Orlando and its major theme parks

Central Florida enjoys a subtropical climate, with varying degrees of heat and humidity throughout the year. This flat land is dotted with lakes and bathed in sunshine for most of the year: the ideal recipe for attracting holidaymakers.

Before citrus growing took hold around Orlando, the region was populated by Creeks, the main local Native Americans.

The history of Orlando as we know it today began in 1971. Huge plots of land were acquired for a pittance by the Disney company, with one project in mind: to build a huge theme park that would serve as a global showcase for Mickey's company. Another Californian filmentertainment giant followed suit: Universal Studios also set up a giant theme park in Orlando.

From then on, Orlando's destiny remained closely linked to its many theme parks. The city acquired an airport with links to the four corners of the United States. An attractive destination, the city's population has been booming since the 1970s, with new residents and tourists alike. Orlando is a favourite destination for snowbirds, retired Americans in search of sunshine. It also welcomes almost 75 million visitors a year!

Orlando has grown up around Downtown and the pleasant Eola Lake Park. The district boasts a host of fine restaurants, bars and concert halls, as well as an NBA basketball team at the Amway Center (Orlando Magic). Peaceful, tree-lined residential areas have sprung up around this core, and are the inspiration behind Orlando's nickname: "The City Beautiful"!

For fans of sensational theme parks, cinema, cartoons, American blockbusters and superheroes, Orlando is a dream destination. Fictional universes, 100% artificial yet very real, characterise the outskirts of the city, particularly along its main thoroughfare, International Drive.

This grand avenue is Orlando's tourist hub: shopping malls, restaurants by the dozen, including the world's largest MacDonald's, bars, major hotels and, of course, theme parks.

International Drive leads straight to Universal Studios ' two theme parks: Universal Studios Florida, dedicated to blockbuster movies (E.T., The Return of the Mummy, The Minions, The Simpsons, etc.), and Islands of Adventure, devoted to superheroes and thrills( Marvelcomics, Jurassic World, Harry Potter, etc.).

Even further south lies the immense Disney World, comprising at least 4 different worlds: Magic Kingdom, the Disney "classic", Epcot, a kind of Futuroscope with Disney sauce, Disney's Hollywood Studios featuring Sunset Boulevard and the Tower of Terror, Star Wars or Toy Story adventures, and Disney's Animal Kingdom and its iconic Tree of Life...

In the meantime, you'll have come across the astonishing upside-down building at WonderWorks, the rollercoaster at Seaworld (undergoing a change of direction after the scandal surrounding the treatment of the park's orcas), the Orlando Ferris wheel(Wheel at Icon Park), Sea Life on the theme of underwater life, Aquatica, a water park, and Discovery Grove, which offers snorkelling and swimming with dolphins (an activity that is strongly discouraged in view of the welfare of these animals...).

A little further out in the Orlando conurbation, there's Gatorland, a slightly old-fashioned park dedicated to alligators and crocodiles, and Legoland, a paradise for younger visitors.