Orlando Guide

Orlando is one of the world's premier travel destinations. It’s estimated that 45-million people visit the area every year, enjoying the many Theme Parks, beaches, and events that make Central Florida a great place to spend your holiday.

Here we only scratch the surface to give you a taste of what’s on offer.

Disney World Orlando

Walt Disney World is of course the Theme Parks Each park is different in size content and atmosphere and each is just as exciting. For the child in us the Magic Kingdom is still the place where the Disney magic lives and breathes. Although Epcot is geared more towards the adults it teaches innovation and world culture in an entertaining way so Children will benefit from their time there.

Disney-MGM Studios offers visitors a chance to see how a working movie studio operates and so much more. Disney's Animal Kingdom is just that - step into the world of the wild kingdom for a few hours, or a couple of days, to see how the other half really lives.

Walt Disney World also has two water parks; as well as shopping, dining and entertainment at Downtown Disney. If you're into championship golf courses, tennis, marinas, spas, health clubs, swimming pools, fishing, horseback riding, miniature golf and much, much more Walt Disney World has it all. Of course there is no way we can give you all the thrills and excitement of actually being there here, but we hope to give you an idea of what each area has to offer.

MAGIC KINGDOM

No matter what age you are, the Magic is everywhere. Spectacular parades such as Spectromagic, which lights up Main Street USA with over 800,000 glittering multi-colored lights accompanying all your Disney favorites.

Thrill-seekers head for the Magic Kingdom Mountains, Splash Mountain, with its spectacular drop into Lake Five stories below; Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a runaway ride in an out-of-control mine train, and Space Mountain, a wild roller coaster ride in pitch black.

Tomorrow land Featuring some of the most sophisticated Audio-Animatronics technology ever developed by Walt Disney Imagineering, this multi-sensory adventure puts guests in the middle of the mayhem caused by "Experiment 626" -- a.k.a. Stitch -- when he's sent to the Galactic Federation Prisoner Teleport Center. Things just go from bad to worse. The younger visitor of course will get their chance to meet all their favorite Disney characters including the top man Mickey Mouse as well as exploring the world of Tom Sawyer. These are just a few of the wonderful things to see and do in the Magic Kingdom. A least a day is required here but it’s a sure thing you will come back for more.

Oh and the Firework Display at the end of the day must not be missed pure Disney Magic.

EPCOT

Walt Disney’s vision of the future is in fact Two parks in one, the nine pavilions of Future World and the 11 nations of World Showcase. The high-tech Future World pavilions have names like Wonders of Life and The Land, and are full of hands-on exhibits, rides, films and shows. World Showcase lets you stroll from Mexico to China in minutes, and the best restaurants and shops are there.

Mission Space, Test Track and the new 'Soaring' are the top rides in Future World but there is so much more to do like dive into the aquatic world of Living Seas but we promise you wont get wet. You can be mesmerized by the full size Dinosaurs in the Energy Pavilion in fact you will walk around Future World finding new things to do, try , taste behind every corner. World Showcase gives you a taste of 11 countries their food and culture and entertainment at a less frantic pace than the other parks. Where else could you wander around such diverse Countries like Norway, China, Mexico and the UK, Only Epcot allows this and be sure to find a good spot for the Illuminations Firework and Flame Show which begins half an hour before the park closes.

MGM STUDIOS

Prepare to enter the 1940’s as MGM take’s you to Hollywood, music, props, and over 1500 cast members, ensure you feel like your in the middle of a movie set. Street characters engage guests but never drop the persona of the star they are performing.

MGM Studio’s is the smallest of the parks, but can be tricky to find your way round, so be sure to get a park map at the entrance this map will also show you the show timesAs you enter MGM you find yourself on Hollywood Boulevard with its shops and kiosks Be sure to get an autograph book as you will sure need it. Hollywood Boulevard leads to Hollywood Plaza, at who’s terminus you will find the park’s centerpiece, Disney’s replica of "Mann’s Chinese Theater" which houses a Studio’s favorite attraction "The Great Movie Ride". As you walk down Hollywood Boulevard, before you get to Mann’s, the street you come to on your right is Sunset Boulevard. This is where you will find the parks top two rides the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and the Tower of Terror. Also here is Hollywood Hills Amphitheater - which is home to Fantasmic!, to the left of Mann’s theater is Echo Lake, continue to stroll past the lake and you will find yourself in the midst of the following exciting attractions - "Disney’s Doug Live!", "Sounds Dangerous starring Drew Carey", "Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular" and "Star Tours". Finally, just beyond "Sounds Dangerous" and "Star Tours" is New York Street, which is home to "Jim Henson’s Muppet Vision 3D", "The Hunchback of Notre Dame - A Musical Adventure", and the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure". Finally Get ready for Lights Motors action extreme stunt show. This high-octane live stunt spectacular comes to MGM. Engines rev, tires screech and adrenaline kicks into overdrive as a series of highly orchestrated stunts, specially designed cars, motorcycles and jet skis and amazing pyrotechnics give you a behind-the-scenes look at how action stunts are created for the movies.

ANIMAL KINGDOM

At 500 acres large Animal Kingdom tends to be one of the hardest parks to find you way round, so be sure to pick up a park map and pay attention to the directional signs posted around the park, which guide you to specific areas and attractions. Saying this the 14-story tall, "Tree of Life" can be seen from most anywhere throughout this breath-taking park, and always gives you an idea of where exactly you are. Located in the center of the park, the Tree of Life serves as the hub here. As you make your way thru the gates at the entrance plaza you will follow the path to the "Oasis", where you can browse and enjoy the creatures that call this place home; then onto "Safari Village." To the Northwest of "Safari Village" is "Africa", to the Northeast is "Asia", to the Southeast is "DinoLand USA" and to the Southwest is "Camp Minnie Mickey". Basically, you enter each area from Safari Village, and then return there and onto the next stop. So, strap on your hiking boots and enjoy all this park has to offer.