Things to Do in Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando is a celebration of the ocean, with dueling opportunities to peer at life beneath the waves and to get whipped around like plankton in a tidal surge on critter-themed thrill rides. The 200-acre (81-hectare) park educates and entertains, while also serving as a rehabilitation center for sick and injured animals.

Once known as primarily an aquarium and zoological park, SeaWorld Orlando has established itself in recent years as one of the best theme parks for thrill-seekers in the area. Flamingo and pelican ponds, a lush tropical rain forest, a 17-acre (6.9-hectare) lagoon, and millions of gallons of saltwater tanks house killer whales, bottlenose dolphins, sharks, beluga whales, sea lions, turtles, birds, and aquatic reef life.

Park goers can choose a basic admission ticket to SeaWorld or a two- or three-park ticket that also includes entrance to nearby sister parks Aquatica Orlando and/or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. While admission allows for access to rides and shows, some animal interactions come at an extra cost.

SeaWorld Orlando is located off Interstate 4 about 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport. Choose general or preferred parking; parking passes can be purchased in advance.

SeaWorld is best visited on a sunny day, as the park shuts down during sustained thunderstorms. For the best seats at shows and the shortest lines at rides, visit when school is in session in early autumn or late spring. The park is quietest between January and April, but temperatures are a bit cooler, making the largely water-centric attractions a bit less appealing.

While SeaWorld has dozens of rides and roller coasters, entertainment here remains largely show-based, so it’s a good idea to check out the schedule to decide which shows you’d like to see before you head to the park. If you don’t fancy getting wet, avoid sitting in the marked splash zones.

Orlando has a new immersive celebrity hotspot where one can walk down the red carpet and step into the world of fame for an afternoon. At Madame Tussauds, guests are able to find out exactly how tall those sports icons really are, strike a pose with a pop princess, shake hands with a smiling Barack Obama and take a selfie with Einstein. The museum poses TV and film celebrities next to pop icons, the most well-known faces from the arts and science and throws plenty of history and pop culture personalities into the mix as well. 

The details of the wax replicas are on the usual Madame Tussauds level of incredible. Creating a wax statue requires taking hundreds of body and face measurements with calipers and measuring tapes, after which artists sculpt the perfect mold for the wax out of clay. Gluing on each hair individually, painstakingly painting facial features and recreating every last wrinkle ensures that the wax figures end up achieving a astonishing realism. So, what star are you dying to meet?

Universal CityWalk™ is where daytime fun and nighttime excitement meet. It’s everything you’re looking for. And anything but ordinary. Here you can enjoy the fine cuisine of Emeril’s Orlando, the world’s largest Hard Rock Cafe®, Jimmy Buffett’s® Margaritaville®, and unique eateries like The Cowfish®, VIVO Italian Kitchen™, AntojitosAuthentic Mexican Food™, NBC Sports Grill & Brew™, and The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen™.

Emeril’s ® Emeril Lagasse. Hard Rock Cafe, Hard Rock Cafe International (USA), Inc. Jimmy Buffett’s ® Margaritaville® Jimmy Buffett. The Cowfish and all related logos TM The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, LLC. All rights reserved. © 2018 BMP. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. TM & © 2018 AMC © 2018. IMAX® is a registered trademark of IMAX® Corporation. Hollywood Drive-In Golf and associated logos are trademarks of Adventure Golf Design & Development, Inc. TM & © 2018 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2018 Universal Studios. Allrights reserved.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure™, set inside Universal Orlando Resort™, is slightly larger than the neighboring Universal Studios Florida™. The 120-acre (49-hectare) park is divided into several themed “islands”— Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, the Lost Continent, and Seuss Landing—where thrill rides stand front and center as heroes and monsters from the big screen come to life.  

As one of the world’s most popular amusement parks, Islands of Adventure offers plenty of ways to experience all the fun on offer. Tickets range from 1- to 4-day passes, with the option of sticking to a single park or hopping park-to-park between Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida, and Universal’s Volcano Bay™. To upgrade, add tickets to see the Blue Man Group at CityWalk™, a Universal Express Pass to skip the lines at major rides, or a character breakfast with fan favorites from Universal’s Superstar Parade. Pull out all the stops with a private VIP tour of the park; you’ll have your own guide to navigate and enjoy the best attractions with minimal wait times. Buy your park tickets in advance to save time at the entrance gate.

A vast majority of visitors to Universal Orlando Resort drive themselves, and parking is located off I-4. After exiting the interstate, signs point to the appropriate garage. Valet parking is available.

To minimize wait times and avoid the biggest crowds, plan your visit when schools are in session, as spring break, summer vacation, and the winter holidays can get very busy. Try to visit on a Thursday or Friday—the quietest days at the park—or in late afternoon when crowds begin to thin.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter tends to be the park’s most popular area, so as you pass through the front gates and into the Port of Entry, head right toward this section to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey before the lines start to peak.

HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s18)*Additional Restrictions apply. © 2018 MARVEL. Jurassic Park River Adventure TM Universal Studios/Amblin. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2018 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

Home to some of the tropical world's most charismatic creatures,the Discovery Cove theme park features opportunities for guests to lounge on the white sand of Serenity Bay, observe tropical fish and stingrays at the Grand Reef, snorkel through cavernous grottos, and float along Wind-Away River to an exotic bird aviary. One of Orlando's most exclusive theme parks, Discovery Bay permits only a limited number of guests each day into its all-inclusive tropical paradise.

Everything at Discovery Cove is included in the admission price, including breakfast, lunch, snacks, wetsuits, snorkels, towels, and sunscreen. Those who want to upgrade their day can do so by booking private cabanas or immersive experiences, like exploring the Grand Reef with a specialized dive helmet, swimming with sharks or dolphins under staff supervision, feeding stingrays, or playing dolphin trainer for a day. The entrance fee also includes unlimited admission to SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica for 14 consecutive days around the date of your Discovery Cove reservation.

The easiest way to reach Discovery Cove is by car. The entrance to the park is off of Central Florida Parkway, and parking is included in admission. The park also provides free transportation to and from SeaWorld Orlando.

Discovery Cove is open daily from 9am to 5pm, with check-in starting at 7:15am. The park is designed as a full-day, all-inclusive experience, and guests wishing to participate in multiple add-on experiences should plan to arrive as soon as check-ins begin in the morning. During summer and holidays, tickets often sell out as early as two months in advance.

While Discovery Cove centers around the water, even non-swimmers will have plenty to do, from relaxing on the beach to feeding tropical birds in the aviary. Life vests are also provided, allowing those who are less comfortable in the water to still enjoy the park's waterways.

Step into the Florida Everglades at Wild Florida wildlife park, located outside Orlando, where visitors can explore the Florida wilderness and its resident animals. Spend the day spotting alligators, white-tailed deer, sloths, and tropical birds and take an adventurous airboat ride at this popular family attraction.

Wild Florida offers a variety of options to visitors who want to explore this wilderness refuge. You can choose an easy walk on raised walkways through the zoo-like environment as you observe exotic animals from Africa, Australia, and South America, in addition to animals native to Florida, in animal habitats. Or you can opt for an airboat tour that gives you an up-close view of these animals as you careen through the swamp ecosystem. 

Wild Florida Wildlife Park is located at 3301 Lake Cypress Road in Kenansville, Florida, about 63 miles (39 kilometers) southeast of Orlando. From Orlando, take Florida’s Turnpike south for 20 miles (12.4 kilometers), exiting at Kissimmee Park Road. Turn right on Old Canoe Creek Road, and follow that for 8 miles (5 kilometers) to Lake Cypress Road. On-site parking is free.

The park is open Monday through Saturday, 9am to 6pm. Florida doesn’t experience an off-season when it comes to airboats and swamps, but consider which types of animals you are most interested in seeing to guide your decision on when to visit. In the dry season (December to April), you’re likely to see a variety of birds that have migrated south, while in the wet season (mid-May through November), you might be more likely to spot alligators mating, nesting, and hatching. 

Wild Florida offers a variety of really interesting animal-interaction options, including the opportunity to feed alligators, and several activities involving the park’s two-toed sloths, including Paint Nights with Sloths, sloth encounters, and even having lunch with a sloth! You’ll learn all about these animals and the park’s conservation efforts.

Also known as the Orlando Odditorium, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando is on normal attraction, a fact you’ll discover as soon as you walk up. Designed to look off kilter, the appearance of Ripley’s is the first of many interesting oddities you’ll find here. 

 

This wild and wacky world is filled with wonder, and families can experience it all without leaving the city of Orlando. Filled with bizarre exhibits and mesmerizing optical illusions, Ripley’s includes life-size Terracotta warriors, a real shrunken human head, a two-headed dog 

skeleton, a shooting range and much more. Perfect for a step outside of the ordinary, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando has got the market cornered on quirky Florida attractions.

Known for its adventurous theme park and pristine wilderness, the sprawling eco-park Forever Florida is a Sunshine State double-whammy. You can ride on America's only combo of a roller coaster and zipline, or hop in a saddle to ride down trails through the wilds of central Florida by horseback. Under supervision of a trail guide, nature-lovers can climb aboard an open-air coach to scour the marshlands and fields, where it's possible you'll encounter the rare breeds of horses that inhabit Crescent J Ranch, and where you might even catch a glimpse of the wildlife that calls this place home: alligators, turtles, and the protected and endangered Florida panther. The thrilling Rawhide Roundup allows experienced horseback riders to learn how ranchers herd up cattle in a truly wild and heart-pounding day of adventure away from the theme park crowds.

The SKELETONS exhibit of Orlando is the first specialized museum of its kind, with more than 400 complete animal skeletons in its collection. It examines the function and form of the skeletal system with specimens from all over the world.

The museum is family owned, having begun with one child’s fascination with a skull he found in the woods. Over the years he collected bones, including those of very rare species, and then decided to make them available to the public to see (and even touch!) The family has cleaned and articulated every single one of the hundreds of skeletons on display, which can take months at a time depending on the intricacy of the skeletal structure. 

Some of the larger animals of the world offer the most impressive skeletons, as demonstrated by the whale and elephant skeletons at this fascinating museum. Visitors can both learn about the lifecycle of the animals and appreciate the complex composition of nature.

Part of the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Disney Hollywood doubles as a theme park and working movie studio where animation and motion pictures are made. The park's attractions and rides are all inspired by Hollywood films, television shows, and the best of Broadway. 

The park's main attractions are the rides and shows, including the unpredictable hotel elevator in the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, accompanied by an Aerosmith soundtrack. Other fan favorites include Toy Story Land, Alien Swirling Saucers, Star Wars Launch Bay, and Muppet Vision 3D. Kids love the Frozen Sing-Along featuring the main character Elsa, as well as the chance to encounter other characters such as BB-8, Mickey and friends, the Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast. For easy navigation and shorter wait times for rides, opt for a private VIP tour of the park. 

The interstate exits to all Disney parks and resorts are well marked. Along I-4, signs direct drivers to individual destinations. Disney resorts and official hotels offer unlimited free transportation via bus, monorail, ferry, or water taxi to all WDW properties. The parking lot is next to the entry gate.

To avoid lines, arrive right when the gates open and head directly for the most popular rides (Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock "˜n' Roller Coaster).

 

Disney's Hollywood Studios is constantly evolving and building new exhibits and entertainment options to match the stream of new movies being released. Guests should be sure to check the website for forthcoming or closing exhibits to avoid disappointment.

Roughly 40,000 gallons of water and 45,000 pounds of sand make up Sea Life Orlando, the home of over 5,000 sea creatures, including green sea turtles, jellyfish, seahorses, black tip reef sharks, and colorful clownfish. Visitors can admire sharks and exotic fish from all angles and watch rays float gracefully overhead at the Atlantic Ocean Exhibit with its 360-degree tunnel, or check out the interactive rockpool to touch starfish, spot hermit crabs, and learn about coastal rock pools.

Regular talks combined with feeding times let children and adults learn more about the animals living here—it's a good idea to schedule a visit around these feeding times, as the wildlife will be the most active during those hours.

Apart from the Atlantic Ocean, the aquarium also focuses on the more tropical Indian Ocean and delves into the marine life of the Pacific. Visitors can also learn about the aquarium's breeding and rescue programs while finding out how to help the conservation projects.

Go behind the scenes, beyond the screen, and jump right into the action of your favorite movies at Universal Studios Florida™, the world's premier movie and TV-based theme park. This Orlando favorite, part of Universal Orlando Resort™, offers rides, shows, movie sets, and attractions that bring to life blockbuster movies like Transformers, Despicable Me, and Harry Potter.

Universal Studios Florida is home to top Universal attractions, including Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Minions on Despicable Me Minion Mayhem™and Fast & Furious-Supercharged™. It’s one of Orlando’s most popular parks, and guests have several options for visiting. Choose a single-park ticket or a park-to-park ticket that also includes admission to Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ and Universal’s Volcano Bay™. Single- and multiple-day options are also available. Enhance your day at the park with upgrades like tickets to the Blue Man Group at CityWalk™, a Universal Express Pass for skip-the-line access to major rides, or a meet-and-greet breakfast with Universal’s most popular characters. If you’re pressed for time, opt for a private VIP experience with your own park guide help navigate to the best attractions. Buy your park tickets in advance to save time at the entrance gate.

Self and valet parking is located off I-4. After exiting the interstate, signs point to the appropriate garage.

To avoid the biggest crowds, plan your visit when schools are in session; spring break, summer vacation, and the winter holidays can get very busy. Since many of Universal Studios’ attractions are indoors, it’s one of Orlando’s best rainy day parks.

If the park’s regular lineup of entertainment isn’t enough, visit during one of several special events throughout the year. Halloween Horror Nights is the most popular, transforming the park into a series of mazes and haunted houses geared toward adults, while Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando in February is another adult favorite. The Macy’s Holiday Parade is a more kid-friendly affair running throughout the holiday season.

HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights ©JKR. (s18)Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2018 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

The Orlando Eye is the brand new Ferris wheel in Orlando and is the biggest observation wheel on the east coast of the United States. At 400 feet above the ground, the Orlando Eye offers a completely new vantage point of Orlando and the rich landscape of Central Florida. On a clear day, you can see from the lively theme parks, glittering lakes and the downtown skyline all the way to Cape Canaveral on the coast. Additionally, iPads inside the 30 capsules let visitors learn more about the surrounding landmarks in several languages. 

The Ferris wheel is part of a whole entertainment complex, which apart from the ride with a view, also includes Madame Tussauds wax museum, the Orlando Sea Life Aquarium, shops and a food court. At night, the Eye lights up in a rainbow of colors and adds another 64,000 LED lights to the theme park capital of the world. Thus, the attraction is also worth a visit in the dark – not only for those wanting to see the city turn its lights on, but also for photographers wanting to capture the Ferris wheel itself.

Walt Disney World, the world's biggest amusement park, is a self-contained city, covering an area twice the size of New York's Manhattan. Four main parks comprise the bulk of Walt Disney World—Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom—each with its own themed areas, shows, rides, and attractions. More than 50 million visitors pass through the gates each year into the self-proclaimed “Happiest Place on Earth” and home of Mickey Mouse.

The sheer size of Walt Disney World can make the experience seem overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors, but options abound. Ticket options are varied, with everything from a base ticked that gets you into one park per day to a multi-day Park Hopper pass that allows you to enter one park in the morning and another in the afternoon. Add on a water park ticket for access to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. Park-goers who’d rather leave the logistics to the experts can book their own VIP tour with a private tour guide to help navigate the parks, snag Fast Passes (scheduled skip-the-line passes), and make meal arrangements. For additional fees, the park also offers an array of special experiences, including Disney’s Family Magic tour, the Backstage Magic tour, and the Magic Behind Our Steam Trains tour.

The nearest airport to Walt Disney World Resort is Orlando International (MCO) which is served by some four dozen airlines. A vast majority of visitors get to the parks by car, though it’s also possible to arrive by shuttle if you stay on Disney property during your trip. Transportation between Disney parks and hotels is free by bus, monorail, ferry, or water taxi.

The international popularity of Walt Disney World means there isn’t really an off season, though summer, spring break, and the winter holidays tend to be particularly crowded. To make the most of your time in the parks, plan your visit on a weekday. If visiting during a busy time, crowds tend to thin out later in the afternoon.

Lines are an inevitable part of the Disney experience, especially at popular rides such as Pirates of the Caribbean, but with a little planning, you can avoid the worst of them. Get to the park before it opens, and immediately head toward the big ticket rides near the back of the park, scheduling your three Fast Passes as you go. Lines tend to be shorter during parades and fireworks shows, and the slower-paced rides are often quieter in the evening after families with young kids have headed home for the day.

Universal Orlando Resort™ combines three of Orlando’s top theme parks with dining and entertainment options, all in one convenient location. Heroes and villains from blockbuster movies and TV shows—Harry Potter, Transformers, The Simpsons, and Marvel to name a few—come alive at Universal Studios Florida™ and Universal’s Islands of Adventure™, and park-goers can cool off from the Florida heat at the third theme park: Universal’s Volcano Bay™ water park. 

Home to some of the world’s most popular amusement parks, Universal Orlando Resort rivals Disney in popularity, with visiting families often spending multiple days enjoying the park’s attractions. Choose single or multi-day ticket options that include admission to a single park per day, or a park-to-park ticket that allows for admission into both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Upgrade your vacation with tickets to the popular Blue Man Group show at Universal CityWalk™ or with a Universal Express Pass, which offers skip-the-line access at major rides and attractions.

The nearest airport to Universal Orlando Resort is Orlando International. The park is located off I-4, and the route to the main parking garage is well-signed. Guests can choose general, prime, or valet parking upon arrival.

As the Theme Park Capital of the World, Orlando’s attractions get very busy during summer and winter holidays, as well as spring break. To avoid the biggest crowds, visit later in the week between Labor Day and Thanksgiving, from late November to mid-December, or during the weeks leading up to school spring breaks. Universal Studios Florida is a better rainy day option, as most of the attractions are indoors.

If you’re pressed for time and can only visit one of the Universal Orlando parks, there are a couple of things to take into consideration when making your decision. First and foremost is the type of attractions on offer, given that Universal’s Islands of Adventure caters to the adrenaline junkie crowd, and nearly all of its major rides come with height restrictions. Families with younger kids will find much more to do at Universal Studios Florida. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ is spread across both parks, with Diagon Alley™ in one and Hogsmeade™ in the other.

HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s18)

*Additional Restrictions Apply. © 2018 MARVEL. Jurassic Park TM Universal Studios/Amblin. © 2018 BMP. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2018 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

Fun fact: four presidents have visited Winter Park, Florida, including Barack Obama in 2012. With those notable stop-ins, this former resort town exudes charm and encourages relaxation even today. The suburban city in Orange County showcases some of the best natural scenery in Central Florida, and nature lovers flock here to enjoy the more than 70 parks in the city. For those still looking for a resort feel, Winter Park also has top-notch golf courses and a popular shopping district.

The city’s Main Street is a lively area. It serves as a cultural hub, complete with art galleries, a liberal arts college, museums, a cemetery and even a beach. Boaters enjoy having easy access to a launch nearby, and two of Winter Park’s most famous attractions are Rollins College and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of Art. The latter destination is home to the United States’ largest collection of Tiffany glass.