Orlando Travel Essentials

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"The magical world of theme-parks"

Orlando Tourism

Orlando welcomes more than 52 million visitors every year and that's enough to define its popularity all over the world. The star of Orlando is the famous Walt Disney World, which is situated 18 miles south in Lake Buena Vista. The County seat of Orange County, Orlando is known as 'the Theme Park Capital of the World' as it is home to 10 of the biggest theme parks in the States.

Just like its nickname, 'The City Beautiful' Orlando takes pride in its stunning landscapes with cultural attractions, Lake Eola and surrounding theme parks. The list of theme parks doesn't end at Disney and Universal though. Some other amazing parks include SeaWorld, Gator Land and Legoland Florida. Most of the theme parks are located around Orlando's city limits.

There's more to Orlando than theme parks too. The many museums, parks and activities there are sure to keep you busy if themse parks aren't your cup of tea. You can even go for a zipline safari into the Forever Florida which is a wildlife conservation area. Sites like John Kennedy Space Center and Loch Haven Park are totally worth a visit.

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Currency in Orlando

Just like all other cities in America, the currency used in Orlando is US Dollars. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted here, but you must carry a small amount of cash for paying smaller vendors.

Shopping in Orlando

The major malls in Orlando are likely to offer a great shopping experience, products ranging from branded clothing to electronics and appliances. The shopping hubs that top the list are Artegon Marketplace, The Florida Mall, the Mall at Millenia and Orlando Fashion Square. A pack of Lime coconut patties is a popular souvenir among tourists. Apart from these, most of the theme parks have several souvenir shops to buy interesting stuff.

Nightlife in Orlando

Most of the nightlife scenes in Orlando can be spotted around Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard in the Downtown area. Grand Bohemian Hotel lets you enjoy in its lounge live jazz along with a cozy ambience and (pricey) drinks. Burton's Frosty Mug add a local flair; while HUE offers an urban hippie environment. Other areas to explore for varied nightlife experiences are Milk District, Winter Park and Thornton Park District.

History of Orlando

The city first came into existence after the Seminole Wars in 1838. Fort Gatlin was built south of today's Orlando by the US Army to repel Indian attackers. A small community emerged by 1840, which was known as 'Jernigan'. Later, in 1856, the name officially got changed to Orlando. There are several theories behind the name 'Orlando'. Some believe it was named after a man who had put sincere efforts to make the city a County seat. Some say that Mr. Ornaldo was making his way to Tampa, where he died (on the way) due to illness and was buried there itself. Folklores have it that people would cross by and point out- 'There lies Orlando'. Another theory mentions Sentinel Orlando Reeves, one of the soldiers on duty during the Seminole wars. People say that he put his life at risk to warn his fellow soldiers about the enemies. He was buried at the south side of the Lake Eola, hence giving the name to the city.

Language of Orlando

While 75% of the population in Orlando speaks Englis as first language; a quarter of residents speak Spanish, Haitian Creole, French, Portuguese and Arabic as their mother tongue. Communicating in English is easy and convenient in Orlando.

Orlando Customs

Fairly casual dress code is followed in Orlando. Locals are usually friendly, casual and relaxed. Avoiding smoking in 'No- Smoking' areas would save you from possible troubles. A tip of 15% to 20% on the bill is expected for the waiting service.

Religion of Orlando

Christianity is the major religion followed in Orlando. A small part of the population belongs to some other religions, such as LSD, Islam, and an eastern faith.

Daily Budget for Orlando

Daily budget in Orlando for meals, tips, transportation, entertainment and a drink varies depending upon how you want to spend the money. If you are on a shoestring budget, you would need USD 100 for a day. A mid-ranged traveler would spend about USD 320 - 350; while a tourist on splurge budget would be spending more that USD 800 per day.

Exchanging Money in Orlando

You can exchange your currency at easily available banks and currency exchanges. You can also directly withdraw local currency from ATMs using internationally-accepted cards, such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

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How to Reach Orlando

How to Reach Overview

The city is served by Orlando International Airport, which is situated 10 kilometers from the main city. You can reach Orlando from surrounding cities by taxi/train/bus.

How to reach Orlando by flight

The Orlando International Aiport is the primary airport which connects Orlando with all parts of the world.

How to reach Orlando by road

Orlando is known as the driving capital of the world. You can conveniently rent or bring your own car to drive in and around the city. It is the most economical medium to commute in and outside the city. Taxis can also be hired.

How to reach Orlando by train

Orlando has an Amtrak station which links the city with various cities in the United States.

How to reach Orlando by bus

Various companies such as Greyhound, ATC Buses and Megabus operate buses from Orlando to nearby cities (and vice-versa).

Local transport in Orlando

The best way to get around the city is renting a car. Orlando has got nice roads and this way you can explore the neighborhoods in a better way (avoid rush hours). You can also get a bus provided by LYNX. Hiring a taxi is convenient only from the airport or downtown; you possibly won't be able to catch one elsewhere. For Disney World transportation, the options include Monorail, Ferryboat, Buses and Disney's Magical Express.

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FAQs on Orlando

What is the local food in Orlando?

Florida is known for its fresh juicy fruits, mainly oranges, lime, grape fruit and passion fruit, and Orlando is no exception. You can buy and gulp down as many fruits you want to. Some popular dishes to try in Orlando are Blue Crab, Conch Fritters, Cuban Sandwich and Key Lime Pie.
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What are the places near Orlando?

The top places near to Orlando are Miami which is 330 km from Orlando, New york city which is located 1511 km from Orlando, Charleston which is located 491 km from Orlando, Las vegas which is located 3265 km from Orlando, Los angeles which is located 3537 km from Orlando

What are the top hotels in Orlando?

There are 3274 in Orlando which can be booked through Holidify. The most popular hotels in Orlando are Hollywood Dreams, Glenbrook Villa GB010, Magical Memory Maker, Windsor Hills Villa with Pool, The Encore Club at Reunion - Six Bedroom Villa - EC009, The Encore Club at Reunion - Five Bedroom Home - EC025. You can see all the hotels in Orlando here

What is the best way to reach Orlando?

The city is served by Orlando International Airport, which is situated 10 kilometers from the main city. You can reach Orlando from surrounding cities by taxi/train/bus.
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What is the best time to visit Orlando?

The months between January and April make for the best time to plan a trip to Orlando. The weather remains pleasant and you get to save yourself some extra money due to reduced number of tourists. Summers are uncomfortable- not just because of humidity and high temperatures, but also because of high hotel rates due to the peak season. By December, the hotels are packed with families due to winter vacations. So, you can also plan your trip between September and December to get good deals on accomodation.
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