Population:                  185,951

Elevation:                    106 Feet Above Sea Level    

Land Area:                   93.5 Square Miles

Location:                     Located in the central part of Florida, Orlando sits at the intersection of I-4 and the Florida Turnpike.  It is located 84 miles east of Tampa, 229 Miles northwest of Miami and 142 miles southwest of Jacksonville.          

Time Zone:                  Orlando is located in the Eastern Time Zone (when it’s noon in Orlando, it’s 11:00am in Chicago and 9:00am in Los Angeles).  Orlando observes Daylight Savings Time

Weather:

Climate:

Local Seasons:                       

Orlando enjoys a year round warm climate.  The winter is popular with many tourists as the temperatures average in the low-mid 60’s F, making it the perfect time to enjoy the numerous sites and attractions which make up this number 1 tourist destination in the world.  In the spring, fall and winter, it is usually less crowded with the exception of spring break and when large convention groups are in town.  Summer is the season for Orlando as a result of children being off from school.  This includes not only visitors from the United States but worldwide as well.  Summer can also be very warm and humid,  so be sure to dress accordingly.  Shorts are acceptable wear at all of the major attractions and most restaurants.  It is also the perfect time to enjoy one of the numerous water theme parks in the area.  Jump in and cool off, the waters fine!                         

How to Get There:

By Air:

Orlando International Airport

407/825-2001

Offers direct or nonstop service from 60 U.S. cities and two dozen international destinations, serving more than 30 million passengers on the average annually.  All major car-rental companies are located at or near the airport.

An Alternative: Orlando Sanford International Airport

407-585-4000

Is much smaller than the main airport, but it has grown a bit in recent years.  The airport has most of the major car rental desks on site.  Mears Transportation shuttles also serve it.

Airport Transportation

Orlando International is 25 miles east of Walt Disney World and 20 miles south of downtown. At rush hour (7-9am and 4-6pm), the drive can be a torturous hour or more; at other times, it's about 30 to 40 minutes.

Driving to Walt Disney World

To get from the airport to the attractions, take the North exit out of the airport to Highway 528 West. Follow signs to I-4; it takes about 30 to 40 minutes to get to Walt Disney World if the traffic isn't too heavy (double or worse in rush hour or when there's an accident). When you get to I-4, follow the signs west toward the attractions.

By Car:

Heavy traffic and numerous crisscrossing highways make driving in the Orlando area challenging. Be sure to arm yourself with a good map and avoid traveling during rush hours—7-9 am and 4-6 pm—particularly on I-4 north from downtown. The area's most traveled highway, I-4 runs southwest to Tampa and northeast to Daytona Beach. (Official signs say "West" or "East.") I-4 provides access to almost any part of the city and its suburbs.

By Bus:

Greyhound Bus Terminal
555 John Young Parkway, Orlando

407-292-3424

By Train:

Amtrak
1400 Sligh Blvd. (about a mile from downtown), Orlando.

407-425-9411or 800-872-7245

Getting Around:

Most of the area's east-west highways are toll roads: The Bee Line Expressway skirts the airport on the north, and the East-West Expressway (or Highway 408) passes south of downtown. The Bee Line is the best bet for traveling to Port Canaveral, Kennedy Space Center or Cocoa Beach.

Between the airport and attractions, use I-4 and its connection with the Bee Line Expressway to save time and money. The Greenway (Highway 417) also connects the airport with Disney World—though it may be less congested during busy times, it's a bit longer and far more expensive.

Cars play a big role in most Florida vacations: Those who don't drive to the state usually rent a vehicle on arrival. If you confine your stay to Walt Disney World, you can get by without a car, but if you plan to hop between parks or to see other area attractions, you'll want wheels.

Familiarize yourself with the area highways so you can figure out the best way to get where you're going. International Drive in Orlando continues to be difficult and time-consuming to navigate because hotels and attractions are so close together. Some hotel