November 9-12th 2009
ARVC Members, get your discount Disney tickets here!
Attractions And Outdoor Activities Draw Millions To Orlando
ORLANDO, Fla. – With seven of the world’s top 20 theme parks in one destination, not to mention almost 100 other fun-filled attractions and outdoor recreation offerings, it’s no wonder that more than 48 million visitors will choose to spend their free time in Orlando this year.
With so many exciting diversions to choose from, no matter where visitors stay in Orlando, they’ll find plenty of entertaining options right around the corner…
INTERNATIONAL DRIVE AREA
Congo River Golf & Exploration Co. invites guests to explore the “Congo” at one of four Central Florida locations. Its 36-hole original International Drive location features 25 live alligators. www.congoriver.com
FunSpot Action Park allows guests to “Drive the Ride” on its five multi-level go-kart tracks and 13 rides, including seven rides for preschoolers. Fun Spot has more than 100 games in a 10,000-square-foot (900-square-meter) arcade.
fun-spot.com 407-363-3867
Gator Adventure Park lets guests take a walk on the wild side with “trained” alligator shows, gator wrestling, hundreds of live gators and a miniature golf course.
gatoradventurepark.com 407-517-8054
Hawaiian Rumble Adventure Golf features two locations in the Orlando area, one on International Drive and one in Lake Buena Vista. Choose from two challenging Hawaiian-themed courses featuring a waterfall and a $100,000 musical fountain.
hawaiianrumbleorlando.com International Drive location: 407-351-7733 Lake Buena Vista location: 407-239-8300
Magical Midway is home to International Drive's most elevated go-kart tracks, intense thrill rides, midway rides and a huge video arcade. StarFlyer, the only ride of its kind in the United States, seats guests in swing chairs suspended 256 feet (78 meters) above ground.
magicalmidway.com 407-370-5353
Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf offers two challenging 18-hole courses at both its locations. Visitors test their putting skills in a fun-filled setting of natural wonders, lavish landscaping and delightful pirate themes that offer swashbuckling fun for the whole family.
piratescove.net Apopka-Vineland location: 407-827-1242 International Drive location: 407-352-7378
Putting Edge, an indoor putt-putt arena located at Festival Bay Mall on International Drive, takes miniature golf to a whole new level with psychedelic neon landscapes and pumping tunes that set the mood for fun.
putting-edge.com 407-248-0700
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Orlando Odditorium, housed in a building that appears to be sinking, looks like it fell victim to one of Florida’s infamous sinkholes. Explore artifacts, collections, weird art/hobbies and interactive exhibits in 16 galleries of the odd and unusual from around the world.
ripleysorlando.com 407-351-5803
SkyVenture Orlando, Orlando’s high-energy vertical wind tunnel, offers indoor skydiving in which visitors float on a column of air. No parachute, no jumping and no experience are necessary. Reservations suggested.
skyventureorlando.com 800-759-3861/407-903-1150
The Holy Land Experience re-creates the city of Jerusalem and its religious importance between the years 1450 B.C. and A.D. 66 through costumed characters, dramatic enactments and high-tech presentations. The living Biblical museum is home to the Scriptorium, a collection of biblical antiquities dating back to 2200 B.C.
theholylandexperience.com 866-872-4659/407-367-2065
Tiki Island Volcano Golf, located on International Drive, has two 18-hole courses and is surrounded by a four-story volcano with live flame effects, cascading waterfalls and suspended bridges.
tikiislandvolcanogolf.com 407-248-8180
Van’s Skatepark is Orlando’s premier skateboard park with varied riding areas and obstacles designed for beginner to advanced skaters. Includes multiple ramps, bowls, street courses and an arcade.
vans.com 407-351-3881
Wet 'n Wild - Orlando offers a variety of multi-passenger thrill rides with loads of special effects. The Storm washes riders down a towering chute, swirls them around at high speeds and tumbles them into a splash landing while Disco H2O promises a groovy musical raft ride through the ‘70s. The park is open year-round with heated pools in the cooler months.
wetnwildorlando.com 800-992-9453/407-351-1800
WonderWorks, Orlando’s only upside-down attraction, features more than 100 hands-on interactive exhibits. Guests experience virtual reality and rock climbing as well as designing and riding their own roller coaster. The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show provides a high-energy comedy improvisation dinner show (separate ticket required).
wonderworksonline.com 407-351-8800
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT:
Blue Man Group, the wildly successful live entertainment experience has a permanent home at Universal CityWalk. The group entertains audiences of all ages with their live stage show combining music, comedy and multimedia theatrics.
universalorlando.com 800-232-7827/407-363-8000 
Universal’s Islands of Adventure invites guests to “live the adventure” with technologically advanced thrill rides and attractions, including The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!, the Jurassic Park River Adventure, The Incredible Hulk and Dueling Dragons coasters. New in 2010 will be The Wizardry World of Harry Potter.
universalorlando.com 877-688-8011/407-363-8000
Universal Studios Florida takes guests beyond the screen and into the world of television and film to “ride the movies.” Visitors ride along with Shrek and Donkey at Shrek 4-D, battle the supernatural at Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride and hang out at “Krustyland” with America’s favorite animated family at The Simpsons Ride. In 2009, the park will unveil a new high-tech, multi-sensory coaster, Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit.
universalorlando.com 877-688-8011/407-363-8000
WORLDS OF DISCOVERY:
Aquatica – SeaWorld’s Waterpark features dual wave pools, two children’s play areas, two lazy rivers, beaches and swimming areas, and plenty of water slides, including the Dolphin Plunge, which whisks guests through acrylic flumes amid a lagoon of jumping Commerson's dolphins.
seaworldaquatica.com 407-363-2280
Discovery Cove is an exclusive island oasis where guests can swim with dolphins, snorkel with tropical fish and rays and hand-feed exotic birds. It is an all-inclusive, reservations-only adventure that includes a full day of activities, swim/snorkel gear, breakfast and lunch, plus a seven-consecutive-day pass to either SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Africa or Aquatica – SeaWorld’s Waterpark.
discoverycove.com 877-434-7268/407-370-1280
SeaWorld Orlando features 200 acres (80 hectares) of sea-themed shows, attractions and rides, including Manta, a “flying coaster,” coming summer 2009, Kraken, Orlando’s longest, tallest and fastest floorless roller coaster and Shamu’s Happy Harbor, a children’s play area with pint-sized rides. The Shamu show, “Believe,” combines a “killer whale ballet” of grace and agility with an original music score. Shows and animal exhibits include polar bears, beluga whales, manatees, sea lions, penguins, dolphins and more.
SeaWorld.com 800-432-1178/407-351-3600
DOWNTOWN ORLANDO/LOCH HAVEN PARK
Orlando Brewing, located near downtown Orlando, is the only organic brewery and taproom in the Southeast and one of only 10 in the United States. Free tours are available and live music is featured weekly.
orlandobrewing 407-872-1117
Orlando Science Center offers an observatory, giant screen theater and hundreds of hands-on exhibits on four floors which offer opportunities to explore, experiment and discover. Coming soon, the Science Center will relocate, renovate and expand existing preschool areas by creating a distinct children’s museum within the existing complex.
osc.org 888-672-4386/407-514-2000
SOUTHWEST ORLANDO
Richard Petty Driving Experience takes motorsports fans out of the grandstands and puts them behind the wheel of a stock car. Ride-and-drive programs on the 1-mile (1.6-kilometer), tri-oval Walt Disney World Speedway and 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) Daytona International Speedway are available. New to the Speedway is the Indy Racing Experience Race fans where thrill seekers have the opportunity to both drive and ride in actual cars that were used in past Indianapolis 500 events.
1800bepetty.com 800-237-3889/407-939-0130
Wallaby Ranch Hang Gliding Flight Park, located just south of Orlando in Davenport, teaches guests to hang glide 2,000 feet (610 meters) from the ground using tandem aerotowing techniques and no previous experience.
wallaby.com 863-424-0070
WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT:
Cirque du Soleil’s “La Nouba” in Downtown Disney West Side features a renowned blend of acrobatics and state-of-the-art special effects with more than 70 artists from around the world performing in a custom-made theater seating 1,671 guests.
lanoubaorlando.com 407-939-7600
Disney's Animal Kingdom Park offers exciting adventures and unique encounters with real, exotic animals, plus one-of-a-kind guest experiences with fictional animals and giant dinosaurs from the prehistoric world. Not-to-miss attractions include Expedition Everest, a high-speed train adventure, “Finding Nemo – The Musical,”a live 30-minute musical show, TriceraTop Spin, Primeval Whirl!, DINOSAUR and Kilimanjaro Safaris.
disneyworld.com 407-824-4321
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park features one of the world’s tallest, fastest free-fall speed slides in a whimsical “winter” setting. It is the largest of Disney’s water parks, with 22 water slides and “icy” bobsled runs that stay comfortably warm and thrillingly fast.
disneyworld.com 407-939-7812
Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf course is a 36-hole golf adventure featuring Fantasia Gardens, an 18-hole miniature golf course with a theme taken from Disney's classic animated film "Fantasia," and Fantasia Fairways, an 18-hole challenge course designed with strategically placed bunkers and hazards.
disneyworld.com 407-560-4870
Disney’s Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios) is a theme park with a complete motion picture and television studio. Feature attractions include Toy Story Mania!; Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show; Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage!; Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith; The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror; and an American Idol attraction coming in 2009.
disneyworld.com 407-824-4321
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park offers guests twisting tides, roaring rapids and relaxing rivers. Whether navigating the nine water slides – including a water coaster thrill ride, swimming with sharks and tropical fish or conquering waves in the United States’ largest wave pool, this is exotic paradise promises to be the wettest water adventure known to man…or fish.
disneyworld.com 407-939-7812
Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf course is an interactive miniature golf experience with two 18-hole wacky, elf-sized golf courses. One course carries the zany, snow-covered Florida theme found at Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park, while the other takes a more tropical, holiday theme, with ornaments hanging from palm trees.
disneyworld.com 407-560-3000
Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex hosts nearly 200 Amateur Athletic Union events, Atlanta Braves spring training and the Pop Warner Super Bowl each year. Sports lovers can enjoy a whole community of spectator fun with 200 acres (80 hectacres) of facilities that can host more than 30 sports.
disneyworld.com 407-939-7529
DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park is a five-story, indoor, interactive theme park that combines Disney's magic with cutting-edge technology. Guests climb aboard a real river raft on Virtual Jungle Cruise, ride a roller coaster of their own design on Cyber Space Mountain or become part of a human pinball game in Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam. Some attractions require a separate charge.
disneyworld.com 407-828-4600
Epcot takes guests to 11 nations at World Showcase and fast-forwards them to tomorrow in Future World. World Showcase offers a kaleidoscope of nations – The American Adventure, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Norway and the United Kingdom – brought together to celebrate cultural heritage. Don’t-miss rides include Mission:SPACE, Soarin’, which lifts guests 40 feet (12 meters) aloft inside a giant projection screen dome, and The Seas with Nemo & Friends, a whimsical and visually stunning attraction that has the stars of "Finding Nemo" swimming amid the live marine life of the huge aquarium in The Living Seas pavilion.
disneyworld.com 407-824-4321
Magic Kingdom Park features seven magical lands with attractions, restaurants and shops based on favorite Disney themes of fantasy, yesterday and tomorrow. Popular attractions include Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Space Mountain and The Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, an interactive adventure inspired by Disney-Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.”
disneyworld.com 407-824-4321
SOUTH ORLANDO & KISSIMMEE
Biplane Rides Over Kissimmee offers guests the chance to ride in—and even fly— an open cockpit 1943 Boeing Stearman, an authentic World War II trainer, over Disney and other attractions.
biplaneridesoverkissimmee.com 407-473-9142
Full Speed Race & Golf gives visitors the opportunity to race against other riders in full-motion NASCAR simulators or play a round of golf in an 18-hole, indoor black light miniature golf course.
fullspeed.cc 407-397-7455
Gatorland, one of Central Florida’s first attractions, is home to thousands of alligators and crocodiles, as well as a petting zoo, bird sanctuary, mini water park, eco-tour and action-packed outdoor entertainment, including daily alligator wrestlin’ shows.
gatorland.com 800-393-5297/407-855-5496
Green Meadows Petting Farm features a two-hour guided tour to see more than 300 farm animals. Visitors are encouraged to have a first-hand experience by petting the animals, taking train and hay rides, milking a cow and riding a pony. Picnic areas are available.
greenmeadowsfarm.com 407-846-0770
Old Town Shopping, Dining & Entertainment Attraction features 75 unique specialty shops, eight restaurants, 21 thrilling amusement rides and Sky Coaster. This free-admission, free-parking attraction offers the look and feel of a Florida town at the beginning of the 20th century. Car shows every Friday and Saturday feature hundreds of classic cars.
old-town.com 800-843-4202/407-396-4888
Warbird Adventures, Inc. offers guests the chance to fly like the aces of yesterday in the Premier Fighter-Trainer of WWII — the North American T-6 TEXAN. Whether they want a thrilling aerobatic adventure or a smooth, straight and level flight, the experience is tailored just for them.
warbirdadventures.com 407-870-7366
NORTHEAST CENTRAL FLORIDA
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens showcases hundreds of rare or endangered animals, including cheetahs, elephants, kangaroos, baboons, leopards and some of the most powerful snakes in the world.
centralfloridazoo.org 407-323-4450
NORTHWEST CENTRAL FLORIDA
Scott’s Maze Adventures, located in Zellwood,features a 6-acre (2.4-hectare) corn maze, 3-acre (1.2-hectare) tree maze, picnic area, nature walk and various entertainment attractions for public, group and corporate events.
longandscottfarms.com 352-383-6900
EASTERN CENTRAL FLORIDA
Brevard Zoo, located in Melbourne, features more than 550 animals representing 165 species, from North and South America, Asia, Australia and Africa. Unique experiences including hand-feeding gentle giraffes and kayaking through wetlands.
brevardzoo.org 321-254-9453
Daytona International Speedway, home of the Daytona 500 and Coke Zero 400 NASCAR races, offers exciting racing; guided Speedway tours; Daytona 500 Experience (formerly Daytona USA), The Ultimate Motorsports Attraction; and the Richard Petty Driving Experience.
daytonainternationalspeedway.com 386-253-7223
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers tours of behind-the-scenes areas with views of Space Shuttle facilities and launch pads. Visitors can feel what it’s like to blast into space in the Shuttle Launch Experience, meet a real astronaut every day and see “Space Station 3D” in the world's largest twin IMAX® theater. The Astronaut Hall of Fame features the world's largest collection of astronaut memorabilia, displays, exhibits, hands-on activities and simulators.
kennedyspacecenter.com 321-449-4444
Silver Springs, the park famous for its Glass Bottom Boat ride and Fort King River Cruise, encompasses the largest artesian limestone spring in the world. Other highlights include bear, panther and crocodile exhibits; a children’s petting zoo; animal shows; a historical museum;and headline concerts.
silversprings.com 352-236-2121
Zero-G Corporation provides a full-day experience featuring a weightless flight that only astronauts have had access to prior to now. Flights depart from the Kennedy Space Center.
gozerog.com 800-ZERO-G-800/954-756-1000
WEST/SOUTHWEST CENTRAL FLORIDA
Adventure Island is a 30-acre (12-hectare) water park featuring thrilling slides and tube rides, the Splash Attack play area, a 20-foot (6.1-meter) platform for cliff jumping, lagoons, waterfalls and more.
adventureisland.com888-800-5447/813-987-5660
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is an exciting family adventure park offering an array of fascinating attractions based on exotic encounters within the African continent. Busch Gardens offers a unique blend of thrilling rides, one of the country's premier zoos featuring more than 2,700 animals, live shows, restaurants, shops and games. One of its many coasters, SheiKra, is the tallest dive coaster in the world.
buschgardens.com 888-800-5447/813-987-5777
CitrusTower, located in Clermont, provides a panoramic view of rolling hills, spring-fed lakes and citrus trees from three Tower Observation Decks. The Tower offers in-season fresh citrus fruit for sale, either to take along or for gift shipments. A restaurant and gift shop are also on the grounds.
citrustower.com 352-394-4061
Cypress Gardens Adventure Park reopens in March 2009 offering famed water-ski shows, historic gardens, beautiful belles, a Splash Island water park and a quaint shopping and dining village.
cypressgardens.com 863-324-2111
Dinosaur World, located in Plant City, has more than 150 life-size dinosaurs located on its grounds. Examine fossils and learn why dinosaur remains are not found in Florida. Visitors can shop for hard-to-find dinosaur toys and educational materials in the gift shop.
dinoworld.net 813-717-9865
Drivetech Racing School at USA International Speedway in Lakeland gives racing fans the opportunity to get behind the wheel of an authentic NASCAR racecar. Guests race like the pros as they drive the laps drafting, passing and leading, setting their own pace around the track.
drivetech.com 800-678-8864/909-349-0255
Fantasy of Flight in Polk City invites guests to explore the romance and nostalgia of flight in self-guided “immersion” experiences that chronicle the history of aviation. Guests can enjoy the world’s largest private collection of vintage aircraft, flight simulators, back-lot tours, hot air balloon flights and open cockpit biplane rides.
fantasyofflight.com 863-984-3500
Florida Eco-Safaris at Forever Florida offers eco-safaris via horseback or in a swamp buggy through a nature preserve with nine ecosystems. New in 2009 is the Zipline Experience, Florida’s first zipline, which takes guests on a treetop nature tour reaching heights of 55 feet (16.8 meters) and speeds up to 20 mph (32.2 kph).
floridaecosafaris.com 407-957-9794
Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, located in Clermont, is Florida’s largest premium winery. Visitors can take a free tour of the winery, sample wines in the tasting room or purchase a bottle of the award-winning Lakeridge wine at the gift shop.
lakeridgewinery.com 800-768-WINE (9463)/352-394-8627
Revolution: The Off-Road Experience in Clermont, new in 2009,lets visitors take the wheel of an all-terrain vehicle, Hummer, Jeep Dune Buggy or high-speed rally car for a few hours of off-road fun. Or, guests can take to the water for wakeboarding, waterskiing or fishing.
revolutionoffroad.com 352-400-1322
Orlando - Come Stay, Play & Learn
Tour the theme parks or shop the outlets. Get close to nature or play a round of golf on any of 176 courses. And, most importantly, connect with loved ones. Unique lasting memories are waiting to be made in Orlando. That's because the adventure and endless excitement of Orlando brings people together and strengthens relationships. Enjoy new attractions in 2009 including the American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios; Manta, an immersive roller coaster, at SeaWorld Orlando; and Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit, an inversion coaster incorporating music and video at Universal Studios Florida. Go to VisitOrlando.com for value offers and vacation planning tips.
Fast Facts About Orlando
VISITATION
More than 48 million visitors come to Orlando each year for business and pleasure. Of those guests, 45.9 million are domestic visitors and 2.8 million are international visitors. Approximately 46 percent of Orlando’s international visitors are from Western Europe followed by Canada with 28 percent.
POPULATION
More than 1.9 million people reside in Greater Orlando, which consists of Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Lake counties. Median age of the area is a youthful 36 years. The City of Orlando is located in Orange County. In all, greater Orlando encompasses 2.6 million acres (1.04 million hectares).
ACCOMMODATIONS
With nearly 450 hotels and more than 112,000 guest rooms, Orlando offers more lodging options than nearly any destination in the world. Accommodations range from luxury resorts and themed hotels to charming bed and breakfasts, economy hotels/motels and campgrounds. There are also more than 26,000 vacation home rentals available and more than 16,000 vacation ownership units.
ATTRACTIONS
Orlando is the epicenter of fun and excitement, as more than 100 attractions keep visitors coming back for more. Take the mix of legendary theme parks, spectacular museums, world-class entertainment and blockbuster rides and attractions, and it would take about 67 eight-hour days to visit all of the entertaining offerings in Orlando.
SHOPPING
Within a 15-mile radius in the heart of Orlando’s attractions area, visitors will find 12 amazing shopping malls and factory outlet centers. Fashionistas will find the world’s most sought-after brands including Burberry, Chanel, Dior, Giorgio Armani, Louis Vitton, Jimmy Choo, among 100 other designer brands. They’ll also find major department stores such as Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy’s, along with numerous trendy, independently-owned boutiques. Theme park souvenir shops, museum stores, art galleries and antique shops add to the wealth of shopping options. In all, Orlando’s retail offerings are vast enough to fill 900 American football fields.
DINING
With more than 5,300 restaurants, Orlando’s dining choices read like a world map — visitors from virtually anywhere in the world can find a taste of home here, with international cuisines ranging from African to Vietnamese. All flavors of American fare are represented as well, from Southern/Creole comfort foods and entertaining dinner theatres to trendy wine bars and restaurants owned by celebrity chefs.
SPA SERVICE
Everyone deserves to be pampered – especially on vacation – and Orlando’s got just the answer. Whether it’s for a couple of hours or for a full day’s treatment, guests can relax at any of the area’s 20 spectacular destination spas including Mandara Spa and The Ritz-Carlton Spa. From mini manicures and men’s sport facials to invigorating body wraps and exotic treatments, Orlando’s spas offer the ultimate respite.
ENTERTAINMENT
Visitors take great delight in Orlando’s impressive lineup of world-class performing arts. The Orlando Opera; Orlando Ballet; Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, In Partnership with UCF; Bach Festival Society; Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra; Broadway Across America – Orlando series and several professional and community theatre companies are just a few of the area’s entertainment options. In addition, House of Blues and Hard Rock Live offer concerts many nights of the week. Cirque du Soleil has a permanent show at Downtown Disney and Universal CityWalk is home to a new Blue Man Group show.
ARTS & CULTURE
While visitors may be surprised to learn about the multitude of arts and culture offerings in Orlando, the same ideals of creativity and innovation, not to mention raw talent and showmanship, that rank Orlando’s theme parks among the best in the world overflow to the surrounding community, making the area a haven for artists and performers. The area is home to hundreds of museums, galleries, theatres, gardens, historic homes, as well as acclaimed ballet, opera and philharmonic companies and traveling Broadway shows. Many of Orlando’s arts offerings can be found along its “Cultural Corridor,” a seven to eight mile stretch along Interstate 4 (I-4), spanning from Downtown Orlando to historic Winter Park.
RECREATION
Few destinations in the world come close to rivaling Orlando’s incredible year-round recreational offerings. With more than 2,000 lakes, springs and rivers for swimming, boating, water skiing and fishing, 176 golf courses, 800 tennis courts and 21 fitness trails for biking, walking or blading, visitors give Orlando’s multitude of recreational options a big thumbs-up.
NIGHTLIFE
Once the sun sets, the pulse quickens as Orlando’s thriving nightlife comes alive. From ultra-hip bars and high-energy dance clubs to laid-back pubs and multi-venue entertainment complexes, Orlando offers plenty of hot spots to live it up. Orlando’s nightlife options include bars and clubs in downtown Orlando, Universal CityWalk, “Restaurant Row” on Sand Lake Road and Pointe Orlando.
COLLEGE & PRO SPORTS
Sports fans are in their element in Orlando thanks to the area’s great lineup of collegiate and professional sporting events. From the National Basketball Association’s Orlando Magic and the University of Central Florida Knights football to Orlando Predators arena football, Tampa Bay Buccaneers training, and spring training with the Atlanta Braves, the Orlando sports scene gives fans plenty of reasons to cheer. Orlando is also home to a new Major Indoor Soccer League team, the Orlando Sharks.
Orlando hosts some of the sport’s most talented players each year during two annual Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA) tournaments. The Arnold Palmer Invitational, Presented by MasterCard at Bay Hill is held in March. The Children’s Miracle Classic is played on Walt Disney World golf courses in October. The Del Webb Father-Son Challenge is held in December at ChampionsGate Golf Club and the LPGA Tour’s Ginn OPEN is held at Ginn Reunion Resort each April.
SPECIAL EVENTS
From rodeo performances and celebrity concerts to ethnic festivals and art shows, Orlando hosts more than 450 year-round events to please everyone and add more vacation variety. Visit Orlando’s official Web site, VisitOrlando.com, for a comprehensive calendar of events.
CLIMATE
October - May Average Daily Temperatures
Days - Low 70s F (22 C) to mid 80s F (27 C)
Nights - Low 60s F (16 C) to high 60s F (20 C)
June - September Average Daily Temperatures
Days - Upper 80s F (27 C) to mid 90s F (32 C)
Nights - Upper 60s F (20 C) to mid 70s F (25 C)
MEETING SPACE
Orlando is a world-class meetings destination that hosts4 million delegates each year and offersa variety of facilities that accommodate small groups as well as large citywide conventions and trade shows.
Orlando's Orange County Convention Center is ranked second in the United States in terms of exhibition space with more than 2.1 million square feet (189,000 square meters). The Center also offers 479,190 square feet (43,127 square meters) of meeting rooms. There are more than 7,600 hotel rooms within walking distance of the facility. Also, more than 3.1 million square feet (261,000 square meters) of meeting space is available in the area's hotels and cultural venues.
TRANSPORTATION
Orlando International Airport – Orlando International Airport (MCO) is located within 15 miles (24 kilometers) of the Orange County Convention Center and major attractions. More than 40 scheduled airlines, 12 charters and 10 cargo companies provide non-stop service to 84 destinations in the United States and 17 international cities.
More than 36 million passengers used Orlando International Airport in 2007, making MCO the busiest airport in Florida, 10th in the United States, and 20th in the world. Orlando International Airport is ranked as the most on-time airport in the country and 8th most on-time airport in the world according to the latest 2008 survey by ForbesTraveler.com (May 2008). In its annual Business Traveler Awards, Conde Nast Traveler Magazine ranks Orlando International Airport in the top five airports nationwide in areas including ease of connections, food and shops and comfort and design (August 2008). Orlando International Airport is also ranked second in overall passenger satisfaction for large airports nationwide according to the latest J.D. Power and Associates study (September 2008).
Orlando Sanford International Airport – Orlando Sanford International Airport is located within 18miles (29 km) of Orlando city limits and 45 minutes from the Orange County Convention Center and major attractions. With eight airlines serving 31 U.S. and 21 international destinations, this bustling facility was ranked the fastest-growing airport in North America for 2004 by the Airport Council International. The airport is the third most active in Florida and 36th in the United States.
Orlando Executive Airport – Located three miles from downtown Orlando, Orlando Executive Airport is ideal for the business traveler with a private jet or charter plane. Its central location to the area’s main highways, Interstate 4, Highway 408 (East-West Expressway-toll) and Highway 417 (Central Florida Greeneway-toll) as well as its easy approach and ability to handle quick take-off demands, make it well-suited for busy executives as well as law enforcement and medical personnel.
Roadways – Major highway networks provide easy access for visitors to reach their destinations and for traveling in and around the Greater Orlando area. Primary roadways include Interstate 4, the Florida Turnpike (toll), Highway 528 (Beachline Expressway-toll), Highway 408 (East-West Expressway-toll) and Highway 417 (Central Florida Greeneway-toll).
Train service – Amtrak serves more than 28 Florida communities with north and southbound daily trains originating from New York and Miami. These Silver Service trains stop in downtown Orlando, Winter Park and Kissimmee. Amtrak also offers the Auto Train, which transports business or pleasure passengers and their vehicles daily between Lorton, Va., and Sanford.
About town – In addition to taxi and limousine service to anywhere in the greater Orlando area, LYNX, Central Florida's bus system, provides economical and dependable public transportation in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. LYNX bus stops are marked with a pink "bus'' or "paw" print and include the route numbers served at that stop. Buses run in 15, 30 and 60-minute intervals, depending on location. Complete schedules are available online at golynx.com. LYNX also operates LYMMO, a free circulator bus in downtown Orlando with 21 stops reaching from the Amway Arena to City Hall. LYMMO buses run every five to 10 minutes.
In addition, the I-Ride Trolleys serve the popular International Drive Resort Area year-round, seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. with scheduled stops every 20 minutes. The two routes with 107 stops are designated with numbered “I-Ride Trolley” location markers. More information is available online at iridetrolley.com.
For a leisurely spin around downtown Orlando, carriage rides and bicycle rickshaws are also available through local vendors.
REGIONAL OFFERINGS
Orlando is the perfect starting point for a host of easy day trips. From sun-drenched beaches with refreshing water and scenic nature preserves filled with rare wildlife to high-energy spectator sports and unique cultural, educational and historic attractions, visitors find them all within an hour’s drive.
TIME ZONE
Orlando is in the Eastern time zone.
VISITOR INFORMATION
For more information about vacation experiences in Orlando, to order a complimentary vacation planning kit that includes a comprehensive Official Vacation Guide and Orlando Preferred Visitor Magicard™ or to purchase vacation packages and discount attraction tickets, visitors can log onto Orlando’s official Web site at VisitOrlando.com or call an Official Travel Counselor at 1-800-551-0181 (United States and Canada) or 407-363-5872. While in Orlando, visitors may stop by the Official Visitor Center located at 8723 International Drive, at the southeast corner of International Drive and Austrian Row. The Official Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (closes at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 and is closed Dec. 25).