Orlando was a quiet place with flat and swampy land before Walt Disney began quietly buying up 43 square miles in the early sixties, prior to opening Disney World's Magic Kingdom in 1971. Since then, Orlando's been the world's epicenter for theme parks. Visit any time of year; holiday season is prime time, with decorations and festivities in all the theme parks; Halloween ranges from not-so-scarey to seriously ghoulish.
Walt Disney World - Overview
With four giant theme parks -- Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom -- two waterparks, 14 themed resorts, other attractions, and a total area the size of Boston, Walt Disney World is a vast destination that literally does have something for everyone.
Universal Orlando
Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida are the Universal Orlando theme parks, and they're side-by-side, and joined by the open-to-all-comers CityWalk area of restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. Islands of Adventure has thrill coasters, Seuss Landing for little kids, and lots in between; Universal Studios Florida has movie-based attractions, such as Jaws, and Revenge of the Mummy, and The Simpsons ride. Blue Man Group is in residence at Universal Orlando, too.
Harry Potter Theme Park - (2010)
Finally, we Muggles will have a chance to enter the magical world of Harry Potter. Universal Orlando is building a new themed island in its Islands of Adventure: a multi-attraction "theme park within a theme park" called "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter". Opening date is sometime in 2010.
SeaWorld
To 'coasters and attractions and marine animal shows, add a giant new Aquatica water park (separate admission from SeaWorld.) SeaWorld has another theme park in Orlando, too: Discovery Cove: a deluxe simulation of a Caribbean Isle, with limited attendance, and dolphin experiences.
