Orlando
From the CouchSurfing Wiki, an informal workspace which anyone can edit.
| |||||||||||||||||||
WELCOME TO ORLANDO, FLORIDA (US)
Orlando is a top destination city known world wide as the home of Disney World, however, Orlando has much more to offer to visitors. This page was created by the CSers from Orlando or living in Orlando that want to help you, provinding info about the city itself and also all the good things that you can do and see while in Orlando.
UNDERSTANDING THE CITY
It is easiest to think of Orlando as a city with four quadrants: North East, North West, South East, and South West.
Norht East: Home of Winter Park, an upscale mini city/suburbia where you can dine at a five star resturaunt, go to a gallery, enjoy a cup of coffee. Home of Rollins College.
South East: Home of the University of Central Florida, the 7th largest university in the USA, UCF has over 40,000 college students roaming around. The Orlando International Airport (MCO) is also located in this quadrant. Far east on Highway 50 you get to Christmas, home of Fort Christmas, Gatorland, first Orlando attraction, and Bithlo, home of Orlando Speed World. This section of hightway 50 is home to majority Orlando's redneck population (competing with Apopka and Zellwood) and can be seen by the OSW's School Bus Races and dirt bike tracks.
North West: Apopka and Ocoee. Not much here but small suburbian areas and farming areas, but further close to the lakes of Lake County. Also home to Mount Dora, a small artsy town of central florida.
South West: Home of the amusement parks. Downtown Disney, Epcot, Universal, Wet & Wild and more. Very, very touristy section of town. Also home of the Mall of the Milenia. Also home to many rich people in the Bay Hill area of town, like Shaq, and the Butler Chain of Lakes.
Downtown Orlando is just about dead center. There is a vibrant bar scene with something for everyone and many interesting shops. Some of the best Gilato in Florida can be found downtown.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT ORLANDO
- Orlando is a major city in central Florida, USA and is the county seat of Orange County, Florida. It is also the principal city of Greater Orlando. The Orlando-Kissimmee MSA is Florida's third-largest metropolitan area, behind Miami and Tampa. Orlando is also home to the University of Central Florida, which is the second largest university in Florida in student enrollment and has the 6th largest enrollment in the nation.
- The city is well known for the many tourist attractions in the area, in particular the nearby Walt Disney World Resort, which is located in Lake Buena Vista about 20 miles (32 km) south of Orlando city limits via Interstate 4.
- Orlando is the largest rental car market in the world and is known as capital of car rental companies, with all major car rental companies easily accessible from inside the airport.
- For some reason, Orlando has an incredible music scene. Not so much local music (although there are a number of talented local acts), but Orlando draws national and international groups/artists. Check out the House of Blues Orlando in the S.W. quadrant and The Social in Downtown.
HOW TO GET IN AND AROUND ORLANDO
Get in
By Plane: Those traveling by air can enter via Orlando International Airport (IATA: MCO) , Orlando's primary airport. A secondary airport that serves the Central Florida area is the Orlando-Sanford International Airport (IATA: SFB) located in Sanford, a city north of Orlando.
By Bus: Greyhound Lines offers intercity bus service from Orlando to multiple locations across the country. The Orlando Greyhound Station is located west of Downtown Orlando.
By Train:Orlando has an Amtrak station that provides service to other destinations such as Miami, but also connects to other points as far north as New York via the Silver Star and Silver Meteor lines. In nearby Sanford, the southern terminus of the Amtrak Auto Train which carries passengers and automobiles between Sanford and Lorton, Virginia, effectively serving as a car-rail link from Orlando to the Washington, D.C. Metro Area.
Getting around
Getting around Orlando without a car is kind of tricky. So if you are planning to come and stay more than 2 days, its higly recommended that you rent a car. Said that, if this wont be possible for you for one reason or another, we are here to help you to solve that problem.
- BY BUS: LYNX is the Mass Transit System. You can check the website and plan your trips online. Its not the greatast system, but if you are coming to Orlando without rent a car, it will be better than nothing. Approximately 60 routes serve the metro Orlando area and costs $1.75 per ride (transfers included)
- BY CAR RENTALS:
- BY TAXI:
ORLANDO ATTACTIONS
NIGHTLIFE IN ORLANDO
RESTAURANTS
* Vegetarian * Vegan * Chinese * Japonese * Indian * Thai * Brazilian * Sea Food * American
COFFEE SHOPS
MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL CENTERS
HOSTS IN ORLANDO
Add yourself here if you really want to host people. This is especially useful if you're living outside of Orlando, where most people heading to Orlando wouldn't find you when they do a CouchSearch.
Nearby Destinations and More information
Usuful Links
