The Solana Resort Clubhouse and Pool
Solana Resort Kids Area
Solana Resort Clubhouse Lounge
Solana Resort Main Swimming Pool

Other Information - Around Orlando

Information about Orlando and Cetral Florida as well as a bewildering list of things to do!

Climate and Weather Florida's official nickname, the "Sunshine State", reflects the importance of climate to its visitors. One of the most important natural resources, Florida's climate is usually pleasant. Summers throughout the state are long, warm, and relatively humid. Winters are mild with periodic invasions of cool to occasionally cold air. Coastal areas in all sections of Florida average slightly warmer temperatures in winter and cooler ones in summer.

Florida's humid climate is attributed to the fact that no point in the state is more than 60 miles from salt water, and no more than 345 feet above sea level. Humidity is the degree of wetness or dryness of the air and is measured by a percentage ratio called "relative humidity." The warmer the air becomes, the more moisture it can hold, therefore, a person can feel the humidity on a warm day with 80 percent humidity than on a cold day with the same humidity.

Sunshine and blue skies are almost always a fact of life in Florida, at any time of year. There are, however, two climatic zones – subtropical in the south and warm temperate in the north. Summer in the south (Orlando and below) is humid with afternoon storms; the peak season is in the winter when temperatures are warm and there is little humidity. Summer is the peak season north of Orlando but temperatures are usually comfortably warm; the crowds arrive in the summer when the weather gets hotter and more humid.

Central Florida With 95 theme parks and attractions, it would take a visitor more than two months to see everything in Orlando. Sure, you know we’re home to some of the largest theme parks in the world, but did you know that Orlando also boasts first-rate entertainment complexes with state-of-the-art movie theaters, a science center, parks and gardens, and an array of other entertaining, educational and unique attractions?

Orlando At-A-Glance Here's a quick guide to help you determine how much time to allow for your visit.


2 hours or less


2 to 4 Hours


4 to 6 Hours


6 to 9 Hours


9 to 12 Hours


Multiple Days
 
Air Excursions & Hot Air Ballooning
Blue Water Balloons, 800-586-1884
Post Office Box 560572, Orlando, FL 32856		 Bobs Balloon Flights & Advertising Promotions, 877-782-4606
c/o Perkins Restaurant, 12559 S.R. 535, Orlando, FL 32836-6724
Orange Blossom Balloons, 407-239-7677
Post Office Box 22908, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830		 Wallaby Ranch Hang Gliding Flight Park, 800-925-5229
1805 Deen Still Rd., Davenport, FL 33897
Warbird Adventures, Inc. 800-386-1593
233 North Hoagland Blvd, Kissimmee, FL 34741

Attractions & Theme Parks
Cirque du Soleil, 407-939-7600
Post Office Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830		 Magic Kingdom Park, 407-514-7639
Post Office Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Discovery Cove Orlando, 800-067-0740
6000 Discovery Cove Way, Orlando, FL 32821

 Orlando Science Center, 407-514-2101
777 E. Princeton Street, Orlando, FL 32803
Disney-MGM Studios, 407-934-7639
Post Office Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Orlando Odditorium, 407-363-4418 ext. 3
8201 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819
DisneyQuest, 407-828-4600
1486 East Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830		 SeaWorld Orlando, 800-327-2424
7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando, FL 32821
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, 407-934-7639
Post Office Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830		 Skull Kingdom, 407-354-1564
5933 American Way, Orlando, FL 32819

Epcot, 407-934-7639
Post Office Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

 Skyventure Orlando, 800-075-3681
6805 Visitors Circle, Orlando, FL 32819
Fun Spot Action Park, 407-363-3867
5551 Del Verde Way, Orlando, FL 32819		 Titanic - The Exhibition, 877-410-1912
8445 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819
Gatorland, 800-393-5297
14501 South Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32837		 Universal Studios, 877-837-2273
1000 Universal Studios Plaza, Orlando, FL 32819
Green Meadows Petting Farm, 407-846-0770
1368 South Poinciana Boulevard, Kissimmee, FL 34746		 Universal's Islands of Adventure, 877-837-2273
1000 Universal Studios Plaza, Orlando, FL 32819

Hard Rock Vault, 407-599-7625
8437 International Drive, Orlando FL 32819

 WonderWorks, 407-351-8800
9067 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819

The Holy Land Experience, 866-872-4659
4655 Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32811
 


2 hours or less


2 to 4 Hours


4 to 6 Hours


6 to 9 Hours


9 to 12 Hours


Multiple Days
Boat & ECO-Tours

Big Toho Airboat Rides, 321-624-2398
1880 Queens Court, Kissimmee, FL 34744

 Gondeola, Inc., 407-658-4226
2924 Mystic Cove Drive, Orlando, FL 32812

Boggy Creek Airboat Rides, 407-344-9550
2001 E. Southport Road, Kissimmee, FL 34746

 Rivership Romance, 800-423-7401
433 North Palmetto Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771
Fun 2 Dive Scuba and Manatee Snorkeling Tours, 888-588-3483
1911 South French Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771		 Scenic Boat Tour, Winter Park, 407-644-4056
312 East Morse Boulevard, Winter Park, FL 32789
Glades Adventures High Performance Airboat Tours, 407-891-2222
4715 Kissimmee Park Rd., St. Cloud, FL 34772		    

Cultural, Special Interest & Museums
Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, 407-646-2182
1000 Holt Avenue - 2763, Winter Park, FL 32789		 Orlando Museum of Art,  407-896-4231
2416 North Mills Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803-1483
Central Florida Ballet/Ballet Academy, 407-849-9948
4525 Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32811		 Orlando Opera, 800-336-7372
1111 North Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32804
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, 407-645-5311
445 Park Avenue North, Winter Park, FL 32789		 Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, 407-896-6700
812 East Rollins Street, Orlando, FL 32803
Cornell Fine Arts Museum, 407-646-2526
1000 Holt Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789-4499		 Orlando Repertory Theatre, 407-896-7365
4000 Central Florida Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32816
Flying Tigers Warbird Restoration Museum, 407-933-1942
231 North Hoagland Boulevard, Kissimmee, FL 34741		 Plaza Theatre - Home of "The Rock & The Rabbi",The, 407-228-1220
425 North Bumby Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803
Jesus Flim Project, The, 407-826-2300
100 Lake Hart Drive 2300, Orlando, FL 32832		 Wells' Built Museum of African American History & Culture, 866-678-3077
511 West South Street, Orlando, FL 32805
Maitland Art Center, 407-539-2181
231 West Packwood Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751-5596		 Winter Park Cultural Consortium, 407-599-3393
401 Park Avenue South, Winter Park, FL 32789
Mennello Museum of American Folk Art, The, 407-246-4278
900 East Prineton Street, Orlando, FL 32803		 Winter Park Historical Association and Museum, 407-647-8180
200 West New England Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
Orange County Regional History Center and Heritage Square,
800-965-2030
65 East Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32801		 WordSpring Discovery Center, 800-992-5433
11221 John Wycliffe Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32832
Orlando Ballet, 407-426-1733
1111 North Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32804		 Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts, 407-647-3307
227 East Kennedy Boulevard, Eatonville, FL 32751
Orlando Downtown Development Board, 407-246-2555
201 S. Orange Ave., Ste. 1230, Orlando, FL 32801		    


2 hours or less


2 to 4 Hours


4 to 6 Hours


6 to 9 Hours


9 to 12 Hours


Multiple Days
Dinner Theaters
Arabian Nights, 800-553-6116
6225 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, FL 34747		 Fiasco's Circus & Magic Dinner Show, 866-603-4272
7430 Universal Blvd., FL 32819
Capone's Dinner & Show, 800-220-8428
4740 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, FL 34746		 Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, 407-939-3463
Post Office Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000
"Chamber of Magic" Dinner Show at Skill Kingdom, 407-354-1564
5933 American Way, Orlando, FL 32819		 Makahiki Luau, Seaworld's Polynesian Feast and Celebration, 800-327-2420
7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando, FL 32821
Disney Character Dining , 407-939-3463
Post Office Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000		 Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, 888-893-6878
4510 Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, FL 34742
Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show, 407-939-3463
Post Office Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000		 Pirate's Dinner Adventure, 800-866-2469
6400 Carrier Drive, Orlando, FL 32819
Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show, 866-443-4943
8251 Vineland Avenue, Orlando, FL 32821		 Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows, 800-393-1985
Locted on Universal Bouelvard, Orlando, FL

Entertainment Complexes
Disney's Boardwalk, 407-939-5100
PO Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000

Pointe*Orlando, 407-248-2838
9101 International Drive, Suite 1040, Orlando, FL 32819
Downtown Disney Pleasure Island, 407-393-2648
Post Office Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000

Silver Spurs Arena & Exhibition Building at Osceola Heritage Park, 321-697-3333
1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee, FL 34744
Downtown Disney West Side, 407-939-2648
Post Office Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000

Universal CityWalk Orlando, 407-363-8000
1000 Universal Studios Plaza, Orlando, FL 32819
The Mercado, 407-345-9337
8445 International Drive, Suite 201, Orlando, FL 32819

Wall Street Plaza, 407-849-0471
11 North Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
Old Town Shopping, Dining & Entertainment Attraction, 800-843-4202
5770 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, FL 34746		    

Parks & Gardens 

Harry P. Leu Gardens, 407-246-2620
1920 North Forest Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803

    

Performing Arts
Broadway in Orlando, 407-423-9999
201 S. Orange Avenue, Ste. 101, Orlando, FL 32801		 Orlando - UCF Shakeseare Festival, 407-447-1700
812 Rollins Street, Ste. 100, Orlando, FL 32803
Central Florida Performing Arts Alliance, The, 407-872-2382
398 W. Amelia Street, Orlando, FL 32801		    

Water Parks
Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park, 407-934-7639
Post Office Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000		 Water Mania, 800-527-3092
6073 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, FL 34747
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, 407-824-7639
Post Office Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000		 Wet 'n Wild, 800-992-9453
6200 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819

 


2 hours or less


2 to 4 Hours


4 to 6 Hours


6 to 9 Hours


9 to 12 Hours


Multiple Days
Activities Within a Short Drive of Orlando
A-Awesome Airboat Rides, 407-568-7601
Christmas, FL 32709		 Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, 800-768-9463
19239 US 27 North, Clermont, FL 34711
Adventure Island Tampa, 888-800-5447
10001 Malcom McKinley Drive, Tampa, FL 33612		 Magic Sunrise Ballooning
Post Office Box 4242, Deland, FL 32721-4242
Air Boat Rides 'Old Fashion', 407-568-4307
24004 Sisler Avenue, Christmas, FL 32709		 Salvador Dali Museum, 727-823-3767
1000 Third Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Brevard Zoo, 321-254-9453
8225 N. Wickman Rd., Melbourne, FL 32940		 Scott's Country Market, 352-383-6900
26216 County Road 448A, Mt. Dora, FL 32757
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, 888-800-54473605 Bougainvillea Avenue, Tampa, FL 33612 Seminole Hard Rock Casino, 866-762-5463
5223 North Orient Rd., Tampa, FL 33610
Daytona Int'l Speedway/Daytona USA, 386-947-6404
1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114		 Silver Springs, 352-236-2121
5656 East Silver Springs Boulevard, Silver Springs, FL 34488
Dinosaur World, 813-717-9865
5145 Harvey Tew Road, Plant City, FL 33565		 Sterling Casino Lines, 800-765-5711
101 George King Blvd., Suite 3, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Fantasy of Flight, 863-984-3500
1400 Broadway Boulevard SE, Polk City, FL 33868 

SunCruz Casino - Port Canaveral, 800-047-3423
610 Glen Cheek Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Florida International Museum, 800-777-9882
100 Second Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701		 Water Ski Hall of Fame and Museum, 863-324-2472
1251 Holy Cow Road, Polk City, FL 33868-8200
Historic Bok Sanctuary, 863-676-1408
1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales, FL 33853		 Zero-G Corporations, Planet Earth's First Spaceline, 888-664-7284
4101 Ravenswood Rd., Ste. 120, Dania Beach, FL 33312
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, 321-449-4444
Mail Code DNPS, SR 405, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899		    

Flights & Airports The two main airports serving Orlando are the Orlando International Airport and Sandford Airports. Orlando International is about 30 minutes drive from Solana Resort and Sanford is about 1 hour. Our experience is that it is quicker and easier getting through Sanford security and hence your journey time will be less (if flying from outside the USA).

Getting Around There is really only one way to get around central Florida and that is by car. Public transport is available, but it is infrequent and everything is geared towards getting around by car. Rental cars are plentiful and cheap to hire and Florida roads easy to navigate with large highways and easy to follow state highways and county roads.

Where to Eat We could spend ages telling you all the best places to eat - the following is a selection based upon our experiences in the area. Generally eating out is affordable and the standards high. It's very easy to over indulge and you're never a few blocks from an excellent restaurant whatever your taste in food!

We'll get some others added here in time as there are plenty more!