There is so much to do in and around Orlando, what with all the Theme Parks and Attractions from Disney and Universal Studios, it’s difficult to know where to start. Orlando is surely the Heart of Florida with it’s huge tourist orientated industry. Huge shopping centers, excellent dining and an abundance of things to do, such as golf, fishing and much more.

Historians date Orlando's name to around 1836 when a soldier named Orlando Reeves allegedly died in the area, during the war against the Seminole Indian tribe. It seems, however, that Orlando Reeves operated a sugar mill and plantation about 30 miles to the north at Spring Garden in Volusia County, and pioneer settlers simply found his name carved into a tree and assumed it was a marker for a grave site. They thus referred to the area as "Orlando's grave" and later simply "Orlando."

Although everything is listed as being in Orlando, they are in fact spread out over a huge area. Disney World itself is built on some 47-square-mile (122 km²) of land owned by the company. The land is approximately the size of San Francisco. That is why a car is really needed it saves having to get taxi’s and avoid relying on hotel shuttle buses. Driving is pretty good in Florida really. More has been covered in another part of this web site Driving in Florida. Also see our forums for more info. Listed below you can find links giving more information to each attraction.

In addition to the four main theme parks, the resort contains two water parks, six golf courses, a sports complex, an auto race track, twenty resort hotels, and numerous shopping, dining, and entertainment offerings. It even has its own fire department. The 47-square-mile (122 km²) property is the largest theme park resort in the world. It is accessible from Central Florida's Interstate 4 via Exits 62B (World Drive), 64B (US 192 West), 65B (Osceola Parkway West), 67B (SR 536 West), and 68 (SR 535 North). You can find out more in greater detail by visiting our Theme Park Section.



Universal Orlando Resort is a theme park resort in Orlando, Florida. It is a joint partnership between NBC Universal and The Blackstone Group. The resort consists of two theme parks (Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure), City Walk (a night time entertainment destination), and three Loews hotels.

When expansion occurred in 1999, the resort was dubbed "Universal Studios Escape". A massive ad campaign featuring Spider-man, a Jurassic Park Triceratops, the T-1000 from Terminator, and other well known Universal legends featured at the resort was launched. The resort was renamed to Universal Studios Orlando, then Universal Orlando. Universal Orlando is located north of the International Drive resort Area, on a parcel of land framed by Interstate 4 to the south, State Road 435 (Florida) (Kirkman Road) to the east, Vineland Road to the north, and Turkey Lake Rd. to the west. The resort is directly accessible from Interstate 4 via Exit 74B, which empties eastbound onto Universal Blvd. and westbound onto Hollywood Way.

Sea World Orlando has 3 rides, Kraken, Journey to Atlantis, and Wild Arctic. Kraken is a roller coaster based on the legendary beast of the same name. Journey to Atlantis is a water coaster where you take a trip to the lost city. Wild Arctic is a flight simulator where you take a helicopter trip to a fictional base station at the North Pole. Sea World’s main attraction is its orcas (killer whales), several of which are housed in 7-million-gallon habitats that are each known as Shamu Stadium. It is important to note that there is not just one orca named Shamu. Shamu was the name of the first orca ever to be brought to Sea World San Diego in the 1960s. 'Shamu' is now used as a stage name for adult orcas in performances at Sea World parks. The orcas all have real names. Currently, Sea World houses 21 orcas in its three parks. Seven orcas live in the San Diego park: Corky, Kasatka, Ulises, Orkid, Sumar, Nakai and Kalia. Eight live at Sea World Orlando: Katina, Kalina, Tilikum, Taima, Takara, Taku, Ikaika, and Trua. Sea World San Antonio holds six orcas: Kayla, Kyuquot, Keet, Unna, Tuar, and Halyn.

Wet 'n Wild - Orlando, voted by Amusement Business magazine as America's number - one water park, features a full-day of fun for the entire family. Honoured by Aquatic's International as the first true water park, Wet 'n Wild's world-class signature thrill rides and quality service offer something for fun-lovers of all ages, with over 30 action-packed acres of slides and flumes, surf and sun. It’s all yours at the water park that started it all—Wet ‘n Wild Orlando. This park is situated on International Drive, just across from Universal Studios. It’s popularity though, has declined a little since the birth of Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.

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