Orlando overview

Orlando marches by the beat of its own drum. The City Beautiful is a tropical oasis of roller coasters, fireworks, and rich wildlife in its environs. The main draw is the 25,000 acres of thematic parks with eccentric hotels, lakes, and endless shopping centers. Think authentic cultures with local restaurants, scenic natural springs, and an energetic downtown district where locals say that grabbing a cocktail (or two) at a contemporary bar is mandatory. Explore both sides of Orlando and see what makes it magical.

Orlando is the most populated city in Central Florida, with over two million people living in the town. This is a far cry from the 1970s when only 310,000 dwelled within its reaches. The last few decades have seen its Latino population expand rapidly; booming over the last few years. To this day, Orlando continues to expand, receiving new residents from places like Puerto Rico, Haiti, Venezuela and the rest of the world.

English is the most commonly spoken language in Orlando, but don’t be surprised when you hear Spanish or French Creole. Most hotels and restaurants in the theme park areas have someone that can speak English, but in some regions like Kissimmee or South Orlando, you predominantly hear Spanish, Portuguese, or French Creole. You will be fine if you speak English. As a child, I loved hearing languages like Portuguese even though I couldn’t understand them.

Orlando residents are predominantly Christian, but other denominations, like Islam and Judaism, can also be found. Another majority of the population is non-practicing. This means that Orlando is an open space for any believer and that the primary focus is on enjoying life in Orlando together.

It is often said that folks from Orlando are “scary-friendly.” Since the theme parks are part of everyday life, it’s customary for people to be kind enough to give you basic things like directions for free! If you’re closer to the town, people will often say hello walking down the street even if they don’t know you. It’s a Southern custom that Disney has merely cultivated over the years. When I moved to other cities, I would say hello to strangers and often receive odd looks. I still try to say hi to strangers but in a more reserved way – but you can’t take the Orlando out of your DNA if you’ve grown up or lived here for some time and maybe this is a good thing.

Orlando has relied on tourism since the 1970s, which fills a cool 20% of the total gross domestic product of the city. When I said it’s THE theme park capital of the world, I meant it: 59.3 million people traveled to Orlando in 2021, with most attending theme parks or conventions. Other areas of the economy operate in sectors like technologies, biotech, aerospace, and video game design.

Before being settled by foreigners, Orlando was home to Timucua and Tocobaga Native Americans.

Orlando was originally home to the Timucua and Tocobaga Native Americans before the arrival of the first settler, Aaron Jernigan, in 1843. The town was promptly renamed to Jernigan and the county name morphed from “Mosquito County” to “Orange County.” In 1885, the name Orlando came into circulation – as the town gained city status. Like any great city, this is a name steeped in myth and legend – with popular local anecdotes referencing a character by the same name in Shakespeare’s “As you like it” play who was loved by one the early settlers.

Around the 1920s, Orlando experienced a housing increase when the Florida land boom appeared. This caused significant housing developments in the Downtown Orlando area. Even today, you can drive by neighborhoods like Audubon Park and Colonialtown North and see mid-century modern architecture scattered about.

Walt Disney World® opened in 1971 in what is technically Kissimmee, Florida. This completely changed the city. More and more businesses began leaving Downtown and heading towards Kissimmee and South Orlando. While warping other sectors of the economy in Orlando, tourism began to skyrocket, introducing Orlando as a global destination for theme park vacations. In the 1990s, Orlando saw another expansion with the opening of Universal Studios. This laid out competition for Disney but allowed the area around Universal to flourish, including Dr. Phillips and Kirkman neighborhoods. Disney had a win later in the 1990s with the opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Built as a zoological amusement attraction, it’s still considered the world’s largest theme park. The 1990s were when the first Orlando International Fringe Theater Festival started, and the first Gay Days event at Disney was held during this period. Today Orlando is thriving, and I consider it a pretty magical city.

Like most places in Florida, Orlando is a place that relies on you having a car to be able to get from A to B with the greatest ease. In fact, that are many parts of the city in which public transportation is non-existent – which could be a challenge for you when it comes to truly experiencing Orlando and its different neighborhoods.

Therefore, If you’re planning on spending your holiday at the theme parks and want to explore places like Downtown Orlando, consider that it’ll be more than a 30-minute drive without traffic. I’d also suggest planning the type of vacation you intend to have when in Orlando – from the start. Will it be all about the theme parks or will it be a mix of the fantasy world and the very best of Orlando outside of the fairytales? If it’s solely the latter, fret not – buses, trains and even boats will transport you merrily on your way through Wonderland. To this end, there are also transportation options (shuttles) running from the airport and to your hotel and back – at a slight premium of course but you may appreciate the convenience.

I would recommend, independent of the type of holiday you plan on having in Orlando, that you hop on the SunRail (the light rail system) and take it to Downtown Orlando, which beats sitting in the city’s traffic.

Sample the true spirit of Orland by immersing yourself in its many neighborhoods. One neighborhood that is dear to me and that I can recommend is Thornton Park – a small district with quaint eateries and bars aplenty. Personally, this is where I splash my cash (Disney will be just fine without me chipping in,) but we’ll let you decide what floats your boat. When in Thornton Park, you may want to pay a visit to “Island Time-” a cozy spot that hosts outdoor drag brunches on the weekends. A sprinkling of humor, quick wit, savory offerings such as French Toast, Fish & grits and more – make this one of my personal favorites in the area.

Orlando’s development is often two-pronged – with the theme park universe constantly expanding while the city itself also molds a new identity of its own over time.

The big news in town these days is Universal’s planned mega park – primed to rival Disney’s own behemoth when completed. And yes, this is the talk of the town as the last park that opened in Orlando (Volcano Bay,) did so in 2017 – quite a few years ago in a city where new theme parks spring to life quite often.

In tandem with the fantasy world, Downtown Orlando is also currently an area of Orlando that’s experiencing massive growth.

Often dubbed a ghost town in the 1990’s, the area is now one of the must-sees of any visit here, particularly if your middle name is “Foodie.” This part of the city is home to numerous local restaurants, far-reaching skyscrapers, with more on the way with each visit – and a modern vibe that offers a glimpse into tomorrow. On that note, the Brightline High Speed Train will soon teleport passengers from Orlando International Airport to West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, and even Miami! A veritable game-changer, this project is due to open in the summer of 2023, providing faster, greener and more sustainable options across the state.