Most people’s first impression of Orlando may be that the city is synthetic, just a reflection of Walt Disney World, and nothing more. But, like many first impressions, this one too is wrong. In fact, Orlando was a touristic destination for decades before Disney affected the area so. While Mickey Mouse and friends are Orlando’s best well known tenants, there’s a world of other wonder to be discovered too.
The Florida sunshine has always been Orlando’s biggest attraction, as well as the city’s central Florida location, which make getting to anywhere on either coast of the state simplified. Hundreds of hotels, thousands of chic shops, malls, movie theaters, restaurants, you get the picture. Orlando offers not only the world’s biggest selection of theme parks and wild adventures, but anything and everything a traveler can imagine accentuating the fun.
Water Worlds of Excitement
Even though Orlando is an inland vacation paradise, the white beaches of the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico are only minutes away. Aside ocean sand and sun, thousands of freshwater lakes also surround the city, what once was Orlando’s biggest touristic attraction – is still a big draw for visitors. From championship golf, camping, hiking, Silver Springs and Weeki Wachee to the lakes of Kissimmee, visitors to Orlando have limitless family and outdoor sports fun all around, not counting Mickey’s attractions.
New Smyrna Beach, the legendary Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, Tampa St. Pete, within a short drive visitors to Orlando can in the same day get a sun tan, and learn about the history of manned space flight at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. It’s a bit hard to visualize, but Orlando is simply better placed for taking in central Florida than any place. Surf in the morning, and dance with Mickey Mouse in the evening on Main Street. It’s all possible in Orlando.
Mickey Mouse Marvelous
Still and all, no mention of Orlando can be accurate without revealing just how marvelous Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Seaworld Orlando and the myriad other attractions of the type are. For family fun, vacationing, and entertainment, the attractions here are actually incomparable. In short, there is no place in the world like this. There’s no end to the great things to do and see here. Ripley’s Believe It or Not to water skiiing one a pristine lake, sightseeing downtown, Orlando is an endless adventure.
Disney’s original offering is still going strong after 4 decades or wonder, and the new theme parks attract millions and millions each year. Roller coasters to legendary Disney animation, Hollywood blockbusters to chic five star hotels, there truly are no ways to describe Orlando’s family attractions accurately. You’ll have to come here to see them for yourself.
Main attractions: Dynetech Center, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld SkyTower, the Orange County Convention Center, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and Downtown Disney, and literally hundreds of other attractions.
Currency: US Dollar ($)
Official language: English
Area: 101.0 sq mi (261.5 km2)
Population: 2,134,411
Electricity:
- Voltage: 110-120 Volts (Most other areas are 220-240 Volts)
- Primary Socket Type: North American Grounded
- Multi-voltage appliances (laptops, etc.): Plug adapter
- 220-240V appliances: Plug adapter + step-up transformer
- 100V Japanese appliances: Japan to U.S. reducer transformer
Other places to see: SunTrust Center, Orange County Courthouse, Premier Trade Plaza Orlando, Peabody Expansion Tower, Bay Hill Club and Lodge, Lake Eola, Cocoa Beach, Kennedy Space Center, Winter Park, and so many more.
Images courtesy: Laura Stone - Fotolia.com, nasa hq photo, Sifu Renka
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