The major challenge for families visiting Orlando, Florida, is finding the time to take in all that the area has to offer. One of the most kid-friendly vacation destinations in the country, Orlando and the surrounding area boast theme parks galore, from major theme parks like Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios Orlando, to the smaller attractions like Gatorland and Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Tourist dollars have revived downtown Orlando, making it a hot spot for shopping, bars, clubs, restaurants and theater.

The Orlando International Airport and Sanford International Airport serve the Orlando area. Although located southeast of downtown, the Orlando International Airport is centrally located to the major tourist attractions, making it the more popular of the two airports. AirTran Airways, Southwest Airlines, Delta Airlines and JetBlue Airways all fly frequent routes to Orlando. Foreign carriers include British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air France and Lufthansa.

For family vacations, car rentals are a favorite choice for visitors. Convenience and affordability make car rentals in Orlando a good option for reaching the theme parks that lie outside the bounds of Orlando proper. Competition among care rental agencies assures a wide selection of cheap car rentals in Orlando. Book ahead for the best prices. The downtown area is perfect for walking – several streets are pedestrian only in the evenings.

Walt Disney World Resort, located in nearby Lake Buena Vista, is often the first place families want to visit when vacationing in Orlando. With four theme parks to explore, most visitors set aside several days to enjoy all the Disney attractions. Start with the smaller parks, Epcot Center and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Disney’s major theme park, The Magic Kingdom, takes a lot of time and a lot of walking to fully explore.

Close behind the Disney parks in popularity is Universal Studios Orlando, with rides and attractions centered around Universal movie productions. SeaWorld Adventure Park Orlando is another popular theme park, with animal shows, rides and interactive exhibits. Arabian Nights and Medieval Times offer unique, themed dining experiences. Mini-theme parks include Gatorland, a reptile-themed park, and Hold Land, a Bible theme park designed to represent Jerusalem during the time of Jesus.

The Orlando area also offers over 170 golf courses, making the city a favorite destination for golfing vacations. An estimated 52 million visitors pass through Orlando each year, proof that Orlando is one of the premier destinations spots nationwide.

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