National Clothesline

When cleaners travel to the Clean Show in Orlando this June, they will see all of the latest technological developments and educational trends the industry has to offer. They’ll also see Orlando, the single most popular vacation destination in the world.

In fact, the city boasts over 113,000 hotel rooms and 5,000 restaurants altogether, so finding a place to eat and sleep is never a problem.

Of course, Orlando is more famous for its entertainment options with over 100 attractions in all. Even ambitious travelers may want to think twice before attempting to see everything. After all, the staggering feat would take a person 67 eight-hour days to accomplish.

Most people won’t have that kind of time to spare, so narrowing down an itinerary is a wise course of action. At the top of many agendas will be the most famous local attraction — Walt Disney World. The theme park is largely responsible for triggering an enormous three-decade growth spurt for the city.

The Magic Kingdom — which will celebrate Disneyland’s 50th anniversary this year — is always a favorite for kids of all ages with 41 major adventure rides based on classic and new Disney themes, including Space Mountain, the Haunted Mansion, Star Tours, and Pirates of the Caribbean.

The park is also home to Epcot, which tends to appeal more to older kids and adults with its emphasis on hands-on discoveries and World Showcase, a place where guests can travel the world, so to speak, and taste test the cuisines of 11 different countries.

Sometimes, learning can be so much fun it doesn’t seem like education. At the Epcot’s Test Track, sports racing fans can feel the thrill of pushing a test car to its limits, or they can race at fast velocities on an oval track for the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

Other Walt Disney World highlights include the Animal Kingdom, where animals roam around freely; the MGM Studios with rides inspired by Disney films; and the Cirque du Soleil.

Downtown Disney offers a multitude of dining and shopping opportunities, as well as nighttime entertainment under the guises of Pleasure Island, West End and the Disney Village Marketplace.

Rounding out the Disney experience are the theme park’s Boardwalk, Water Parks and Wide World of Sports.

Walt Disney World is just the beginning. Orlando offers dozens of other attractions, including Universal Studios, located minutes away from the Orange County Convention Center.

Film fanatics will enjoy witnessing the magic of movie production in progress, with rides inspired by celluloid classics such as Jaws, Back to the Future and Twister.

Universal features five separate Islands of Adventure in all, including Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, and Jurassic Park. The park’s CityWalk is also a great place for fun dining with the NASCAR Cafe, NBA City and Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville.

Life underwater

Another busy spot in the city is SeaWorld Orlando, the world’s most popular marine life park. In addition to being able to swim with dolphins, attendees can take delight in rides and exhibits full of polar bears, killer and beluga whales, manatees, sea lions, penguins, sharks and more.

Families who want to find a place to cool off can try the Wet ‘n Wild Water Park where they can free fall on the Bomb Bay, toboggan 450 feet down windy curves in The Flyer, or relax on the calm waters of the Lazy River.

In addition to its variety of stores and restaurants, Old Town visitors will encounter amusement rides such as the Windstorm Roller Coaster, which is 60 feet high, travels at 35 m.p.h. pulling 4.7 Gs, and contains banks that twist at 80-degree angles.

A more adult-oriented fun stop can be found at Church Street Station, located in historic downtown Orlando where three showrooms feature live country, rock-n-roll and Dixieland jazz music.

Shoppers of all ages and credit limits will have many stores to choose from, but a good starting point is the Point*Orlando, an upscale lifestyle entertainment center positioned one block from the convention center.

The Point is a mix of more than 60 specialty retailers, seven themed restaurants, attractions, a multi-screen movie theater and nightly entertainment in an open-air environment.

A mile up the street is the Mercado Mediterranean Shopping Village, a festive world marketplace with several fine specialty shops. Nearby, visitors can take a break and enjoy the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium, which is housed in a building that appears to be sinking into one of Florida’s infamous sinkholes, or Titanic — The Exhibit, which features a collection of actual artifacts and historic treasures from the ill-fated cruise ship.

Discount shoppers will want to make their way toward Belz International Designer Outlets, America’s largest factory outlet with 170 stores providing discounts of up to 75% off. More brands can be found just outside of the city at the Kissimmee Manufacturers Outlet and the Lake Buena Vista Factory Outlet.

Every kind of cuisine can be found in Orlando and diners won’t even have to stray from the Clean Show’s official hotels to enjoy delicious feasts. For a memorable formal dining experience, cleaners should look to Dux in the Peabody Orlando; Jack’s Place in the Rosen Plaza; Everglades at the Rosen Centre; and Atlantis at the Orlando Renaissance Hotel.

In addition to those choices, virtually every variety of restaurant can be found on International Drive (I-Drive), two miles north of the convention center.

Those seeking to test the palette of local flavor should sample some authentic Florida food such as gator tail or gator “nuggets.” The city is also famous for its key lime pie and fresh seafood. For the latter, Charlie’s Lobster House is considered the area’s premier restaurant.

Italian food lovers will be entertained by singing waiters at Bergarmo’s Italian Restaurant. Ming Court is a popular destination for those in the mood for elegant Chinese dishes.

Also on I-Drive, Charley’s Steak House was voted one of the country’s Top Ten Steakhouses by the Knife and Fork Club.

Other critically-acclaimed choices in the area include Bahama Breeze, which exudes a lush and exotic island atmosphere; Café Tu Tu Tango, where food connoisseurs can watch artists at work; Fish Bones on Sand Lake, specializing in steaks and seafood; Hanamizuki and Kobe Japanese Steak House, which has Japanese cuisine; and Brazil Grille, which appeases those with appetites for South American food.

Orlando also features some newer restaurants that are quickly earning good reputations, such as the Timpano Italian Chophouse which transports its clientele back in time to the days of Frank Sinatra’s “Rat Pack.” Located nearby on Sandlake Road is Seasons 52, which features more than 100 wines to accompany dinner.

Those who want to taste some Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine should visit Roy’s. Another good restaurant is Anaelle & Hugo, which offers famous homemade flaky flatbread and Euro-American fare.

With the questions of what to do and where to go answered, Orlando visitors will want to figure out how to get there.

One avenue for travelers — upon arriving at the Orlando International Airport — is to hail a cab for the ten-mile journey to their hotel. The cost for the trip should be $25 to $30. Airport shuttles charge about $12.50 each way.

Others may decide to rent a car since they plan on staying in town a couple of extra days and seeing a lot of sights. Clean ’05’s official travel agent, Globetrotter Travel, offers discounts for Clean attendees. Call (800) 322-7032 and press 1.

Another mode of transportation into the city to consider is Amtrak, which provides two daily trains to Orlando from New York City, Tampa and Miami. The Auto Train runs daily between Lorton, VA, and Sanford, FL.

Once at the hotel, travelers can utilize the complimentary shuttle service provided by all of the official Clean Show hotels for transportation to and from the convention center during morning and afternoon hours. A shuttle loop service between the associations’ headquarter hotels will also be in service from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

There are also plenty of other ways to get around town. The I-Ride trolley Main Line runs every day down International Drive every 20 minutes from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

The Main Line is a good way to travel inexpensively and comfortably with stops at the Belz Factory Outlet, SeaWorld, the Orange County Convention Center, and dozens more. Cash fares are 75 cents for adults, 25 cents for senior citizens 65 and older, and free for children 12 and under who are accompanied by an adult.

Travelers seeking a destination along Universal Boulevard will want to take the city’s Green Line, which retraces its path along the boulevard every 30 minutes.

Unlimited ride passes for one, three, five, seven or 14 days, and group discounts, are also available. They can be purchased at the Orlando Convention & Visitors Bureau kiosk on the first level of the convention center. The passes are also for sale at some hotels, which will also carry brochures with a list of stops.

Lastly, Orlando’s Lynx bus system is another economical mode of travel that visits shopping areas and attractions throughout the city. Its stops can be recognized by a paw print logo.

Travelers who wish to prepare properly for Orlando’s warm and humid climate should plan on casual, comfortable attire for their recreational activities.

June temperatures in the city traditionally range from the high 80s and mid-90s in the daytime to the high 60s and mid-70s in the evening. There is also a high probability for afternoon thundershowers.