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The Local Stay | City guide - Orlando
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City guide - Orlando, United States

Welcome to the world of magic and wonder! What seems like a small city on paper, with just under a quarter of a million residents, is also known as the Theme Park Capital of the World thanks to famous attractions such as Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld.

Tipping: It is customary to leave a 15 to 20% tip.

  • Language:

    English

  • Currency:

    US Dollar ($) - USD

  • Country Code:

    +1

  • Time Zone:

    UTC (-5:00)

Popular Accommodations

How to arrive from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to the city

Rental Car

The best way to get around in Orlando is by renting a car. At the airport you can choose from several rental car providers such as Alamo, Avis, Hertz, Budget and many more.

Cost Between $300 and $600 per week
Time 30-40 minutes from the airport to your apartment
Hours 24/7
Website https://orlandoairports.net/parking-transportation/rental-cars/

* This is the easiest way to get to the city.

Local Bus

Located on the A-Side of the Terminal, on the Ground Transportation Level (Level 1), at Commercial Lane spaces A38-A41

Cost $2.00 for each destination. Additional connecting service to shopping and residential areas also available.
Time 50-70 minutes
Website https://www.golynx.com

* Suitable for passengers who do not carry a lot of luggage

Taxi

For those of you who prefer to travel by taxi, they are located on the A-Side & B-Side of the Terminal, in the center of the Arrivals Level (Level 2)

Cost by taximeter
Time 20 - 40 minutes

It is customary to tip the driver about 15% of total

Shuttle Vans

You can pre-order Joint shuttles with other passengers / private transportation.

Walt Disney World

With it's four parks, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot's Spaceship Earth & the Hollywood Studios, the Walt Disney World is the most famous theme park in Florida (and maybe the US). The most iconic one of the four parks is Magic Kingdom, with Cinderella's Castle standing at the center of it all. The castle is 57 meters high and therefore the 2nd largest Disney Castle in the world. Keep your eyes open and don't miss the chance to take a picture with Mickey Mouse! Take the Wildlife Express Train in Rafiki’s Planet Watch (Animal Kingdom), visit the future world in the Epcot's Spaceship Earth and enjoy a ride in Toy Story Land (Hollywood Studios). Disney World has a lot to offer! Fireworks and parades are nightly events throughout the parks, and there are special events year-round. Although lines for the top attractions and rides are notoriously long, there are Fast Pass options that can help you get the most out of your visit. If you are going to be visiting multiple parks, leave a minimum of one day for each and be sure to use a park map to plan ahead.

Universal Theme Parks

Universal Studios Florida is a combination theme park and working studio that was designed in consultation with Steven Spielberg to give visitors an interactive experience with the filmmaking industry. Universal's Islands of Adventure has seven themed island parks that are each dedicated to a film franchise. These include Seuss Island, The Lost Continent, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, Skull Island, and Marvel Superhero Island. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the park's newest addition, complete with Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade. Diagon Alley extends into the Universal Studios park, where visitors can join Harry's escape from Gringotts bank. Universal Studios also has regular events and celebrations for the whole family. City Walk, also part of Universal, is a huge entertainment complex, featuring dining, shopping, movies, and other day and night entertainment.

Discovery Cove

Located next to SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove is one of the area's premier attractions. Visitors to the park can interact with the natural ocean life, including snorkeling along a coral reef, exploring underwater with a full dive helmet, wading among stingrays, and swimming with the dolphins. There is also a large aviary where you can interact with exotic birds, a relaxing river that you can explore and snorkel in, and a tropical swim area where you can splash in the pools or relax in a lounge chair on the sandy beach. Visitors can purchase an all-inclusive, one day pass, and due to the extreme popularity of Discovery Cove it is best to book a reservation well in advance during peak season.

Day Trip to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

About an hour's drive away, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is one of the most popular day trips from Orlando. It gives tourists the unique opportunity to see one of NASA's best-known operations centers. Here, you will find the Heroes and Legends exhibits, which introduce guests to the lives and careers of those who made the space program possible, from engineers to early space explorers. This also includes the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, as well as the Rocket Garden where you can see the rockets from some of NASA's most famous flights, including the Apollo and Gemini programs. Other exhibits include lunar exploration, mock astronaut training, the shuttle launch experience, and an IMAX theater. If you time your visit right, you can even watch launches from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Orlando Science Center

The Orlando Science Center showcases several branches of science from mechanics to biology and applied technology. There are a variety of themed exhibits. Among the top favorites is "Kids Town". Kids Town is available to children under 48 inches tall with stimulating interactive exhibits. There are also laser shows and large format films at the Dr. Phillips CineDome.

In addition to the exhibit galleries the Science Center presents touring exhibits from across the country.

 
Vista Cay

Unlike so many family-friendly properties in Orlando, Vista Cay has a tranquil feel –- thanks in large part to its location off of International Drive, which means no annoying traffic noise, as well as its sprawling, well-kept grounds. But the property is nonetheless just a short drive from attractions such as Sea World, Discovery Cove, Aquatica, and Universal Studios. Disney World is about a 20-minute drive away, and numerous restaurants, shops, and golf courses are also just a short trip in the car.

Windsor Hills

Windsor Hills in Orlando Florida is a gated vacation rental resort less than 3 miles from Walt Disney World, the types of vacation rentals available include town houses and condos, the community is minutes away from the attractions in the Kissimmee and Orlando area. The resort and club house offers a tremendous choice of complimentary amenities available to all guests staying at this beautiful Florida oasis. The location offers easy and fast access to the parks, attractions, shopping malls and restaurants in the area, allowing you the time to enjoy yourselves on vacation.

Acadia Estates

Acadia Estates is just a couple of minutes from Highway 192 (the main strip to the attractions and theme parks) and within 3 miles of Walt Disney World Resort's main gate in Orlando, Florida.

Bella Vida

Bella Vida Resort is located just minutes away from Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World and dozens of Orlando Area attractions. It's off of US 192 in Kissimmee, right behind the Medieval Times Dinner Theatre.

 
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