History

• Historically, Orlando was home for cotton and citrus plantations, as well as cattle ranches. Settled in 1843, the area grew up around Fort Gatlin. The Fort closed in 1849, but the town continued to grow and took the name Orlando in 1857. The cattle industry gained a foothold in the region as nearby Cuba increased the demand for beef and beef products. In 1870, cotton plantations began migrating to citrus groves as "citrus fever" took hold of the area. In 1971, Walt Disney chose the region for his East coast Disney World, making Orlando a top tourist and vacation destination.
  
  

Significance

• The tourism capital of Florida earned its accolades as early as 1936 when the first theme park in the region opened its doors. The Cypress Gardens Adventure Park provided the region's residents with a Coney Island-like park without having to travel to New York. The destination grew in popularity in the winter months as snowbirds traveled down from New England to winter in the southern state. When Disney chose the location in 1971, he blazed a trail that many other theme parks later followed. As of 2009, Disney World is comprised of numerous resorts, four major theme parks and two water parks, and even boasts an African Savannah.
  
  

Function

• The tourism industry provides Orlando a leading edge as a destination for business conferences and fan conventions. Despite Disney theme park destinations in California, Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong, over 50 million tourists from around the world travel to Orlando to visit Disney World's major attractions, along with Universal Studios, Sea World and more. The tourism industry provides the region with almost $30 billion annually.
  
  

Geography

• Orlando's geography contributes to its success as a tourist destination for more than just the region's theme parks. Located in Orange County, the city is 150 miles south of the Georgia border. The region's 1,200 lakes contribute to the local beauty, flora and fauna. The citrus industry is very strong in the area. Orlando's climate is temperate to mild with an average temperature of 60 degrees F in the winter months and 82 degrees F in the summer. The natural humidity in the region and moderate annual precipitation can make it damp, but also lush. Hurricanes are not the norm, but the city and local tourist attractions have been affected by hurricanes in the past.
  
  

Time Frame

• The best time of year to visit Orlando is between October and February. The weather is very mild, without being exceptionally hot. Rain showers on average are short and brisk, and reduce the humidity rather than increase it (as they do in the summer months). Many prices are in the region are reduced during this time--except for a week around Thanksgiving and two weeks at Christmas--making it a more affordable time to travel.