In 1960 Orlando had over 88,000 residents; but five years later the turning point for the Orlando economy came when Walt Disney announced construction of his second theme park in the Orlando/Kissimmee metropolitan area. That changed the makeup of the area overnight and ballooned the population from 99,000 in 1970 to nearly 250,000 today.
Of course, there is more to Orlando than just Disney. Other theme parks dot the landscape, and Orlando is also home to vibrant shopping, a generous film and television industry, and a strong sports scene.
There is one word of advice to those coming to Orlando. Hotel rooms are plentiful, so numerous bargains can be found at both the luxury level and at the mid-price level. In off-peak times; which largely fall when kids are in school, hotel rooms have fallen as low as $30 a night in some areas.
Because Orlando draws a vast swath of tourists and many local citizens, food choices run the gamut from chain restaurants - to buffets - to cooking across all categories from steak to seafood. Many of these restaurants are child-friendly; meaning there are menu items that cater to children.
Shopping in Orlando can be found at numerous malls across the central Florida landscape. Such American high-end department stores like Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus can be found in the city and suburbs. The Florida Mall, which contains over 250 stores spread out over close to two million square feet, is one of the largest one-story malls in the United States.
No visit to Orlando would be complete without mentioning the theme parks. Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando and Sea World are among the many parks calling central Florida home. Although food at these parks can be considered overpriced, some parks offer discount dining plans depending on whether or not there are multiple adults and children in the family.
Orlando has so much to offer. World-class dining and shopping await visitors daily.
For advice on booking your next holiday to Orlando, get in touch with Travelup Reviews via their website - http://www.travelup.co.uk
