Florida Villas & Orlando Villas | Vacation Villa Rentals In Florida & Orlando

Orlando and Villa Rentals In Orlando : 2nd February 2009

Orlando is one of the major cities within the USA.

Located within Central Florida, in Orange County. Orlando is the third largest metropolitan area within Florida after Miami and Tampa.

Orlando is well known around the world for its many tourist attractions, particular Walt Disney World Resort which is located at Lake Buena Vista, approximately 20 miles south of the Orlando City Limits. The tourist areas can be accessed easily from Orlando City itself via the main interstate, known as I4. This is Orlando’s main highway, beginning on the east coast at Daytona Beach and travelling directly through Orlando across the state to the west ending in Tampa.

Only one hundred years ago the population of Orlando was just 3,894. The main boom period was from 1965 onwards following the announcement of Walt Disney to build the Walt Disney World resort. Orlando is now visited by an estimated 52 million tourists per year with the largest number visiting the Walt Disney World Resort. In 2008 Walt Disney World was the number one tourist attraction within the United States achieving 17 million visitors in the year.

Orlando however has a lot more to offer than just theme parks, with 1197 miles of coastline, 663 miles of beaches, 11000 miles of rivers streams and waterways, not to mention the Everglades and NASA space centre, home of the space shuttle.

One additional reason why people worldwide travel to Orlando and further afield in Florida, is for the Golf. It is recognised to have excellent choice of golf courses available for players of all levels. Many new golfing communities have sprung up across the state and even include vacation rental homes on golfing communities just off the fairway, where it is possible to hire golf clubs for use during your stay.

Orlando is also one of the fastest growing retail markets in the USA. Some of the largest malls include;-
• The Florida Mall – This one is the largest single storey malls in Orlando with over 250 shops. There are a number of anchor department stores in addition to the Florida Mall Hotel and Conference Center Tower.
• The Mall at Millenia opened in 2007. It is a two storey contemporary upscale shopping mall with many famous department stores such as Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus.
• Orlando Fashion Square is an indoor shopping mall close to Downtown Orlando.
• A recently opened and still developing shopping area is Posner Park. This is located at the junction 55 of the Interstate 4 where it crosses with Highway 27. This $500 million development is on the former site of Baseball City. It will feature a mixture of brand name retail shops, high end boutiques, offices, restaurants with a five star hotel and pedestrian parks.

Getting to the Orlando Area?

Thousands of visitors either from other parts of the US, or other countries arrives via plane into either Orlando International Airport or Sanford International.

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is Orlando’s primary airport being Florida’s busiest airport. There are two terminals at this airport. Indeed this is the closest airport to the main “Orlando villa rental” areas of Kissimmee, Davenport and the Disney Area – all are approximately 20-30 minutes away.
The Orlando Sanford International airport (SFB) is located to the North of Orlando. Many chartered flights from Europe fly into this airport. If arriving into this airport it is recommended to use the Central Florida Greeneway(Toll 417). This highway passes approximately 2 miles from the Sanford Airport and is an easy dual carriageway with lighter traffic than the Interstate 4. By heading west on this road it leads to the Interstate 4 close to the main villa rental areas close to Disney. The highway intersect with the Beachline Expressway so if heading for a cruise or the Atlantic coast this is a quick and easy route to use.

Visitors arriving from other parts of the US frequently use the Florida Turnpike Toll road (Toll 91). This is the major highway 312 miles long that connects northern Florida with Orlando and Miami.

What temperature Can a Visitor To Florida Expect?

There are two major seasons within Orlando each year. Generally Orlando has a warm and humid climate. Between June and late September (usually coinciding with the Atlantic hurricane season) the days are hot but frequently having heavy rainy in the afternoon for short periods. The other season from October through to May brings more moderate temperatures with less rainfall.
Much of the weather in Orlando and throughout Florida is affected by the movement of the Gulf Stream.

Where Can Visitors To Florida Stay?

Orlando as a City has the second largest number of hotel rooms within the US. Indeed it is one of the largest venues for conferences and conventions following the development of the huge Orange County Convention Center.
Many of these visitors now choose to stay in one of the many Orlando villas rentals available. Frequently these Orlando rental homes are less than 30 minutes drive from Disney and other main attractions, usually maintained to very high standards. Book direct with the owner and to make great savings and know exactly what and where you are going to stay prior to your arrival.

Where ever you choose to stay we hope you enjoy your Orlando vacation.