ORLANDO FLORIDA OVERVIEW

With all of its theme parks and attractions, Orlando is a paradise of family entertainment. It comes as no surprise that Orlando has been named the number one attraction in the US. Over 40 million visitors come to the area each year to experience what only Orlando can offer – unique experiences that the whole family can enjoy. Many visitors also may not realize that Orlando is not only fun for families, but for couples, golfers, and friends, alike, with nightlife venues and attractions for those who are kids at heart.

There is no disguising the fact that present day Orlando is a city built around theme parks. From Walt Disney to Universal and SeaWorld, visitors have an array of attractions to choose from, but this was not always the case. Orlando was originally built up around a military outpost, Fort Gatlin, established in 1838 during the height of the Seminole Wars in order to protect settlers from attacks. By the mid-1800s Orlando had become a small farming settlement devoted to cattle and cotton. In 1871 the area experienced a huge rain storm that destroyed the cotton crop and the focus shifted from cotton to citrus farming. Until 1966 Orlando largely remained sleepy farmland. Growth spiraled, thanks to Walt Disney, when he created the world’s largest theme park.

ATTRACTIONS
Walk Disney World Resort®
The complex has four theme parks, twenty-four onsite resorts, two water parks, four mini-golf courses, an interactive/video game park, and a shopping and nighttime entertainment area. 

Universal Orlando®
Universal Orlando is comprised of two amusement parks, three on-site hotels, and the CityWalk entertainment area.

SeaWorld Orlando®
Offers a wide variety of shows with animals as the main attraction. SeaWorld Orlando is the world's largest marine adventure park.

Many attractions in Orlando are clustered around Walt Disney World Resort or around Universal Orlando and SeaWorld. In these two areas, visitors can find shopping, restaurants, movie theaters, and just about anything you can think of – but Orlando also has other areas that boast good shopping, restaurants and more.

International Drive is an attraction, in and of itself. You can find restaurants and gift shops to suit your whole family. Wet n’ Wild is located on this strip, as well as Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Pointe Orlando, and the Orlando Convention Center.

Most people think Walt Disney World Resort is located in Orlando, but the address is technically Lake Buena Vista, a town created by Disney to house its theme parks and attractions. Lake Buena Vista lies on the edge of Orlando, next to Kissimmee.

In Old Town Kissimmee, visitors can find over 75 specialty shops and eateries, or even check out the weekly car cruise. The weekly cruise displays many classic cars, hot rods, and antiques with live music in the background.

Beyond the fast-aced excitement of Orlando’s theme parks awaits hidden treasures for you to discover in Florida’s natural beauty. Eco-tourism is becoming increasingly popular in Central Florida, as the area boasts over 300 lakes, springs, and rivers where you can relax and enjoy with the family. Zoos, parks, gardens, and beaches are within a 2 hour drive of the theme parks and are waiting for visitors to explore. East and West Coast beaches can be reached by car and are within a three hour drive of Orlando. Ocala National Forest is located 18 miles northwest of Orlando and offers visitors the opportunity to hike, canoe, swim, and even go for a horse back ride. Do not miss the opportunity to see the other side of Florida on your vacation.

Climate and Tourist Seasons

Orlando’s climate is very warm and humid through most of the year. There are two distinct seasons: one that is hot and rainy (May until October); and the cooler season (November through March), which brings more moderate temperatures and less rainfall. Many times the summer is quite hot, with temperatures easily reaching the mid 90s. The winters rarely reach below 50 degrees. Average temperatures are between 70 – 90 degrees, although some days during the winter months can be a bit chilly. Usually the days will start off cooler and grow increasingly warm as the day progresses.

Generally, the busiest times of year at the theme parks are crowded, but they also bring nice perks such as extended hours or special parades. It is a good idea to do a little research with your planning to determine these advantages. For those who want to avoid the crowds, the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a nice bet. The parks are decorated for Christmas, but the lines are shorter. Other recommended times are in January, after school starts back after the holidays. Or, you can visit in late April until Memorial Day, before schools let out. If you travel during summer school vacation and would like a less crowded time, try the very end of August – many schools in the southeast are already back in session.

Golfing in Orlando

Orlando is one of the most popular cities for golfing, with its many championship golf courses. It is also home to some of the biggest golf events, such as the PGA Merchandise Show, and the Golf Industry Convention, and many national pro golf tournaments and championships. If you enjoy playing golf, Orlando is a great place to visit: the selection of courses is never ending, and there are golf courses for every style, level and budget.

Some of the popular courses in the area include:

Shingle Creek Golf Club
Located close to the theme parks; award-winning Championship golf course.
9939 Universal Blvd, Orlando

Grand Cypress Golf Club  
Jack Nicklaus’ 54-hole tribute to St. Andrews, located in the old citrus groves.
One North Jacaranda, Orlando

Greg Norman’s Champion’s Gate
10 miles southwest of Disney World; 36 holes.
1400 Masters Blvd, Orlando

Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club and Lodge
One of the most popular courses on the PGA Tour. This course is home to the Arnold Palmer Invitational Tournament (formerly the Bay Hill Invitational Tournament).
9000 Bay Hill Blvd, Orlando

Mystic Dunes Golf Club
18-hole course designed by Champions Tour professional and NBC golf analyst Gary Koch.
7850 Shadow Tree Lane, Celebration

Disney World Golf Courses
Not for mini-golf! This is the site of the PGA Tour’s FUNAI Classic. Here you will find championship golf courses such as Eagle pines, Lake Buena Vista, Magnolia, Osprey Ridge, and Palm.

Off the Beaten Path
State Parks, Eco-Tourism Activities, Beaches

If you are looking for something different to do and you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the parks, head to one of the state parks listed below. Many of the state parks around Orlando have their own natural spring that provides plenty of eco-activities everyone is sure to enjoy. You will need a car to get to these destinations.

Blue Spring State Park
A designated Manatee Refuge and winter home of large numbers of West Indian manatees that come upstream from the St. Johns River to bask in the warm waters of the springs (mid-November through March). The springs' crystal clear 73-degree water can be enjoyed by swimmers, snorkelers, and scuba divers. The river is popular for canoeing, boating, and fishing, but visitors can also enjoy nature and hiking trails. Located northeast of Orlando, you will need a car to get there.
2100 West French Avenue, Orange City

Ocala National Forest
The second largest National Forest in Florida. With over 600 natural lakes and ponds, the forest receives more visitors than any other national forest in the Sunshine State. The park has a wide variety of wildlife including the Florida Black Bear.  Families can camp, swim, canoe, bicycle, hike, fish, or go for a horseback ride through the forest. The climate here is accommodating for year-round recreation, but you will need a car to get there. Located 18 miles northwest of Orlando, between the Ocklawaha and St. Johns Rivers in central Florida. Interstate 75 parallels the forest on the west, while Interstates 95 and 4 are accessible on the east side.

Wekiwa Springs State Park
About a 45-minute drive north from the parks. The state park comprises around 7,000 acres of wild Florida. The springs pump out 42 million gallons of crystal clear water a day, providing a great outdoor spring pool for swimming. Popular activities at the park include canoeing, swimming, picnicking and fishing.
1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka

Visitors can find fun, eco-friendly activities to do while in Orlando -- these parks are a relaxing day trip away from the theme parks.

Central Florida Beaches

Another great way to experience the natural in Florida is to enjoy the famed beaches of the Sunshine State. Depending on how far you want to travel, there are beaches here to suit every style. You will need a car to travel to these areas.

East Coast – Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Melbourne Beach

The East coast is the place to go for surfing. These beaches offer the best waves. The Atlantic water is a bit cooler than other Florida beaches.

Daytona Beach
Wide, flat beach where you can drive your car onto the sand, which explains why Daytona is the home of "Race Week" and the Daytona 500 in February, and "Bike Week" in March (1 hour drive).

Lighthouse Point Park
Near Daytona Beach and located on 52 acres of pristine land (1 hour drive). The park is on the north side of Ponce DeLeon inlet in the town of Ponce Inlet, just south of Daytona Beach, FL. Lighthouse Point Park offers swimming, picnicking, fishing, nature trails, and an observation deck and tower. A variety of wildlife call the Lighthouse Point Park home, including possums, armadillos, shore birds, and birds of prey.

New Smyrna Beach
Wide and flat, but much less crowded than its northern neighbor, Daytona Beach (1.25 hour drive).

Cocoa Beach
Home to the 'Ron Jon Surf Shop' and the closest beach to Orlando (45min to 1 hour drive). Offers sandy white beaches.

Melbourne Beach
Easily reached from the Kissimmee area, and offers a clean, narrow beach more popular with locals than tourists (1.25 hour drive).

West Coast – St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Fort Desoto, Longboat Key, Sarasota, Ft. Myers, Naples, Marco Island
Situated on the Gulf of Mexico, the beaches of the West Coast offer warm, calm seas, and are generally regarded as very safe for swimmers. Try to stay late because the sunsets here are spectacular.
The most popular beaches are in the St. Petersburg and Clearwater areas. Both are famous for well-groomed white sands and a delightful mix of resort amenities and relaxed beach living (2 hour drive). Take a look at the Historic Spanish Fort at Fort Desoto (2.25 hour drive). or let the kids splash the day away
Caladesi Island State Park
Near Dunedin/Clearwater, FL, Caladesi is one of the few completely natural islands along Florida's Gulf Coast. With sparkling white sand shores, the Caladesi Island State Park is accessible only by private boat or by ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park. Beach lovers can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. Saltwater anglers can fish from their boats or throw a line into the surf. Nature enthusiasts watch wildlife while hiking the three-mile nature trail through the island's interior or paddling a kayak trail through the mangroves and bay. The park has a marina with electric and water hookups for boaters. Caladesi Island State Park is located one mile west of Dunedin (near Clearwater) off the Gulf Coast of Florida.

To get away from the crowds, drive a little further south to Longboat Key, Sarasota, Ft. Myers, Naples, and Marco Island. (2.5 to 4 hour drive).

Siesta Beach
Near Sarasota, Siesta Beach has the "whitest and finest sand in the world, according to the judges of the Great International White Sand Beach Challenge, held in 1987. Unlike most beaches, which are primarily made up of coral, the sand at Siesta Beach is 99% quartz, so even on the hottest of Florida days, the reflective sand feels cool to the feet. Siesta Beach also offers picnic tables, tennis courts, volleyball on the beach, a soccer field, and a fitness trail.