Disney and More in the Magical City.

When visiting the Orlando and Lake Buena Vista, Florida area, it’s easy to be overwhelmed with all things Disney, but rest assured, plenty of non-Disney related attractions abound as well. The area is rich with shopping, dining and entertainment venues. This sunny city offers every conceivable type of food and lodging. From the most swanky hotels that cater to international business types to moderate priced hotels, to motels, to camping, to lodges, there are accommodations for everyone! World class golf courses, tennis clinics, spas and more await all visitors, those that come for the magical Disney fun and those that don't.

Walt Disney World brings to life a host of amusement parks, most notably Magic Kingdom. Magic Kingdom has seven different "lands" including Toontown Fair, Liberty Square, Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and Main Street USA, each with its unique attractions. Animal Kingdom is an amazing adventure as you venture into an African Safari with wild rides, a climb to the top of the Himalayas and getting wet in the rain forest.

If theme parks and thrill rides are not your idea of a vacation getaway you still can not miss EPCOT Center. EPCOT represents 11 countries from around the world and allows patrons to experience those places from ethnic food to cultural shops to interactive shows and rides. An intricate amount of technology is utilized at EPCOT offering an abundance of special effects on rides, shows and most other attractions.

Splash into Sea World, a 200-acre marine adventure park. The park features rides such as Kraken which reaches speeds of 65 mph and takes you up 15 stories and other attractions such as fabulous shows and amazing up close and personal animal encounters.

Interesting and fun attractions outside the Disney World conglomerate include a a science center, a 22-story high observation tower and a variety of boat rides. Warbird Adventures will show you a flying experience of a lifetime. Visitors are offered the opportunity to climb aboard a North American T-6 aircraft, used in WWII and "fly" it. Reservations are suggested, but only for those that have a strong stomach. Experiencing some of the local heritage and culture is also a must while in Orlando. There are several options to choose from including ballet, fine art galleries, museums, nature reserves, Broadway shows and opera. Climb aboard Titanic The Experience and revel in the history behind the monstrous ship and read the inspiring stories of passengers that were aboard that fateful night.

Want to soak up some rays and play in the surf? Several beaches are within a one- to two-hour drive from the Orlando area, such as Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Ormond Beach.

The Harry P. Leu Gardens is an exquisite place to visit with its 50-acres of flowers, trails, gardens and the restored Leu House Museum. The smells, the colors and the natural beauty of it all will relax and inspire you.

The avid golfer will find tons of challenging and beautiful courses to choose from in the area such as Shingle Creek Golf Club, Falcon's Fire Golf Club, Southern Dunes Golf Club and Lake Orlando Golf Club. Those are simply a few because Orlando has more than enough golf courses to suit the avid golfer to the beginner.

The Magic Kingdom is not the only thing in the city of Orlando, FL that is "magic". Basketball lovers should head to Amway Arena where they can catch the latest NBA basketball action by the Orlando Magic. In the off season travelers should inquire about tours of the arena.

All those activities are bound to make a traveler hungry, but don’t despair; numerous eateries are eager to feed you, and some will entertain you as well. Dining choices run the gamut from fast food to family dining, to all you-can-eat buffets, to fine dining and dinner shows. Every cuisine imaginable is represented in Orlando. Dinner show themes include Medieval Times (a must see for the boys.), Pirate Adventures, Arabian Knights (a must see for the girls.), Broadway plays, mysteries, 1930s mobsters, country music, vaudeville, comedy, magic, Polynesian luaus and more. If you like a show while you enjoy a scrumptious dinner, visit Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. Dolly guarantees it to be “the most fun place to eat in Orlando.” If you’re in the mood for a little nightlife, you have plenty of options. Evening entertainment venues include comedy clubs, discos, dueling piano bars, sports bars and just about anything else you can imagine. A variety of clubs offer many styles of live music including blues, rock, country, jazz and more. Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville lavishes visitors in its tropical decor and Caribbean, rock, top 40 and of course Jimmy Buffett tunes while you sip on a cool drink or eat one of there tropical menu items. Put on you dancing shoes and head to Independent Bar which offers an excellent view of the area, music from the 70's 80's and top 40 and a large dance floor. If you are not sure what to do, where to shop or what you want to eat Downtown Disney is the answer. Downtown Disney is a city in itself with specialized eateries, shows around every corner, quint shops, an abundance of nightlife and DisneyQuest, an indoor, interactive theme park. Orlando, Florida is full of adventure, excitement, thrills, romance and magic and naturally in order to enjoy it you have to get there.

Orlando, FL is home to the Orlando International Airport (MCO) which host more than 60 commercial airlines. Amtrak Train and Greyhound Bus both offer routes to the Orlando, FL area. Also, serving the area with non-stop flights from all across the United States is the Sanford, FL. International Airport. (SFB) Serviced by AllegiantAir, Icelandair, Flyglobalspan and Charter flights from around the World.

Once reaching the Orlando, FL there are a variety of ways to experience the city such as public transit via the Lynx bus or the I-Ride trolleys, rental vehicles, taxis or depending on your location walking is also an option. Many of the hotels in the area offer low rate or free shuttle service to and from area attractions if you are a guest of their hotel.

Whether you want to incorporate Mickey into your vacation plans or exclude the Mouse, the Orlando and Lake Buena Vista, Florida area is filled with activities and attractions for singles, couples, families, and business travelers. Pack your bags, your sunglasses, and some comfortable walking shoes and vacation in one of the friendliest and fun cities in Florida.