Had Walt and Roy Disney not decided in 1963 that some barren wasteland located to the southwest of Orlando would be the ideal location on which to purchase land for their new themepark – Disney World – then Florida would likely have been a very different place today. However, the fact is that Disney World rejuvenated Florida, particularly the central region of the state - and a property boom ensued. The area surrounding Florida's sixth most populous city, Orlando, was little more than swampland until the Disney brothers arrived on the scene all those years ago. Disney World Florida paved the way for many similar attractions to be developed around the central region of the state. In fact, Florida's centre has the highest concentration of amusement parks anywhere in the world, including 11 major theme parks such as Sea World, Universal Studios and, of course, Disney World. Not that it's just the theme parks for which central Florida is renowned. There are over 20 golf courses in the city alone, plus numerous others in the surrounding metropolitan area, while the region is home to more than 100 natural lakes, enabling visitors and residents alike to take some much needed serene time away from the hustle and bustle of Disney World et al. With all this in mind it is no surprise that Florida's central region has become such a hit with overseas property purchasers, particularly Brits who have traditionally favoured it over other areas of Florida. What certainly doesn't hinder this popularity is the fact that property prices in this region tend to be lower than those in other popular areas of Florida – namely the Gulf Coast and Miami. "Condominiums around the Orlando area can be purchased from around the upper $200,000s to early $300,000s, while three-bedroom villas start from about $350,000", says Suzanne Morrill of World of Florida. "However, you should be aware that most of the condos/town house property are on resort developments so there are often higher monthly home owner association charges to cover looking after the central clubhouse, cinema rooms etcetera."

Access to Florida
Excellent. Orlando International Airport, located just three miles from downtown Orlando, is the main port of entry for UK arrivals heading to Florida.

Resorts in Florida
Orlando is the social and economic hub of the central Florida region and by far the most popular area with British property buyers. Its various themeparks and other attractions make it the perfect destination for property investment buyers as rental potential in the area is extremely good. Morrill suggests that most owners are currently managing to let their property in Orlando for around 26 weeks of the year. As you would expect there are always new property developments under construction in and around the Orlando metropolitan area. For example, Bridgeford Crossing is a new resort currently being developed just minutes from Disney and close to many of the state's other major attractions. The resort will offer villas of varying sizes between three and six bedrooms and prices start from $354,900.

Elsewhere, World of Florida is currently selling property in the new Orangetree resort located just 15 minutes from Disney World and 45 minutes from the airport. A four-bedroom, three-bathroom home in this resort can be purchased from $384,600. Away from Orlando, Kissimmee, once little more than a small farming community, also benefited greatly from the opening of Disney World and is now a small but vibrant and economically secure city. While still close enough to all of Florida's major attractions to be of interest to property  purchasers, the city is far quieter than Orlando: ideal for those seeking a more peaceful alternative to the always lively city. Here property is slightly cheaper than in Orlando itself – a four-bedroom villa with a fully-fitted kitchen and heated swimming pool can be purchased for $235,000 – although it should be remembered that rental demand for a property there is not likely to be as high as it is in Orlando. Similarly, while both slightly further away from the region's main attractions, Lakeland and Ocala are still close enough to warrant a look when searching for a home in this part of the state. Lakeland is particularly appealing for its serene position, as its name suggests, surrounded by some of Florida's biggest and most scenic lakes. In Lakeland a spacious three-bedroom home with a swimming pool can be yours for $247,500 while a newly constructed three-bedroom home in Ocala is on the market for $269,900).

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Article first published December 2005