“Zippy Doo Dah, Zippy Ay, My Oh My What  A Wonderful Day”!!!  And what a wonderful day (or week or two) for anyone visiting this magical place. If you are one of the lucky millions of people who will visit this fabulous “world”, get ready to have the ride of your life.  It has been said that if you were to visit every attraction in the area, by the time you finished, a new one would have been built.

What many visitors think of as Orlando, is actually Lake Buena Vista, the Orlando suburb that lies at the heart of Disneyworld.  Visitors from around the globe flock to this destination to experience the magic that is Disney in the form of Animal Kingdom, Fort Wilderness, Epcot, MGM Studios, and the park that started it all:  the Magic Kingdom.   Additionally there is Downtown Disney, three water parks, Pleasure Island, five championship golf courses, Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex, a racetrack and restaurants to satisfy anyone’s taste. All of these wonders have become synonymous with Orlando, and, indeed, have made the young city of Orlando the world’s most popular vacation spot.

The area enjoys year round mild weather.  There are no “snow days”!!!.  If you are trying to avoid the crowds, the period from the Sunday after Thanksgiving until the week before Christmas tends to be the least crowded.  Christmas and spring vacations, and of course, summer, when school is out, are all popular seasons for the Lake Buena Vista/ Orlando area.   Summer can be very warm and humid.  Shorts are acceptable wear at all of the major attractions and at most restaurants.  Summer is also the perfect time to enjoy one of the numerous water theme parks in the area.  Jump in and cool off, the water’s fine! 

Orlando itself is a city of great beauty.  Summer rains and the warm climate produce lush vegetation.   Palm trees, pines, and oaks draped with Spanish moss provide nature’s decoration.  Brick-paved streets add a gracious touch.   Landscaped gardens display a profusion of flowers and exotic plants.  Orlando is in the midst of central Florida’s lake country and is surrounded by numerous parks offering hiking, biking, and water sports.  Outdoor living is great for the whole family, but be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen for those sunny Florida days.

Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando Science Center, Flying Tigers Warbird Restoration Museum, and Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden are just a few of the outstanding local cultural attractions. The nationally recognized Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival, the Orlando Opera Company, Orlando Philharmonic, and the Southern Ballet Theatre are just a few of the seasonal favorites.   Numerous other attractions are within an easy drive of Orlando, including the Disney World Resort, Sea World, Wet ‘n Wild, Universal Studios, Orlando Speedworld Speedway, and others. 

Dinner theaters provide a unique form of entertainment.     There are a variety of venues including a Pirate adventure, Medieval Times, Arabian Nights, (complete with horses), a Dixie Stampede, and even a Sleuths’ Mystery.  What a great way to relax and unwind after an invigorating day at the parks.

Shopping in the Orlando area has as much variety as the local attractions. Souvenirs and mementoes for the family and for friends back home are easy to find. Outlet centers and factory stores abound  and offer some of the best bargains in town for everything from shoes and clothing to household appliances and fine china. Shopping areas in Orlando and Kissimmee are  popular for their fun environments, such as the Disney Village Market Place and Old Town in Kissimmee.

Whatever brings you to the area, whether business or leisure, Orlando provides an unforgettable setting.

At every Disney attraction, there is an opportunity to see the world through a child’s eyes.  That   look of amazement each and every time a Disney character makes an appearance or a child takes that exciting ride for the first time, is an experience to remember and to cherish.   The wonders of Orlando, Lake Buena Vista, and Kissimmee are magical, and in these enchanting places, everyone gets to be young and carefree.