. (407) 396-7300. One mile from Disney's Main Gate and 15 miles from Orlando. Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot and Walt Disney World are all within one mile. http://hinikkibird.felcor.com/
• Holiday Inn International Drive Orlando Hotel 6515 International Drive. (407) 351-3500. A 13-acre playground just steps away from great restaurants and shopping. Sea World, Universal Orlando, and Wet 'N Wild are just a short ride away along International Drive. http://hiorlando-internationaldrive.felcor.com/
• Holiday Inn Select Orlando Hotel at the Orlando Airport MCO 5750 TG Lee Boulevard. (407) 851-6400. Just outside the exit of Orlando Airport and 8 miles from downtown - well placed for many of the major Florida attractions, including Disney World. http://hisorlando-airport.felcor.com/
• Gaylord Palms Resort & Spa, located five minutes from Walt Disney World, 6000 W Osceola Parkway. (407)586-0000. This amazing resort includes a 4.5-acre glass-covered atrium that celebrates the entire state of Florida. Features restaurants, La Petite Academy Kids Station, Canyon Ranch SpaClub, shops and live animal displays. You have to visit this hotel to believe it!
• Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa in the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort 1900 Buena Vista Drive. (407) 827-2727. Within the world-renowned Walt Disney World® Resort, and is an Official Hotel in the Downtown Disney Resort area. http://palace-resort.wyndham-hotels.com/
• Wyndham Palms Resort, Hotel & Country Club 7900 Palms Parkway. (407) 396-1311. An easy drive from the Orlando International Airport and just minutes from Orlando's major attractions - including Walt Disney World®, Magic Kingdom®, Epcot® Center, MGM Studios®, SeaWorld® and Universal Orlando®. http://palms-resort.wyndham-hotels.com/
• Orlando Vacation Rentals by MetroSpaces (http://www.metrospaces.com/orlando/), offering private homes and condos direct by owner for short-term rental around Disney, Kissimmee and Orlando

Contact

• Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau 8723 International Drive. (800) 972-3304. The official sales and marketing organization for the Orlando and Orange County area. http://www.orlandoinfo.com.

Stay safe

Typical rules of tourism common sense apply. Hotel room invasions are fairly common, especially open-air hotel and motel rooms when the victim leaves their hotel room unlocked and undeadbolted. When you are in a hotel room, lock your doors behind you.

Never leave valuable items in your car unattended; get any purchased items to your hotel room as soon as possible.

Also, do not leave small children unattended for any length of time, especially at a pool. Most hotel pools do not have lifeguards.

Cope

Get out

Parents sometimes feel guilty separating from their children on a family vacation. But with facilities like La Petite Academy Kids Station (407-586-0000) your kids won't notice your absence. Leave the kids for an hour or two while mom and dad have a dinner or enjoy a spa treatment! (Facility on the grounds of the Gaylord Palms Resort)

External links

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