Orlando Area Travel Information

Walt Disney World® Theme Parks

Explore the Enchanted Cinderella Castle

You've heard the story of Cinderella, her Prince, and her fairy godmother ... now see the splendor of her story come to life at Cinderella Castle. Your entire family will delight at finally seeing this enchanting symbol of magic, fantasy and imagination in person at Disney's Magic Kingdom®  Park! (as to Disney artwork, logos and properties: ©Disney)

Orlando, FL is best known for its various tourist attractions in the area.  As one of the most visited cities in the United States, Orlando thrives on the business of tourism today.  In 1872, however, the area wasn't quite as busy.  The first people to settle the newly incorporated city of Orlando were Army personnel who had been stationed at the Pine Castle AAF.  After World War II was over some of these servicemen chose to settle in the area and raise their families.

Orlando City Info

• County seat of Orange County
• Land Area: 100.9 sq. miles
• City-owned parks: 97
• Number of radio stations: 5 AM; 7 FM
• Number of television stations: 15

Orlando Weather and Climate:

• Average daily temperature — Jan: 60F; July: 83F
• Average annual rainfall — 48.7 inches
• Average annual snowfall — 0.0 inches

Distances to other Metropolitan Areas from Orlando:

• Atlanta, GA — 439 miles
• Charleston, SC — 380 miles
• Charlotte, NC — 525 miles
• Chicago, IL — 1,158 miles
• Dallas, TX — 1,090 miles
• Memphis, TN — 827 miles
• Miami, FL — 238 miles
• New Orleans, LA — 532 miles
• Nashville, TN — 688 miles
• Raleigh, NC — 595 miles
• Washington, DC - 852 miles

Orlando Safety Phone # and Major Hospitals:

• Ambulance: 911; Police: 911; Fire: 911
• Florida Hospital — Address: 601 E Rollins Ave, Orlando, FL, United States, 32803; Phone: 407-303-6611
• Lakeside Alternatives Hospital — Address: 1800 Mercy Drive, Orlando, FL, United States, 32808; Phone: 407-875-3700
• Orlando Regional Medical Center — Address: 1414 S Kuhl Avenue, Orlando, FL, United States, 32806; Phone: 321-841-5111

Orlando Top Tourism Draws and Seasons:

• Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks
• SeaWorld
• Universal Studios
• Wet'n Wild
• Cypress Gardens
• Arabian Nights Dinner Show
• Dixie Stampede
• Discovery Cove
• Gatorland
• Kennedy Space Center
• Titanic - The Experience 
• Cirque du Soleil
• Pirate's Dinner Adventure
• Silver Springs

Orlando Major Shopping Areas:

• Altamonte Mall
• Belz Factory Outlet Mall
• Florida Mall
• Lake Buena Vista Factory Shops
• Osceola Square Mall
• Oveido Maketplace
• Orlando Premium Outlets
• The Mall at Millenia

Orlando Major Dining Areas:

• Downtown Orlando
• Kissimmee
• West Orlando
• Metro Orlando
• Florida Mall
• Church Street
• International Drive
• Disney — Lake Buena Vista

Orlando Famous Landmarks & Historic Places:

• Apopka Seaboard Air Line Railway Depot
• Carroll Building (Apopka)
• Old Orlando Railroad Depot
• Annie Russell Theatre
• Tinker Building
• Twin Mounds Archeological District
• Callaham Neighborhood
• J.A. Colyer Building
• Orlando Coolidge House
• Astronaut Hall of Fame (Titusville)
• Kennedy Space Center
• Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium

Orlando Famous Natives and Residents:

• Wesley Snipes (Actor)
• Johnny Damon (MLB Player)
• Backstreet Boys (Musical Group)
• NSYNC (Musical Group)
• Mickey Mouse

Notable Moments in Orlando History:

• 1872 — City of Orlando Incorporated
• 1956 — Lockheed Martin established plant in Orlando
• 1965 — Walt Disney announces plans for Walt Disney World
• 1971 — Walt Disney World opens
• 2004 — Three strong hurricanes hit the area in a single season

Interesting facts about Orlando:

• Orlando attracts more visitors than any other amusement/theme park destination in the U.S.
• No city in Florida is more than 75 miles from either the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico.
• The popular sports drink, Gatorade, was developed at the University of Florida and named for the Florida Gators football team.
• Disney World covers 30,500 acres (46 square miles) which makes it twice as big as the island of Manhattan.
• The Backstreet Boys were named after an Orlando Flea Market.
• Universal Studios in Orlando is the largest motion picture facility in the country outside of Hollywood.
• Money gathered throughout the year in Walt Disney World them park fountains is donated to local non-profit organizations.
• More than 26,000 feet of lights outline the World Showcase Pavilions in Epcot.

Orlando Population and Demographics:

• City of Orlando Population — 185,951 (as of the 2000 census)
• Male — 90,080 (48.4%)
• Female — 95,871 (51.6%)
• White — 50.8%
• Black — 26.9%
• Asian — 0.7%
• Other race — 5.4%
• Two or more races — 3.5%
• Hispanic/Latino — 17.5%
• 2000 percent population 18 and over - 77.9%
• 65 and over - 11.34%
• Median age — 32.9 years
• Median household income - $35,732

Orlando Colleges and Universities:

• University of Central Florida
• Valencia Community College
• Mid-Florida Tech
• Clinton Technical Institute-Motorcycle/Marine Mech.
• Florida Metropolitan University — North Orlando
• Florida Technical College
• High-Tech Institute
• Orlando Tech
• Southern College
• National College of Oriental Medicine
• Herzing College
• Florida Hospital School of Medical Technology
• United Bible College and Seminary
• Florida A&M University Law School

Florida Economy & Business — Notable Companies based in Orlando:

• Walt Disney World
• Universal Studios

Orlando Hispanic Community Media and Churches:

• El Sentinel — Hispanic Newspaper
• La Prensa - Hispanic newspaper
• Ahora Orlando — Hispanic Magazine
• Iglesia de Dios - Church
• El Nuevo Dia - Publication
• Nuestra Imagen Hispana - Publication
• Nota Musical Magazine - Publication
• Venezuela en la Florida Central — Publication
• Buena Nueva FM — Radio
• Power 95.3 — Radio
• WNUE 98.1 FM La Nueva — Radio
• Azteca America Orlando WAU21 — Television
• Fox 35 WRVW UPN 65 — Television
• Telemundo WTMO-TV 40 — Television