DK Travel : Orlando

One word describes Orlando’s transformation in the last three decades: stunning. The city and its suburbs have gone through a Cinderella-like metamorphosis, where plain Jane has become a worldly beauty. Millions of tourists are seduced every year by sophisticated resorts, a wide range of theme parks, must-see attractions, happening nightclubs, and winning restaurants. Here are Orlando’s best of the best.

More on the Top 10 sights in Orlando (see Thrill Rides)

Water Mania

Though not as large as Wet ’n Wild, this Kissimmee park offers a good assortment of slides and thrill rides. Some are unique, such as Wipe Out, a wave generator pool for surfing on body boards, and the Double Berzerker, a steep, double-dip slide. There are also loads of land-based activities such as a children’s playground, beach volleyball, and mini-golf. Water Mania often gets packed.
Water Parks

Disney World has two water parks. The hugely popular Typhoon Lagoon, designed to resemble a beach resort devastated by a tropical storm, can hold more than 7,000 people at once, and has plenty of rides and attractions. Blizzard Beach’s theme is a ski resort that melted and is a favorite among water slide fans. But whatever extreme weather they represent, these parks have similar features: long drops to build up speed and darkened tubes to confuse you before spilling you, laughing or screaming, into a wading pool below. The parks have seasonal opening hours, so call to check. (see Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach)
Watersports

Test your water-skiing legs at one of Sammy Duvall’s Water Sports Centers (which also offers parasailing and wake-boarding). Buena Vista Watersports (which also charters and rents boats) is another option. (see Buena Vista Watersports).
Weeki Wachee Mermaid Show

Mermaids of Weeki Wachee Spring State Park, a Florida tradition since 1947, now make guest appearances at Ripley's aquariums.

Ripley's Aquarium - Gatlinburg, TN

Ripley's Aquarium - Myrtle Beach, SC

Home of the mermaids is Weeki Wachee State Park. located on U.S. 19 at the intersection of State Road 50, just north of Spring Hill and south of Homosassa Springs.
Wekiwa Springs State Park

These springs and the river they feed provide a fertile habitat for such species as white-tail deer, gray foxes, bobcats, raccoons, and black bears. They also provide some of the best places for paddling in a boat in central Florida. With canoe rentals, and picnic, grilling, camping, and volleyball areas, this is outdoors heaven.
Wellesley Inn

Situated on Lake Cecile, this motel is five miles (8 km) from Mickey’s place. The rooms are a bit cramped, but they have Nintendos. The inn has a sandy lakeside beach, with jet skis and water-skiing on offer.
Westin Grand Bohemian

Soft-as-clouds beds are one of this elegant downtown hotel’s greatest selling points. Rooms are modern, and public areas display rare artworks.
Wet ’n Wild

Some say it’s hard to beat Disney’s water parks, but this rival has the most thrills money can buy on the city’s water scene.
Wet ’n Wild

It’s hard to out-do Disney, but Wet ’n Wild is arguably Orlando’s best sun-and-swim water park attraction, with plenty of slides and rides to amuse.
Wet ’n Wild

Orlando’s best water park is full of rides and slides to keep the most hardened thrill-seeker’s adrenalin pumping. But it’s not all action – there are kids’ rides and chill-out areas, too.

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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under $90
- $90–180
- $180–250
- over $250