10 Fun Facts About Orlando

Think Orlando is all theme parks? These surprising facts reveal a whole different side of the City Beautiful.

Orlando is famous for its theme parks, sunshine-drenched streets, and families making memories together, but there's an awful lot more to this place than just roller coasters, cartoon characters, and fun in the sun. There's a treasure trove of history and quirky attractions just waiting to be unearthed, and a bunch of landmarks that'll leave you going "wow."

The thing is, though, many visitors to the city never get to hear the interesting stories that lie beneath the surface. Did you know Orlando is home to some of the world's most visited theme parks? Or that the city contains more than 100 lakes within its limits? Or that its boundaries hem in literally hundreds of lakes? In the following article, we'll be taking a closer look at 10 fun facts about Orlando that combine entertainment with some really useful information. Let's go!

The origins of the name Orlando are a bit of a mystery, and while one story ties it to a soldier named Orlando Reeves, there's not a lot of solid evidence to back it up. The city was originally known as Jernigan after an early settler named Aaron Jernigan. Back in 1857, it was officially given the name Orlando, and since then, a bunch of different theories have popped up over the years as to where the name came from. The truth is that historians are still arguing about it, and no one explanation has gained universal acceptance.

Address:

400 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801

You'll find Lake Eola in the middle of downtown Orlando, and its history is all about a natural sinkhole that was just the right size for the lake, about 23 acres. There's a nice, paved walking path that goes all the way around it, and the area's become one of the most well-known landmarks in Orlando. Lake Eola Park surrounds the lake and hosts all sorts of public events, and if you're feeling fancy, you can even rent one of those swan-shaped paddle boats that the lake's famous for. The sinkhole itself is a result of all that limestone Florida's famous for, and the lake's become an integral part of the city.

Address:

512 East Washington Street, Orlando, FL 32801

Need to know about the world's largest McDonald's restaurant? Look no further than Orlando—it's right on International Drive, and this place is huge, covering about 19,000 square feet. Locals call it the "Epic McD," and it's pretty hard to miss. Inside, you'll find arcade games and all sorts of other entertainment options, and the menu is way broader than your standard McDonald's: you can even get pizza and pasta here. It's one of those places that's become a must-see for visitors.

Address:

6875 Sand Lake Road, Orlando, FL 32819

Gatorland's been around since 1949 when it was founded by Owen Godwin. It's one of the oldest tourist attractions in all of Central Florida, and it's built a reputation on having an absolute ton of alligators and crocodiles. The attraction's way bigger than you think, at 100 acres or so, and visitors get to watch animal shows and feeding demos; it was even here before all the big theme parks came to the area. It's still family-owned and operated, and it's a huge part of Orlando's tourism history.

Address:

14501 South Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32837

Before tourism took centre stage, Orlando's economy was all about citrus farming. Orange groves stretched across Central Florida as far as the eye could see, and the region was famous for growing oranges and other citrus fruits. The industry really took off in the late 1800s, that is, until those troublesome freezes came along and started damaging the groves. But even as the industry started to fade, it played a huge role in shaping the city's development. Citrus farming still happens in Florida today.

If you were a teenager in the '90s, you probably spent way too much time all over Orlando because that's where the magic happened when it came to boy bands. This was the city where the Backstreet Boys got their start, and *NSYNC was formed in Orlando, while the Backstreet Boys also got their start here. Music producer Lou Pearlman helped launch the careers of multiple super-groups from the area, and the city's music scene became a launching pad for aspiring singers. Orlando became widely recognized as a launching pad for successful boy bands during the 1990s.

Address:

400 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801

Orlando's got over a hundred lakes dotted all over the city, and it's no surprise, given that many of them simply came as nature intended. Take Lake Eola, for instance; it's one of the most famous of the bunch. Some of the lakes even let you boat and fish, with water features being a pretty big part of Orlando's landscape, after all. The size and shape of the lakes vary wildly, with several neighborhoods even sprouting up around them over the years. All in all, it's a pretty unique landscape.

Orlando is known for its massive theme park resorts, the sort that'll leave you awestruck. The Orlando area is home to Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando. The whole place has a massive transportation system to keep everything running smoothly, and millions of visitors pour in every year. New rides, new hotels—it never ends. And with millions of visitors a year, you need a whole lot of staff and infrastructure to keep the whole thing running.

Orlando International Airport's a real hotspot for folks looking to rent a car. Every year, millions of people fly in, and lots of them need a vehicle to get to their hotel or the other sites to see. That's on top of the fact that loads of rental car companies are waiting for them at the airport. And if that wasn't enough, there are even on-site rental facilities to make things easier. Tourists are driving up the demand for rental vehicles, and things get even busier during peak travel periods. Whether you're a domestic or international visitor, the airport's rental operations have got you covered.

Orlando's a magnet for tourists; every year, millions of people flock in from all over the States and beyond. And for good reason too; the theme parks are a major draw, naturally. You'll have no trouble finding a place to eat, stay, or visit, with such a huge influx of visitors every day. As one of the most visited destinations in the world, tourism's a huge deal for the local area, and it's a big job creator to boot. And just when you thought it was all quiet, major holiday periods bring a whole new level of visitor numbers. The tourist industry is a real powerhouse here in the Orlando area.

In a nutshell, these Orlando facts highlight the city's unique history, famous attractions, and surprising records.

Complete your Orlando adventure with a stay at Park Plaza Hotel, where historic charm meets easy access to Orlando's top attractions.