Orlando Sports and Concert Events

Orlando

The city of Orlando is the county seat of Orange County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 185,951. The city was incorporated in 1872. During World War II, a number of Army personnel were stationed at the Pincastle AAF. Some of these servicemen stayed in Orlando to settle and raise families. In 1956 the aerospace/defense company Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) established a plant in Orlando. The most critical event for Orlando's economy occurred in 1965 when Walt Disney announced the plans for Walt Disney World. The famous theme park opened in October, 1971, ushering in an explosive population and economic growth for the Orlando metropolitan area, which now encompasses Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake counties. The city is best known for the tourist attractions in the area, particularly the nearby Walt Disney World, which is in the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Other area attractions include SeaWorld and a Universal Studios theme park, the latter of which is in Orlando proper. Orlando is served primarily by Orlando International Airport, though nearby Orlando Sanford International Airport also serves the area. The educationals institutions located in Orlando are: Barry University's law school, DeVry University Orlando Campus, Florida A&M University's law school, Florida Institute of Technology Orlando Campus, Reformed Theological Seminary, Rollins College (in Winter Park), Seminole Community College, University of Central Florida, University of Phoenix Orlando Campus, Valencia Community College. Among the sports team with home arenas in Orlando are: Orlando Magic (NBA) (TD Waterhouse Centre), and Orlando Predators (AFL) (TD Waterhouse Centre).