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“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 their 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.
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North America 
My Favorite Places
