giradman
iPad Fan
Susan and I are back in Florida for 5 nights - we visit each spring and usually alternate the east and west coasts, BUT this time decided to make a return to the Orlando area which we've not visited in nearly a dozen years; although since the late 1970s (bringing our young son) and up into the late 2010s (medical meetings - MANY over the decades), I've probably been to the area well over a dozen times. Just added to our local Triad airport is Spirit Airlines which had a non-stop flight to the Orlando airport (quite a complex); only 90 mins in the air!
This time Susan picked the Caribe Royale Hotel & Convention Center - we are staying in one of the 2-bedroom suite buildings w/ a small private pool (see pics below) - yesterday was rainy but we had a nice afternoon and early dinner (upcoming post) - today, the fitness center in the morning and then a visit to Sea World which is off International Drive and probably just 15 mins or so from us). We have a number of planned other activities which will not include most of the Disney attractions ('been there, did that' kind of feeling), but I may mention some briefly from past experience because Disney World is the main reason families visit the area in the millions. Just a few pics below including the city of Orlando which I may have been in once or so - not the attraction here. Dave
This time Susan picked the Caribe Royale Hotel & Convention Center - we are staying in one of the 2-bedroom suite buildings w/ a small private pool (see pics below) - yesterday was rainy but we had a nice afternoon and early dinner (upcoming post) - today, the fitness center in the morning and then a visit to Sea World which is off International Drive and probably just 15 mins or so from us). We have a number of planned other activities which will not include most of the Disney attractions ('been there, did that' kind of feeling), but I may mention some briefly from past experience because Disney World is the main reason families visit the area in the millions. Just a few pics below including the city of Orlando which I may have been in once or so - not the attraction here. Dave
Orlando is a city in the U.S. state of Florida located in Central Florida, it is the center of the Orlando metropolitan area, which had a population of 2,509,831, according to U.S. Census Bureau (July 2017), making it the 23rd-largest metropolitan area in the United States, the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the Southern United States, and the third-largest metropolitan area in Florida. As of 2015, Orlando had an estimated city-proper population of 280,257, the state's largest inland city. The City of Orlando is nicknamed "The City Beautiful," and its symbol is the fountain at Lake Eola. Orlando is also known as "The Theme Park Capital of the World" and in 2016 its tourist attractions and events drew more than 72 million visitors. (Source)
One of the main driving forces in Orlando's economy is its tourism industry and the city is one of the leading tourism destinations in the world. Nicknamed the 'Theme Park Capital of the World', the Orlando area is home to Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando, Legoland, and the Fun Spot America Theme Parks. A record 72 million visitors came to the Orlando region in 2017, making it the top tourist destination in the United States. The Orlando area features 7 of the 10 most visited theme parks in North America (5 of the top 10 in the world), as well as the 4 most visited water parks in the U.S. The Walt Disney World resort is the area's largest attraction with its many facets such as the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and Disney Springs. Universal Orlando, like Walt Disney World, is a multi-faceted resort comprising Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and Universal CityWalk. SeaWorld Orlando is a large park that features numerous zoological displays and marine animals alongside an amusement park with roller coasters like Mako, Manta, and Kraken. (Source)
.The property also comprises more than one park, alongside Aquatica water park and Discovery Cove. Fun Spot Orlando and Kissimmee are more typical amusement parks with big thrills in a small space with roller coasters like White Lightning and Freedom Flyer in Orlando and Mine Blower and Rockstar Coaster in Kissimmee. Orlando is also home to I-Drive 360 on International Drive home to the Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds, and Sealife Aquarium. Orlando attractions also appeal to many locals who want to enjoy themselves close to home. The convention industry is also critical to the region's economy. The Orange County Convention Center, expanded in 2004 to over two million square feet (200,000 m2) of exhibition space, is now the second-largest convention complex in terms of space in the United States, trailing only McCormick Place in Chicago. The city vies with Chicago and Las Vegas for hosting the most convention attendees in the United States. (Source)