Orlando City Guide

Orlando Sights

Froth, fantasy and a topping of gee-whizz.

Is there anything here that's not a figment deeply founded in delusion and childhood fantasy? No! And, chances are, if you're here, you didn't come for the historical museums (although there is a good local art gallery and there are gorgeous national parks around town).

Orlando Nightlife

You know the night-time is the right-time.

Away from the manufactured world of Disney fun, downtown Orlando has an excellent collection of clubs and local pubs that provide every reason not to stay home at night. An organic indigenous music scene produced such local heroes as the pop group Creed and local theatre and dance is also very good.

Shopping Orlando

No shortage of knick-knacks in this toy town.

All of Orlando's museums have gift shops, as do all the theme parks - probably more shops than rides by a factor of ten - packed with tempting over-priced merchandise. Winter Park's 'Park Ave' is the place for fancy boutiques and their leftovers go to the gi-normous Belz Factory outlet.

Walt Disney World

Kids, Theme park/funfair

This is a self-contained city. Apart from the four main parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom), there are three water parks, a shopping district, 22 hotels, countless eateries, a police force, transport systems, medical centres, even kennels for the pooch. Watch out for the mouse.

Universal Studios Florida

Kids, Film/tv locations, Theme park/funfair

Universal Studios Florida has a Hollywood backlot feel and is, in fact, a working studio as well as theme park with celluloid-inspired rides. Don't miss the Back to the Future time-travel simulator, or the fun, new 4-D Shrek show.

Disney-MGM Studios

Theme park/funfair

The Disney-MGM Studios cater to the post-fairytale crowd and is also a working studio. Hands-down most exciting rides are the spooky and unpredictable hotel elevator in the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, where your stretch limo races through the streets of LA after dark. And don't miss the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!, a 35-minute show that looks a lot like the movie.