Real reviews from real travelers.
Orlando Pages by Michael_D
| Page Views: 20,663 Last Visit to Orlando: - I Live Here | ~THE THEME PARKS ARE IN KISSIMMEE not ORLANDO by Michael_D - last update: Dec 13, 2007 |
ORLANDO "The City Beautifull" *FOR THE RECORD...though MGM and MAGIC KINGDOM are great (and EPCOT is my favorite by far!) Disneyworld IS NOT IN ORLANDO any more than Versailles is IN Paris. OKOK...it IS closer than El Escorial is to Madrid, but WDW is in Kissimmee(end of story).
OK. I am biased. I grew up in New York shivering and dreaming about palm trees and warm weather, so I moved here in 1982 and havent regretted a single moment. The theme parks are great..DISNEY WORLD , SEA WORLD, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS are all fabulous! Ive had a seasonal DISNEYPASS for almost 15 years. Its for Florida residents , its cheap and I go often.
But the real Florida isnt in the theme parks.The real Florida is in the small inland towns and non-touristy beach towns that dot the state and reflect the southern charm, slow pace and semi-tropical
atmosphere that many of us NEW FLORIDIANS moved here to enjoy.
Truth is I love to share info about Disney but first Id like to help you expand your horizens and see places in Central Florida.
The REAL FLORIDA is more than the theme parks(though I am a seasons passholder at Walt Disney World) the REAL FLORIDA is so much more:
~DeLAND..Stetson Univ and a 16 sq mi historical district.
~NEW SMYRNA BEACH where locals go to avoid Daytona crowds
~St AUGUSTINE .. oldest city in America 5 different national flags have flown over it
~the clearwater springs and lofty trees of THE OCALA FOREST
~the Kentucky-like rolling HILLS & horsefarms of OCALA/Marion County
~Mt DORA...a city that was built to look like a New England town
~CROSS CREEK..home of author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlins
~WEKIVA FALLS...YES there are waterfalls in Florida!
~ROCK SPRINGS ..a river current strong enough for tubing comes out of a cave.
~the abrupt hills of CLERMONT(where WORLD CLASS triatheletes train and compete on HILLS) and a place most tourists bypass on their way to Disney World .
ORLANDO(population 1.2 million overall)""The City Beautifull"".
I have lived many places but Ive never found a city that size that retains the intimacy , character, and ease of Orlando. You could spend your days looking at the fountain at Lake Eola Park, the tree-lined streets of Winter Park, the cobblestone streets of Church Street Station, go shopping at the numerous malls and outlet stores, eat at over one of over 2,000 restaurants, walk around the campus of Rollins College or the University of Central Florida. You could attend a football game at the Citrus Bowl, catch an NBA Orlando Magic game, visit the Orlando Science Center or even see the two theme parks actually located here SEA WORLD and UNIVERSAL STUDIOS. Its all good.
HONEST..though many of Florida's areas are FANTASTIC, for me Central Florida is the absolute best area in the entire southernmost tropical peninsula in USA. But in general Florida IS palm trees, slow living , mild weather , friendly people , cute lil lizards that are everywhere! and most days I get to see it all....THE REAL FLORIDA...just by stepping off my porch! Y'all have a great time, Y'hear?
Did I mention I LOVE Florida?hehehe |
NIGHT SPACE LAUNCHES, THE BEACH and GOOD FUN Where else in the world can you go to Walt Disney World in the morning, Planet Hollywood for lunch, Universal studios in the afternoon, the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner, go to Daytona Beach to watch the sunset and then see a space shuttle launch a few hours later?
They tell us when most of these launches are and we Floridians watch the night launches. I live 60mi away and see the launches from my backyard regularly;-) |
FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS In many ways my life didnt even start untill I moved to Florida;-) |
> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]
| Pros: | "Beaches, forests, hills, lakes, springs" | | Cons: | "People think Florida is flat with theme parks only(NOT);-)" | | In A Nutshell: | "We have it all...including a 7mo period that is like spring!" |
Michael_D's Orlando Travel Tips
 Comments for Michael_D about Orlando | | | | |
K.Knight Wed Jun 4, 2008 08:23 UTC
Hi Michael, nice orlando page. It has been almost 10 years since Anne and i visited your "part of the world," we must come back. G'day from Australia. | hotsauce28 Tue Jan 8, 2008 21:36 UTC
i LOVE vodka!! but i like beer too. and sometimes tequila. =\ | Florida999 Thu Nov 30, 2006 18:18 UTC
Nice Orlando page:) I added some to your ratings :) Great tips! | babettu Fri Jul 28, 2006 17:41 UTC
Very good information and pics about Orlando!! keep it up!! |
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- Radisson Barcelo Hotel Deluxe
8444 International Drive
- Summerfield Suites by Wyndham - Orlando Lake Buena Vista
8751 Suiteside Dr, Orlando, FL 32836
- ESD Orlando-Lake Buena Vista
8100 Palm Pkwy, Orlando, FL, 32836
- Wingate Inn Orlando International Airport
5750 Hazeltine National Drive, Orlando, FL, 32822
- Orlando International Airport Hotel And Conference Center
3835 Mccoy Road Bldg A, Orlando, Fl, Orlando, Flor
- Howard Johnson Intl Dr Orlando
6603 International Drive, Orlando, FL, 32819
- Holiday Inn Orlando Downtown
I 4 Exit 83B
- I-Drive Inn
6323 International Drive, Orlando, FL, 32819
- Orlando Hotel Continental Plaza
6825 Visitor's Circle at Intl. Dr, Orlando, FL 328
- Red Roof Inn Orlando Convention Center
9922 Hawaiian Court,I-4 at SR 528, Exit #72, I-4 E
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