Antiques and markets:
If you have a car, and if you'll be there on a Monday, go to Webster, about an hour's drive northwest. Usually a very good flea market and I've bought well there in the middle of summer (one side of the road), and new stuff/produce (other side of the road). Renninger's at Mt. Dora may be thin this time of year, (third week end of the month is a bit better).
B/

I just wanted to chime in to say that this is a question that I myself have about Orlando, but I will place an individual post so as not to intrude on your post.

I too enjoy amusement parks and beaches and Orlando seems perfect, but travelling there alone may seem odd to some as it is primarily developed with adolescents in mind, or is it? I look forward to reading more responses on this thread.

Intrude away.

No one in Orlando will care that you are traveling solo. I was in Orlando almost weekly for a few years and unless I was entertaining a customer or having dinner with another co-worker I was alone. Didn't bother me. Definitely didn't bother anyone who might have seen me. What would they care? Go to the parks. Go to the beach. Go to dinner by yourself. It will be a great trip! When I DID have family or friends with me I was surprised at how much it slowed me down! :-) Also, you can stop and see things that may not be of interest to your spouse or your usual traveling companion.

By the way, October is the absolute best month (IMO) to do the parks. No kids during the week. No lines. No sweating all day long. You can "do" the Magic Kingdom in 3 hours.

Starrsville, thanks. It's always good to be reminded of the realities. I was still going to go either way, but it's nice to know that one can enjoy Orlando even w/o family or friends in tow. It sounds great and I think that I'll enjoy it.

Questions: What do you (or anyone else) think about the clubs at Universal's CityWalk in Orlando? There seems to be many, but are the crowds diverse? Are there crowds--PERIOD? Also, are the frequent thunderstorms in the summer persistent throughout the day? Do they close down attractions often?

The people at City Walk are very diverse. The crowd level depends on when you'll be there. AS for thunder storms, I've been there several times in July and it will rain for an hour or so and then stop. Sometimes the rain only lasts a few minutes. It's not usually an all day thing.
Also, I am over 50 and love to go to the parks alone. Maybe I'm just an aging adolescent!