Orlando Activities

Orlando has an international reputation for world-class theme parks; the opening of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in 1971 transformed Central Florida in ways that are still being felt today. And while a visit to the famed theme parks is the most obvious thing to do during a trip to Orlando, there are plenty of other leisure activities that travelers of all ages can enjoy

Orlando theme parks: No trip to Orlando would be complete without a trip to at least one of the Orlando theme parks. In reality, it would take several vacations to visit them all. Walt Disney World is home to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme parks, and Downtown Disney is a popular dining, shopping and entertainment hot spot, even among local residents.

Vacationers who bring young children to Disney World eventually “graduate” to the taller, faster thrill rides at Universal Studios Orlando. This resort includes Universal CityWalk—the dining, shopping and entertainment equivalent of Downtown Disney—plus Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction. And don’t forget about SeaWorld and Discovery Cove, where marine animals are the star attraction, which explains why any child who has ever visited SeaWorld refers to all killer whales as “Shamu.”

Orlando waterparks: Once you’ve been to one of Orlando’s waterparks, other waterparks seem to pale by comparison. All of Orlando’s waterparks are outdoor, state-of-the-art facilities, with Wet n Wild on International Drive as the granddaddy of the modern waterpark. Walt Disney World has two elaborately themed waterparks—Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach and the newest waterpark in town is Aquatica by SeaWorld. Bring plenty of sunscreen and be prepared to spend the entire day splashing and sliding.

Quirky attractions: Many of Orlando’s quirkiest landmarks sprouted up along International Drive (also known as I-Drive) as Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld expanded their theme park offerings. From the world’s largest McDonald’s to Ripley’s Believe it or Not, there are a number of unique offerings that will amaze and entertain visitors looking for a respite from a heavy duty day at the theme parks. Check out the futuristic attractions in the upside down WonderWorks building at the Pointe Orlando shopping, dining and entertainment center, or journey to the past at Titanic: The Experience, which recreates the lone voyage of the doomed ship.

Before Orlando was even on the map as a tourist destination, Gatorland was a roadside attraction for travelers making their way to the beaches of South Florida. Gatorland is one of the more affordable attractions in town, where gators, snakes, tropical birds and other native species are the main attraction. There is even a Gator Gully Splash pad for kids who want to cool off at the end of the day.

Retail and Outlet Shopping I-Drive has plenty of gift shops with traditional souvenirs, but the north and south end of this tourist corridor is also home to two major outlet malls. Prime Outlets on the north end of International Drive and Premium Outlets on the south end are popular with visitors and local residents because the malls offer upscale name brands at reduced or clearance prices. Orlando also has several retail malls in the area; the malls that are most popular with visitors are Florida Mall near Orlando International Airport and the high end Mall at Millenia off of Interstate 4.

Dinner Theaters: For special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, the entire family can enjoy a hearty dinner and live entertainment at one of Orlando’s dinner theaters. Many of these dinner theater experiences feature stadium seating, such as Medieval Times, Pirates Dinner Theater, and Arabian Nights. Medieval Times and Arabian Nights include intricate equestrian performances, while Pirates offers plenty of swashbuckling adventure.

Side trips: Orlando is centrally located on the Florida peninsula, so you are never more than an hour away from the beach. Cocoa Beach on the Florida Space Coast bills itself as Orlando’s closest beach, and the nearest Gulf Coast beach location is family-friendly Clearwater Beach just outside of Tampa. Due south of Orlando, you can take in some of Florida’s wild side with eco-safaris or airboat tours that showcase Central Florida’s native species.

Keep in mind that it is almost impossible to cover everything that Orlando has to offer in just one vacation—which is why most visitors keep coming back for more, year after year.