Dream holidays in Orlando, Florida

For families, couples, single travellers and friends, a holiday means more than just getting away from home or work for a few days.

A holiday is a time to recapture the magic and awe of childhood. To take an adventure one never thought possible. To discover something new. To feel the excitement of a big city yet experience all the comforts of home. To rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit. An Orlando holiday is everything a holiday should be, with a range of accommodations, attractions, dining, shopping and recreation activities to turn an ordinary break into an experience of a lifetime.

The magic of Orlando's theme parks and attractions

There was a time in every adult's life when their only priorities were to play, run, imagine and laugh. For most, the magic of childhood is a distant memory, but those priorities take precedence once again when travellers set foot in Orlando.

Here, the world's most amazing theme parks - Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort; Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida at Universal Orlando Resort; and SeaWorld Orlando - come together with more than 90 other attractions to create one larger-than-life destination, providing more entertainment options than anywhere else on earth.

A sampling of the magical moments to be shared in Orlando include:

• Pretend you're a Hogwart at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, new at Islands of Adventure in 2010
• Hop aboard a crazy, colourful Dr Seuss character on the Caro-Seuss-El at Universal's Islands of Adventure
• Madly spin on the Mad Hatter's Tea Party at Magic Kingdom
• Visit "Krustyland" with Marge, Homer, Bart and Lisa on The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios, or cheer for Shrek and Fiona on their honeymoon adventure in Shrek 4-D

Adrenaline-pumping Orlando adventures

Spider-Man and Captain Marvel aren't the only heroes in Orlando. Every day, daring moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas, teens and tots embark on a new adventure and prove to themselves just how brave they really are.

Adrenaline-junkies can get their fill of adventure on Orlando's many roller coasters, thrill rides and splash rides:

• Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit, Universal's newest thrill ride, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Duelling Dragons and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal's Islands of Adventure
• Manta, a new inverted coaster, Kraken, Orlando's only floorless coaster, and Journey to Atlantis, the water coaster at SeaWorld Orlando
• Rock ‘n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom, the 36m (120ft) Summit Plummet at Disney's

Discovery awaits in Orlando

Often the best way to learn is by doing. In Orlando, immersive, hands-on experiences trump textbook learning everyday as visitors hone new skills and hobbies, learn about animals and animal care, and discover a lot about themselves in the process.

In Orlando, animal lovers can make discoveries about creatures they might never otherwise encounter:

• Learn about Atlantic bottlenose dolphin behaviours at Discovery Cove and enjoy a playful swim with them in a tropical lagoon, then snorkel with rays and tropical fish. The park's 'Trainer for a Day' program offers guests an even more in-depth experience, including an enhanced deep-water dolphin interaction, behind-the-scenes tour and an exciting ride in front of two dolphins in a "double-foot push" behaviour
• Visit with gentle manatees that migrate to the warm waters at Blue Spring State Park each winter
• Pet a baby alligator at Gatorland or help protect baby sea turtles as they make their trek toward the Atlantic Ocean after hatching

Metro excitement that never skips a beat

For visitors looking for world-class nightlife and entertainment, Orlando delivers in a big way.

Incredible shows combine the best of Broadway and Vegas in one destination:

• Marvel at the never-before-seen acrobatics at Cirque du Soleil's "La Nouba," which is performed 10 times a week at Downtown Disney
• Laugh out loud at the quirky, multimedia comedic antics of the Blue Man Group at Universal Orlando
• Enjoy New York's best-loved plays and musicals as Broadway Across America travels to the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre in downtown Orlando

Hot nightlife abounds through Orlando:

• Dance the night away to reggae, jazz or dance tunes at Universal CityWalk, sip martinis at the ultra lounge, Red Coconut Club, sing to your heart's content at CityWalk's Rising Star karaoke club, or party New Orleans-style at Universal Mardi Gras, which normally runs February through April each year
• Chill out at ICEBAR, a new concept in nightlife on International Drive, where everything is made of ice, and capes and gloves are provided
• Drink in the view from one of downtown Orlando's rooftop bars, Latitudes and Sky60, or make your way around the eight distinctive bars on Wall Street Plaza

Orlando is a mecca for rejuvenation

As much as a holiday is about experiencing new activities and having fun, it's also a time to relax, recharge and rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit.

A world-class destination with luxury hotels, spas, golf, shopping and fine dining, Orlando graciously indulges those in need of a little - or a lot - of R & R.

• Live the high life at a luxury brand resort such as the newly opened Waldorf Astoria Orlando or The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, named one of Travel & Leisure's 2008 Top 100 Hotels in the United States and Canada
• Rest your head at one of Orlando's AAA Four Diamond lodging options including several Walt Disney World Resort properties, a trio of Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando Resort, the Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando, Rosen Shingle Creek and The Peabody Orlando, among others
• Book a treatment, or a full day of treatments, at one of 19 full-service, hotel or resort spas including such top brand names as the Waldorf Astoria Spa by Guerlain, Mandara Spa and The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Orlando
• Master a round of golf at one of Orlando's 176 attractive and challenging courses. Detailed information on Orlando's golf options with descriptions, pictures, reviews, amenities, special package offerings and more is available at golforlandoinfo.com

For more information about holiday experiences in Orlando, to order a complimentary holiday planning kit or to purchase discount attraction tickets, visit VisitOrlando.com or call an Official Travel Counsellor at 1-800-551-0181 (United States and Canada) or 407-363-5872. For real time updates, follow VisitOrlando on Twitter at Twitter.com/VisitOrlando or Facebook at Facebook.com/VisitOrlando. While in Orlando, visitors may stop by the Official Visitor Centre located at 8723 International Drive, at the southeast corner of International Drive and Austrian Row (open daily from 0830 to 1830 - closes at 1600 on Thanksgiving, 24 December and 31 December and closed on 25 December).

15 December 2009

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