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Orlando is not just the theme park capital of the world; it layers 14 major parks over lakes, springs, and a working spaceport an hour east. This list of things to do in Orlando covers the headline parks with real ticket prices, plus outdoor and day-trip options so you can build days around the weather in our Orlando weather by month guide.
Things to Do in Orlando: Theme Parks
Walt Disney World Resort
Magic Kingdom
The original park anchors Cinderella Castle and classics like Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean. One-day tickets start at about US$109 on value dates and reach roughly US$189 on peak days, and the park typically opens at 9 am and closes between 9 pm and 11 pm depending on the season. Arrive 30 minutes before opening for the shortest waits, and use the free mobile app to book Lightning Lane passes. The best time to visit Orlando guide explains which months have the shortest lines.
EPCOT
EPCOT splits into Future World attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and the World Showcase’s 11 country pavilions. Tickets run the same US$109 to US$189 range as Magic Kingdom. The park opens at 9 am, and the World Showcase usually opens at 11 am. It is the easiest park for adults, with the best food and drink scene of the four.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom
Hollywood Studios holds Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the Tower of Terror, while Animal Kingdom mixes Kilimanjaro Safaris with Pandora’s Flight of Passage. Both open at 9 am and close between 7 and 9 pm. Galaxy’s Edge rides post the longest waits on property, so rope-drop them or plan a late-evening return. The Orlando hub has the full rundown on the parks’ seasons.
Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure
Universal packs two parks with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and the Epic Universe expansion. A one-day, one-park ticket starts around US$119; a two-park ticket is usually US$30 to US$60 more. Parks open at 9 am (often 8 am for hotel guests) and close between 7 and 10 pm. Staying at a Universal hotel gets you free Express Pass at the premier tier, a trick we unpack in our Orlando travel tips article.
Universal Volcano Bay
This 27-acre water park uses a wristband tap system so you wait in virtual lines instead of physical ones. A one-day ticket starts near US$80 and is a strong add-on from March to October, when Orlando’s heat makes a water day welcome.
SeaWorld Orlando and Discovery Cove
SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld pairs roller coasters like Mako and Pipeline with marine exhibits and rescue work. Single-day tickets start around US$99 and often drop to US$70 in sale windows. The park opens at 9 am and closes between 6 and 9 pm.
Discovery Cove
This all-inclusive day resort caps attendance at about 1,300 guests and includes meals, drinks, snorkeling, and a lazy river. Day passes run roughly US$199 to US$299, with a dolphin swim upgrade near US$100 more. Reservations are required and book out weeks ahead in summer.
Things to Do in Orlando: Attractions Beyond the Parks
Entertainment and Views
ICON Park and The Wheel
On International Drive, the 122-meter (400-foot) Wheel gives a full city view in a climate-controlled capsule. A ride costs about US$30 and takes 20 minutes. The surrounding plaza has a free-to-walk lawn, restaurants, and the Orlando StarFlyer swing ride. It sits in the heart of the I-Drive stretch covered in our Orlando neighborhoods guide.
Gatorland
This 45-hectare (110-acre) park south of town keeps thousands of alligators and crocodiles, with a breeding marsh and a zipline over the enclosures. Admission is about US$35 for adults and US$25 for kids, and the park opens at 10 am daily. It is the best budget wildlife stop in the region and pairs well with a stay near the parks listed in our where to stay in Orlando guide.
WonderWorks
The upside-down building on International Drive houses over 100 hands-on exhibits, an indoor ropes course, and a laser tag arena. Tickets start around US$35, and it opens at 9 am. It is an easy indoor backup for a rainy afternoon.
Things to Do in Orlando: Outdoors and Day Trips
Parks and Nature
Lake Eola Park
In downtown Orlando, Lake Eola wraps a 1.4-km (0.9-mile) walking loop around a fountain, with swan-boat rentals for about US$15 per half hour. Entry is free, and the Sunday farmers market runs from 11 am to 4 pm. It is the calmest free thing to do in the city center.
Wekiwa Springs State Park
About 30 minutes north, Wekiwa Springs stays at 22°C (72°F) year-round, making it a real swimming spot even in summer. Entry is US$6 per vehicle, and kayak and canoe rentals run about US$20 to US$35. Arrive early on weekends, because the park gates close once the parking lot fills.
Day Trips
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Roughly 70 km (45 miles) east on the Space Coast, this is the only place you can see the Space Shuttle Atlantis up close and tour the actual launch pads. Admission is about US$75 for adults and US$65 for children, and the complex opens at 9 am. Check the launch schedule before you book, and see the Orlando events and festivals calendar for rocket launch dates worth timing a visit around.
Winter Park
This upscale suburb north of downtown is the answer for a non-park day. Park Avenue holds independent shops and cafes, the Morse Museum keeps the largest Tiffany glass collection, and the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour runs 45-minute pontoon trips through the chain of lakes for about US$16. Most travelers pair it with a meal at a Park Avenue restaurant.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort
About 45 minutes southwest in Winter Haven, LEGOLAND is sized for kids aged 2 to 12, with over 50 rides and a water park. One-day tickets start around US$89 when booked online in advance. It is the best park choice for younger children, with shorter lines than the big four Disney gates.
