Orlando Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Orlando, Florida - FL, USA)



Orlando, Florida FL, is a modern metropolis built with the idea of pleasuring tourists in mind. Its world famous attraction, Walt Disney World, is a magnet for both children and adults, attracting thousands of visitors all year round.

Downtown Orlando is located away from the theme parks and the magic of Disney, with beautiful gardens, excellent entertainment facilities and a fabulous range of restaurants, parks and museums. Travel is made easy in Orlando, with travel tips readily available online and an outstanding transport system that can whisk you between attractions.


Tourism and Tourist Information

Orlando sees thousands of tourists pass through its attractions each year and is excellently designed to cope with and facilitate the large numbers of visitors it receives. Tourist information is readily accessible to visitors seeking assistance in planning their trip. There are so many attractions in Orlando that is advisable to obtain information on things to do during your stay to ensure that you don't miss anything. Information, maps, brochures, park information times and other details are all available at tourist information offices in Orlando and many of the hotels and theme parks.

Official Visitor Center
Address: 8723 International Drive, Suite 101, Orlando, Florida FL, USA

Convention Bureau of Orlando - Orange County
Address: 6700 Forum Drive, Orlando, 32821, Florida FL, USA
Tel: +1 407 363 5800

Convention Center
Address: 9800 International Drive, Orlando, 32819, Florida FL, USA
Tel: +1 658 9800

Kissimmee / St. Cloud Convention an Visitors' Bureau
Address: 1925 East US-192, Kissimmee, Orlando, Florida FL, USA

Winter Park Chamber of Commerce
Address: 150 New York Avenue, Orlando, Florida FL, USA

Language

Over 300 languages are spoken in the USA, including over 170 that are indigenous to the area with the most common language being English. Many different ethnicities and nationalities are well represented in Orlando, Florida FL, USA and other languages in addition to English are available for study in a number of popular language centers.

Visas

For details on whether you will require a visa for travel to Orlando it is advisable to check with your nearest consulate or embassy for information specific to your country. There are several different types of visa available, with tourists visiting Orlando normally being required to obtain a non-immigrant visa that permits temporary stay. Citizens from Visa Waiver Program countries are permitted to enter Orlando and the USA without a visa, provided that they can meet certain requirements. If you are applying for a visa before your arrival in Orlando, it is always a good idea to apply well in advance in case of possible delays on processing applications.

Working

There are several categories of non-immigrant visas available to those wishing to work in the US temporarily. Working without a visa in Orlando is strictly forbidden and there are particularly harsh penalties for those who are caught in breach of this law. Persons wishing to work in the US must apply for the relevant visa in their home country and generally require a letter from their prospective employer and possibly additional documentation.

Tipping

Tipping is common in Orlando; however, it is only necessary if you consider service to have been satisfactory. When dining in restaurants, a 15 percent tip is standard, although it is worth taking note of whether there is a service charge actually included in your bill. Bars can differ slightly and there is often a tips tray at the counter, where customers are expected to leave a dollar or two as they leave.

Taxes and Refunds

Most states in the US have a sales tax of between seven and eight percent on goods and services; although, some states in America have no tax at all. Sales tax is not reclaimable by tourists on their departure from Orlando and Florida. Should visitors to Orlando have a relevant visa permitting them to work during their stay, then a partial or total refund of tax that is deducted from their salary is reclaimable.

Smoking

A few decades ago Americans accepted smoking in public places without much fuss, although nowadays things have changed dramatically, with several states operating laws restricting the public areas in which people are allowed to smoke. Airplanes, trains and all public transport options in Orlando prohibit smoking. If you are a smoker, it is always sensible to politely check whether smoking is permitted before lighting up in Orlando.