Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
3
Getting to Know
Walt Disney World &
Orlando
It's hard to believe that Walt Disney World first opened its gates to
the public just under 40 years ago. I doubt anyone could have imagined the incredible
transformation that followed in the wake of the Magic Kingdom's 1971 debut. Orlando
has evolved from a relatively quiet southern farming community into an international
vacation destination. An incredible array of recreational activities, shopping and dining
experiences, and world-class accommodations await those who visit, and it's all set right
in the middle of the natural beauty of Central Florida.
Walt Disney World
(WDW)
is now home to four major theme parks of its own; two
water parks; an incredibly diverse complex full of shopping, dining, and entertainment
venues; tens of thousands of hotel rooms; scores of restaurants; and, to top it all off, two
(soon to be four) cruise ships.
But there's more to Orlando than Mickeyville. With roughly 100 attractions both big
and small, the city features a practically endless array of options. You could spend weeks
here and still not experience all of the exciting things that Orlando has to offer. You can
take in the action-packed thrills of
Universal Studios Florida,
Islands of Adventure,
and the excitement of Universal's nightclub and restaurant district,
CityWalk.
If, how-
ever, you are in need of something with a bit less hustle and bustle,
SeaWorld
and its
sister parks
Discovery Cove
and
Aquatica
(which opened in 2008) feature a laid-back
park experience and crowds that aren't so horrid.
Gatorland,
once the city's first tourist
attraction (yes, there was life here before Mickey arrived), is a throwback attraction where
you can take a leisurely walk and enjoy natural surroundings, a lack of crowds and lines,
and an admission price that won't break the bank.
One piece of advice:
Yes, the theme parks are a central part of an Orlando vacation.
But, even with all there is to do in the parks, everyone should spend at least a day away
from the hubbub to regroup and revitalize; even just a night away will work wonders if
you just can't seem to pull yourself away for an entire day. There are plenty of great ways
to spend a day or evening off here, from shopping to swimming to minigolf, and more.
1
ORLANDO 101: WHAT HAPPENED
WHEN THE MOUSE MOVED IN
You can't truly understand Orlando with-
out finding out how it came to be a tour-
ism behemoth in the first place. Orlando
may have begun life as a sleepy little
Southern town, but it sure didn't stay that
way for long. Over the years, the city has
dramatically transformed itself into an
international vacation destination and the
theme-park capital of the world. Orlando
welcomes nearly 48 million visitors annu-
ally from all over the globe. What began
with plantations, cattle ranches, and
