ORLANDO


	Click here to search for all Orlando accommodation.

Orlando, made up of three main areas: International Drive - the epicentre of the action, Lake Buena Vista - minutes from the thrills and the excitement of Walt Disney World resort and Kissimmee - offering good value accommodation whilst being convenient for the 192 to take you straight to Disney's Maingate.

Fast Facts

Getting there
Flight time: approx. 9 hrs 30 mins
Time Difference: -5 hrs

Weather report
Warm sunny days and mild nights. The average monthly temperature is 75°F in the winter peaking at 91°F in the summer. There is very little rainfall.

Clothes: T-shirts, shorts and a lightweight jacket or cardigan for the evening. Smart/casual clothing if you plan to be eating out or visiting any of the bars in the evening. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and suitable boots if you are planning to head up to any of the national parks or forests.

Practicalities

Language: English

Currency and money: US Dollar. Most major credit cards are accepted throughout the United States, travellers cheques are widely accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants providing they are US Dollars traveller's cheques, sterling traveller's cheques are not accepted.

Cost of living: Eating out on a budget (lunch) $5-10, eating out mid range (evening meal) $10-15, eating out top end $25 upwards, half a bottle of wine in a restaurant $10, beer $2.50, ice-cream $1.50, petrol $1.40 per gallon. All prices are approximate and subject to change.

Tipping: 15% tipping is commonplace and expect to tip anyone who offers a service that includes bar staff, reception, bell boys and restaurant staff. Fast food restaurants do not operate a tipping policy.

Tourist Office Number: Visit Florida Tourist Office Tel:01737 644882 or for information from the Orlando Tourism Bureau Tel: 09001 600220 (calls cost 60p/min).

Please Note: if you are thinking of drinking alcohol in Florida you must be over 21 years old, however if you look under 35 years old you will also be asked to provide identification (passport). Without identification you will not be served or able to purchase alcohol.

Activities
Strolling up and down the 'I-Drive' is great entertainment and you'll find all forms of shopping and dining opportunities. If fashion is your passion, head for the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores, where you'll find discounted brand-name merchandise in over thirty five stores.

Events
The EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival is usually held in mid to late April at Walt Disney World Resort. Watch out for the City of Kissimmee July 4th the city celebrates with fantastic fireworks displays, live music, arts and crafts and fun for the children. Downtown Disney's House of Blues is a great place for checking out new music and your favourite bands.

Recommended reading

A Brit's Guide to Orlando and Walt Disney World: 2002 by Simon Veness
Fodor's Around Orlando with Kids: 60 Great Things to Do Together (Fodor's Around the City with Kids) by Emily Emerson
Beyond Disney: the official Guide to Universal, SeaWorld and the Best of Central Florida by Menasha Press

Explore Orlando

Getting Around
Wherever you are staying, having a car is a bonus offering you freedom and flexibility, allowing you to explore the area at your own free will. However, if you're staying in International Drive an alternative way to get around is by hopping on the 'I-Ride System' - trolley operate a shuttle service along the nine mile Drive from 07.00am to midnight for around 75 cents a journey, $2 for a day pass and $7 for a week (FREE for under 12's).

Eating and Drinking
All areas boast a vast variety of restaurants with International Drive leading the way offering just about every type of cuisine imaginable from TGI Fridays to the Olive Garden, from 'all you can eat' buffets to dining at the worlds largest Hard Rock Café at Universal CityWalk. Discover Crossroads at Lake Buena Vista for a good choice of dining outlets or go wild as rainstorms pass over your head in the Rainforest Café at Downtown Disney. Kissimmee offers a choice of just about every branch of American restaurant, whilst Kissimmee's Old Town, a charming recreation of small town America in the 19th century, provides the opportunity for a relaxing meal in one of the village's eight restaurants.

Fun for the children
As well as visiting Walt Disney World Resort, why not cool off on International Drive at Wet 'n Wild, the water park with more multi-person rides than any other. Or head for Water Marina, Kissimmee's very own water park with 36 acres of attractions including the seven storey high Screamer and the wave pool.

Evening Entertainment

Kissimmee offers spectacular entertainment with dinner including Arabian Nights and its amazing equestrian show, jousting matches at Medieval Times or experience gangland Chicago at Capone's. International Drive plays host to restaurants, cinemas, clubs and bars. It's here where you will fin d the Motown Café, CityJazz and the Groove nightclub, as well as the mega 2,000 seat Hard Rock Live concert auditorium. Right on Lake Buena Vista's doorstep you'll find Disney's Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney, offering a vast choice of clubs, including Motion - a club playing pop music and the BET Soundstage Club for soul, R&B, hip hop and more. Whatever you want Orlando definitely has plenty to offer that'll keep you amused all night long!

Shopping

The selection is vast, you'll find bargains galore at the Belz Factory Outlet at the top end of 'I-Drive' or head to International Designer Outlets for 30-60% off designer clothing. Kissimmee offers more than 75 speciality shops in Old Town along with the Manufacturers Outlet Mall selling famous names at discount prices. If Disney is what you want, then Downtown Disney is where you'll find it. This delightfully located lakeside Marketplace setting offers a superb choice of over 20 themed shops and restaurants, including World of Disney - the largest character merchandise store on earth!

Highlights

Five must sees: Kraken Rollercoaster at SeaWorld Orlando, the parades at Walt Disney World, The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman ride at Universal's Islands of Adventure, a rocket launch at Kennedy Space Centre and DisneyQuest an indoor interactive theme park at Downtown Disney where you can create your own rollercoaster.

Great Views: The 18th century mansion and abundance of flowers at the Harry P Leu Gardens.

Memorable Moments: The amazing IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Walt Disney World Resort.

Destination Treasures: If you want to spend a couple of days away from the theme parks, head up to the beautiful Blue Spring State Park, 40 miles north of Orlando.

Travel Tips: Orlando offers so much to see and do you'll be spoilt for choice, take some time out of activities every now and again to soak up the lively atmosphere.

ORLANDO RESORTS

Please click for further information on the following Orlando resorts:

Kissimmee
International Drive
Lake Buena Vista

Special Offers in Orlando


	3 Bedroom Florida Villa From £389 per Villa
		Disney Area Villas are on selected residential villa developments none of which is more than 30 minutes drive from Walt Disney World Resort.All villas have a private Screened heatable pool.From £389 for the villa per week for upto 8 persons not per person for July and August dates. More about this offer »

Click here to search for all Orlando accommodation.