Calling Codes

The three-digit area code for Orlando is 407.

For local numbers, dial the seven-digit phone number. For calls outside of Orlando, you will usually have to include the three-digit area code (which is dialed before the seven-digit number).

Dial 0 to speak with an operator. Dial 555-1212 for directory assistance.

Dial 911 in case of an emergency.

Electricity is 110V AC, 60Hz in the United States. Plugs are of the flat, two-pin type. Be aware that this voltage is half as much as in most European and Asian countries, so visitors from those countries will need a plug adapter and a power transformer to operate their appliances.

Dial 911 for all emergencies.

Police: 407-246-2470
Suicide Prevention Center: 407-632-6688
Poison Center: 321-676-7199

Fax machines and modem hook-ups are readily available at hotels (in business centers and sometimes in individual rooms) and at facilities such as copy centers, secretarial service centers, etc.

Language is standard American English. Nevertheless, visitors whose English is less than fluent are advised to carry a phrase book.

New Year's Day: January 1
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Third Monday in January
Presidents' Day: Third Monday in February
Easter Sunday: mid-March or early April
Memorial Day: Last Monday in May
Independence Day: July 4
Labor Day: First Monday in September
Columbus Day: Second Monday in October
Veterans Day: November 11
Thanksgiving: Fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Day: December 25

Because of the large Jewish population in New York City, many Jewish-owned businesses close for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the first day or two of Passover, the dates for all of which vary according to the Hebrew calendar. Government offices do not close on these days, however.

Orlando lies in the Eastern Standard Time (Greenwich Mean Time minus five hours). During the spring and summer months, Orlando, like all of Florida, observes Daylight Savings Time.

Australia: Citizens of Australia must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.

Canada: Citizens of Canada need proof of citizenship for entry into the United States. This can be either a birth certificate with a raised seal or a voter registration card with a photo ID. A driver's license is not enough. Canadian citizens under 16 need notarized permission from both parents.

France:Citizens of France must have a valid passport to enter the United States if th ey are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.

Germany: Citizens of Germany must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.

Ireland: Citizens of Ireland must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.

Japan: Citizens of Japan must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.

United Kingdom: U.K. citizens must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.

Casual clothes and good walking shoes are a must if you're visiting the theme parks. There are some upscale eateries in the area, so packing a couple of dressy outfits could be helpful. Sunscreen and a sun hat are recommended if you plan to walk around downtown or in any of the parks. Don't forget your bathing suit, since most hotels have pools.

Many of the theme park rides involve getting drenched or at least partially doused. A poncho may be useful if you don't want to walk around with wet clothes. Afternoon showers are common in Orlando, so bring along an umbrella or at least some rain gear.

Orlando's climate ranges from warm to mild year-round, making it suitable to visit throughout the year. Summertime is hot and humid, with high temperatures in the 80s and 90s. From June through to September, afternoon thundershowers often pass through quickly.

Something is always going on in Orlando. Cypress Gardens hosts a number of festivals throughout the year, and the Central Florida Fair takes place at the end of February. Every March, Winter Park holds its annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival (considered one of the best outdoor fine arts festivals in the country) and EPCOT holds its International Flower & Garden Festival at the end of April through May. In mid-October, the well-known Walt Disney World Golf Classic takes place. The busiest seasons coincide with school holidays and summer, so it's best to go during the off-season to avoid long lines at the theme parks. Holidays such as Halloween, Christmas, Mardi Gras, and New Year's are always cause for a party in the region's parks.