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ORLANDO_DISTRICT
Getting an actual picture of the themed parks in Orlando is so intensely protected and complicated that we decided to use this picture instead. It's from Orlando, but we can't say where.
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| In and Around Orlando |
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Once upon a time, Orlando was a small town surrounded by cow pastures and citrus fields. With the development of Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, SeaWorld and a host of smaller attractions, those cow pastures turned into planned communities that house a wide range of residents, from Disney's 55,000 "cast members" to sports celebrities and millionaires.
Now, virtually all of Central Florida defines itself by its distance from Orlando, while Orlando defines itself by its distance from Disney World. Towns that once had identities of their own now struggle to retain that identity, succeeding in varying degrees.
Walt Disney World
You will find everything from hotels to shopping, restaurants, sports and nightlife within the huge park. There are also thousands of hotel rooms to fit a wide range of budgets, and all provide shuttle transportation that gets you to WDW's four theme parks, three water parks and sundry other diversions. A monorail zips passengers to many destinations; boats and buses serve all the others, and the wait is rarely more than a few minutes.
Kissimmee/U.S. 192
U.S. 192 refers to a long strip of multi-laned highway along an east-west route from the small but sprawling towns of Kissimmee and St. Cloud to Walt Disney World and beyond. This busy artery isn't much to look at, but it is the epicenter of moderately priced accommodations located outside the Walt Disney World park grounds.
On highway 192 there are dozens of budget- to moderate-priced hotels with rates in the $30-50 range and even less during really slow seasons. Here, too, are dozens of inexpensive restaurants ranging from fast food to ethnic options, grocery stores, discount shopping malls and dinner show entertainment.
U.S. 192, also called Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, stretches from downtown Kissimmee past the main entry gate to Walt Disney World and to U.S. 27, which is roughly the western edge of Orlando. Heading north from a point about midway along the main stretch of U.S. 192 is S.R. 535, which also leads to I-4 and International Drive.
I-4
This big interstate highway connects Tampa on the west and Daytona Beach in the east, streaking past exits leading to Orlando's theme park and hotel districts. It is vital to remember that although the road is actually heading north at many points, everything along it is keyed to the "west" direction of Tampa and the "east" direction of Daytona Beach. All the theme parks and hundreds of hotels are accessible from this interstate highway. Avoid rush hour if you can.
International Drive
This long byway was once the way to Orlando's Convention Center, a few hotels and precious little else. Today, you can barely find the street sign, so jammed is this byway with shopping malls, attractions, towering hotels and restaurants.
The Orlando Convention Center lures a constant round of meetings—large and small—so for conventioneers particularly, this boulevard is a vital cog in the Orlando machine. For everyone else, there are some very nice hotels here, and you can often find some very attractive rates on weekends and between conventions.
Universal Studios
When Universal Studios moved in to compete ear-to-ear with the Mouse, a community of hotels, restaurants and all the rest grew up around it. While Universal's parks do not yet begin to rival Walt Disney World in size, the surrounding area is growing fast. You'll find a Universal Studios exit off I-4.
Downtown Orlando
Yes, there is a downtown Orlando, although few who come to Orlando ever see much of it. Downtown Orlando is, in fact, one of the prettiest parts of the city, blessed with tree-lined neighborhoods, attractive older homes and its fair share of (but not too many) shops, restaurants, lounges and entertainment areas.
Celebration
This small but rapidly growing town was created by the Disney Corporation, intent on creating a picture-perfect community, using the latest views on neighborhood socialization. Rimmed by white fencing, Celebration is a cluster of Victorian-style homes on neat streets, with townhouses on a crescent-shaped street, courtesy of Olde England. Celebration's homes, many of which are in the $350,000-700,000 (at the least) range, circle a central shopping, dining and entertainment area with attractive shops and cafes. |
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Click on a trip below to adopt the trip. You can change the dates, add your preferences, or even rearrange the items in the Trip Plan, then plot the trip and save it as your own.
Road trips around Orlando
CHOOSE KISSIMMEE! WHAT’S NEW
Kissimmee is just outside of Orlando. Give it a whirl!
A MOTHER/DAUGHTER GIRLFRIEND GETAWAY
Shopping, a spa, and a fun night out doing girl stuff!
Sponsored by
For details see article on: 
KISSIMMEE - FAMILY FUN, LEARNING,and MORE FUN
Sponsored by
For details see article on:
ORLANDO - FAMILY TRIP
Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, Universal Studios - Everyone in the family will have a blast!
For details see article on:
ORLANDO - EDUCATIONAL
Make a Theme Park Trip, a visit to Kennedy Space Center and a look at Sea World educational and fun!
ORLANDO - RELAXATION
Three days of great Orlando golf will send you home recharged!
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