2010 IEEE PES
Joint Technical Committee Meeting
January 10 - 14, 2010 • Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA
January 10 - 14, 2010 • Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA
While you may know Orlando and Lake Buena Vista for its world-famous theme parks, there are several distinct areas of the city for you to explore. Here’s an overview:
Downtown Orlando — The business side of the city, downtown Orlando is also a hot spot for nightlife, dining and entertainment. Museums, art galleries, theatres and concert venues make it a great spot for a day or evening — of exploring. The downtown neighborhood of Thornton Park offers great people-watching from sidewalk cafes and interesting boutiques, While Lake Eola is the perfect backdrop for several community festivals and a weekly farmers’ market.
International Drive — As Orlando’s tourism corridor, International Drive offers 14 miles of hotels, shopping an dining attractions. The north end of “I — Drive,” as it’s known by the locals, is anchored by Prime Outlets International Outlets, Festival Bay Mall and Wet ‘n Wild® - Orlando. The center stretch of I-Drive is home to the Pointe Orlando shopping dining and entertainment complex and the Orlando County Convention Center, while the southern end of International Drive features SeaWorld® Orlando, Aquatica™ — SeaWorld’s Waterpark, Discovery Cove® and Orlando Premium Outlets.
Universal Orlando Resort Area — Located on the west side of Interstate 4, the Universal Orlando Resort® is home to Universal Studios Florida® and Universal’s Islands of Adventure® theme parks; Universal CityWalk® shopping, dining and entertainment area; and three on-site Loews hotels.
Lake Buena Vista — Home to the Walt Disney World® Resort, its affiliated theme parks, numerous hotels and the Downtown Disney® and Boardwalk shopping, dining and entertainment areas.
Winter Park — Located just minutes northeast of downtown Orlando, the quint city of Winter Park offers upscale boutique shopping along Park Avenue and amazing museums and galleries, as well as nationally recognized art shows each spring and fall.
One of the area’s biggest attractions is its year-round mild weather. Located at the heart of the “Sunshine State,” you can expect the January temperatures to rest at an average high of 71° F (22°C) and an average low 49°F (9°C). Despite 300 days of sunshine each year, there is a possibility of light rain, so you may decide to pack a travel umbrella. And, due to unpredictable hotel environments, a jacket or sweater is recommended.
All international attendees must have a valid passport. We would like to advise all participants, who may be required to apply for a visa, that the application process requires time and may take up to a few months. Please visit the U.S. Department of State website for full visa acquisition information — http://www.travel.state.gov/.
Non-immigrant visa application processing fees are currently $131.00 USD.
Participants under the Visa Waiver Program countries (see below) will still be eligible to travel without a visa, but will have to obtain an approved travel authorization prior to their travel to the U.S. (see ESTA information below).
Travelers coming to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less from qualified countries may be eligible to visit the U.S. without a visa, if they meet the visa waiver program requirements. Please visit the following website to learn more, and find out if you meet the visa waiver requirements — http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html. Currently, 35 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program.
Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) — As of January 12, 2009, a valid ESTA approval is required for all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to travel to the United States. The Department of Homeland Security, Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a free, automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the VWP. It collects the same information as the paper I-94 form that VWP travelers fill out en route to the United States. ESTA application may be submitted at any time prior to travel. An ESTA authorization generally will be valid for up to two years. Authorizations will be valid for multiple entries in the United States. DNS recommends that travelers submit and ESTA application as soon as they begin making travel plans. For further details about the new system, please visit the following website — http://www.esta.us
Please do not apply through a third-party website, which may not comply with ESTA regulations.
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority is the operator of Orlando International Airport, with over 36.5 million passengers annually, making it the busiest airport in Florida. It is served by 63 airlines, with non-stop service to over 84 destinations worldwide. The airport is comprised of four (4) airsides (similar to concourses), which include 129 gate locations. There are three levels: gates and ticketing at Level Three; Baggage Claim at Level 2; and Ground Transportation (bus, taxi, shuttle) at Level 1.
For Domestic Arrivals: Domestic passengers depart their aircraft via a jetway, which takes them to the gate area of the Airside Terminal. Passengers proceed to the hub of the Airside Terminal, following the overhead signs to the Main Terminal and Baggage Claim. In the center of the Airside, you will find a variety of facilities including restrooms, telephones, restaurants and shops. In this area, you will also find the AGT Train System, which will transport you to the Main Terminal and Baggage Claim.
The journey to the Main Terminal, although it takes only 68 seconds, provides a great view of the landscape and waterways of the airport. As the train transports you to the Main Terminal, read the signs and listen to the instructions direction you to either Baggage Claim A or Baggage Claim B.
For further information, please visit the following website: http://www.orlandoairports.net.
The United States has no value-added tax or other indirect tax at the national level. Sales tax in Orlando and Lake Buena Vista (Orange County, FL) is 6.5%. Hotel tax is 12.5%.
Disney’s Magical Express
One of the best options, and one that is offered to conference participants on a complimentary basis (representing a savings of over $90), when reservations are booked at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. A full description of this door-to-door service is listed under the Disney’s Magical Express Service tab on the left side of the screen. Please note that reservations for this service must be made at least ten (10) days in advance, as travel documents will be sent to you (inclusive of special luggage tags). IT is important to note that enroute from the airport to Disney’s Contemporary Resort, there may be stops at additional Walt Disney World® Resort hotel properties.
If you are driving to the resort, please consult the following website for specific directions from various points within Florida, as well as cities out-of-state. Visit www.disneyconventionears.com/contemporary and click on Driving Directions.
Taxis:
| Diamond Cab Company | 407/523-3333 (Dispatch) 407/523-2005 (Reservations) diamondcab@yahoo.com |
| Yellow/City Cab (a division of Mears Transportation) | 407/422-2222 (Reservations) mearstransportation.com |
The approximate fare from the Orlando International Airport to Disney’s Contemporary Resort is $60.00, exclusive of gratuity.
More than 20,000 participants are expected for this annual event that charts a course through Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney's Hollywood Studios(tm), and Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. Admission fees are $125 for the full marathon; $120 for the half-marathon. Visit the following website for more information — www.disneyworldsports.com or contact +1-407-938-3398.
| Hours: | |
|---|---|
| Tuesday — Friday | 10:00am — 4:00pm (Closed Mondays) |
| Saturday and Sunday | 12noon — 4:00pm |
Adults, $8; Seniors (65+), $7.00; Children 4-17, $7.00; Children under 3, $5.00.
Since its inception, the Museum’s purpose has been to enrich the cultural life of Florida by providing excellence in the visual arts. To meet this objective, the Museum has dedicated itself to collecting, preserving and interpreting notable works of art; to presenting exhibitions of local, regional, national and international significance; to developing first-rate educational programs; and to presenting creative and inclusive programs to reach every segment of a diverse community.
| Hours: | |
|---|---|
| Tuesday — Saturday | 10:00am — 4:00pm (Closed Mondays) |
| Sunday | 1:00 — 4:00pm |
Adults, $5; Seniors (60+), $4; Students (ages 12 — college), $3; Children under 11, free.
Founded in 1961, the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens holds an art collection focusing primarily on American representational sculpture, with over 200 works by Czech-born American sculpture Albin Polasek. The museum offers guided tours of the historic Polasek resident and chapel, and outdoor sculpture garden and a fit shop. The museum is the retirement home of 2004 Florida Artists Hall of Fame inductee Albin Polasek, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of only 30 members of the National Trust’s Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios.
January’s highlight exhibition is “Maidens & Monsters: The Art of Science Fiction, Adventure & Fantasy” — the unexpected, eerie and uncanny will be introduced in this fresh and surprising view of American illustration, highlighting the exotic adventures, fantastic fables and romantic encounters told in magazines and books published 1914 — 1995.
| Orlando Convention & Visitors Bureau | 407/363-5872 |
| Florida Hospital Celebration Health | 407/303-4000 |
| Florida Hospital Centra Care - Lake Buena Vista (urgent care center) | 407/934-2273 |
| Walgreen’s Drug Store (24-hour) | 407/238-0600 |
| CVS Drug Store (24-hour) | 407/390-9431 |
| Emergencies | 911 |
| Orlando Travel & Visitors Bureau | www.orlandoinfo.com |
| Central Florida Visitors & Convention Bureau | www.visitcentralflorida.com |
| The Official Homepage for All Things Disney | www.disney.com |
| “Sharing the Magic Worldwide” (especially good for comprehensive Walt Disney World® Resort dining options) | www.allears.net |
| Universal Orlando Resort | www.universalorlando.com |
| SeaWorld® | www.seaworld.com/orlando |