Orlando

Understand

The Orlando area contains some of the world's largest and most famous theme park resorts. However, only one, Universal Orlando, is within the city limits. Walt Disney World and SeaWorld are in the immediate area, as are many of the more minor tourist attractions, and as Orlando is most associated with these popular attractions, you will find details and descriptions of them below.

History Until the Civil War, Orange County was widely considered a rural backwater. However, a Reconstruction-era boom in the area's population and the simultaneous growth of the citrus industry led to the establishment of the city of Orlando in 1885. Ten years later, the "Great Freeze" destroyed much of the citrus crop, forcing farmers to sell and the industry to shift southward. Around the turn of the 19th century, Orlando became a somewhat popular resort city, and its downtown population grew during the Florida Land Boom of the 1920s. During World War II, the United States Air Force positioned a base in the city, and the military would go on to become Orlando's major industry through the 1950s and 1960s. In 1965, Walt Disney went on television to announce his plans for "The Florida Project", the most important moment in Orlando's history. Walt Disney World opened in 1971 with one theme park – the Magic Kingdom – and development and population explosion rocketed the city into what it is today. Over the subsequent years, tourism has further entrenched itself as the center of Orlando's economy. SeaWorld Orlando opened in 1973, and Epcot, the second Disney theme park, came in 1982. Disney's Hollywood Studios came in 1989, and Universal Studios Florida a year later. The Universal Orlando resort was born with the opening of the Islands of Adventure theme park in 1999, just a year after Disney's fourth park, Animal Kingdom, opened. With these parks came countless hotels, restaurants, and other tourist attractions spread across the city.

Talk English is the primary language spoken in Orlando, but Spanish is spoken by a portion of the population as well. Due to the high number of international travelers coming to the city, nearly all of the theme parks and resorts, and many of the hotels and restaurants provide menus, guide maps, and other information in a variety of languages ranging from English and Spanish to French, Chinese, and Portuguese. Many attractions also employ bilingual or multilingual staff.

Orientation Orlando sits nearly in the center of the state, about an hour's drive from both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, surrounded by suburban towns on all sides. Borderi

Getting there

By plane

Orlando International Airport

1 Orlando International Airport (MCO IATA). The city's primary airport and the busiest airport in the state. It's 12.5 mi (20.1 km) southeast of downtown, close to the attractions in the area, and is a hub or focus city for Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways & Southwest Airlines. Flights are also offered from many international destinations throughout North America, South America and Europe. Orlando International has two key components: landside and airside. There is a central landside terminal (one building divided into sides "A" and "B"), containing the airline counters, baggage claim, rental car agencies, and a hotel. It's connected by elevated trams to four other terminals, known as Airside 1-4, where the boarding gates are. There are plenty of shops and restaurants in both the central terminal and the four airsides. A newly constructed "C" terminal isn't connected to the central (A/B) terminal but is accessible via the same elevated tram system. Security lines can become extremely long (1 hr+) during the summer tourist season and near holidays. Combined with long check-in lines, it is advisable to arrive 2–3 hours before your scheduled departure. Orlando is the "rental car capital of the world" and, as can be expected, there are many car rental agencies at the airport offering a large number and wide range of vehicles for rental. There are also many off-site car rental agencies which provide free shuttles to their location and may offer lower prices (See OIA website.) Public transportation in the Orlando area is provided by the Lynx (☏ +1 407-841-5969) bus system. Lynx buses can be found at Ground Transportation (Level 1) of the landside terminal's "A" side, in Commercial Lane spaces A38-A41. Fares are $2/ride with free transfers within 90 minutes. Day passes are $4.50 and a 7-day pass costs $16. Discounted fares for youth and the elderly require riders to present a Lynx-issued ID, available only by applying at the Central Station Terminal with a 5-7 day turnaround and therefore not viable for short-term visitors. Routes from the airport can get you to downtown, International Drive, Walt Disney World, and nearby Apopka. Almost every mid- to high-priced hotel in the city offers airport transfers. Additionally, there are several shuttle services options that run from the airport to various points, including Kissimmee, the theme parks, the University of Central Florida, and the cruise port at Cape Canaveral. Approximate rates for shuttle vans range from $18–26 depending on your destination (see OIA website f

Getting around

By car

The highway is omnipresent in Orlando, and it is a very easy and convenient (if sometimes congested) way to get to your destination. Orlando is a sprawling city, with most attractions lying far to the south of downtown and spreading into adjacent cities like Kissimmee. The roads are all wide and easy to drive on, with all major attractions well-signed. However, traffic jams around downtown are common during the morning and afternoon rush hours, and around the tourist areas when the theme parks close up each night. Orlando ranks 8th in the nation in terms of traffic congestion, and there are numerous ongoing construction projects on area highways. Traffic information is available from electronic signs over roadways, most local radio stations, and by calling 511 (a free, automated service which provides current traffic info). As with most urban areas in the U.S., there are plenty of drivers who prefer to speed and drive aggressively. The Orlando area receives over 50 million visitors each year, many who drive while in town with little knowledge of the roads, while also home to 2 million permanent residents. The combination of these two types of drivers can make Orlando's roads a bit hectic at times. Speed limits in the Orlando area are higher than some parts of the U.S., around 45-50 mph (~80 km/h) on major roads. The speed limit on highways like Interstate 4 and the toll roads is 65 mph (~110 km/h), with urban sections closer to downtown posted at 55 mph (~90 km/h). Drivers in the left lane tend to drive 5-15 mph faster than the speed limit. While it is the law to keep right except to pass, this is not strictly enforced. The main highway through Orlando, and the only Interstate serving it, is Interstate 4 (commonly called "I-4") which runs diagonally from northeast to southwest through the Orlando area. Major construction on it has widened the highway through areas south of the Beachline Expressway (SR 528), making it a commuter-friendly highway (except for traffic during rush hours and on weekend evenings). Downtown Orlando; International Drive; the Amway Center; the Mall at Millenia; Arabian Nights dinner theater; and theme parks and resorts such as Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld are all along or near I-4. Every other highway in the Orlando area besides I-4 is a toll road. While the tolls are modest for short trips within Orlando, they can quickly add up on longer drives. For example, bypassing Orlando on SR 417 is $5.50 for the 55 mi (89 km) drive. The major highways include:

& The main interstate highway through Orland

See

The Go Orlando City Pass is very useful to pay one price to visit many of these attractions.

Gardens and parks 1 UCF Arboretum, 4312 Scorpius St (University of Central Florida), ☏ +1 407-823-3583. Sunrise to sundown daily. An arboretum and botanical garden covering 80 acres (32 hectares), containing more than 600 species of plants in cultivated gardens. Its cultivated areas include a Conservatory, a bromeliad sanctuary, cycad garden, fern garden, palm collection, rose garden, swamp habitat, and a wetland plants display. Free, donations accepted. (updated Mar 2019) 2 Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N Forest Ave, ☏ +1 407-246-2620. 9AM-5PM daily except December 25, last admission at 4:30PM. Beautiful landscaped gardens and lakes set in nearly 50 acres (20 hectares) of land, featuring flora gathered from around the globe since 1936. Includes the largest rose garden in Florida and the largest camellia collection in the U.S. outside of California. The Leu House, set within the grounds and dating back to the 1880s, has tours every 30 minutes that explore its museum illustrating Florida living at the turn of the 20th century (closed due to Hurricane Irma damage). Special events throughout the year. Adult $10, child (4-17) $5. (updated Mar 2019)

Museums

3 The Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 N Mills Ave, ☏ +1 407-896-4231. Tu-F 10AM-4PM, Sa Su noon-4PM. Ongoing exhibitions of American portraits and landscapes, American impressionist works, and art of the ancient Americas. Adult $15, senior (65+) $8, student $5, child (4-17) $5, active duty and Veterans free. (updated Mar 2019) 4 The Orlando Science Center, ☏ +1 407-514-2000. Su-Tu Th-Sa 10AM-5PM. A large hands-on learning center with hundreds of interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages. Images surround visitors on the giant screen of the Dr. Phillips CineDome. Other attractions include the Body Zone, teaching health and fitness, as well as an observatory. The center has the largest refracting telescope in Florida. Adult $21; senior (55+), student $19; child (3-11) $15;. (updated Mar 2019) 5 Orange County Regional History Center, 65 E Central Blvd, ☏ +1 407-836-8500, toll-free: +1-800-965-2030. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Features exhibits and artifacts from the earliest days of the region to the modern day. Includes information on everything from the time of the Seminole Indians to the founding of the city to the Civil Rights era to the Disney period to today. Adult $8, senior (55+), student $7, child (5-12) $6. (updated Mar 2019) 6 Ripley's Believe It or Not!, 8201 International Dr, ☏ +1 407-345-0501. 9AM-mi

Do

Major attractions Orlando is one of the biggest tourist destinations on the planet because of the nearby theme parks and resorts. Close to International Drive is Universal Orlando, which includes two theme parks, a water park, several hotels and a shopping and dining district. Not far from Universal lies the small Fun Spot America Orlando, home to the only wooden coaster in the area. South on International Drive lies SeaWorld Orlando, a marine theme park featuring several thrilling roller coasters and a rapidly dwindling amount of animal shows. About 25 minutes southwest of downtown Orlando is Walt Disney World. Comprising four theme parks, two water parks, dozens of hotels, a large shopping and dining complex, and four golf courses, it is the largest privately managed tourist destination anywhere. Not far from Disney World lies the "Alligator Capital of the World": Gatorland. If you have limited time, you have to choose between quality and quantity. Do you go to fewer parks and see all of them? Or do you see a little bit of most of the parks?

1 Walt Disney World (18 mi S of downtown), ☏ +1 407-939-5277. Hours vary by park and season. The renowned gold standard resort complex, home to four iconic theme parks and much, much more. (updated Mar 2019) 2 Universal Orlando, International Dr, ☏ +1 407-363-8000. Hours vary by park and season. Top-ranked challenger to Disney and home to Harry Potter, with two theme parks, a nightclub and restaurant complex, and seven resort hotels. (updated Jan 2025) 3 SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 SeaWorld Dr, ☏ +1 407-545-5550, toll-free: +1-800-327-2424, +1-888-800-5447. Hours vary by park and season. A beautifully landscaped 200-acre marine theme park featuring thrilling rides, fun exhibits, an ever-shrinking amount of animal shows. A more laid-back alternative to Disney and Universal, the complex includes the main park, as well as the all-inclusive Discovery Cove experience park and the Aquatica water park. $80-170 when buying online. (updated Mar 2019) 4 Discovery Cove, 6000 Discovery Cove Way, ☏ +1 40-513-4600. 7:15AM-5:30PM (until 9PM on selected evenings). A unique companion to Sea World, it is often sold out as admission is limited to 1000 guests per day, but it does include all your equipment, food, drink and a 30-minute interaction with the dolphins in the water. $150-400 when buying online. (updated Mar 2019) 5 Gatorland, 14501 S Orange Blossom Trail, ☏ +1 407-855-5496. 10AM-5PM daily. An iconic, small alligator and reptile themed park that was one of the first tourist attractions in the area, predating Disney World. Ad

Buy

Major malls

1 The Florida Mall. The largest mall in Orlando, at the crossroads of Orange Blossom Trail and Sand Lake Road, about a mile north of the Florida Turnpike/Beachline Expressway interchange. Home to over 200 shops including Macy's, American Girl, Dillard's, JC Penney, and Sears. You can go an entire day in this mall and still not finish. Popular among international tourists wishing to stock up on cheap American goods, but of better quality than found at the many stores. 2 Disney Springs. Formerly Downtown Disney, the area has been transformed into an upscale mall and dining destination on Disney's property. 3 The Mall at Millenia. This is Orlando's most upscale and beautiful mall. Find everything from Tiffany's to Hugo Boss and Gucci. Also home to upscale department stores like Macy's, Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus. This also features Apple and Sony Style selling computers and related products. This mall is part of the very new and trendy Millenia area of Orlando. Conroy Road exit off of I-4 a few miles south of downtown. 4 Orlando Fashion Square. E Colonial Dr and Macguire Blvd, more than a mile NE of downtown. 5 ICON Park. International Drive, close to SeaWorld Orlando. (updated Jan 2025) 6 Dezerland Park Orlando, 5250 International Dr, ☏ +1 321-754-1700, [email protected]. M-Th noon-9PM, F noon-11PM, Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 11AM-9PM. Automotive-themed indoor mall with a go-kart race track in the center. (updated Jan 2025)

Outlet malls Orlando Premium Outlets - Vineland Ave. Home to the biggest designers such as Armani, Fendi, Burberry, Ferragamo, Lacoste, Coach. Also home to Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Polo, Nautica and many more. Off of 535 and visible from I-4 closest to the Disney World area. This is the best mall to pick up bargains from all the name brands and designer wear. 7 Orlando Premium Outlets - International Drive, 4951 International Dr, ☏ +1 407-352-9600. (formerly Beltz/Prime Outlets) — Home to many designers such as Polo, DKNY, Nike, Reebok, and Liz Claiborne. It's a beautiful outdoor mall with a wide variety of stores. (updated Aug 2025) Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores. Select from over 300 designer and name brands such as Gap, Reebok, Carters and Eddie Bauer. Stores offer factory direct, quality merchandise at savings up to 75%. Off of SR-535 near International Dr and Disney.

Ethnic enclaves Little Saigon, East Colonial Dr (around N Mills). Here you will find Vietnamese grocery stores, gift shops, and a few herbal healing stores, which stock items from China, Vietnam, Hong Kong, etc. Also home to many good

Eat

A wide variety of restaurants can be found in CityWalk at Universal Orlando, including Margaritaville and Hard Rock Cafe. Parking is $20 during the day and free after 6PM (except during holidays or special events, such as Halloween Horror Nights). Much choice can also be found in Disney Springs, including Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood, and Wolfgang Puck Cafe. Texas de Brazil, is a Brazilian steakhouse in the heart of downtown, serving beef, chicken, lamb and pork in many preparations.

American 310 Lakeside. Classic American cuisine overlooking Lake Eola. 1 A Land Remembered, 9939 Universal Blvd, ☏ +1 407 996-9939. A steakhouse named after Patrick Smith's rich novel featuring Florida's historical moments and landscapes. Serves a variety of cuisine and accompanying wine list. Serves Harris Ranch all Natural Prime Black Angus Beef, and menu items catering to all tastes. 2 Boston's Fish House, 6860 Aloma Avenue, Winter Park, ☏ +1 407 678-2107. People drive from hours away to this charming family-owned restaurant that brings the fish and flavors of Boston to Orlando. Authentic New England Clam Chowder, cod, and steak tips. Worth the wait for a fresh meal made to order. Bubbalou's Bodacious BBQ, 3 locations. BBQ ribs, sandwiches and other smoked delights. Atmosphere has a home-style feel and plenty of pig companions. 3 Calypso Bar and Grill, 6300 Parc Corniche Dr. Great menu with a Key West themed dining experience. 4 Everglades Restaurant, 9840 International Dr, ☏ +1 407 996-9840. Gourmet dining featuring regional specialties, served in a setting dedicated to the Florida Everglades. Periodic Vine & Dine wine dinners featuring gourmet cuisine and fine wines. 5 Jack's Place, 9700 International Dr, ☏ +1 407 996-9700. Gourmet menu featuring prime steaks and fresh seafood in a whimsical atmosphere featuring the world's largest collection of autographed star caricatures. Hamburger Mary's. A gay-friendly burger joint with drag shows and drinks. Le Coq Au Vin. A modern twist is given to classic French foods at this restaurant. Kres Chophouse. An upscale steak house in the downtown.

Brazilian 6 Camila's Restaurant, 5458 International Drive, ☏ +1-407-354-2507. Daily until 1AM or later. (updated Dec 2019) 7 Cafe Mineiro Brazilian Steak House (@I-Drive), 6432 International Drive, ☏ +1-407-248-2932. 11:30am - 10pm. Brazilian steak house. All-you-can-eat special meats with unlimited servings of up to 12 different delectable cuts of meats which are presented on skewers and carved table side. Also, a variety of dishes including salads, pasta, rice a

Drink & nightlife

Orlando nightlife away from the theme parks is centered mostly around Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando. Here you can walk and find many bars. A short walk away is the tiny Thornton Park District, near 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, or sample the hip urban environment at the trendy HUE at the corner of Washington and Central. Although most of the downtown Central avenue crowd is comprised of the "twentysomething" generation, for a more 30s-and-over entertainment experience, visit the lounge of the Grand Bohemian Hotel, downtown on Orange Avenue. The ambiance is quite comfortable, although drinks tend to be pretty pricey here. Also, for a more professional crowd with a Latin twist, there is the Samba Room, on Sand Lake Road, about 3/4 west of I-4. This is a lively restaurant and happy hour type of place. The look is chic and the locals and tourists alike gather here for a quality food, beverage and people watching experience. You should ditch the shorts and flip-flops for a more casual chic look, but if you do you will be rewarded with a nice experience here. If you are traveling west on Sand Lake Road, after passing I-4, The Samba Room is on the left in a large shopping plaza. Latin food, music and mojitos are just some of the specialties here. Across the street from the Samba Room, on Sand Lake Road, is the Old Vines wine bar, featuring live jazz usually from Thursday through Saturday nights. The wine selection is extensive and the live jazz is some of the best in town. The jazz is performed in the front of the room by the entrance. There is a divider that separates the more intimate rear portion of the establishment, which is the main dining area. There are quite a few places to enjoy quality dining and drinks along Park Avenue in Winter Park, an adjacent suburb which is just northeast of Orlando. Winter Park is known for its many older grande homes that dominate the more historic sections of this suburb affectionately referred to by many as the center of Orlando's "old money." Park Avenue is an active pedestrian street featuring trendy shoppes, galleries, restaurants and nightspots. It has grown from a one-street attraction to more of a district, as several nearby streets have now added similar attractions. Of particular interest and uniqueness on Park Avenue is the Wine Room, a converted bank featuring hundreds of wines available for self-serve

Sleep

With a hotel around virtually every corner (actually 4 or 5 around every corner) it seems impossible to throw a rock and not hit a hotel. There are hotels to meet every traveler's need, whether it be a hostel or a 5-star resort, although many visiting families often prefer to rent a private villa as they usually provide much more personal space and have their own private facilities. There are also a lot of lodgings in the surrounding cities and towns.

Budget 1 Avanti Palms Resort and Conference Center Orlando, 6515 International Dr, ☏ +1 407 351-3500. (updated Dec 2019) 2 DASKK Orlando Hotel near Universal Blvd, Ascend Hotel Collection, 7400 Canada Ave, ☏ +1 407 363-0332, fax: +1 407 352-2598. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. $100. 3 Floridian Hotel & Suites Orlando, 7531 Canada Ave, ☏ +1 407 226-9887. (updated Dec 2019) 4 StaySky Suites I-Drive Orlando, 7601 Canada Ave, ☏ +1 407 228-2027. (updated Dec 2019)

Mid-range

5 Best Western Plus Orlando Gateway, 7299 Universal Blvd, ☏ +1 800 445-7299. Near popular Orlando attractions such as Universal Studios Orlando and SeaWorld (updated Dec 2019) 6 Comfort Suites Universal Studios Area, 5617 Major Blvd, toll-free: +1-800-475-1694. Less than one mile from Universal Studios, free ground transportation to theme parks available. 7 Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection, 8629 International Dr. Designed as a medieval-themed palace. 216 rooms and suites. (updated Dec 2019) 8 Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando International Drive Convention Center, 8978 International Dr, ☏ +1 407 352-1400. 244 two-room suites. 9 Enclave Suites Resort, 6165 Carrier Dr, toll-free: +1-800-457-0077, fax: +1 407-351-2001. 2 outdoor pools, kiddie pools, and hot tubs, tennis court, fitness center, indoor heated pool and hot tub. 2/2 suites w/ kitchens, sofa beds, and balcony. 10 Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando near Universal Orlando Resort, 5614 Vineland Rd, ☏ +1 407 581-5600. Less than 2 miles from Universal Orlando and nearby Islands of Adventure and Orlando Premium Outlets, where complimentary scheduled shuttle service is provided. (updated Dec 2019) 11 Four Points by Sheraton Orlando International Drive, 5905 International Dr, ☏ +1 407 351-2100. 301 rooms. (updated Dec 2019) 12 Hilton Garden Inn Orlando East/UCF Area, 1959 N. Alafaya Trail (12 mi (19 km) east of downtown), ☏ +1 407-992-5000. Cooked-to-order breakfast and lunch are served daily; free WiFi. (updated May 2020) 13 Hilton Grand Vacations Suites on International Drive, 8122 Arrezzo Way (at Vineland Ave), ☏ +1 407 465-2600. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 10AM. Studios with

Go next

Walt Disney World, about 35 minutes southwest of Orlando, is so expansive that it needs its own travel guide. Also within an hour of downtown Orlando:

Altamonte Springs - home of the Altamonte Mall, several parks including Crane's Roost Park, numerous chain restaurants, and many furniture stores. Celebration - the Disney-designed and -operated community Kissimmee - Large suburb close to Disney World. Winter Haven - About 30 miles south of Disney off US27. Home to Legoland Florida. A bit further, but good day trips or next destinations include:

Cocoa Beach - Closest beach to Orlando it boasts world-famous surfing. Cape Canaveral - Home to the Kennedy Space Center and its large visitor's complex, which showcases many space-related artifacts (including some large rockets). While the space shuttle that once attracted tens of thousands of onlookers for lift-off no longer flies, there are occasional rocket launches throughout the year. Daytona Beach - Home of NASCAR's famous Daytona 500 race, "Bike Week", and a popular beach. Canaveral National Seashore 24 miles of undeveloped shore; central Florida's only nude(in one spot) beach; over 1000-year-old Indian relics; 58,000 acres for hiking, horseback riding, and biking; but no camping or concessions. Melbourne/Melbourne Beach - Historic downtown and a great but "less touristy" beach than most on the Space Coast, beachfront camping nearby. New Smyrna Beach - Popular beach destination. Ocala National Forest - Great hiking and camping. Home to much fauna, including black bears and the Florida panther. Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, and much of the Treasure Coast - great boating spots and an awesome opportunity to find sunken treasure from the 1715 wrecks, an hour or two down the Turnpike. Tampa and St. Petersburg - At the west end of I-4. Tampa is home to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, the Florida State Fairgrounds and the famous Ybor City historic district. St. Petersburg hosts, among other things, Sunken Gardens and the Salvador Dalí Museum, and has its own well-known beaches.