Travel Guides > Orlando, FL

Orlando Travel

Floridians are usually proud to admit that a medium-sized Central Florida town, once teeming with orange groves and little else, has turned their state into a destination that attracts visitors from every corner of the world. Each year, about 50 million visitors travel to Orlando to experience all that it has to offer.

Walt Disney, of course, is responsible for starting the boom, and though tourism there has waxed and waned over the years, Walt Disney World is still the number one Florida attraction. It's no wonder. Where else can individuals, couples, and families enjoy such a complete vacation package? With four fabulous theme parks, a handful of waterparks, incredible hotels, a "downtown" area, world-class golfing, watersports, and so much more, visitors to Walt Disney World could stay for weeks and never be bored.

Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure have endeavored to keep up with Disney by opening their own hotels and offering a "CityWalk", not unlike Downtown Disney. Most visitors to Orlando now include Universal as part of their itinerary, especially those traveling with children.

When it comes to Central Florida theme parks, Sea World continues to hold its own and though it's not as elaborate as the others, Anheuser-Busch has kept it up-to-date and exciting, with rides like Kraken, a floorless roller coaster, and Journey to Atlantis, dubbed a combination log flume/roller coaster.

Water is a huge part of life in Florida, so visitors are sure to find a number of water-related attractions, whether they're used to beat the Florida heat or to explore the wonders of the marine world. A newer Orlando attraction, Discovery Cove, is a great place to spend the day. Visitors will have the opportunity to swim in a lagoon full of Rays, play with the dolphins, snorkel at a coral reef through shipwrecks and grottoes, visit the aviary, or just relax around the resort pool or swim in the tropical river.

A number of smaller attractions exist in the downtown Orlando area and on the outskirts of the city. Some are certainly worth your time, like Silver Springs, where guests can take a jungle cruise, enjoy a Jeep safari, or visit the petting zoo.

The Orlando Science Center and the unique WonderWorks (an easy-to-spot upside-down building) offer dozens of interactive, hands-on activities that children love. For something really cool, visit SkyVenture, where you can experience the thrill of sky-diving in a secure, indoor environment.

The wonderful thing about Florida, of course, is the weather, so you can visit all year long. The theme parks get most crowded in the summer and during school holidays, so be prepared to deal with the crowds. If you can swing a spring or fall vacation, you'll be delighted with the absence of long lines.