Planning a trip to Orlando

Visitor Information

Once you've arrived, you can stop in at the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau (Orlando CVB), 8723 International Dr., Ste. 101, Orlando; however, it's best to call ahead (tel. 800/972-3304 or 407/363-5872; www.visitorlando.com) for information on the area's offerings. Staffers at the CVB can help answer your questions, as well as send out maps, brochures, and coupons good for discounts or freebies. The CVB sells discount tickets to several attractions. Savings on multiday passes to Universal run about $10, while SeaWorld savings run about $2 on a 1-day ticket (and at times includes a second day free), and up to $15 on multipark tickets; only Disney's 4-day or longer passes are discounted, with savings from $5 to $15 depending on the ticket (some include free upgrades, increasing the savings even more). The CVB's multilingual staff can also make dinner reservations and hotel referrals for you. The CVB is open daily from 8:30am to 6:30pm, except Christmas. From I-4, take exit 74A east 2 blocks, turn south on International Drive, and continue 1 mile. The center is on the left, at the corner of I-Drive and Austrian Row.

The Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau is located at 1925 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy./U.S. 192, Kissimmee (tel. 407/742-8200; www.visitkissimmee.com). It also offers maps, brochures, and discount coupons. From I-4, take exit 64A/U.S. 192 east about 12 miles to Bill Beck Boulevard, and then go left into the CVB's parking lot. It's open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. Again, you can call and have these items sent to you ahead of time so you can do some planning at home.

Five tourism centers around Florida have statewide information. They're located 4 miles north of Jennings on I-75 south; 3 miles north of Campbellton on Highway 231; 7 miles north of Yulee on I-95; 16 miles west of Pensacola on I-10 east; and at the capitol in Tallahassee.

Finally, nearly all hotel lobbies and many restaurants, highway rest stops, and attractions have racks brimming with brochures for area activities (except for Disney brochures -- they're only available at Disney-owned and -operated hotels, "official" Disney hotels along Hotel Plaza Blvd., and designated "Good Neighbor" hotels). Many are filled with dining discounts and cost-cutting coupons, so cover your bases and pick up a few of everything.

Information (& More) at the Airport

Passengers arriving at or departing from Orlando International Airport can stroll over to one of two Disney shops. The Magic of Disney (tel. 407/825-2360) is in the main terminal, third level, right behind the Northwest Airlines ticket desk. Disney Earport (tel. 407/825-2339) is in the main terminal, across from the Hyatt Regency. They sell WDW multiday tickets, arrange dinner-show and hotel reservations at Disney resorts, and provide brochures and assistance. They're open daily, usually from 7am to 9 or 10pm, but know that the airport stores are filled with a rather run-of-the-mill selection of Disney merchandise; unless you're on your way home and forgot to buy that must-have Mickey for Auntie Gertrude, you'll find a far better selection elsewhere.

The Universal Studios Stores (tel. 407/825-2473), usually open daily from 7am to 9pm, sell park tickets at two locations: Airside A, main terminal, and Airside B, Delta side, before security -- both on the third level. SeaWorld stores, at airsides A and B, are open daily from 6am to 9pm (tel. 407/825-2614). For space buffs coming through town, Kennedy Space Center (tel. 407/445-1788) has two locations at the airport, in both the East and West halls. Even the Ron Jon Surf Shop (tel. 407/825-2217) has an airport outpost (daily 7am-9pm).

Fast Facts

Area Codes -- The area code for Orlando is 407. Note: Because of its growth spurt, Orlando uses 10-digit dialing. If you're making a local call in Orlando's 407 area code region, even across the street, you must dial the 407 area code followed by the number you wish to call, for a total of 10 digits.

Automobile Organizations -- Motor clubs will supply maps, suggested routes, guidebooks, accident and bail-bond insurance, and emergency road service. AAA is the major auto club in the U.S. If you belong to a motor club in your home country, inquire about AAA reciprocity before you leave. You may be able to join AAA even if you're not a member of a reciprocal club; to inquire, call AAA (tel. 800/222-4357; www.aaa.com). AAA has a nationwide emergency road service phone number (tel. 800/AAA-HELP [222-4357]).

Babysitters -- Many Orlando hotels, including all of Disney's resorts, offer in-room babysitting, usually from an outside service such as Kid's Nite Out (tel. 800/696-8105 or 407/828-0920; www.kidsniteout.com) or All About Kids (tel. 800/728-6506 or 407/812-9300; www.all-about-kids.com). Rates for in-room sitters usually run $14 to $16 per hour for the first child and another $2 to $3 per hour for each additional child. A premium fee of $2 per hour (not per child) is often added for services provided during unusually early or late hours. A transportation fee of approximately $10 to $12 is usually charged as well. Several resorts offer child-care facilities with counselor-supervised activities right on the premises, including select Disney resorts (for kids ages 3-12; tel. 407/939-3463) and Universal Orlando's on-site resorts (for kids ages 4-14; tel. 407/503-2230, 407/503-2236, or 407/503-1200). This type of child care usually costs between $10 and $15 per hour, per child. Reservations are highly recommended and are often required for either type of service.

Business Hours -- Theme-park operating hours vary depending on the time of year, even on the day of the week. Although most open at 8 or 9am and close at 6 or 7pm, you should call or check the park's website for its most current schedule before arriving. Other businesses are generally open from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. Bars are usually open until 2am, with some after-hours clubs staying open into the wee hours of the morning (though the alcohol stops flowing at 2am).

Doctors & Dentists -- There are basic first-aid centers in all of the theme parks. There's also a 24-hour, toll-free number for the Poison Control Center (tel. 800/282-3171). To find a dentist, contact the Dental Referral Service (tel. 800/235-4111; www.dentalreferral.com).

Doctors on Call Service (tel. 407/399-3627) makes house and room calls in most of the Orlando area, including the Disney resorts. Centra Care has several walk-in clinics listed in the Yellow Pages, including ones on Sand Lake Road, near Universal (tel. 407/851-6478); at Lake Buena Vista, near Disney (tel. 407/934-2273); and on U.S. 192 (W. Irlo Bronson Hwy.), in the Formosa Gardens shopping center (tel. 407/397-7032). The Medical Concierge (tel. 407/648-5252; www.themedicalconcierge.com) makes "hotel house calls," has a walk-in clinic (listed in the Yellow Pages), arranges emergency dental appointments, and rents medical equipment.

Drinking Laws -- The legal age for purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages is 21; proof of age is required and often requested at bars, nightclubs, and restaurants, so it's always a good idea to bring ID when you go out. No liquor is served in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Alcoholic drinks are available, however, at the other Disney parks, at SeaWorld, and are quite evident at Universal Orlando's parks (even more so at its seasonal celebrations). Bars are required to stop serving alcohol at 2am, but don't necessarily close at that time. Do not carry open containers of alcohol in your car or any public area that isn't zoned for alcohol consumption -- the police can fine you on the spot. Florida blue laws prohibit the sale of alcohol on Sundays before noon in Orange County and before 1pm in Osceola County. And nothing will ruin your trip faster than getting a citation for DUI ("driving under the influence"), so don't even think about driving while intoxicated.

Electricity -- Like Canada, the United States uses 110 to 120 volts AC (60 cycles), compared to 220 to 240 volts AC (50 cycles) in most of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Downward converters that change 220 to 240 volts to 110 to 120 volts are difficult to find in the United States, so bring one with you.

Embassies & Consulates -- All embassies are in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. Some consulates are in major U.S. cities, and most nations have a mission to the United Nations in New York City. If your country isn't listed below, call for directory information in Washington, D.C. (tel. 202/555-1212) or check www.embassy.org/embassies.

The embassy of Australia is at 1601 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (tel. 202/797-3000; www.usa.embassy.gov.au). Consulates are in New York, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

The embassy of Canada is at 501 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001 (tel. 202/682-1740; www.canadainternational.gc.ca/washington). Consulates are in Buffalo (N.Y.), Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle.

The embassy of Ireland is at 2234 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/462-3939; www.embassyofireland.org). Consulates are in Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and other cities. See the website for a complete listing.

The embassy of New Zealand is at 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/328-4800; www.nzembassy.com). Consulates are in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Seattle.

The embassy of the United Kingdom is at 3100 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/588-6500; http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk). Consulates are in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle.

Emergencies -- Call tel. 911 to report a fire, contact the police, or get an ambulance. This call is free from all public telephones and should be the first call made in case of any serious medical emergency or accident.

The Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, the state tourism promotions board, sponsors a help line (tel. 800/647-9284). With operators speaking more than 100 languages, it can provide general directions and help with lost travel papers and credit cards, minor medical emergencies, accidents, money transfer, airline confirmation, and more.

Gasoline -- At press time, in the U.S., the cost of gasoline (also known as gas, but never petrol), was once again on the rise, with prices hovering at around $3.79 a gallon. Taxes are already included in the printed price. One U.S. gallon equals 3.8 liters or .85 imperial gallons. Fill-up locations are known as gas or service stations.

Hospitals -- Dr. P. Phillips Hospital (formerly the Sand Lake Hospital), 9400 Turkey Lake Rd. (tel. 407/351-8500), is about 2 miles south of Sand Lake Road. From the WDW area, take I-4 east to the Sand Lake Road exit and make a left on Turkey Lake Road. The hospital is 2 miles up on your right. To avoid the highway, take Palm Parkway (off Apopka-Vineland near Hotel Plaza Blvd.); it turns into Turkey Lake Road. The hospital is 2 miles up on your left. Florida Hospital Celebration Health, 400 Celebration Place (tel. 407/303-4000), is located in the near-Disney town of Celebration. From I-4, take the U.S. 192 exit. At the first traffic light, turn right onto Celebration Avenue. At the first stop sign, take another right.

Insurance -- The outlay for an Orlando vacation can be considerable, especially if you're buying a vacation package or renting a home while in the city. If you're traveling during hurricane season, have a medical condition, have to shell out a lot of money in advance of your trip, or if your vacation package is nonrefundable, do consider obtaining travel insurance. For information on traveler's insurance, trip-cancelation insurance, and medical insurance while traveling, please visit www.frommers.com/planning.

Laundromats -- Stand-alone laundromats are not widespread throughout the tourist districts; however, there are two within a relatively close drive: Coin-A-Magic, 1415 John Young Pkwy. (at the intersection of Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy.), Kissimmee (tel. 407/933-1828); and Laundry Express & Cleaner (closest to International Dr.), 5360 S. John Young Pkwy. (tel. 407/345-4777). Several area hotels and resorts do have on-site self-service laundry facilities. Generally, these are coin-operated and charge about $1.50 to do a load of wash and another $1.50 to dry.

Legal Aid -- While driving, if you are pulled over for a minor infraction (such as speeding), never attempt to pay the fine directly to a police officer; this could be construed as attempted bribery, a much more serious crime. Pay fines by mail, or directly into the hands of the clerk of the court. If accused of a more serious offense, say and do nothing before consulting a lawyer. In the U.S., the burden is on the state to prove a person's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and everyone has the right to remain silent, whether he or she is suspected of a crime or actually arrested. Once arrested, a person can make one telephone call to a party of his or her choice. The international visitor should call his or her embassy or consulate.

Lost Children -- Every theme park has a designated spot for adults to be reunited with lost children (or lost spouses -- it happens). Ask where it is when you enter the park (or consult the free park guide map), and instruct your children to ask park personnel (not a stranger) to take them there if they get separated from you. Point out what park personnel look like so they will know whom to go to. Children age 7 and younger should wear name-tags inside their clothing (if you're carrying a cellphone, put the number on the tag).

Mail -- At press time, domestic postage rates were 29¢ for a postcard and 44¢ for a letter. For international mail, a first-class letter of up to 1 ounce costs 98¢ (80¢ to Canada and Mexico); a first-class postcard costs the same as a letter. For more information go to www.usps.com.

If you aren't sure what your address will be in the U.S., mail can be sent to you, in your name, c/o General Delivery at the main post office of the city or region where you expect to be. (Call tel. 800/275-8777 for information on the nearest post office.) The addressee must pick up mail in person and must produce proof of identity (driver's license, passport, and so on). Most post offices will hold mail for up to 1 month, and are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

The post office most convenient to Disney and Universal is at 10450 Turkey Lake Rd. (tel. 407/351-2492), open Monday through Friday from 9am to 7pm, Saturday from 9am to 5pm. A smaller location, closer to Disney, is at 8536 Palm Pkwy., in Lake Buena Vista, just up the road from Hotel Plaza Boulevard (tel. 407/238-0223). If all you need is to buy stamps and mail letters, you can do that at most hotels.

Always include zip codes when mailing items in the U.S. If you don't know your zip code, visit www.usps.com/zip4.

Maps -- Maps of the Orlando area can be found online at www.visitflorida.com and www.visitorlando.com, as well as at the official visitor center and at most area hotels. Maps of the Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld parks can be found on their respective websites, as well as at the theme parks themselves.

Newspapers & Magazines -- The Orlando Sentinel is the major local newspaper, but you can also purchase the Sunday editions of other papers (most notably, the New York Times) in some hotel gift shops or bookstores such as Barnes & Noble or Borders. Don't count on finding daily editions of West Coast papers, such as the Los Angeles Times, without making special arrangements. The Friday edition of the Sentinel includes extensive entertainment and dining listings, as does the newspaper's website, www.orlandosentinel.com. Orlando Weekly is a free alternative paper that has a lot of entertainment and art listings focused on events outside tourist areas.

Packing -- Airline baggage fees being what they are, packing light has become a financial requirement. There are, however, a few items that you should definitely pack: a sweater or sweatshirt (no matter what time of year, Orlando evenings can range from cool to downright cold, and when restaurants blast the air-conditioning, it can get quite uncomfortable to dine while shivering in short sleeves); a swimsuit; comfortable broken-in shoes and several pairs of socks (pounding the theme-park pavement in a pair of new shoes -- or shoes without socks -- will almost always result in painful blisters); a hat; and a big bottle of sunscreen (a must to protect from the strong sun). In an effort to make life a bit easier, most area hotels offer some sort of laundry service (whether self-serve or valet), so if you don't mind doing the wash, you can easily cut down on the amount of clothing you bring along. Leave room in your suitcase (if at all possible) to bring home souvenirs, or pack a small collapsible bag to accommodate your purchases on the trip home. Only a select few restaurants (such as Victoria & Albert's) and nightclubs carry a dress code -- otherwise casual clothing is in order, no matter where you go. For more helpful information on packing for your trip, download Frommer's convenient Travel Tools app for your mobile device. Go to www.frommers.com/go/mobile and click on the Travel Tools icon.

Photography -- Orlando is a magnet for shutterbugs. If you're still shooting film, 2-hour film processing is available at all major parks. Look for the PHOTO EXPRESS signs. You can buy film, batteries, and disposable cameras in all of the theme parks, but you'll save money on almost everything if you shop at drugstores, such as Walgreens, or local grocery stores. These places often run specials for discounted processing or free double prints, saving you a significant amount of money. They're listed in the yellow pages under "Photo Finishing." The parks carry only a small selection of memory cards for digital cameras; if you need rechargeable batteries, you will have to go to one of the many camera shops found just outside park property.

Police -- Call tel. 911 in an emergency.

Smoking -- If you're a smoker, light up where and when you can. Smoking is prohibited in many of Florida's public places. While some bars have smoking areas and most hotels have smoking rooms, many are eliminating them. You're still permitted to inhale in most outdoor areas, but these areas are limited to restricted spots at Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld parks. Note: Don't expect to light up during dinner. In 2002, Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment that bans smoking in public work places, including restaurants and bars that serve food. Stand-alone bars that serve virtually no food as well as designated smoking rooms in hotels are exempt.

Taxes -- The United States has no value-added tax (VAT) or other indirect tax at the national level. Every state, county, and city may levy its own local tax on all purchases, including hotel and restaurant checks and airline tickets. These taxes will not appear on price tags. In Orlando, a 6% to 7.5% sales tax (depending on the local county you happen to be in) is charged on all goods, with the exception of most edible grocery-store items and medicines. Hotels add another 5% to 6% in resort taxes to your bill, so the total tax on accommodations can run up to 13.5%.

Time -- Orlando is in the Eastern Standard Time (EST) zone, which is 1 hour later than Chicago, 3 hours later than Los Angeles, 5 hours earlier than London, and 12 hours earlier than Sydney. The continental United States is divided into four time zones: Eastern Standard Time (EST), Central Standard Time (CST), Mountain Standard Time (MST), and Pacific Standard Time (PST). Alaska and Hawaii have their own zones. For example, when it's 9am in Los Angeles (PST), it's 7am in Honolulu (HST),10am in Denver (MST), 11am in Chicago (CST), noon in New York City (EST), 5pm in London (GMT), and 2am the next day in Sydney.

Daylight saving time is in effect from 1am on the second Sunday in March to 1am on the first Sunday in November, except in Arizona, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Daylight saving time moves the clock 1 hour ahead of standard time.

For help with time translations, and more, download Frommer's convenient Travel Tools app for your mobile device. Go to www.frommers.com/go/mobile and click on the Travel Tools icon.

Tipping -- In hotels, tip bellhops at least $1 per bag ($2-$3 if you have a lot of luggage) and tip the chamber staff $1 to $2 per day (more if you've left a big mess for him or her to clean up). Tip the doorman or concierge only if he or she has provided you with some specific service (for example, calling a cab for you or obtaining difficult-to-get theater tickets). Tip the valet-parking attendant $1 to $2 every time you get your car.

In restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, tip service staff and bartenders 15% to 20% of the check, tip checkroom attendants $1 per garment, and tip valet-parking attendants $1 to $2 per vehicle.

As for other service personnel, tip cab drivers 15% of the fare; tip skycaps at airports at least $1 per bag ($2-$3 if you have a lot of luggage); and tip hairdressers and barbers 15% to 20%.

For help with tip calculations, currency conversions, and more, download Frommer's convenient Travel Tools app for your mobile device. Go to www.frommers.com/go/mobile and click on the Travel Tools icon.

Toilets -- You won't find public toilets or "restrooms" on the streets in most U.S. cities, but they can be found in hotel lobbies, bars, restaurants, museums, department stores, railway and bus stations, and service stations. Large hotels and fast-food restaurants are often the best bet for clean facilities. Restaurants and bars in resorts or heavily visited areas may reserve their restrooms for patrons.

Entry Requirements & Customs

Passports

Virtually every air traveler entering the U.S. is required to show a passport. All persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport. Note: U.S. and Canadian citizens entering the U.S. at land and sea ports of entry from within the Western Hemisphere must now also present a passport or other documents compliant with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI; visit www.getyouhome.gov for details). Children 15 and under may continue entering with only a U.S. birth certificate or other proof of U.S. citizenship.

It is always advised to have at least one or two consecutive blank pages in your passport to allow space for visas and stamps that need to appear together. It is also important to note when your passport expires: Many countries require your passport to have at least 6 months left before its expiration in order to allow you into the destination. For more information, contact the following agencies:

• Australia -- Australian Passport Information Service (tel. 131-232; www.passports.gov.au).
• Canada -- Passport Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G3 (tel. 800/567-6868; www.ppt.gc.ca).
• Ireland -- Passport Office, Setanta Centre, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (tel. 01/671-1633; www.foreignaffairs.gov.ie).
• New Zealand -- Passports Office, Department of Internal Affairs, 47 Boulcott Street, Wellington, 6011 (tel. 0800/225-050 in New Zealand or 04/474-8100; www.passports.govt.nz).
• United Kingdom -- Visit your nearest passport office, major post office, or travel agency or contact the Identity and Passport Service (IPS), 89 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PN (tel. 0300/222-0000; www.ips.gov.uk).
• United States -- To find your regional passport office, check the U.S. State Department website (travel.state.gov/passport) or call the National Passport Information Center (tel. 877/487-2778) for automated information.

Visas

The U.S. State Department has a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allowing citizens of the following countries to enter the United States without a visa for stays of up to 90 days: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. (This list was accurate at press time; for the most up-to-date list of countries in the VWP, consult http://travel.state.gov/visa.) Even though a visa isn't necessary, in an effort to help U.S. officials check travelers against terror watch lists before they arrive at U.S. borders, visitors from VWP countries must register online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before boarding a plane or a boat to the U.S. Travelers must complete an electronic application providing basic personal and travel eligibility information. The Department of Homeland Security recommends filling out the form at least 3 days before traveling. Authorizations will be valid for up to 2 years or until the traveler's passport expires, whichever comes first. Currently, there is a US$14 fee for the online application. Existing ESTA registrations remain valid through their expiration dates. Note: Any passport issued on or after October 26, 2006, by a VWP country must be an e-Passport for VWP travelers to be eligible to enter the U.S. without a visa. Citizens of these nations also need to present a round-trip air or cruise ticket upon arrival. E-Passports contain computer chips capable of storing biometric information, such as the required digital photograph of the holder. If your passport doesn't have this feature, you can still travel without a visa if the valid passport was issued before October 26, 2005, and includes a machine-readable zone; or if the valid passport was issued between October 26, 2005, and October 25, 2006, and includes a digital photograph. For more information, go to http://travel.state.gov/visa. Canadian citizens may enter the U.S. without visas, but will need to show passports and proof of residence.

Citizens of all other countries must have (1) a valid passport that expires at least 6 months later than the scheduled end of their visit to the U.S.; and (2) a tourist visa. For information about U.S. visas, go to http://travel.state.gov and click on "Visas." Or go to one of the following websites:

Australian citizens can obtain up-to-date visa information from the U.S. Embassy Canberra, Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600 (tel. 02/6214-5600), or by checking the U.S. Diplomatic Mission's website at http://canberra.usembassy.gov/visas.html.

British subjects can obtain up-to-date visa information by calling the U.S. Embassy Visa Information Line (tel. 09042-450-100 from within the U.K. at £1.20 per minute; or tel. 866/382-3589 from within the U.S. at a flat rate of $16, payable by credit card only) or by visiting the American Embassy London's website at http://london.usembassy.gov/visas.html.

Irish citizens can obtain up-to-date visa information through the U.S. Embassy Dublin, 42 Elgin Rd., Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 (tel. 1580-47-VISA [8472] from within the Republic of Ireland at €2.40 per minute), or by going to http://dublin.usembassy.gov.

Citizens of New Zealand can obtain up-to-date visa information by contacting the U.S. Embassy New Zealand, 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington (tel. 644/462-6000), or going to http://newzealand.usembassy.gov.

Customs

What You Can Bring into the U.S. -- Every visitor 21 years of age or older may bring in, free of duty, the following: (1) 1 U.S. quart of alcohol; (2) 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars (but not from Cuba), or 3 pounds of smoking tobacco; and (3) $100 worth of gifts. These exemptions are offered to travelers who spend at least 72 hours in the U.S. and who have not claimed them within the preceding 6 months. It is forbidden to bring into the country almost any meat products (including canned, fresh, and dried meat products such as bouillon, soup mixes, and so on). Generally, condiments including vinegars, oils, pickled goods, spices, coffee, tea, and some cheeses and baked goods are permitted. Avoid rice products, as rice can often harbor insects. Bringing fruits and vegetables is prohibited, as they may harbor pests or disease. International visitors may carry in or out up to $10,000 in U.S. or foreign currency with no formalities; larger sums must be declared to U.S. Customs on entering or leaving, which includes filing form CM 4790. For details regarding U.S. Customs and Border Protection, consult your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, or go online to U.S. Customs (www.customs.gov).

What You Can Take Home from Orlando -- For information on what you're allowed to bring home, contact one of the following agencies:

• U.S. Citizens: U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP), 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20229 (tel. 877/287-8667; www.cbp.gov).
• Canadian Citizens: Canada Border Services Agency, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0L8 (tel. 800/461-9999 in Canada, or 204/983-3500; www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca).
• U.K. Citizens: HM Customs & Excise, Crownhill Court, Tailyour Road, Plymouth, PL6 5BZ (tel. 0845/010-9000; from outside the U.K., 020/8929-0152; www.hmce.gov.uk).
• Australian Citizens: Australian Customs Service, Customs House, 5 Constitution Avenue, Canberra City, ACT 2601 (tel. 1300/363-263; from outside Australia, 612/6275-6666; www.customs.gov.au).
• New Zealand Citizens: New Zealand Customs, The Customhouse, 17-21 Whitmore St., Box 2218, Wellington, 6140 (tel. 04/473-6099 or 0800/428-786; www.customs.govt.nz).

Medical Requirements

Unless you're arriving from an area known to be suffering from an epidemic (particularly cholera or yellow fever), inoculations or vaccinations are not required for entry into the United States

Getting Married

A Mickey Mouse Affair: Getting Married at Walt Disney World

If you've always dreamed of a fairy-tale wedding, Disney is happy to oblige for a price (though often a large one). Recognizing WDW's popularity as a honeymoon destination—each year, more honeymooners head here than to any other spot in America. Disney, in 1995, cut out the middleman and officially went into the wedding business. And, oh, what big business it is!

When you plan a Disney Wedding, every aspect of the party will have to meet minimum attendance requirements. Park guests also come first, so you probably find that if you can book a ceremony in front of Cinderella Castle at all, it will have to be in the wee hours, when the park isn't open. Bookings for locations open one year ahead, but you'd be wise to get the ball rolling at least 18 months ahead.

You'll have to cough up at least $3,500 just to have the ceremony here (not including the minimum expenditure of $15,000 required for a custom wedding—or the minimum 4-night stay that's also required). It costs at least $30,000 to have your ceremony after hours in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom—and that's just to use the venue, because minimum food, beverage, and hotel expenditures are required and are at an additional cost. Disney lists its available wedding locations and estimates of their rental fees (before ceremony costs) at www.disneyweddings.com/florida/pricing/.

The introduction of the Disney Couture wedding collection (by David Tutera), a unique honeymoon registry, and a line of princess-inspired designer wedding gowns bring additional elements of elegance that only Disney could create to the wedding mix. If you can imagine it, Disney can likely do it—as long as your wallet can back up your imagination.

For details, call tel. 321/939-4610 or go to www.disneyweddings.com. The email address is ContactUs@DisneyWeddings.com.

All the major resort hotels in Orlando will be happy to take your marriage-planning business—they live for group bookings. Also look at area golf resorts and country clubs for the same reason.

Tips for Families

No city in the world is geared more to family travel than Orlando. In addition to its theme parks, Orlando's recreational facilities provide an abundance of opportunities for family fun. Most restaurants have lower-priced ($4-$9) children's menus (if not, the appetizer menu works just as well) and fun distractions such as place mats to color while younger diners wait for their food. Many of the hotels and resorts offer children's activity centers.

Keep an eye out for coupons discounting meals and attractions; they can be found practically everywhere. The "Calendar" section in Friday's Orlando Sentinel newspaper often contains coupons and good deals. Many restaurants, especially those in tourist areas, offer great discounts that are yours for the clipping. Check the information you receive from the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, including free or cheap things to do. Additionally, many hotel lobbies and attractions have free coupon books for the taking.

Most of the major theme parks offer parent-swap programs in which one parent can ride without the children, then switch off and let the other parent ride without having to return to the end of the line. Inquire at Guest Services or Guest Relations, near the park entrances, for details on which rides are included.

Here are more suggestions for making traveling with children easier:

• Are Your Kids Old Enough?-- Do you really want to bring an infant or toddler to the parks? If you plan on visiting Disney several times as your children grow, then the best age for a first visit to Disney is just about 3 years old. Why? Because the kids are old enough to walk around and enjoy the sights and sounds, as well as a good deal of the rides and shows. The thrill rides would most likely frighten them, but most inappropriate rides for the tiny-tot set have height restrictions that prevent any unfortunate mistakes. If, however, this is going to be a one-time trip, then I recommend waiting until your children are between 7 and 10. They'll still be able to appreciate the wonder of the experience but won't have reached the stage where all they'll want are chills and thrills.

  Some of the characters walking about may make young kids a bit nervous, though most will run right up to Donald or Mickey and give them a big hug. Younger kids may need a nap just when you want to see a show or hop on an attraction, but if you have kids this is nothing new to you. When you plan your day's activities, be sure to account for necessary breaks and naps. Will your whole family be able to enjoy the experiences that Disney and other parks have to offer? This is something you will have to decide. My five kids range in age from 9 to 17, and we have traveled with just about every age combination you can think of. On our first family trip, my oldest (now 17) was 4, and his two younger siblings were ages 3 and 1. While the 1-year-old has absolutely no recollection of the trip, he was thoroughly amused by the sights and sounds everywhere we went. The 3-year-old (now 15) still remembers plenty. You'll need to take into account your kids' stamina, interests, and tolerance levels before you decide whether to make the trip and when planning your daily itineraries. My kids could go well into the evening inside the parks, but many other children can't, so it may take you longer to cover a park (it took me 2-3 days to do Magic Kingdom when my youngest was 2). At the time, my nephew was 7, and he was petrified by some of the rides in the parks; even my own kids, who'll try anything once and have never been wary of rides, freak out at attractions involving sensory effects. It may be repetitious, but I'll say it again: Know your own child before deciding whether he or she is ready for this sort of trip. Not every child will fall in love with Disney World at first sight, and it's a rather large expense to incur if Junior's going to be frightened, sleepy, or cranky for the entire trip.

• Planning Ahead -- Make reservations for character breakfasts at Disney as soon as possible. Disney usually accepts them up to 180 days in advance (recently changed from 90 days), and many are booked minutes (I'm not kidding!) after the 180-day window opens, so mark your calendar to call (and be sure you keep in mind that the line opens for calls at 7am EST). Also, in any park, check the daily schedule for character appearances (all of the major ones post them on maps or boards near the entrances), and make sure the kids know when they're going to get to meet their heroes. It's often the highlight of their day. (Be wary, however, of promising specific characters, as schedules and character lineups can change.) Advance planning will help you avoid running after every character you see. The "in" thing of late is getting character autographs. The lines can be quite long, so you may want to pick and choose just a couple of favorite characters to do this with.

• Packing -- Although your home may be toddler-proof, hotel accommodations aren't. Bring blank plugs to cover outlets and whatever else is necessary to prevent an accident from occurring in your room. Most hotels have some type of crib available; however, they are usually limited in number. Some hotels can also supply bedrails, though they are not as readily available as cribs are. Outside of hotel supplies, your biggest packing priority should be sunscreen. Locals can spot tourists by their bright-red sunburns. Both parents and children should heed this reminder: Don't forget to bring and use sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 30. If you do forget it, it's available at convenience stores, drugstores, and some theme-park shops. Young children should be slathered, even if they're in a stroller. Be sure to pack a wide-brim hat for infants and toddlers. Adults and children alike should drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

• Accommodations -- Kids younger than 12, and, in many cases, those as old as 17, stay free in their parent's room in most hotels, but to be certain, ask when you book. Most hotels have pools and other recreational facilities that will give you a little no-extra-cost downtime. If you want to skip a rental car and aren't staying at Disney, International Drive and Lake Buena Vista are the places to stay. Hotels often offer family discounts; some offer Kids Eat Free programs, and some provide free or moderate-cost shuttle service to the major attractions. International Drive also has the I-Ride Trolley, which travels the length of the road and makes numerous stops along the way.

• Ground Rules -- Set firm rules before leaving home regarding things such as bedtime and souvenirs. It's easy to get off track as you get caught up in the excitement of Orlando, but don't allow your vacation to seize control of your better judgment. Having the kids earn their own money or at least allotting a specific prearranged amount for them to spend works wonders. Making them part of your decisions also works well. They'll be far more cooperative when they understand that everyone in the family gets a say in the plan for the day and that they will eventually get to do something or go somewhere that they want to.

• At the Parks -- Getting lost is all too easy in a place as strange and overwhelming as the theme parks. Toss in the crowds and it's amazing it doesn't happen more often. For adults (yes, they get lost, too) and older kids, arrange a lost-and-found meeting place before you arrive in the parks, and if you become separated, head there immediately. Make sure your kids know to find a staff member (point out the special name-tags worn by the staff) to help them. Attach a name-tag with the child's first name and your cellphone (or hotel) number to the inside of younger kids' T-shirts and tell them to find a park employee (and only a park employee) immediately and show them the tag if they become lost.

• Read the Signs -- Most rides post signs that explain height restrictions,if any, or identify those that may unsettle youngsters. Save yourself and your kids some grief before you get in line and are disappointed. A bad experience, whether it be a dark, scary section of a ride, the loop-de-loop of a roller coaster, or too big of a drop, can cause your child long-lasting anxiety. It can also put a damper on things for the rest of your day (and possibly even your vacation).

  I've often explained to my children -- irrespective of their ages -- that if they hear screaming, that's a pretty good indication that a ride may not be the best choice for them. With younger kids, you have to be steadfast in your decisions, though most height restrictions will keep those who really shouldn't be riding at bay. With the older ones, well, you may have to indulge them a bit and let them ride just one -- they likely won't make the same mistake twice. Note that once you get past the height restriction, age is not always as much of a deciding factor when it comes to rides as one might think. It really depends on your child's previous experiences and personality. I've seen 5-year-olds squeal with glee on rides that I can't even stomach; on the other hand, I've observed kids as old as 8 or 10 walk out of some of the attractions with "touchy feely" effects practically in tears.

• Take a Break -- The Disney parks, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld have fabulous interactive play areas offering both parents and young kids a break. By all means, take advantage of them. They allow kids to expend some of their pent-up energy after having to wait in lines and not wander far from Mom and Dad all day long. They offer a nice break for you, too (if you can sit down to watch them, that is). Note that many of these kid zones are filled with water squirters and shallow pools, and most of the parks feature a fair number of water-related attractions, so getting wet is practically inevitable -- at least for the kids. It's advisable to bring along a change of clothes or even a bathing suit. You can rent a locker ($10 or less) for storing the spares until you need them. During the summer, the Florida humidity is enough to keep you feeling soggy, so you may appreciate the change of clothing even if you don't go near any water.

• Show Times -- Schedule an indoor, air-conditioned show two or three times a day, especially during midafternoon in the summer. You may even get your littlest tykes to nap in the darkened theater. For all shows, arrive at least 20 minutes early to get the better seats, but not so early that the kids are tired of waiting (most waits are outside in the heat at Disney; Universal has covered queue areas at most attractions).

• Snack Times -- When dreaming of your vacation, you probably don't envision hours spent standing in lines, waiting and waiting (unless you have done this before, that is). It helps to store some lightweight snacks in a backpack, or in the stroller if you have one, especially when traveling with small children. This may save you some headaches, as kids get the hungriest just when you are the farthest from food. It will also be much healthier and will certainly save you money, as the parks' prices are quite high.

• Bring Your Own? -- While you will have to haul it to and from the car and on and off trams, trains, or monorails at Disney, having your own stroller can be a tremendous help. It will be with you when you need it -- say, back in the hotel room as a highchair, or for an infant in a restaurant when a highchair is inappropriate. Remember to bring the right stroller, too. It should be lightweight and easy to fold and unfold with one hand, have a canopy, be able to recline for naps, and have plenty of storage space. The parks offer stroller rentals for around $10 to $31 per day (depending on size); however, these are often hard and uncomfortable (and rental fees could easily exceed the cost of a purchasing a stroller after just a few days). They do not recline and have little or no storage space for the gear that goes along with bringing the kids. They are good, however, if you have older kids who may just need an occasional break from walking. For infants and small toddlers, you may want to bring a snugly sling or backpack-type carrier for use in traveling to and from parking lots and while you're standing in line for attractions (where strollers are not allowed). And while many parks now have a small number of infant-friendly strollers on hand, I still highly recommend bringing your own if your kids are younger than 3 or 4.

• Recommended Reading -- The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World is a good source of additional information, as is Frommer's Walt Disney World with Kids.

Money

Frommer's lists exact prices in the local currency. However, rates fluctuate, so before departing, consult a currency exchange website such as www.oanda.com/currency/converter to check up-to-the-minute rates. For help with tip calculations as well as currency conversions, download Frommer's convenient Travel Tools app for your mobile device. Go to www.frommers.com/go/mobile and click on the Travel Tools icon.

As a whole, Orlando is no more expensive than any other major city in the U.S. That said, in the theme-park zones, expect to be charged high prices for just about everything (that $1 bottle of water in the outside world will cost $2.50 and up in the tourist areas). If you plan on spending most of your time at the parks, budget accordingly.

When it comes to carrying currency, although many Orlando establishments do accept traveler's checks, I still recommend using a credit card, debit card, and/or cash because it's far less of a hassle (but if you do opt for traveler's checks, make sure they are denominated in U.S. currency -- foreign-currency checks will likely be refused). Be sure you have enough petty cash to cover airport incidentals, tipping, and transportation to your hotel (you can do this before leaving home, or you can get cash at an airport ATM).

ATMs -- In Orlando, the easiest and best way to get cash away from home is from an ATM (automated teller machine), sometimes referred to as a "cash machine" or "cashpoint." The Cirrus (tel. 800/424-7787; www.mastercard.com) and PLUS (tel. 800/843-7587; www.visa.com) networks span the globe. Go to your bank card's website to find ATM locations at your destination. Be sure you know your daily withdrawal limit before you depart. In addition, international travelers should check with their bank before departing to ensure that their PIN (personal identification number) will be valid in the U.S. (though most major U.S. banks generally accept the same four-digit PINs commonly accepted worldwide). It is also a good idea to alert your bank of your travel plans in an effort to avoid any possible difficulties using your card while in the U.S.

ATMs can be found on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom and at the entrances to Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom (where you'll find another one located across from the TriceraTop Spin in DinoLand). They're also at Pleasure Island (soon to be Hyperion Wharf), in Downtown Disney Marketplace, at Disney resorts, and in the Crossroads Shopping Center. There are also ATMs near Guest Services at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld, and Aquatica. Outside the parks, most malls have at least one ATM, and they're in some convenience stores, such as 7-Elevens and Circle Ks, as well as in grocery stores and drugstores.

There are frequently extra charges for using nonbank ATMs or bank ATMs not affiliated with your home branch. Depending on your institution, those charges can range from $1 to $3.50 per transaction -- the average is $2.75 across Florida. To compare banks' ATM fees within Orlando, use www.bankrate.com. Visitors from outside the U.S. should also find out whether their bank assesses a 1% to 3% fee on charges incurred abroad (most will, unless they are associated with the Global Alliance).

Be very careful when using ATMs, especially at night and in areas that are not well lit and heavily traveled. Don't let the land of Mickey lull you into a false sense of security. Goofy and Pluto won't mug you, but some of their estranged neighbors might. Cuddly characters aside, this is a big city and the crime rate here is the same as in comparable locations. When entering your PIN at an ATM, make sure you shield the keyboard from others in line. And if you're using a drive-through, keep your doors locked.

In addition to getting cash out of an ATM, you can also buy Disney dollars while visiting Walt Disney World. This currency, with images of Mickey, Minnie, Pirates of the Caribbean, and so on, comes in $1, $5, and $10 denominations. The dollars are good at WDW shops, restaurants, and resorts, as well as Disney stores everywhere. This is a great way to give a preset allowance to kids for their souvenirs. If you have any leftover dollars, you can exchange them for real currency upon leaving WDW or keep them as a souvenir. Note: Pay close attention if you have a refund coming. Some items, such as strollers, wheelchairs, and lockers, require a deposit, and Disney staffers will frequently use Mickey money for refunds. If you don't want it, just let them know and they'll be happy to give you real cash.

Credit Cards & Debit Cards -- Credit cards are the most widely used form of payment in the U.S., and most Orlando establishments accept the following: Visa (Barclaycard in Britain), MasterCard (EuroCard in Europe, Access in Britain, Chargex in Canada), American Express, Diners Club, and Discover. Credit cards also provide a convenient record of all your expenses and offer relatively good exchange rates. You can withdraw cash advances from your credit cards at banks or ATMs, but high fees make credit-card cash advances a pricey way to get cash.

It's highly recommended that you travel with at least one major credit card in Orlando. You must have a credit card to rent a car, and hotels and airlines usually require a credit card imprint as a deposit against expenses. International visitors using chip-and-PIN cards (or smart cards, as they are often called) will have to have their cards swiped (they still have a magnetic strip), and in most cases sign for their purchases (no PIN required), as the U.S. has no plans to implement a chip-and-PIN system anytime soon.

Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld parks, shops, restaurants (but not most fast-food outlets) and resorts (Disney and Universal) accept all five major credit cards mentioned above. Additionally, the WDW and Universal resorts will let you charge purchases made in their respective park shops and restaurants to your hotel room, but you must settle up when you check out. Be sure, however, to keep track of your spending as you go along so you won't be surprised when you get the total bill.

Debit cards are also a commonly accepted form of payment in most Orlando stores and restaurants as well as select resorts. Debit cards draw money directly from your checking account. Be aware that fees (generally $1-$3, though sometimes a percentage of the transaction) are usually imposed on most debit transactions, both foreign and domestic. Also note that most resorts deduct up to $200 (or more) from your debit account each and every day of your stay, greatly reducing the amount of money you have available in your bank account (until it is credited back some 10 or so days after you've settled your bill and checked out), so be sure to ask exactly what the policy is before handing over your card at check-in. Some stores enable you to receive cash back on your debit card purchases as well. The same is true at most U.S. post offices.

The main lesson here is to beware of hidden fees when traveling. Check with your credit or debit card issuer to see what fees, if any, will be charged for overseas transactions. Recent reform legislation in the U.S., for example, has curbed some exploitative lending practices. But many banks have responded by increasing fees in other areas, including fees for customers who use credit and debit cards while out of the country -- even if those charges were made in U.S. dollars. Fees can amount to 3% or more of the purchase price. Check with your bank before departing to avoid any surprise charges on your statement.

Money-Saving Tips

For the budget conscious (and those who prefer not to completely deplete their financial portfolio), here are a few helpful suggestions and reminders:

• Become a member. Joining travel-related programs (including, but not limited to, AAA), participating in select reward programs (such as hotel and airline reward programs), and obtaining the Orlando Magicard (through the Orlando CVB) can save you a fair amount of money on hotel stays, restaurant meals, attraction tickets, and merchandise at select retailers (even in the theme parks) -- but you have to remember to present your credentials when making reservations, checking in, and/or paying your bill to see the savings.

• Bring your own stroller. Or consider purchasing an inexpensive model while you're in town -- the rental fees at the theme parks can easily exceed the cost of a new stroller in just a couple days.

• Pack snacks and drinks. While it is part of the Disney experience to purchase the occasional Mickey bar, pail of popcorn, turkey leg, or souvenir cup filled with the soda of your choice, bringing your own supplementary stash of snacks and bottled water (purchased at area grocers, not at your hotel) into the parks will save you a bundle in the end. Theme-park prices for such items are beyond believable.

• Budget for souvenirs. Also an integral part of the Disney experience is souvenir shopping. If you want to save a few dollars, it's helpful to create a budget for souvenir shopping before you go. Make sure to allow for the occasional must-have one-of-a-kind item that you and your kids will likely discover along the way, in addition to the traditional T-shirts and trinkets that you'll see everywhere. Even the little items add up quickly, so keep track of your spending as you go.

• Remember those baggage fees. If you do decide to splurge on souvenirs, remember that the items you purchase will have to be packed (leave room in your luggage or pack a spare bag just for such purchases) -- and keep in mind the high cost of baggage fees if you're traveling by plane.

• Time your meals. When dining at the parks, try to eat your big meal of the day at lunch, when prices are generally lower (though there are a few exceptions). Character meals and dinner shows, like souvenirs and specialty snacks, are part of the whole Disney experience, but choose wisely -- the characters, experience, and prices vary considerably. If you have toddlers, head to the Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom), Tusker House (Animal Kingdom), Cape May Café (Disney's Beach Club Resort), Chef Mickey's (Disney's Contemporary Resort), or 1900 Park Fare (Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa). If you have school-age kids, add Cinderella's Royal Table (Magic Kingdom), Princess Storybook (Epcot's Akershus Royal Banquet Hall), and 'Ohana (Disney's Polynesian Resort) to the list of choices. Note: Breakfast is the least expensive meal (relatively speaking), followed by lunch, followed by dinner (which can reach as high as $60 per adult and $36 per child depending on the experience). Dinner shows, while definitely entertaining, are best saved for kids ages 8 and up; the younger children (especially toddlers) tend to lose interest -- which, given the price tag, would be less than ideal.

• Consider the Disney Dining Plan. This option is only available to those staying at an official WDW hotel -- but it can add up to substantial savings when compared to purchasing your meals a la carte. At times, the Disney Dining Plan has been offered as a free perk when purchasing a Disney vacation package, so be sure to check www.disney.com for details.

What Things Cost in Orlando (US$)

Taxi from airport to Walt Disney World (up to four people) 60.00

Shuttle from airport to Walt Disney World (two adults, two kids) 122.00-135.00

Double room at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (very expensive) 440.00-1,145.00

Double room at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (expensive) 250.00-615.00

Double room at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort (moderate) 154.00-309.00

Double room at Staybridge Suites Lake Buena Vista (moderate) 129.00-289.00

Double room at Disney's All-Star Music Resort (inexpensive) 82.00-179.00

Six-course fixed-price dinner for one at Victoria & Albert's, not including tip or wine pairing (very expensive) 125.00-200.00

Adult all-you-can-eat buffet dinner at the Disney theme-park restaurants, not including tip or wine (moderate) 23.00-40.00

Roll of ASA 100 Kodak film, 36 exposures, purchased at Walt Disney World 16.00

Tube of sun block in the theme parks 12.00

Evening movie tickets at AMC, Pleasure Island 8.00-15.00

Adult 4-day + Park Hopper admission to Walt Disney World 298.00

Child 4-day + Park Hopper admission to Walt Disney World 279.00

Adult 1-day, one-park admission to Walt Disney World 85.00

Child 1-day, one-park admission to Walt Disney World 79.00

Adult 1-day, one-park admission to Universal Orlando 85.00

Child 1-day, one-park admission to Universal Orlando 79.00

Adult 1-day, one-park admission to SeaWorld 79.99

Child 1-day, one-park admission to SeaWorld 71.99

Adult five-park, 14-day Orlando FlexTicket 274.95

Child five-park, 14-day Orlando FlexTicket 254.95

Admission 1-day to Discovery Cove with Dolphin Swim 199.00-319.00

Adult admission to Orlando Science Center 17.00

Child admission to Orlando Science Center 12.00

Adult admission to Gatorland 23.00

Child admission to Gatorland 15.00

Tips for Travelers with Pets

For those of us who wouldn't dream of going on vacation without our pets, more and more lodgings are going the pet-friendly route. Be aware, however, that policies vary from property to property in Orlando, so call ahead to find out the particulars of your hotel.

None of the Disney resorts allows animals (except service dogs) to stay on the premises or has its own on-site kennel (the only exception being Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground, where you can have your pet at the full-hook-up campsites), but resort guests are welcome to board their animals overnight in the new Best Friends Pet Care facility on Bonnet Creek Parkway. Universal Orlando and SeaWorld will board small pets during the day only, not overnight.

Universal's three Loews-run resorts do allow pets on the property. In fact, "Loews Loves Pets" is a program that caters to pets and their families by offering such amenities as food, leashes, bedding, toys, and more. Pet walking, pet pagers, and door hangers (to let the resort staff know that there is a pet in the room) are also available.

An excellent resource is www.petswelcome.com, which dispenses medical tips, pet-friendly lodgings and campgrounds, and veterinarians. Also check out www.dogfriendly.com, which features links to Orlando accommodations, eateries, attractions, and parks that welcome canine companions.

The Peripatetic Pet -- It is illegal in Florida to leave your pet inside a parked car, windows rolled down or not. The sweltering heat can easily kill an animal in only a few minutes. All of the major theme parks have kennel facilities available, so if you have brought your pet along, take advantage of these kennels.

Make sure your pet is wearing a name-tag that includes your name and phone number, as well as the phone number of a contact person who can take the call if your pet gets lost while you're away from home.

Kennels -- The major theme parks offer animal boarding, usually for about $12 to $15 per day. At Disney, a single facility, Best Friends Pet Care, on the Bonnet Creek Parkway (tel. 877/493-9738), opened in 2010, replacing the numerous facilities once scattered about the resort. Overnight boarding, day care, and a slew of specialized services are offered for the pampered pet set. Resort guests can board their pets overnight for $10 to $34 ($12-$37 for those not staying at Disney), depending on the size and type of pet (larger, more luxurious accommodations go for a higher price). Pets are also welcome to stay overnight at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground (at select campsites) for a nightly fee of $5. SeaWorld ($15) and Universal Orlando ($15) also offer kennels, but overnight boarding is not available (though all Universal Orlando resorts welcome pets to stay with you right in your room for a small fee). A current vaccination record is a must at all kennels.

Orientation

Orlando's major artery is Interstate 4. Locals call it I-4, or that #@$*%^#!! highway! It runs diagonally across the state (though directional signs are always marked east or west) from Tampa to Daytona Beach. The exits along this route will take you to Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, International Drive, U.S. 192, Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista, and north to downtown Orlando and Winter Park. Most exits are well marked, but construction is common and exit numbers have been changed through the years. If you get directions by exit number, always ask the name of the road to help avoid getting lost. (Cellphone users can dial tel. 511 to get a report of I-4 delays.)

The Florida Turnpike, a toll road, crosses I-4 and links with I-75 to the north and Miami to the south. U.S. 192/Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway is a major east-west artery that reaches from Kissimmee to U.S. 27, crossing I-4 near World Drive, the main Walt Disney World entrance road. Construction has widened this stretch of highway and made driving a bit easier, while the addition of large numerical markers has made locating hotels, restaurants, and attractions much easier as well. The Beachline Expressway (Hwy. 528; previously the Bee Line Expwy.), also a toll road, goes east from I-4 past Orlando International Airport to Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center. The East-West Expressway (also known as Hwy. 408) is a toll road that can be helpful in bypassing surface traffic in the downtown area. The 417, also a toll road, runs from north of the Orlando International Airport to I-4 just below U.S. 192. This route is a good alternative to I-4 if you are staying on the lower end of International Drive, World Center Drive, or areas east of the I-4, as it is far less traveled than the main highway.

If you're jockeying between Disney and Universal, one of the lesser traffic evils is Apopka-Vineland Road. It tends to be less cluttered than I-4 or International Drive. Follow it north from Lake Buena Vista and the northeast side of Disney to Sand Lake Road, then go right/east to Turkey Lake Road, and then left/north to Universal Orlando. Another way to avoid the highway when driving between Universal Orlando and Disney is to take the Palm Parkway (just off Apopka-Vineland Rd.) to Turkey Lake Road, which will take you right to Universal.

I-4 and Highway 535 roughly bound Walt Disney World to the east (the latter is also a northern boundary), and U.S. 192/Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway bounds it to the south. World Drive is WDW's main north-south artery. Epcot Center Drive (Hwy. 536/the south end of International Dr.) and Buena Vista Drive cut across the complex in a more or less east-west direction; the two roads cross at Bonnet Creek Parkway. Despite a reasonably good highway system and explicit signs, it's easy to get lost or miss a turn here -- even if you think you know the roads. I've gotten lost or passed an exit on Disney property at least once or twice on every trip. Again, pay attention and drive carefully. Don't panic or pull across several lanes of traffic to make an exit, especially once you're on Disney property -- there's always another exit just ahead where you can turn around. All roads lead to the parks, and you'll soon find another sign directing you to the same place. It may take a bit longer, but Goofy will still be there.

Clever landscaping hides the fact that many parts of WDW are very close together. It took me several trips to discover that Disney's Hollywood Studios is just behind the BoardWalk, which is right next to the WDW Swan and the WDW Dolphin, which is across the lake from Disney's Yacht and Beach Club resorts, which are next to Epcot -- you get the picture. Walking can occasionally be the most efficient way to get from one place to another; it's always worth looking at a map to check before you set out anywhere. Note: One of the best maps of WDW's parks and roadways, although not nearly as detailed as it once was, can be found on the back of the "Orlando, Florida, and Vicinity" map provided by Alamo (Disney's official rental-car company). The map is available (upon request) to those staying on Disney property -- it lays out the entire WDW roadway system as well as the theme parks and resorts.

AAA (tel. 800/222-1134; www.aaa.com) and other auto club members should call their local offices for maps and optimum driving directions.

Health & Safety

Health

Orlando doesn't have any particular health risks to watch out for (except sun exposure). Vaccines are not required to enter the U.S.; however, when traveling to Orlando (or anywhere for that matter), it is always a good idea to pack an assortment of over-the-counter remedies for common travel-related ailments. Sunscreen and sunburn cream will help to ward off and/or soothe an Orlando sunburn; Pepto-Bismol and antacids will lessen an array of stomach ailments that often pop up when traveling; eye drops will relieve tired and dry eyes (whether from the plane ride or all the plant life lurking at the parks); and a supply of bandages will help to protect the inevitable blisters, minor scrapes, and scratches.

You should, of course, pack any prescription medications that you require while vacationing -- and keep the phone numbers of your family's various physicians handy in case you need a prescription refilled or called into a local pharmacy. Pharmacies are plentiful throughout the Orlando area (many of them are open 24 hr. and offer drive-through service). Most are stand-alone stores, but pharmacies can often be found inside the area's larger grocers as well. Turner Drug Store has two locations that serve the tourist districts (the first near Downtown Disney at 12500 Apopka-Vineland Rd., tel. 407/828-8125; and the other in Celebration, tel. 407/566-9060) and will deliver prescriptions (for a small fee) right to your hotel. Additional pharmacies can be found in the local phone book. If you have your prescription filled at a national chain (such as Eckerd, CVS, or Walgreens, among others), it's likely that you can easily obtain refills or replacement prescriptions if yours becomes lost. If, however, you use a pharmacy not in a national network, you may still be able to call your physician, who can then call in a refill good for the duration of your trip. Note that while pharmacies and several grocers are well stocked with over-the-counter medications, many hotels often stock a very small supply of trial-size over-the-counter medicines in their gift shops, though prices are generally astronomical.

Common Ailments: Sun/Elements/Extreme Weather Exposure -- Limit your exposure to Florida's strong sun, especially during the first few days of your trip and, thereafter, during the hours from 11am to 2pm, when the sun is at its strongest. Use a sunscreen with the highest sun protection factor (SPF) available (especially for children), and apply it liberally. If you have children under a year old, check with your pediatrician before applying sunscreen -- some ingredients may not be appropriate for infants.

The hot Orlando sun (coupled with high humidity in the summer months) can easily cause you to overheat -- even to the point of dehydration. Drink plenty of liquids (water is preferable to sugary or alcoholic drinks) throughout the day, even if you don't feel thirsty, to prevent any ill effects. Dehydration can sneak up on you very quickly.

Seek protection indoors or in a safe location during the city's not-infrequent summer electrical storms. Central Florida is the lightning capital of the U.S., and while the storms are often stunning to watch, you do not want firsthand experience with a lightning strike.

Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld all have at least one first-aid station (usually staffed with medical personnel who can provide basic medical care) at each of the parks. If you feel ill or get injured while at your hotel, call tel. 911 if the situation is life-threatening; otherwise the hotel concierge will be happy to put you in touch with the appropriate medical personnel and/or services. Select hotels, including the Grande Lakes Orlando resort, have their own on-site doctors.

What to Do if You Get Sick Away from Home -- Always carry a list of phone numbers that includes your hometown physician, your hometown pharmacy, and your insurance provider, as all will likely be necessary if you find yourself in need of medical attention while away from home. If you suffer from a chronic illness (or even if you're just under the weather prior to your departure), consult your doctor before leaving home. Always pack prescription medications in your carry-on luggage (so they are readily available even if your checked luggage isn't), and carry them in their original containers, with pharmacy labels -- otherwise they won't make it through airport security.

If you do need medical assistance while traveling in or around Orlando, there are several options. Emergency rooms are available at the institutions listed under "Hospitals," in Fast Facts. Centra Care (www.centracare.org) operates walk-in-care facilities in Lake Buena Vista (12500 S. Apopka-Vineland or S.R. 535, near Downtown Disney; tel. 407/934-2273), and in Kissimmee (7848 W. Irlo Bronson Hwy. or U.S. 192, in the Formosa Gardens Plaza; tel. 407/397-7032). Additional centers (slightly farther from the tourist district) are listed in the local yellow pages. A free pickup service (tel. 407/938-0650) for those in need of transportation to one of these facilities is available, as is in-room care for minor injuries and ailments (tel. 407/238-2000).

Another good source in the Orlando area is the Medical Concierge, a division of the EastCoast Medical Network (tel. 407/648-5252; www.themedicalconcierge.com), with board-certified physicians available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for good old-fashioned house calls in the comfort of your hotel room. They also provide same-day emergency dental appointments as well as medical equipment rentals. Insurance receipts, insurance billing, and foreign-language interpretation are provided.

Keep in mind that if you require medical assistance while traveling, it is always best to contact your hometown physician (or pediatrician) as well as your insurance provider as quickly as possible, preferably before you seek outside medical attention, to ensure that you are fully aware of what is covered, what is not, and what your financial responsibility will likely be. Many insurance companies require some type of preapproval for out-of-town services, or they may not cover any or all of the expenses incurred.

Safety

Just because Minnie, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy all live here doesn't mean that a few seedy characters aren't lurking about as well. Even in the most magical place on earth, you shouldn't let your guard down; Orlando has a crime rate that's comparable to that of other large U.S. cities. Stay alert and remain aware of your surroundings. It's best to keep your valuables in a safe. Most hotels today are equipped with in-room safes or offer the use of a safety-deposit box at the front desk. Keep a close eye on your valuables when you're in public places, including restaurants, theaters, and even airport terminals. Renting a locker at the theme parks is always preferable to leaving your valuables in the trunk of your car. Be cautious, even when in the parks, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash in a backpack or fanny pack, which could easily be accessed while you're standing in line for a ride or show. And don't leave valuables unattended under a stroller -- that's pretty much asking for them to be stolen.

If you're renting a car while in Orlando, read the safety instructions provided by the rental company. Never stop for any reason in a suspicious, poorly lit, or unpopulated area, and remember that children should never ride in the front seat of a car equipped with air bags./p>

Look Both Ways -- Traveling on foot anywhere in Orlando, especially on International Drive, can be tricky. If you have to walk across a parking lot or street, be careful. The Surface Transportation Policy Project's pedestrian safety report has named Orlando the most dangerous city in the country for pedestrians. Drivers here pay far more attention to their maps and street signs, not the people in front of them. Though walking up and down the sidewalks on I-Drive or U.S. 192 can be an enjoyable way to get to a restaurant or minigolf course without having to pack up the car, you need to pay strict attention when it comes to crossing the street, and you should avoid crossing multiple-lane roads altogether.

Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism

While sustainable travel may not be the first thing you think of when heading to the theme-park capital of the world, Orlando takes the environment quite seriously -- understandable for an area that's impacted so heavily by the millions of tourists who visit from around the world (a number that far exceeds the number of actual area residents). As the city's largest employers, Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld (among others) actively encourage eco-friendly practices -- on their own part as well as on the part of the millions of guests who pass through their gates, eat at their restaurants, and stay at their hotels.

Disney, in addition to ensuring that its hotels are "green" certified properties, has announced that over the next several years the company will continue to decrease greenhouse emissions (though the goal is to eliminate them altogether down the road) and will decrease its electrical use by 10%. Other lofty goals include the reduction of solid waste (cut by 50% by the year 2013).

Universal is doing its part as well. All three of its on-site hotels have been "green" certified. Universal has also begun using alternative fuels in its service vehicles in an effort to reduce toxic emissions; the cooking oil used in its restaurants is recycled, as are the paper and cardboard products used throughout the resort.

At SeaWorld (and its sister parks), hydrogen fuels power shuttles, dinnerware and utensils are made from sugarcane and vegetable starch, and seafood (even for its animal inhabitants) is purchased from sustainable fisheries. SeaWorld has partnered with the Rainforest Alliance to ensure that foods purchased are farmed and harvested in ways that protects area wildlife, habitats, and people. Roughly 50% of park waste (animal, food, and construction) is recycled. Visitors (and residents) are encouraged to recycle while exploring the theme parks thanks to the addition of special bins for the disposal of cans and bottles, with others for actual trash.

Using public transportation (most notably Disney's vast array of buses, monorails, and water taxis; Universal's water taxis and buses; International Dr.'s I-Ride Trolley system, and so forth) contributes to getting more cars off the street, making for cleaner air. In Orlando, it's even possible to hire a pedicab; the Redi Pedi Pedicab (tel. 407/403-5511) and 5 Star Pedicab (tel. 407/566-7527) are the two largest companies serving the Orlando area.

In addition, several hotels, among them the entire collection of official Walt Disney World resorts and all of the Universal Orlando resorts, have signed on to the Florida Green Lodge program, which requires hotels to become more energy efficient in all areas of operation, from conserving water to reducing unsorted waste. Hotels that meet the standard are awarded one-, two-, or three-palm certification.

"Green" Hotels -- Quite a number of Orlando hotels have received "green" certification by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and are designated as Green Lodge hotels. In order to be considered for the certification, hotels must adhere to a set list of requirements, including conservation of water through the use of low-flow plumbing fixtures, a linen reuse program, and the use of energy-efficient and programmable thermostats. Waste-reduction criteria must also be met. In addition, all Green Lodges must use green cleaning supplies and high-efficiency air filters.

Green Lodge resorts can (and do) range from mom-and-pop motels to five-star luxury resorts in Orlando. For more on the program and a complete list of the hotels in and around Orlando that are green (there are several, including all official WDW resorts and all official Universal resorts), go to www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.

General Ecotourism Resources

Sustainable tourism is defined as conscientious travel -- in other words, being careful with the environments you explore and respecting the communities you visit. Two overlapping components of sustainable travel are ecotourism and ethical tourism. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines ecotourism as responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people. TIES suggests that ecotourists follow these principles:

• Minimize environmental impact.
• Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
• Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
• Provide direct financial benefits for conservation and for local people.
• Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climates.
• Support international human rights and labor agreements.

You can find some eco-friendly travel tips and statistics, as well as touring companies and associations -- listed by destination under "Your Travel Choice" -- at the TIES website, www.ecotourism.org. Also check out Ecotravel.com, which lets you search for sustainable touring companies in several categories (water based, land based, spiritually oriented, and so on).

Responsible Travel (www.responsibletravel.com) is a great source of sustainable travel ideas; the site is run by a spokesperson for ethical tourism in the travel industry. Sustainable Travel International (www.sustainabletravelinternational.org) promotes ethical tourism practices and manages a directory of sustainable properties and tour operators around the world.

Carbonfund (www.carbonfund.org), TerraPass (www.terrapass.org), and Carbon Neutral (www.carbonneutral.org) provide information on carbon offsetting, or offsetting the greenhouse gases emitted during flights.

While much of the focus of ecotourism is about reducing impacts on the natural environment, ethical tourism concentrates on ways to preserve and enhance local economies and communities, regardless of location. You can embrace ethical tourism by staying at a locally owned hotel or shopping at a store that employs local workers and sells locally produced goods.

Animal-Rights Issues

While most know SeaWorld only as an adventure park, it is in fact a huge supporter of both the environment and its inhabitants. A good deal of the work it does behind the scenes revolves around the rescue and rehabilitation of the ocean's wildlife. At the same time, its attractions are meant to help educate the public about the inhabitants of the world's vast oceans and the importance of keeping their environments (and ours) safe for them (and us) to live in. In addition, the SeaWorld Wildlife Fund focuses its resources on species research, habitat protection, animal rescue and rehabilitation, and conservation education. Since its launch, it has granted $5 million to more than 350 projects in 60 countries, including global organizations such as World Wildlife Fund, the Nature Conservancy, and Conservation International, along with smaller grassroots organizations. For those concerned about the dolphin-swim programs, additional information about the ethics of swimming with dolphins and other outdoor activities can be found by visiting the websites of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (www.wdcs.org) and Tread Lightly (www.treadlightly.org).

Over at Walt Disney World, Disney's Worldwide Conservation Fund (established back in 1995 as a global awards program for the study and protection of the world's wildlife and ecosystems), in association with Disney's Animal Kingdom, now contributes financially by supporting some 750 projects with more than $12 million in grants to organizations and individuals working in 110 countries for the protection and study of wildlife and ecosystems -- many of which are biological hot spots rich in plant and animal life at risk of imminent destruction. Locally, Disney's Animal Program has played a significant and integral part in the propagation of several species and the rescue of injured wildlife. Not only does the Animal Kingdom oversee the health and well-being of all animals at Walt Disney World, but it is also responsible for thousands of animals, including 33 endangered and threatened species throughout the area. Veterinary services, science, and animal-care teams work together to ensure that each animal receives the best possible care. Disney's Animal Kingdom and the Seas at Epcot are both accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Package Deals

The number and diversity of package tours to Orlando is staggering. If Disney is on your agenda, head to www.disneyworld.com (where you'll find loads of information and can book a package as well). Disney's array of choices can include airfare, accommodations on or off Disney property, theme-park passes, a rental car, meals, a Disney cruise, and/or a stay at Disney's beach resorts in Vero Beach or Hilton Head, South Carolina. Some packages are tied to a season, while others are for special-interest vacationers, including golfers, honeymooners, or spa aficionados. For more information, or to book a Disney vacation package, call 407/939-6244 (but be prepared to wait on hold).

Although not on the same scale as Disney's options, Universal Orlando packages have improved greatly with the addition of the Islands of Adventure theme park, the CityWalk food-and-club district, and Universal's Loews-run hotels (along with several off-site hotel partners added in recent years). The options include lodging, VIP access to Universal's theme parks, and discounts to other non-Disney attractions. Some include round-trip airfare. Contact Universal Vacations at 877/801-9720, or go to www.universalorlando.com.

SeaWorld also offers packages that include rooms from a choice of a handful of SeaWorld-area hotels, car rental, and tickets to SeaWorld. Call 800/557-4268, or go to www.seaworldvacations.com.

For linksters, Golf Getaways (800/800-4028; www.golfgetaways.com).

Package Deals -- Just about everybody seems to be in the business of package deals these days. Although Disney itself offers a handful of package options, the discounts aren't usually that considerable. However, do ask reservations clerks about the latest and greatest promotion, or what may be running at the time you intend to visit. Promotions tend to run for a limited time, so be sure to get all the details -- when it runs, what it includes, what it doesn't, and so on. You should also search the Disney website (www.disneyworld.com) for special deals and promotions.

For up-to-date coverage of promotional offerings and discount codes good at Disney World, check out www.mousesavers.com. The site also offers its own slate of Disney specials.

One constant, reliable way to get a cheaper room is to use an air/hotel package. No domestic company operates charter flights to Orlando anymore, but several packagers buy cheap hotel rooms in bulk and sell them with scheduled airfare. Check Funjet (www.funjet.com; 888/558-6654), Lastminute.com (866/999-8942), as well as some of the vacation wings of major airlines such as Southwest Vacations (www.southwestvacations.com; 800/243-8372), JetBlue Getaways (www.jetbluevacations.com; 844/528-2229), Delta Vacations (www.deltavacations.com; 800/800-1504), and American Airlines Vacations (www.aavacations.com; 800/321-2121).

Internationally, Virgin Holidays (www.virginholidays.co.uk) is a huge player, with lots of customer service reps available on the ground should things go wrong. Increasingly, these websites may sell hotel-only deals using their negotiated rates. Use properties highlighted on specials pages, though, because prices often come out higher in searches.

Disney Cruise Packages

There's hardly a Florida tourist market that WDW hasn't successfully tapped. Ocean-going vacations are no exception. Disney Cruise Line (800/951-3532; www.disneycruise.com) will have six ships in a few years, and all of them are pegged to the upper middle class.

Tips for Gay and Lesbian Travelers

Orlando is a Southern town, but the entertainment industry and the theme parks have helped in the building of a strong gay and lesbian community. Same-sex dancing won't draw any unwelcome attention at clubs in the area such as those located at Universal's CityWalk or in downtown Orlando. The tenor of crowds can change, however, depending on what's going on in town, so respect your own intuition.

The popularity of Orlando with gay and lesbian travelers has been confirmed by the expansion of the June "Gay Day" celebration at Disney World into a weekend event that includes Universal Orlando and SeaWorld. Park-goers can wear red on Gay Day to signify their support of the gay and lesbian community. Additional information on the event can be found at www.gaydays.com.

For information about events for that weekend and throughout the year, contact the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Central Florida, 946 N. Mills Ave., Orlando (tel. 407/228-8272; www.thecenterorlando.org). Welcome packets usually include the latest issue of the Triangle, a quarterly newsletter dedicated to gay and lesbian issues, and a calendar of events. Though not a tourist-specific packet, it includes information and ads for local gay and lesbian clubs. Gay Orlando Network (www.gayorlando.com) is another planning resource for travelers. Watermark (tel. 407/481-2243; www.watermarkonline.com) is a gay-friendly publication that can be found in many bookstores.

Staying Connected

Telephones

Local calls in Orlando require that you dial the area code (407) followed by the seven-digit local number, even when calling just across the street.

Many convenience groceries and packaging services sell prepaid calling cards in denominations up to $50. Many public pay phones at airports now accept American Express, MasterCard, and Visa. Local calls made from most pay phones cost either 25¢ or 35¢. Most long-distance and international calls can be dialed directly from any phone. To make calls within the United States and to Canada, dial 1 followed by the area code and the seven-digit number. For other international calls, dial 011 followed by the country code, city code, and the number you are calling.

Calls to area codes 800, 888, 877, and 866 are toll-free. However, calls to area codes 700 and 900 (chat lines, bulletin boards, "dating" services, and so on) can be expensive -- charges of 95¢ to $3 or more per minute. Some numbers have minimum charges that can run $15 or more.

For reversed-charge or collect calls, and for person-to-person calls, dial the number 0, then the area code and number; an operator will come on the line, and you should specify whether you are calling collect, person-to-person, or both. If your operator-assisted call is international, ask for the overseas operator.

For directory assistance ("Information"), dial 411 for local numbers and national numbers in the U.S. and Canada. For dedicated long-distance information, dial 1, then the appropriate area code plus 555-1212.

Mobile Phones

Just because your cellphone works at home doesn't mean it'll work everywhere in the U.S. (thanks to our nation's fragmented cellphone system). It's a good bet that your phone will work in Orlando, but take a look at your wireless company's coverage map on its website before heading out.

If you're not from the U.S., you'll be appalled at the poor reach of the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) wireless network, which is used by much of the rest of the world. Your phone will probably work in Orlando; it definitely won't work in many rural areas. To see where GSM phones work in the U.S., check out www.t-mobile.com/coverage. And you may or may not be able to send SMS (text messaging) home.

If you need to stay in touch and you know your phone won't work in Orlando, you can rent a phone that does from InTouch USA (tel. 800/872-7626; www.intouchglobal.com). Make arrangements in advance, as rentals aren't readily available within the Orlando area. Note that you'll pay $1 a minute or more for airtime in addition to the initial rental fee, and there are often significant restrictions (and high fees for overages) regarding the number of minutes available to you. If you only plan on making calls within the U.S., a good solution is to purchase a pay-as-you-go phone. They don't require a lengthy contract or monthly plan to use, and you pay only for the calls you make. Cricket (www.mycricket.com) and T-Mobile (www.t-mobile.com) are among the most widely known for offering this type of service; however, others (such as AT&T and Verizon) are beginning to jump on the bandwagon.

If you have Web access while traveling, consider a broadband-based telephone service (in technical terms, Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP), such as Skype (www.skype.com) or Vonage (www.vonage.com), which allows you to make free international calls from your laptop or in a cybercafe. Neither service requires the people you're calling to also have that service (though there are fees if they do not). Check the websites for details.

Internet & Wi-Fi

The Orlando International Airport (now with its own 4G wireless network serviced by Verizon and AT&T), most Orlando area hotels, and a select number of local restaurants offer some form of Internet access (whether Wi-Fi or high-speed). Be prepared to pay a fee for the service (generally between $10-$13 for a 24-hour period -- though select hotels may offer short-term connections at a slightly lesser cost, with access often restricted to the lobby), unless you have a wireless card (with a valid subscription) allowing you access at any time, from anywhere. Several hotels, especially those catering to the business set, have public computers available to guests (fees vary) or in-room computers (some with Web TV, others with an actual computer station). T-Mobile, Wayport, and Boingo area among the most popular hot-spot providers (visit www.wi-fihotspotlist.com for a comprehensive list of both providers and properties in the area).

Tips for Travelers with Disabilities

Most disabilities shouldn't stop anyone from traveling in the U.S. Thanks to provisions in the Americans with Disabilities Act, most public places are required to comply with disability-friendly regulations. Almost all public establishments in Orlando (including hotels, restaurants, museums, and so on, but not including certain National Historic Landmarks) and at least some modes of public transportation provide accessible entrances and other facilities for those with disabilities.

Accommodations

Every hotel and motel in Florida is required by law to have a special room or rooms equipped for wheelchairs. A few have wheel-in showers. Disney World's Coronado Springs Resort has 99 rooms designed to accommodate guests with disabilities. Disney's Polynesian and Grand Floridian resorts are both particularly well suited to guests who use wheelchairs, as the location of the resorts on the monorail system makes travel to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot a bit easier. Make your special needs known when making reservations. For other information about special Disney rooms, call tel. 407/939-7807.

If you don't mind staying 10 to 15 minutes or so from Disney, check out one of the area's various vacation homes. All Star Vacation Homes (tel. 800/592-5568 or 407/997-0733; www.allstarvacationhomes.com) is one of the best around, offering, among other things, several handicapped-accessible homes that have multiple bedrooms, multiple bathrooms (including accessible showers), full kitchens, and pools. Most cost less than $300 a night and are located in Kissimmee (though you'll find a handful of villas and town houses near I-Drive). Medical Travel Inc. (tel. 800/778-7953; www.medicaltravel.org) is another source of rental homes, plus scooters, vans, and medical equipment. It can satisfy the needs of travelers with disabilities, including those with terminal illnesses, and their families.

Transportation

Public buses in Orlando have hydraulic lifts and restraining belts for wheelchairs. They serve Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, the shopping areas, and downtown Orlando. Disney shuttle buses accommodate wheelchairs, as do the monorail system and some of the watercraft that travel to the parks and resorts.

If you need to rent a wheelchair or electric scooter for your visit, Walker Medical & Mobility Products (tel. 888/726-6837 or 407/331-9500; www.walkermobility.com) offers delivery to your room of models that fit into Disney's transports and monorails as well as rental cars. CARE Medical Equipment (tel. 800/741-2282 or 407/856-2273; www.caremedicalequipment.com) offers similar services. Disney (tel. 407/934-7639; www.disneyworld.com) offers wheelchair rentals at the parks, at Downtown Disney, and, in more limited numbers, at the resorts. A very limited number of Electric Convenience Vehicle scooters are also available for rent at the parks. Note: Although the Segway is becoming increasingly popular as a mode of transportation for those with disabilities, neither Disney nor SeaWorld permits them inside any of their parks. Universal Orlando does allow them inside its parks. Segways can be rented near the Orange County Convention Center at Orlando Gliders, 8990 International Dr. (tel. 866/611-9398); rates run from $60 (2 hr.) to $125 (a full day).

Amtrak (tel. 800/872-7245; www.amtrak.com) provides redcap service, wheelchair assistance, and special seats if you give 72 hours' notice. Travelers with disabilities are also entitled to a 15% discount off the lowest available adult coach fare (though they cannot book online). Documentation from a doctor or an ID card proving your disability is required. Amtrak also provides wheelchair-accessible sleeping accommodations on long-distance trains. Service dogs are permitted aboard and travel free. TDD/TTY service is also available at tel. 800/523-6590, or you can write to P.O. Box 7717, Itasca, IL 60143.

Theme Parks

Many attractions at the parks, especially the newer ones, are designed to be accessible to a wide variety of guests. People with wheelchairs and their parties are often given preferential treatment so they can avoid lines. The assistance available is outlined in the guide maps you get as you enter the parks. All of the theme parks offer some parking close to the entrances for those with disabilities. Let the parking-booth attendant know your needs, and you'll be directed to the appropriate spot. Wheelchair and electric-cart rentals are available at most major attractions, but you'll be most comfortable in your chair or cart from home if you can bring it. Keep in mind, however, that wheelchairs wider than 2 feet may be difficult to navigate through some attractions. And crowds may make it tough for any guest.

At Walt Disney World -- Disney's many services are detailed in each theme park's Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities. You can pick one up at Guest Relations near the front entrance of each of the parks, or go online to www.disneyworld.com (click through to the site map, and then select "Travelers with Disabilities"). You can also call tel. 407/934-7639 or 407/824-2222 with questions regarding special needs. Examples of services are as follows:

• Almost all Disney resorts have rooms for those with disabilities.
• Braille guidebooks, cassette tapes, and portable tape players are available at City Hall in the Magic Kingdom and Guest Relations in the other parks (a $25 refundable deposit is required).
• Service animals are allowed in all parks and on some rides.
• All parks have special parking spots near the entrances.
• Assisted listening devices are available to amplify the audio at select attractions at WDW parks. Also, at some attractions, hearing-impaired guests can use hand-held wireless receivers that allow them to read captions about the attractions. Both services are free but require a $25 refundable deposit.
• Wheelchairs and electric carts can be rented at all of the parks.
• Downtown Disney West Side, with crowded shops and bars, may be a bit difficult to navigate in a wheelchair. The movie theater, however, is wheelchair accessible.
• For information about Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD) or sign-language interpreters at Disney World live shows, call tel. 407/827-5141 (TDD/TTY). You can usually get an ASL interpreter at several events and attractions if you call no later than 2 weeks in advance.

At Universal Orlando Parks -- Guests with disabilities should go to Guest Services, located just inside the main entrances, for the Rider's Guide for Rider Safety and Guests with Disabilities booklet, a TDD, or other special assistance. Wheelchair and electric-cart rentals are available in the concourse area of the parking garage. Universal also provides audio descriptions on cassette for visually impaired guests and has sign-language guides and scripts for its shows (advance notice of 1-2 weeks is required); call tel. 888/519-4899 (TTY) or 407/224-5929 (voice) for details. You can also get information online at www.universalorlando.com -- from the main page, click on either "Universal's Islands of Adventure" or "Universal Studios Florida" (both under "Theme Parks"), then scroll down the left side to "ADA Info."

At SeaWorld -- The park has a guide for guests with disabilities, although most of its attractions are easily accessible to those in wheelchairs. SeaWorld also provides a Braille guide for the visually impaired and a very brief synopsis of its shows for the hearing impaired. Sign-language interpreting services are available at no charge, but must be reserved by calling tel. 407/363-2414 at least a week in advance. Assisted listening devices are available at select attractions for a $20 refundable deposit. For information, call tel. 407/351-3600 or check out www.seaworld.com.

Other Resources

You can get information online at www.visitorlando.com, the website of the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau (Orlando CVB). Wheelchairs On the Go, by Michelle Stigleman and Deborah Van Brunt, is a comprehensive guidebook that lists information on accessibility in Florida, from ground transportation to medical-equipment rentals, accommodations, and attractions. PassPorter's Open Mouse (www.passporter.com/wdw/specialneeds) offers extensive information on accessible travel throughout Walt Disney World and on the Disney Cruise Line.

If you plan on visiting the Canaveral National Seashore as a side trip while in Orlando, know that the America the Beautiful -- National Park and Federal Recreational Lands Pass -- Access Pass (formerly the Golden Access Passport) gives visually impaired people or those with permanent disabilities (regardless of age) free lifetime entrance to federal recreation sites administered by the National Park Service, including the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Reclamation. This may include national parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas, and wildlife refuges. The America the Beautiful Access Pass can be obtained only in person at any NPS facility that charges an entrance fee. You need to show proof of a medically determined disability. Besides free entry, the pass also offers a 50% discount on some federal-use fees charged for facilities such as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, and tours. For more information, go to www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm or call the United States Geological Survey (USGS), which issues the passes, at tel. 888/275-8747.

Getting Around

Neighborhoods in Brief

WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT

Best for: Space, theme parks, a sense of place, proximity to His Mouseness

What you won’t find: Inexpensive food or lodging, a central location for anything except Disney attractions, the “real” Florida or Orlando

Walt Disney World is at the southern end of Orlando’s chain of big parks, so to see Universal, SeaWorld, and Orlando itself, you’ll always head north on I-4.

When Walt Disney ordered the purchase of these 27,000 acres mostly just west of Interstate 4, he was righting a wrong he committed in the building of Anaheim’s Disneyland. In commandeering as much land as he did, he ensured that visitors would not be troubled by the clatter of motel signs and cheap restaurants that abut his original playground. “Here in Florida,” he said in a promotional film shot months before his death, “we have something special we never enjoyed at Disneyland . . . the blessing of size. There’s enough land here to hold all the ideas and plans we can possibly imagine.” You could spend your entire vacation without leaving the greenery of the resort, and lots of people do, although they’re missing a lot. The idea to remain solely on Disney property is outdated now that Universal has proven itself. Still, there’s an awful lot to do spread around here, starting with four of the world’s most polished theme parks (54 million visits in 2015), two of the best water parks, four golf courses, two miniature golf courses, a racecar track, a sports pavilion, and a huge shopping-and-entertainment district.

First-time visitors aren’t usually prepared for quite how large the area is: 47 (roughly rectangular) square miles. Only a third of that land is truly developed, and another third has been set aside as a permanent reserve for swampland. Major elements are easily a 10-minute drive away from each other, with nothing but trees or Disney hotels between them. The Magic Kingdom is buried deep in the back of the park—which is to say, the north of it, requiring the most driving time to reach. Epcot and Hollywood Studios are in the center, while Disney’s Animal Kingdom is at the southwest of the property, closest to the real world.

For its convenience, Disney signposts hotels and attractions according to the major theme park they’re near. If you are staying on property, you’ll need to know which area your hotel is in. For example, the All-Star resorts are considered to be in the Animal Kingdom area, and so some signs may simply read Animal Kingdom Resort Area and leave off the name of your hotel. Ask for your hotel’s designated area when you reserve.

Getting in is easy. Every artery in town is naggingly signposted for Disney World. Exits are marked, but it helps to know the name of the main road that feeds your hotel. A few useful secret exits are not marked on official Disney maps. One is Western Way, which turns past Coronado Springs resort and skirts the back of Animal Kingdom to reach many vacation home communities southwest of Disney. Be warned that taking 429 to U.S. 192 will cost more than a buck in tolls.

There’s a second useful shortcut out of the resort: Sherberth Road, by the entrance to Animal Kingdom Lodge, about a mile west of the entrance to Animal Kingdom, leads to cheap eats on western U.S. 192.

It’s interesting to note that when you’re at Disney, you’re in a separate governmental zone. The resort’s bizarre experiments in building methods (such as fiberglass-and-steel castles) are partly enabled by the fact that Disney negotiated the creation of its own entity, the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which can set its own standards. When you see vehicles marked RCID, those are the civic services for the resort. Not far down the road by Disney Springs Marketplace—a route not used by many guests—pass by the R.C. Fire Department, a toy-like engine house with an outdoor fountain that looks like a spouting fire hose.

Disney developed a bit of land east of I-4 into the New Urbanism unincorporated town of Celebration. As a Stepford-like residential center with upscale aspirations (golf, boutiques), there’s not much to do there except eat a bit in its town square. Be prepared to parallel park there.

U.S. 192 & KISSIMMEE

Best for: Chain restaurant and motel options, downscale attractions

What you won’t find: Subtlety, luxury

No matter how Orlando changes, it’s Kissimmee (Kiss-im-ee), the ridiculed little sister, that lags behind. Where the southern edge of the Disney resort property touches U.S. 192, the clamor begins, stretching 10 miles west and a good 10 miles east. This tatty drag, known also as the Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway (after the state senator who sold Walt a lot of land), is the spine of Kissimmee, and it’s your Budget Rialto for food and beds, so plug the K-word into the location box of your Web searches. It’s also the best place to find that all-American kitsch you might be looking for—nowhere else in town will you find a souvenir store shaped like a giant orange half, and isn’t that a shame?

In the early 1970s, Kissimmee was the prime place to stay. TThe motels weren’t flashy in the ’70s, but as Disney becomes more expensive and its guests tend to be wealthier, they increasingly avoid this area. Recent hard times in the economy have only served to drag some of these motels below the line of respectability. While they’re ever affordable—$50 to $80 is the norm, and some shabby places go down to $39 for a single or $45 for a double—it’s no longer possible to confidently vouch for the quality or serenity of a stay on U.S. 192.

The best way to get your bearings on U.S. 192 is using its clearly signposted mile marker system. U.S. 192 hits Disney’s southern entrance (the most expedient avenue to the major theme parks) at Mile Marker 7, while I-4’s exit 65 connects with it around Mile Marker 8. Numbers go down to the west, and they go up to the east. Western 192, where the bulk of the vacation home developments are found, is much more upscale than the tacky wilds of eastern 192, but neither stretch could be termed swanky or well planned. Although Osceola County has strived to beautify the tourist corridor, it’s been inept in the effort; once, the county cut down stands of myrtle trees in the median of U.S. 192 because they blocked the view of the billboards. That should tell you all you need to know about the standards in Kissimmee.

LAKE BUENA VISTA

Best for: Access to Disney, I-4, and chain restaurants, some elbow room

What you won’t find: The lowest prices, a sense of place

Lake Buena Vista, a hotel enclave east of Disney Springs, clusters on the eastern fringe of Walt Disney World. LBV is technically a town, but it doesn’t look like one. It’s mostly hotels and mid-priced chain restaurants with some schlocky souvenir stores thrown in. The proximity of I-4 exit 68 can back traffic up, but it’s convenient to Disney’s crowded side door, which is helpful. The bottom line is that LBV is less tacky and higher rent than Kissimmee’s 192, but it’s also still a Disney-centric area and not really part of Orlando’s fabric.

If you stay in LBV, you can also (if you’re hardy) walk to the Disney Springs development, where you can then pick up Disney’s free DTS bus system. That could save you the cost of a rental car.

INTERNATIONAL DRIVE

Best for: Walkability, second-tier amusements, cheap transportation, sit-down chain food, proximity to Universal and SeaWorld

What you won’t find: Space, style

Although a developing stretch of this street winds all the way south to U.S. 192, when people refer to International Drive, they usually mean the segment between SeaWorld and Universal Orlando, just east of I-4 between exits 71 and 75. I-Drive, as it’s called, is probably the only district where you might comfortably stay without a car and still be able to see the non-Disney attractions, because it’s chockablock with affordable hotels (not as ratty as some on U.S. 192 can be) and plenty of crowd-pleasing things to see, such as arcades, T-shirt shops, buffets, and the Wheel at ICON Park. The cheap I-Ride Trolley traverses the area on a regular schedule.

The intersection at Sand Lake Road is a dividing line for I-Drive’s personalities. North of Sand Lake Road, within the orbit of Universal Orlando, midway rides and the ice-cream shops prevail. South of Sand Lake, closer to SeaWorld, there’s a business-y crowd at the mighty Orange County Convention Center, located on both sides of I-Drive at the Bee Line Expressway/528. It keeps the surrounding hotels (and streets) full. On this part of I-Drive, bars and midscale restaurants rule. West on Sand Lake Road past I-4, you’ll find a mile-long procession of mid- to upper-level places to eat that the city dubiously calls its “Restaurant Row.”

I-Drive does an east-west dogleg where it runs into I-4, and north of I-4 at Universal Boulevard, you’ll find Universal Orlando’s resort, which after dark is more popular with locals than Disney’s.

Hotel and restaurant discounts may be posted on the area’s business association and promotional website, www.internationaldriveorlando.com.

DOWNTOWN ORLANDO

Best for: Historic buildings, cafes, museums, fine art, wealthy residents

What you won’t find: Theme parks, easy commutes

Like in so many American cities, residents fled from downtown in the 1960s through the 1980s, although spacious new condo developments have rescued the city from abandonment. Downtown Orlando is gradually being rediscovered by young, upscale residents. Here are the highlights:

DOWNTOWN: Beneath the city’s collection of modest skyscrapers (mostly banking offices), you’ll find municipal buildings (the main library, historic museums) and some attractive lakes, but little shopping. Orange Avenue, once a street of proud stone buildings and department stores, now comes alive mostly at night, and mostly for the young. The 43-acre Lake Eola Park, just east, is often cited as an area attraction, but in truth it’s just your average city park, although the .9-mile path around its 23-acre sinkhole lake is good for joggers. Its swan boats are city icons, as is the central fountain from 1957—its Plexiglas skin is illuminated with a 6-minute light-and-water musical show nightly at 9:30pm. Just east of that, the streets turn to red brick and big trees shelter Thornton Park (along Washington St., Summerlin Ave., and Central Blvd.). It’s noted for its alfresco European-style cafes, none especially inexpensive, but all pleasing, where waiters wear black and hip locals spend evenings and weekend brunches. West of downtown over I-4, the area called Parramore is a longtime neighborhood for African Americans (sadly, the interstate was built, in part, as a barrier). A mile north of downtown, Loch Haven Park basks in a wealth of museums.

MILLS FIFTY: Some old-timers call this area Colonial Town and new-timers may use Mills 50, but it’s also the Vietnamese District at Mills, or ViMi. Just north of downtown, at Colonial Drive and Mills Avenue, there’s a midcentury neighborhood with the whiff of a faded 1950s strip mall (parking lots are hidden behind buildings). There, you can spend a top afternoon strolling through several omnibus Asian supermarkets stocked with exotic groceries and unique baked goods and parking yourself at one of the excellent mom-and-pop-style eateries (advertised by cheap stick-on letters and neon) serving food far more delicious than their limited budgets would suggest. Several stores whip up addictive, meat-stuffed baguette sandwiches called bánh mi for a quick $6 meal. You’ll also find hobby and art-supply shops patronized by a burgeoning bohemian community. The two marginalized groups collaborate beautifully together.

WINTER PARK

Best for: Fine art, cafes, strolls, galleries, lakes

What you won’t find: Inexpensive shopping, easy theme-park access

One of the city’s most interesting areas, and one of the few that hasn’t taken pains to erase its history, Winter Park was where, 100 years ago, upstart industrialists built winter homes at a time when they couldn’t gain entree into the more exclusive, more WASP-y enclaves of Newport or Palm Beach. The town blends seamlessly with northern Orlando (you can drive between them in a few minutes without getting onto I-4) and is still pretty full of itself and its expensive tastes, but cruising on its brick-paved streets, gawking at mansions built on its chain of lakes, will remind you of the good life. Newspapers and magazines write about Winter Park like it’s the hottest thing going, but in all honesty, it’s just a nice place to pass an afternoon or evening. In the shops on Park Avenue, you’ll find mostly jewelry, art, and south of it, stroll the country-club campus of Rollins College. The town’s long-running boat tour is the best way to sample the opulence. The best art museum around, the Morse, holds the most inspiring collection of Tiffany glass you will ever see. West of Winter Park, over I-4, the district of College Park, centering around Princeton Street and Edgewater Drive, hosts restaurants and boutiques that bring the area favor.

NORTH OF ORLANDO

Most visitors who venture into the suburban towns north of Winter Park do so to visit some of the area’s natural springs or state parks or to connect with the spirits in the hamlet of Cassadaga. After you’ve seen these places, there is little to engage you until you hit the Atlantic Coast on I-4.

SOUTH OF ORLANDO

Only in the past few years has the rural-minded swampland southwest of the resort and Kissimmee begun to be built upon in earnest, and the 65-mile run along I-4 to Tampa is quickly filling in with developments and golf courses. This patch of the Green Swamp, in which the two cities will one day merge into a megalopolis, is now casually dubbed “Orlampa.” In Tampa, you’ll find the excellent Busch Gardens, a worthy addition to an amusement-park itinerary, and an hour straight south of Orlando, in the town of Winter Haven, is Legoland Florida, a super kiddie park built on the tranquil remains of Florida’s most historic amusement park.

EAST OF ORLANDO

The entrance to Orlando International Airport is 11 miles east of I-4, webbed into the city network by toll highways and surrounded by golfing developments. Across empty swamp from there, the so-called Space Coast, of which Cape Canaveral is the metaphoric capital, is a 45-minute drive east of Orlando’s tourist corridor via 528, also known as the Bee Line Expressway.

WEST OF ORLANDO

Because the Green Swamp commands the area, there simply isn’t much west of the tourist corridor save a few small towns and some state parks, such as Lake Louisa.

Calendar of Events

JANUARY

Citrus Bowl. Now stickered by the Overton’s marine supply company—can anyone keep track of the square-dancing corporate naming rights anymore? Held New Year’s Day at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium (Camping World Stadium), it pits the second-ranked teams from the Big Ten and SEC conferences against one another. www.floridacitrussports.com.

Walt Disney World Marathon. The route goes through all four theme parks, or just do the Half, which hits Epcot and the Magic Kingdom. Close to 80,000 runners come for at least one of the five events. Other half-marathon events pop up over the rest of the year. First week of January. There is also a Princess Half-Marathon in February. www.disneyworld.com.

ZORA! Festival. The folklorist and writer Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960) was from Eatonville (a 30-min. drive north of Orlando), the country’s oldest incorporated African-American town. This weeklong event includes lectures and an art fair. www.zorafestival.org.

Epcot International Festival of the Arts. The newest and least focused of Epcot’s four major annual festivals is about performance, visual art, and food. In addition to Broadway-style performances and kiosks selling gourmet mini-dishes throughout World Showcase, on many days there are free talks or short workshops with artists who share their disciplines. Mid-January to late February. www.disneyworld.com; 407/939-3378.

Rock the Universe. Universal’s festival of top-flight Christian rock bands, which perform on stages inside Universal Studios park. Rides and performances continue past midnight, after regular patrons go home. It’s separately ticketed. Late January. www.rocktheuniverse.com.

FEBRUARY

Winter Park Bach Festival. This annual event at Rollins College began in 1935 and has evolved into one of the country’s better choral fests. Although it has stretched to include other composers and guest artists (Handel, P.D.Q. Bach), at least one concert is devoted to Johann. It takes place mid-February to early March, with scattered one-off guest performances throughout the year. www.bachfestivalflorida.org; 407/646-2182.

Silver Spurs Rodeo. A century ago Central Florida was a cattle center, and it still hosts the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi (with bareback broncs, barrel racing horses, rodeo clowns, and athletes drawn from the cowboy circuit) over 3 days on the third weekend in February in an indoor arena off U.S. 192. Its 2021 event was held in June, but it’s usually held in February. 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee. www.silverspursrodeo.com; 321/697-3495.

Mardi Gras at Universal Studios. On Saturday nights in the spring, Universal books major acts (Bonnie Raitt, Hall & Oates, LL Cool J, Diana Ross, Ne-Yo) and mounts a family-friendly parade complete with stilt-walkers, jazz bands, Louisiana-made floats, and bead tossing—although here, what it takes to win a set of beads is considerably less risqué than it is in the Big Easy. It’s included with admission. www.universalorlando.com/mardigras; 407/224-2691.

Spring Training for Major League Baseball teams. Mid-February through March.

MARCH

Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival. This spring event, which lasts about 75 days from March through May, transforms Epcot with some 30 million flowers, 70 topiaries, a screened-in butterfly garden, presentations by noted horticulturalists, and a lineup of “Flower Power” concerts (in the past: Chubby Checker, the Pointer Sisters). It’s free with standard entry. www.disneyworld.com/flowerandgarden; 407/934-7639.

APRIL

Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival. See March for full listing, above.

Florida Film Festival. This respected event showcases films by Florida artists and has featured past appearances by the likes of Ellen Burstyn, Christopher Walken, and Sissy Spacek. It’s an Oscar-qualifying festival for shorts. www.floridafilmfestival.com; 407/629-1088.

MAY

Orlando International Fringe Festival. This theatrical smorgasbord, the longest-running fringe fest in America, spends 14 days mounting some 950 performances of more than 140 newly written, experimental shows. It’s held mostly downtown in Loch Haven Park. www.orlandofringe.org; 407/648-0077.

Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival. See March for full listing, above.

JUNE

Gay Days. What started in 1991 as a single day for party-minded gay and lesbian visitors has bloomed into a full week of some 40 events managed by a host of promoters. It’s said that attendance goes as high as 150,000. Gay Days are a blowout party with group visits to the city’s parks (wearing red shirts as a gentle reminder of visibility, which is also done the first weekend in June for the parks’ unofficial Red Shirt Days), concerts (En Vogue, LeAnn Rimes), a marketplace, several dance events, and more than a dozen pool parties. June at the host hotel (in 2021, that was Margaritaville Resort Orlando). www.gaydays.com.

SEPTEMBER

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The World Showcase makes amends with the countries it ignores by installing temporary booths selling tapas-size servings of foods and wines from many nations. That’s supplemented with chef demonstrations, seminars, “Eat to the Beat” concerts by known acts, and tastings by at least 100 wineries. In short, it’s a sensation. A few of the more extravagant events are charged, but most are free. The festival, which tends to be more crowded on weekends, lasts more than 3 solid months from mid-July to mid-November; hotly awaited details are posted by Disney in the summer. www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine; 407/939-3378.

OCTOBER

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party/ Boo Bash. The best of the Magic Kingdom’s separately ticketed evening events, this one mounts a special parade with a fiendishly catchy theme song, a few special shows, a fireworks display that surpasses the usual one, and stations where you can pick up free candy. Kids even show up in costume, although it’s not required, and crowds are shoulder-to-shoulder. Before the pandemic, this event happened on scattered evenings from mid-August through the end of October. As of press time, there has been no announcement of its return, but for 2021, Disney mounted a less intricate, 3-hour substitute, After Hours Boo Bash. Target audience: people who like lollipops. www.disneyworld.com/halloweenparty; 407/934-7639.

Halloween Horror Nights. Unquestionably Universal’s biggest event, HHN is the equivalent of a whole new theme park that’s designed for a year but only lasts a month. After dark, the Studios are overtaken by grotesque “scareactors” who terrorize crowds with chain saws, gross-out shows, and seven or eight big, well-made, walk-through haunted houses that are created from scratch each year. It’s separately ticketed from daytime park visits, when the houses are closed. The mayhem lasts into the wee hours. Wimps need not apply; children are discouraged by the absence of kids’ ticket prices. On top of all this, most rides remain open. HHN has legions of fans. Target audience: people who like to poop themselves in fright. (Busch Gardens’ Howl-o-Scream event’s scariness is somewhere between Universal’s and Disney’s.) www.halloweenhorrornights.com.

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular and Howl-O-Scream. SeaWorld throws a sweet, toddler-approved weekend Halloween event of its own, with trick-or-treating (kids dress up), a few encounters with sea fairies and bubbles, and a show starring Count von Count from Sesame Street. Target audience: people who have a naptime. It’s included in admission. Its adult-oriented nighttime event, Howl-O-Scream (haunted houses, scare zones, coaster riding in the dark), happens over about 25 nights starting in mid-September and is separately ticketed. http://seaworld.com/orlando/events.

Orlando Film Festival. Like all festivals worth their salt, this one presents dozens of mostly mainstream and independent films in advance of their wider release dates, plus cool events like workshops on writing and pitching. It lasts about a week in October or early November, screening at various downtown venues. In 2020, it went entirely virtual; check to see if it’s happening in person when you visit. www.orlandofilmfest.com; 407/217-1390.

NOVEMBER

ICE! It debuted in 2003 at the Gaylord Palms hotel and has quickly become a holiday perennial. The hotel brings in nearly 2 million pounds of ice, sculpts it into a walk-through city with ice slides kids love, keeps it all chilled to 9 F (–13 C), and issues winter coats to visitors. Add synchronized light shows and you’ve got an event that charges $30+ adults, $18+ kids—and sells out into the first week of January. http://christmas.gaylordhotels.com/ice; 407/586-0000.

DECEMBER

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This crowded night, which before the pandemic occurred on various nights starting before Thanksgiving, is probably Disney’s most popular special annual event. It requires a separate ticket from regular admission. What you get is a tree-lighting ceremony, a few special holiday-themed shows, a special fireworks display (very green and red), an appearance by Santa Claus, a special parade, and huge crowds. During the pandemic, the MVMCP was replaced with Disney Very Merriest After Hours, a separately ticketed event that gave access to about 20 attractions. It's only a 4-hour event, so probably not worth the ticket price, which is about what a full day at the park would cost. Meanwhile, Disney’s warehouse for holiday decorations (it exists) empties out and its hotels deck the halls: The Grand Floridian erects a life-size house made of gingerbread. www.disneyworld.com/christmasparty; 407/934-7639.

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. This 1-month event features holiday customs of many nations and a host of costumed storytellers, but its real showpiece is the daily, 40-minute candlelight processional, a retelling of the Christmas Nativity story by a celebrity narrator (regular names include Whoopi Goldberg, Gary Sinise, Edward James Olmos, and Neil Patrick Harris) accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a full Mass choir. The processional is a WDW tradition going back to its earliest days—Cary Grant did it! www.disneyworld.com/holidays.

Grinchmas & The Macy’s Holiday Parade. Usual holiday traditions include a musical version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and daily parades by Macy’s, which brings some balloons and floats to Universal when its NYC Thanksgiving parade is over. That’s included in the ticket price. As of press time, there has been no announcement of its return. www.universalorlando.com.

Cheez-It Bowl. A team from the ACC (including Notre Dame) battles a Big 12 team, usually a few days before New Year’s and always at the Camping World Stadium, once called the Citrus Bowl. First played in 1990, the game has had many faces, including the Camping World Bowl, Champs Sports Bowl, Carquest Bowl, Tangerine Bowl, Russell Athletic Bowl, and its very first sponsor, that of the doomed videocassette dealer Blockbuster. www.cheezitbowl.com.

New Year's Eve. Yahoo.com reports that Orlando regularly makes its list of top five most-searched New Year’s Eve destinations. There’s no shortage of places to party. At the parks: CityWalk throws its EVE bash with outdoor dance floor and light shows; the Disney parks stay open until the wee hours and may have live DJs; SeaWorld brings in big-band music or jazz, plus fireworks.

When to Go

Orlando is the theme-park capital of the world, and you could almost argue that there really is no off season here, though the busiest seasons are whenever kids are out of school. Late May to just past Labor Day, long holiday weekends, winter holidays (mid-Dec to early Jan), and most especially spring break (late Mar to Apr) are very busy. Do, however, keep in mind that kids in other hemispheres follow a completely different schedule altogether. Obviously, an Orlando vacation -- and especially a Disney vacation -- is most enjoyed when the crowds are at the thinnest and the weather is the most temperate. But now that Disney is spreading its attendance around the calendar with special events and an advance reservations system, there is no longer a time of year when crowds are guaranteed to be light.

Hotel rooms (likely the largest chunk of your vacation bill) are also priced lower (albeit only slightly) during the off season, though don't expect that period to follow the traditional winter/summer patterns of most areas.

Peak-season rates can go into effect during large conventions and special events, either of which may occur at any time of the year. Even something as remote as Bike Week in Daytona Beach (about an hour's drive away) can raise prices. These kinds of events will especially impact the moderately priced hotels and resorts located off Walt Disney World.

Best times: Try the week after Labor Day until the week before Thanksgiving, when the kids have just returned to school; the week after Thanksgiving until mid-December; and the 6 weeks before and after school spring vacations (which generally occur around Easter).

Worst times: The absolute worst time of year to visit is during spring break -- usually the 2 weeks prior to and after Easter. The crowds are unbelievable, the lines are unbearable (my kids have waited upwards of 2 hr. to hop on some of the most popular attractions), waiting times at local restaurants can lead to starvation, and traffic -- particularly on International Drive -- will give you a headache. The December holidays and summer, when out-of-state visitors take advantage of school breaks and many locals bring their families to the parks (the latter also flock to the parks during Florida resident discount months, which usually fall in May and Nov), can also prove a challenge. Packed parking lots are the norm during the week before and after Christmas, and the summer brings with it oppressive heat and humidity.

Seriously consider pulling your kids out of school for a few days around an off-season weekend to avoid the long lines. (You may be able to keep them in their schools' good graces by asking teachers to let them write a report on an educational element of the vacation. Epcot, SeaWorld, and the Orlando Museum of Science offer the most in the way of educational exhibits.) Even during these periods, though, the number of international visitors guarantees you won't be alone.

One other time-related hazard: For several weeks in May and September, you will find yourself in the midst of the dreaded "love bug" season in Central Florida. These small flylike insects emerge twice a year, get into practically everything, and like nothing more than to commit suicide on your car windshield, leaving a messy splatter. They don't bite, but they are a serious nuisance to your car. If you can avoid them, I highly recommend it.

Weather

It's not uncommon for the skies to open up on Orlando, even when the day begins with the sun ablaze. Florida is well known for its afternoon downpours, so don't be too concerned -- storms don't usually last too long. Most people simply run for temporary cover, and then resume their activities when the rain slows to a drizzle or stops altogether. It is wise, however, to bring along some type of rain gear, as storms can spring up rather quickly. A small fold-up umbrella can protect you until you can get to shelter. If you forget your gear, rain ponchos can be purchased throughout the parks for about $6 for a child-size poncho, or $8 for an adult size. The child-size poncho also happens to cover the average stroller quite well, protecting camera equipment and souvenirs -- not to mention the child sitting inside it. Smarter still is to buy them at your local drugstore before your trip; there, they cost less than $2.

Don't let a rainy afternoon spoil your fun. Crowds are dramatically thinner on these days, and there are plenty of indoor attractions to enjoy, particularly at Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Universal Studios Florida, where many of the attractions are actually indoors. The flip side, of course, is that many of the outdoor rides and attractions at Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld are temporarily closed during downpours and lightning storms.

Note: If you're taking advantage of a land/cruise package, make sure you take into account hurricane season, which generally runs from around June 1 to November 30 (when the majority of Central Florida's afternoon downpours tend to occur). Inland, the worst is usually only sheets of rain and enough wind to wipe the smile right off your face. Be prepared, because almost anything can happen. If you are on the coastal areas or at sea, you will likely be at the point where the storms hit their hardest, making them extremely dangerous. Tornadoes and lightning -- two particularly active summer curses -- should also not be taken lightly.

Beating the Heat & Rain

Universal Orlando, with its air-conditioned waiting areas and covered parking, is the best choice to escape a rainy day because most things can stay open in a storm. At Disney, Hollywood Studios is the best rainy-day park because most of its activities, including its two biggest thrill rides, are indoors. SeaWorld, where you’ll spend lots of time outside, is the worst in rain. If it’s a scorcher, both Universal Studios and Hollywood Studios have some sheltered activities to offer heat relief. On the hottest days, the water slide parks are swarming (of course). The worst Disney park on hot or wet days is Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where next to nothing is indoors. If there is a big storm, don’t quit! Back home, rain may last all day, but in Florida, it usually clears within an hour.

Holidays

Banks, government offices, post offices, and many stores, restaurants, and museums are closed on the following legal national holidays: January 1 (New Year's Day), the third Monday in January (Martin Luther King, Jr., Day), the third Monday in February (Presidents' Day), the last Monday in May (Memorial Day), July 4 (Independence Day), the first Monday in September (Labor Day), the second Monday in October (Columbus Day), November 11 (Veterans' Day/Armistice Day), the fourth Thursday in November (Thanksgiving Day), and December 25 (Christmas). The Tuesday after the first Monday in November is Election Day, a federal government holiday in presidential-election years (held every 4 years).

Tips for Senior Travelers

In Orlando, people older than the age of 60 (sometimes 65) often qualify for reduced admission to theaters, museums, and other attractions (generally the smaller attractions and cultural venues, including the Orlando Science Center, Central Florida Zoo, Orlando Museum of Art, and others -- but not on tickets to the biggies such as Disney and Universal), as well as discounted fares on public transportation, including the Lynx bus system and the I-Ride Trolley. Keep in mind that area restaurants often offer discounts to seniors (though sometimes only at special hours or on special days).

You can order a copy of the Mature Traveler Guide, which contains local discounts mainly on hotel rooms but also on attractions and activities, from the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, 8723 International Dr., Ste. 101, Orlando, FL 32819 (tel. 800/643-9492 or 800/551-0181; www.visitorlando.com). You can also find it online at the CVB's website (click the "Senior Citizens Discounts" link on the site map).

The U.S. National Park Service offers an America the Beautiful -- National Park and Federal Recreational Lands Pass -- Senior Pass (formerly the Golden Age Passport), which gives seniors 62 years and older lifetime entrance to all properties administered by the National Park Service -- national parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas, and wildlife refuges -- for a one-time processing fee of $10. If you're going to the Cape Canaveral National Seashore on an excursion out of Orlando, it's a good bet. The pass must be purchased in person at any NPS facility that charges an entrance fee. Besides free entry, the America the Beautiful Senior Pass also offers a 50% discount on some federal-use fees charged for such facilities as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, and tours. For more information, go to www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm or call the United States Geological Survey (USGS), which issues the passes, at tel. 888/275-8747.

Getting There