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Viewing The Universal Appeal of Orlando, FloridaThe Universal Appeal of Orlando, Florida
By Adam Singleton
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Orlando's subtropical Florida climate and huge variety of attractions for all ages and tastes make it an ideal destination for a family holiday. There is a good range of accommodation, and other amenities are nearby. Here is more information. The area surrounding Orlando, Florida is one of the world's hottest tourist destinations, welcoming almost 50 million visitors per year. It is literally hot, too, with a subtropical climate. Summer temperatures regularly reach 90F (32C), and even in winter they rarely drop below 50F. Hundreds of unique theme parks and tourist destinations, as well as attractive natural features such as springs, lakes, and sandy beaches, all contribute to its success. Nearby Lake Buena Vista is home to Walt Disney World, the most visited resort on Earth. It includes four separate theme parks, two water parks, and many hotels and restaurants - with enough rides, slides, and other entertainments to occupy children for at least a week. Aside from the main roller coasters and arcades, there are more varied attractions such as the 'Animal Kingdom' wildlife park, hang gliding, and a lagoon where you can snorkel with live sharks! Another of the area's most popular destinations is Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, which hosts high-speed roller coasters, rides for younger children, live shows, and technological marvels such as interactive 3D environments. These are all based around favorite movies, cartoons, and stories. Jurassic Park, Spider-Man, E.T., the Incredible Hulk, Dr. Seuss, and Jaws are all here, with a new Harry Potter-themed area coming soon. Animal lovers are well catered to in Orlando at the huge 200-acre SeaWorld Amusement Park, which houses many marine creatures such as orcas, dolphins, sea lions, sharks, sea turtles, and false killer whales. Shows include water skiing and human acrobats, and there are ten rides. Nearby Gatorland boasts thousands of alligators and crocodiles, along with many snakes, other reptiles, insects, and birds. Visitors can get closer to some of the park's residents during the regular 'Up Close Encounters' with trainers. There is even a chance for anyone over 12 - and fearless - to have a go at 'gator wrasslin' in the Trainer for a Day events. At Blue Spring State Park, during the winter, there is a chance to see Florida manatees in the wild, as well as a huge variety of birds and other wildlife. Canoeing, swimming, and scuba diving are popular activities. There are simply hundreds of other things to do in and around Orlando: slightly older children may enjoy the Florida Music Festival, a visit to the Cirque de Soleil, the huge Orlando Science Center, the John F. Kennedy Space Center, or the working NASA spaceport on Merritt Island where visitors can view flight-ready and used spacecraft and rockets. On a less technological note, there are stunning sights at the World of Orchids and the beautiful Harry P. Leu Gardens - an oasis in the city with lakes, a butterfly garden, and historical museum. Unsurprisingly for such a popular destination, there is also a huge range of accommodation in Orlando and the surrounding area, from hostels to 5-star hotels and private villas. In fact, the only place in the country with more hotel rooms is Las Vegas. It is also a fantastic area for shopping, with everything from Tiffany's to the specialist Asian shops and restaurants of 'Little Saigon', and food including traditional Cajun, Cuban-style, and round-the-world cuisine. About the Author: Adam Singleton is an online, freelance journalist and keen gardener. He lives in Scotland with his two dogs. Article Source: 1st Rate Articles - http://1stRateArticles.com |
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