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Since this topic was revived, I'll add my 2cents ...
As someone who was born and raised in the Orlando area, Orlando is not the same thing as the theme parks or (shudder) International Drive. Disney isn't even in the same county as Orlando! (Which is why you can't make a local call to the REAL Orlando.)

Orlando does benefit from Disney's proximity, however, because there are so many talented performers who spill over into the multitude of live-music venues and local theaters. The caliber of live entertainment on any given night of the week except maybe Monday and Tuesday could probably compete with anything outside of Manhattan. Beaches are about an hour away, but within reach ... there are many river tours and hiking and camping tours in the immediate Orlando vicinity. As mentioned, there are many museums as well. One of my favorites is the Morse Museum, which has the most massive collection of Tiffany pieces I've ever seen. (The famous "Wisteria Window" in the Metropolitan Museum of Art is actually on long-term loan from this museum.)

I know I sound a little like the Chamber of Commerce, but it really does rankle when people slam Orlando for all those tourist-trappy tactics ... and come to find out, they've never even BEEN to Orlando.


You better not see what the "location snobs"
are saying about your city on this thread.

http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...ML/011059.html

mike


[This message has been edited by MIKESILV (edited 08-13-2003).]