Ah, Orlando. The place where we live, the place where we are inspired - and the place that draws more than 70 million visitors a year. It is unlike anywhere else on the planet, but needs a LOT of explanation as it is not what most people expect when they arrive in the Theme Park Capital of the World.
This is the most complex, enthralling and demanding destination we know of, and it all hides in the name. Because the area we call 'Orlando' covers much of Central Florida. It is a metro area, a series of attractions, a downtown AND a thriving urban landscape of districts and parks, making for a multi-faceted and absorbing 'city' that is as much a city as the Louvre is just somewhere to hang paintings. And, happily, we are able to capture all this essential background in our latest book, 111 Places In Orlando That You Must Not Miss.
For both of us, it began as a simple vacation and evolved into a working life, new home and constant source of motivation and creativity. Anchored by our books, we have branched out to feature cruising, family vacations and other parts of the world, notably the Caribbean and Europe, while traveling much of the rest of the U.S.A. by plane, train, RV and automobile.
But, to paraphrase Walter Elias Disney, it all started with the House of Mouse, Walt Disney World, and a profound fascination with the place we call Orlando, in all its extent. The constant level of change, innovation and vision keep us firmly on our toes and in touch with the same levels of ingenuity and originality that go into the theme parks themselves. In simpler terms, it is fun, exciting and challenging, and we love being part of the 'magic' that attracts the millions, including being regular bloggers for the UK's biggest ticket-seller for Florida, Attraction Tickets.
The COVID-19 pandemic proved a real challenge for the theme parks, but it also brought out even more of their innovating spirit, and it has been an inspirational process seeing how the attractions navigated such a difficult period in our recent history.
As good as Disney, Universal and SeaWorld are, though - and they are very, very good -
there is also more to Orlando than just the theme parks and other attractions. Much more. And we think the new 111 Places book really highlights that alternative view of our city.
All in all, Orlando has been so much more than just a place to live. It is a constant inspiration and a creative dynamo; a place of diversity and inclusivity; and it is constantly changing and updating itself, living up to Walt Disney's essential ethos that his parks will never be finished as long as there is imagination in the world. With the city chaling up its 140th anniversary in 2025, it's a fitting time to be looking ahead and celebrating the future.
