With its main attractions including Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios, tourists take flights to Orlando more than any other place in Florida.
Walt Disney’s vision turned Orlando, and the adjacent Lake Buena Vista and Kissimee areas, into the world’s busiest, biggest, and best-known theme park, Disney World. The park opened in 1971 and has been making childhood fantasies come true ever since. Today, Disney World includes Epcot, a futuristic showcase of the world’s different cultures; Disney’s HollywoodStudios, a working animation and television studio; and Animal Kingdom, where you see animals in themed habitats. SeaWorld gives visitors an interactive look at the sea and all its facets, featuring themed animal habitats, up-close encounters with animals, and performances by the famous aquatic SeaWorld stars. Universal Studios is a movie-themed park with thrilling rides, production studios and film sets, and onsite luxury hotels.
The mild season is October through April with warm temperatures and low humidity. May to September is a time of high humidity and afternoon storms. The hurricane season is June through November. Late autumn tends to have the best weather.
There are plenty of ways to get around Orlando’s tourist scene. Lynx buses and I-ride trolleys travel between the theme parks, but you’ll have to know the schedule ahead of time. Shuttle buses that run by the Mears Transport Group are more expensive, but they run all over the city to hotels, Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios and the airport. If you’re staying at Disney World, you won’t have to worry about getting around. All the Disney hotels have a free transport system connecting the parks with buses, monorails, ferries and water taxis.