About Orlando, Florida

By 1971 the swamp was gone and the gates were opened to another world. Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom literally put Orlando on the map. Myriads of theme parks opened in Orlando, forever changing the flavor of Orlando. Escape to a fantasy dreamland where all your dreams can come true. Walt Disney World is synonymous with Orlando and at times seems overpowering.

Early Orlando

Orlando is in Central Florida and easily accessible by land or air. Orlando Orlando City Street

is rich with history. Archaeological sites have found evidence of prehistoric American Indian tribes and ancient seas that once covered the land. The Spanish invasion in the 16th century brought cattle to the area and that influence is still evident today. The herds roamed the scrublands and adapted to the terrain. Lucrative cattle ranches prospered and became economically viable.

During the ranching boom the word "cracker" described the inhabitants of the region. The word "cracker" originated from the use of whips on herding cattle as the whip cracked when snapped. Later the term described the lifestyle of residents in central Florida. A great part of this scrubland became the Ocala National Forest.

Orlando Center of Citrus Fruit Production

Citrus fruit became a commercial crop for the crackers and gave rise to the tourist trade in Florida. By the 1800's the railroad made accessibility to the area fast, safe and economical. Transportation to the golden land increased the tourist movement and attracted wealthy patrons. Glorious mansions and historic buildings; Victorian Gothic styles mixed with ultra modern make up the landscape of the area.

Union soldiers who fought in the Civil War returned home with tales of the fabulous land. They marveled about the crystal clear water, bubbling springs and golden Orlando's Church Street Station juicy oranges bigger than a fist. Soldiers returned to this paradise and settled down to agriculture and other trades. The land was painted with many faces. Land, water and rolling hills merged into one vast expanse of opportunity. Tropical temperatures, lush foliage, gigantic trees, numerous lakes, rivers and springs complemented the area. Spanish architecture next to cattle ranches with citrus groves spreading toward the sea promised euphoria to all that came. Hurricanes, the depression and the Mediterranean fruit fly played havoc upon this golden treasure. After World War II, Florida regained its popularity and rebounded to prosperity.

Orlando's Famous Mouse

A mouse invaded the small sleepy town of Orlando and life has never been the same. Disney Church Street Station in Orlando

influence is evident as you notice high tension wires in the shape of a mouse head. The city has handled fame with ease and elegance. Orlando has retained its natural beauty and preserved its cowtown roots. Cows, crackers, citrus and a rodent have improved, changed and established Orlando as the number one vacation spot to visit. Walt Disney sculpted 43 square miles of swampland into a Magic Kingdom. This sunswept area has become one of the fastest growing high-tech centers in the country.

Orlando's busiest seasons are when children have vacations from school. Summers in Orlando are extremely hot and humid winters are mild. Natural lakes surround the area while manmade lakes enhance the theme parks. And the theme parks, family attractions, and hospitality are what bring the tourists, again and again.