Orlando Travel Tips
Public holidaysJanuary1: New Year's Day
January 15: Martin Luther King's Birthday
February: Presidents' Day (third Monday)
May: Memorial Day (last Monday)
July 4: Independence Day
September: Labor Day (first Monday)
October: Columbus Day (second Monday)
November 11: Veterans Day
November: Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday)
December 25: Christmas Day
US customs and visas
All articles brought into the US must be declared to customs. You will be given a special form to fill in before you enter the country. Articles brought into the US are subject to duty or internal revenue tax, but visitors are given an allowance of exempted goods.
Full details of customs requirements are available from your nearest US Embassy or Consulate.
Customs allowances
Articles brought into the United States are subject to duty or internal revenue tax. Visitors, however, are given an allowance of exempted goods.
Orlando travel health
Most visitors to Florida will have no health problems during their stay: sunburn and mosquito bites in summer are the main nuisance for the majority. Even so, you should never leave home without travel insurance to cover both yourself and your belongings.
Your own insurance company or travel agent can advise you on policies, but shop around since rates vary. Make sure you are covered for accidental death, emergency medical care, trip cancelation, and baggage or document loss.
In the event you need medical assistance, ask the reception staff at your hotel or consult the local Yellow Pages for the physician or pharmacist nearest you (in large cities, there is usually a physician referral service number listed). The larger resort hotels may well have a resident doctor.
If you need immediate attention, go directly to a hospital emergency room (ER). Most emergency rooms are open 24 hours a day. It is essential to be armed with adequate medical insurance, and to carry an identification card or policy number at all times.
Orlando money matters
Foreign visitors are advised to take US dollar travellers' cheques to Orlando, since exchanging foreign currency - whether as cash or cheques - can prove problematic. An increasing number of banks, including the First Union National Bank, Nations Bank and Sun Bank chains, offer foreign exchange facilities, but this practice is not universal. Some department stores offer foreign currency exchange. Most shops and restaurants accept travellers' cheques in US dollars and will give change in cash. Alternatively, cheques can be converted into cash at the bank.
Credit cards are very much part of daily life in Orlando and can be used to pay for pretty much anything, and it is also common for car rental firms and hotels to take an imprint of your card as a deposit. Rental companies may oblige you to pay a large deposit in cash if you do not have a card. You can also use your credit card to withdraw cash from ATMS. Before you leave home, make sure you know your pin number and find out which ATM system will accept your card. The most widely accepted cards are Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Diners Club, Japanese Credit Bureau, and Discovery.
Orlando crime & security
The big theme parks have their own security personnel. They are so discreet that you are hardly aware of their presence, but they'll be on hand if you need them. Walt Disney World is among the safest environments on Earth, but - as always - you should look after your property and keep a close eye on your children.
Having said that, it should also be acknowledged that Florida does not have a squeaky clean reputation when it comes to crime. Attacks committed against tourists periodically ruin the state's idyllic vacation-in-the-sun image. The authorities have come up with various safeguards designed to protect visitors. Many of these are aimed at motorists, particularly in Miami, where some violent assaults occurred because jet-lagged tourists disembarked from long flights, missed the highway signs for Miami Beach, and found themselves in a dangerous part of town. Car rental agencies have removed the special license plates, which formerly earmarked rental cars and replaced them with standard-issue plates used by residents.
Pedestrians should use common sense: don't carry around large sums of money or expensive video/camera equipment or jewellery; know where you're going and how to get there; don't travel alone at night; ask your hotel staff which areas should be avoided.
Tourist information
Orlando
Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau
6700 Forum Drive, Ste. 100, FL 32821
Tel: 407-363 5800 www.go2orlando.com
Walt Disney World
Co PO Box 10000,
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000
Tel: 407-934 7639.
Universal Studios
1000 Universal Studios Plaza,
Orlando, FL 32819 Tel: 407-363 8000.
St Petersburg
St Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
14450 46th Street, Ste. 108,
Clearwater, FL 33762
Tel: 727-464 7200 or 800-354 6710 www.floridasbeach.com
Tampa
Tampa/Hillsborough Convention and Visitors Bureau
400 N. Tampa Street, Ste. 1010,
Tampa, FL 33602
Tel: 813-223 1111 or 800-826 8358 www.gotampa.com
Space Coast
Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce
2000 S. Washington Avenue
Tel: 321-267 3036.
Cocoa Beach Area
Chamber of Commerce
400 Fortenberry Road Merritt Island
Tel: 321-459 2200.
Melbourne Chamber of Commerce
1005 E. Strawbridge Avenue
Tel: 321-724 5400.
Palm Bay Area
Chamber of Commerce
1153 Malabar Road NE
Tel: 321-951 9998.
Websites
Universal Studios: www.themeparks.universalstudios.com
SeaWorld: www.buschgardens.com/seaworld/fla
Busch Gardens: www.buschgardens.com
Orlando Visitors Bureau: www.orlandoinfo.com
Florida Tourist Board: www.flausa.com
Golf in Orlando: www.orlandgolf.com/tourism
Restaurants in Orlando: www.orlando.diningguide.net
Orlando Nightlife: www.nightlifeorlando.com
Kennedy Space Center: www.ksc.nasa.gov
Disney World: Walt Disney World
Orlando useful phone numbers
Local directory inquiries: 411
International directory inquiries: 00
Local operator: 0
International operator: 00
International direct-dial calls: dial 011 + the code of the country, followed by the area or city code minus the first 0.
Country dialling codes
Australia: 61
France: 33
Germany: 49
Ireland: 353
Japan: 81
Netherlands: 31
New Zealand: 64
Portugal: 351
Spain: 34
Sweden: 46
Switzerland: 41
United Kingdom: 44
Police, ambulance or fire service: 911.