Planning a trip and wondering what to do in Orlando? This guide cuts through the noise so you can choose parks, neighborhoods, hotels and experiences with confidence. It is written for travelers comparing brands and services, from Disney and Universal to local attractions and nature. Use the tables to scan options quickly, then lock in your plan.
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Why Orlando works for every traveler
Orlando concentrates world class theme parks, water parks, shopping, dining and day trips within easy driving distance. That means you can tailor your list of what to do in Orlando to families with small kids, thrill seekers, food lovers or couples planning a short escape. Public transport exists, yet most visitors rely on hotel shuttles and rideshare or rent a car for flexibility.
What to do in Orlando by travel style
- Families with young kids
Magic Kingdom for classic rides, character meals and parades. SeaWorld or Legoland for gentler attractions. A water park afternoon for breaks. - Teens and thrill seekers
Universal’s Islands of Adventure for headline coasters and Harry Potter. SeaWorld’s Mako and Ice Breaker are strong additions. - Adults and friends trips
EPCOT for dining around the World Showcase, Disney Springs for restaurants and live music, Universal CityWalk for nightlife. - Relaxed resort time
Choose a hotel with a lazy river or spa, add one park day, one shopping day and one food focused evening. - Nature and space fans
Wekiwa Springs State Park for kayaking and springs. Day trip to Kennedy Space Center for NASA history and exhibits.
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The big brands at a glance
Walt Disney World Resort
Four theme parks plus two water parks. Best for iconic characters, immersive lands and polished entertainment.
- Magic Kingdom
Cinderella Castle, family rides, fireworks. The top choice for first time families. - EPCOT
Future themed attractions, festivals and international dining in the World Showcase. - Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land and stage shows. - Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Pandora, safari experiences and live performances. - Water parks
Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach operate seasonally. Great for hot days.
Universal Orlando Resort
Two theme parks plus a water park and an entertainment district. Best for movie franchises and faster paced thrills.
- Universal Studios Florida
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley, attractions based on films and TV. - Islands of Adventure
Hogsmeade, Jurassic themed rides and big coasters. - Volcano Bay
Water coaster, wave pools and a virtual queue system that keeps lines moving.
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
Animal presentations, coasters and seasonal events.
- SeaWorld Orlando
Thrill rides paired with marine life exhibits. - Aquatica Orlando
Bright, tropical water park with lazy rivers and slides. - Discovery Cove
All inclusive day resort with snorkeling and limited capacity.
Other favorites
- LEGOLAND Florida for brick fans and younger children.
- ICON Park on International Drive for the observation wheel and attractions.
- Gatorland for old school Florida charm.
Table: major parks and who they fit
| Brand | Park | Best for | Signature vibe | Time needed | Ticket complexity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disney | Magic Kingdom | First timers, kids | Classic castle and parades | Full day | High, reservations may apply |
| Disney | EPCOT | Adults, food lovers | Festivals and dining | Full day | Medium to high |
| Disney | Hollywood Studios | Star Wars and shows | Immersive lands | Full day | Medium |
| Disney | Animal Kingdom | Nature themed fans | Pandora and safari | Full day | Medium |
| Universal | Studios Florida | Movie lovers, teens | Diagon Alley and screen rides | Full day | Medium |
| Universal | Islands of Adventure | Coaster fans | Hogsmeade and thrills | Full day | Medium |
| Universal | Volcano Bay | Everyone in hot months | Water coaster and beaches | Half to full day | Low |
| SeaWorld | SeaWorld Orlando | Mix of animals and rides | Coasters plus exhibits | 6 to 8 hours | Low |
| SeaWorld | Aquatica | Families, hot months | Tropical water park | Half to full day | Low |
| Day trip | Kennedy Space Center | Space and science | NASA exhibits | Full day | Low |
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Neighborhoods and where to stay
Choosing your base shapes your daily plan for what to do in Orlando.
- Lake Buena Vista and Disney Springs area
Closest to Disney parks. Hotels range from value to luxury, many with shuttles. Dining and shopping options at Disney Springs. - International Drive and ICON Park corridor
Central to Universal, SeaWorld and attractions. Good for budget to midscale hotels and lots of restaurants. - Universal Orlando area
On site hotels include perks like Early Park Admission. Off site properties nearby work well too. - Kissimmee and US 192
Vacation home rentals, larger suites and good value. Expect a bit more driving. - Downtown Orlando and Winter Park
Urban dining and cultural venues. Best for repeat visitors mixing parks with city time.
Table: hotel areas at a glance
| Area | Distance to Disney | Distance to Universal | Who it fits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disney Springs area | 5 to 15 minutes | 20 to 25 minutes | Families, first timers | Walkable dining and shopping |
| International Drive | 15 to 25 minutes | 5 to 10 minutes | Value seekers, teens | Plenty of casual restaurants |
| Universal area | 20 to 25 minutes | 2 to 5 minutes | Coaster fans | Early entry at select hotels |
| Kissimmee US 192 | 10 to 25 minutes | 20 to 30 minutes | Larger groups | Vacation homes and condos |
| Downtown Orlando | 25 to 35 minutes | 20 to 25 minutes | Nightlife and culture | Best with a car or rideshare |
| Winter Park | 30 to 40 minutes | 25 to 35 minutes | Food and boutiques | Charming streets, great brunch |
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Sample itineraries by trip type
Use these as frameworks when deciding what to do in Orlando.
Three day family classic
- Day 1 Magic Kingdom, afternoon break at the hotel pool, fireworks in the evening.
- Day 2 EPCOT in the morning, ride priorities, early dinner in the World Showcase, Disney Springs dessert.
- Day 3 Animal Kingdom or SeaWorld, end with a calm swim or a short visit to ICON Park.
Three day thrill focus
- Day 1 Islands of Adventure rope drop, lunch in Hogsmeade, late afternoon break, CityWalk dinner.
- Day 2 Universal Studios Florida, Express style strategy or single rider lines.
- Day 3 SeaWorld coasters in the morning, Volcano Bay afternoon to cool off.
Mix of parks and city flavor
- Day 1 Hollywood Studios morning, evening at Disney Springs for live music.
- Day 2 Downtown Orlando brunch, Winter Park boat tour, museum or shopping on Park Avenue.
- Day 3 Kennedy Space Center day trip or Wekiwa Springs kayaking, return for a relaxed dinner.
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Tickets, passes and line skipping
- Single park vs park hopper
Hoppers add flexibility but require efficient transport. Families with small kids often prefer one park per day. - Express style options
Universal Express saves time on many rides. Disney’s Genie Plus and individual Lightning Lane purchases require day of planning. SeaWorld and other parks offer their own line skip products. - Water parks
Great value in warmer months and a good way to rest between big park days. - Dining reservations
Book popular restaurants as early as rules allow. Character meals and themed dining fill quickly.
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Beyond the parks: what to add
- Nature and springs
Wekiwa Springs, Rock Springs Run and Lake Louisa State Park for kayaking and swims. - Shopping
Orlando International Premium Outlets and Vineland Premium Outlets for brand deals. Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk for themed shopping. - Sports and events
Orlando Magic basketball, Orlando City soccer and concert venues downtown. - Kid friendly breaks
Crayola Experience, indoor mini golf, go karts and small attractions along International Drive. - Food neighborhoods
Mills 50 for Asian eateries and creative kitchens. Winter Park for farm to table spots and dessert shops.
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Practical tips for 2025
- Start early for popular rides and use mobile apps for wait times.
- Plan a midday rest at the pool when visiting with kids.
- If you do not rent a car, confirm shuttle schedules and budget for rideshare.
- Hydrate and wear comfortable shoes. Afternoon storms are common in summer, carry a light rain jacket.
- Group parks by location to cut travel time.
Cost planning and value moves
- Visit on weekdays outside peak holidays for better prices.
- Mix one on site hotel night to capture early entry with off site nights for value.
- Consider a rest day between park heavy days to avoid burnout.
- Use packages that bundle hotels and tickets when it saves compared to buying separately.
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Frequently asked questions
What to do in Orlando for a first visit?
Start with Magic Kingdom or EPCOT, then add one Universal park. Finish with Disney Springs or CityWalk in the evening.
Is a car necessary?
Not required, yet helpful. If you stay on site with shuttles and plan only parks, rideshare may cover gaps. For day trips or dinner across town a car saves time.
Which park is best for toddlers?
Magic Kingdom and LEGOLAND. Both offer many gentle rides and playgrounds.
What to do in Orlando at night?
CityWalk and Disney Springs for dining and shows. ICON Park for the observation wheel and views.
How many park days do I need?
Three to four days covers highlights. A full week with rest days feels relaxed.
Are line skip passes worth it?
On busy dates, yes. Universal Express and Disney’s Genie Plus can save hours when used with a clear plan.
Where should I stay to reduce driving?
Lake Buena Vista for Disney focus. Universal area or International Drive for Universal and SeaWorld.
What to do in Orlando if it rains?
Shift to museums, indoor attractions and shopping. Use apps to watch for gaps between showers and ride indoor attractions during storms.
Is Kennedy Space Center worth the day trip?
Yes for space enthusiasts. Plan a full day and arrive early for the bus tour and main exhibits.
When is the best time to visit?
Late January to early March and late August to early November often mean lighter crowds, always verify event calendars before booking.
You now have a clear picture of what to do in Orlando, how the major brands compare and which neighborhoods make logistics easy. Save this guide, choose your base and secure your tickets on Special Travel Offers.
