Navigating Orlando FL – A Visitor’s Survival Guide
Orlando’s nickname is “The City Beautiful” but when you say Orlando, most people think of Disney World, and with good reason. Since opening in 1971, Disney has carefully woven itself into the fabric of our American pop culture. A trip to Disney World theme parks has become a rite of passage for most children these days. Disney World has changed Orlando is a positive way with massive population and economic growth for the Orlando metropolitan area, which now encompasses Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake counties. Tourism has become the mainstay of the area’s economy and Orlando is consistently ranked as one of the top vacation destinations in the world. So while Orlando is home of the theme parks, including Walt Disney World resort, SeaWorld Orlando, and Universal Studios Orlando Resort as some of the most popular. But Orlando is truly so much more than theme parks. https://exploreorlandoflorida.com/
If you fly in, Orlando International Airport is considered a world-class facility, and it is one of the most heavily travelled airports in the world. https://orlandoairports.net/. The airport is southeast of the downtown area. There are many shuttles and rental car hubs that can conveniently get you to your destination easily. Visitors will find more package flights to Orlando than any other US destination and the city’s international airport regularly receives transatlantic flights as well as connections from US cities and plentiful national travel deals.
If you drive into Orlando, a rental car is a must! While the city itself is packed with so much, in and around the city at close range are attractions you will not want to miss, and you can only do that with a reliable rental car from AllStarTravel.com. By rental car to Orlando from Atlanta, take I-75 south to the Florida Turnpike to I-4 west. From points northeast, take I-95 south to Daytona Beach and I-4 west. From Chicago, take I-65 south to Nashville, then I-24 south to I-75, then south on the Florida Turnpike to I-4 west. Navigating the city and the outlying areas can be easy if you plan ahead, and rent a car with a GPS. Some of the main highways that traverse through Orlando include the 408 which runs East and West, 441 runs North and South, US 4 runs North and South and the 417 also runs North and South.
Despite being far from the main tourist attractions, downtown Orlando has recently seen much redevelopment, with many more projects currently under construction or planned. One of the oldest attractions in this area is Gatorland. Orlando sees an estimated 52 million tourists a year. Orlando is the 2nd largest city in the country for number of hotel rooms. https://www.downtownorlando.com/
Area Attractions and Things to Do in Orlando, FL
The Walt Disney World Resort is the area’s largest attraction with its many facets such as the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and Downtown Disney. You can barely see it all in a week, or in just one trip. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/
SeaWorld Orlando is a large adventure park that features numerous Marine animals up close and in lives shows, and zoological display and includes an amusement park and waterpark. https://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando/
Universal Orlando, https://www.universalorlando.com/ like Walt Disney World, is a multi-faceted themed resort comprised of Universal Studios featuring Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, CityWalk, and the Islands of Adventure theme park featuring Harry Potter’s Hogsmeade.
Blue Spring State Park is the winter home of large numbers of Florida manatees that come upstream from the St. Johns River to bask in the warm waters. Canoeing, swimming and fishing are all popular activities that people enjoy at Blue Springs park. https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blue-spring-state-park
Central Florida Zoological Park, located in Sanford on Lake Monroe. This 100 acre zoo is home to a butterfly garden, herpetarium, and numerous tropical animals. The zoo originally started in 1975 and it is planning to expand and change the facility name to “Zoo Orlando at Sanford”. https://www.centralfloridazoo.org/
Church Street Station, a multi-level shopping mall and entertainment center that features an array of specialty shops, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. https://visitchurchstreet.com/
Cirque du Soleil: La Nouba, in Downtown Disney West Side, features its renowned blend of acrobatics and special effects with more than 70 artists from around the globe performing in a custom-designed theater. https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/
Discovery Cove, a resort that is part of the SeaWorld Adventure Park complex. Some attraction features are tropical fish in a coral reef, snorkeling with stingrays, and interacting with birds, as well as swimming and playing with dolphins. https://www.discoverycove.com/
Gatorland is home to thousands of alligators and crocodiles. A few of Gatorland’s residents have made appearances in movies, television shows and commercial spots. The park combines a petting zoo, bird sanctuary, mini-water park, eco-tour and outdoor entertainment, including daily alligator wrestling. https://www.gatorland.com/
Hard Rock Café is in the Orlando location of the famed restaurant chain with the typical HRC music memorabilia. There is also Hard Rock Live, a 3,000-capacity live music venue, and the Hard Rock Hotel, a resort hotel with a California-style restaurant called “The Kitchen”. It is one of eight worldwide, and one of three in Florida including Miami and Tampa. https://www.hardrock.com/cafes/orlando/
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is only 45 minutes from Orlando. Visitors can tour launch areas, see giant rockets, “train” in spaceflight simulators, and much more. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is open every day except Christmas Day and certain launch days. Apart from the Astronaut Hall of Fame, Space Center bus tours run every 15 minutes with stops at an observation gantry and the Apollo / Saturn V Center. Other guided tours include NASA Up Close, Cape Canaveral: Then and Now, and Lunch With An Astronaut. Combo tickets offer maximum access admission, plus one guided tour. https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/
Wet ‘n Wild Waterpark features family friendly water rides such as the Blastaway Beach with a six-story castle, two pools, 15 slides and over 160 interactive water elements, it’s the largest family water play area in Florida. Surf Lagoon a four-foot high waves roll across the 17,000 square foot wave pool. Or the Lazy River and take a leisurely float around the park on a gently flowing river just to name a few. For the thrill seekers there are the Mach 5, The Storm, and the Aqua Drag Racer! Wet ‘n Wild offers a wide selection of food and beverages located throughout the park including the Unlimited BBQ, Surf Grill, and ice cream. The Beach Shop has latest in sportswear, swim wear, sunglasses and hats. Lockers and towels are available to rent for a nominal fee. Tubes are free. And all-day shower facilities are available. https://www.wetnwildorlando.com/
Dining In Orlando FL
From the most serious foodies to the most casual and budget conscious diners, you’re in for a sweet and savory treat as Orlando has more than its share of delicious options to satisfy every taste and craving. From theme park dining to gourmet dining and farm-fresh options, when you come to Orlando, bring your appetite. The options are across the board and few samples include:
Rainforest Cafe – It’s a Jungle in there! Literally! Dine in the most realistic indoor rain forest ever created. Complete your journey in our Retail Village which is overflowing with souvenirs of your adventure. Located in Downtown Disney and the Animal Kingdom https://www.rainforestcafe.com/
Shula’s Restaurant – Enjoy a perfect dinner at “One of the Top Steak Houses in America”. Coach Don Shula scores off the field this time for offering the “Biggest and the Best” and serves only Certified Angus Beef. In addition to great steaks, Shula’s offers fresh seafood including Maine lobsters. https://swandolphinrestaurants.com/
Emeril’s Restaurant located in Universal Studios CityWalk brings you the best of the best in his world famous Creole based cuisine. https://www.emerilsrestaurants.com/
Hotels In Orlando FL
With more than 400 hotels, Orlando is bound to have your perfect accommodation. From luxury golf resorts to themed hotels, Orlando’s hotel collection is diverse in style and in price point. Immerse yourself in a new four-star resorts or stretch your budget a bit further at your favorite moderately priced hotel chain. Whatever the price point, there’s an option in every part of Orlando!
Orlando Downtown Area Hotels
Marriott Downtown -Across the TD Waterhouse Arena
Courtyard Orlando Downtown – Excellent location, near Bob Carr Performing Arts. . https://www.marriott.com/
Theme Park Hotels
Of course there are so many hotels to choose from located in all the theme parks with Disney World https://disneyworld.disney.go.com and Universal https://www.universalorlando.com/Hotels being two of the most popular.
So no matter what draws you to Orlando, it is such a diverse city that it can be many different things to many people. From family vacations at theme parks you’ll never forget, to romantic getaways that include top rated cuisine and luxury hotels, Orlando truly is “The Beautiful City!”
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Written by: AST Partner Writer