Orlando at a glance
[Two or three paragraphs written by GOHA and reviewed by a person: what Orlando is beyond the parks, how the city is laid out, and who it's best for. Coming soon.]
AirportOrlando International (MCO)
Areas on GOHA7
Hotels on GOHA940
Things to do on GOHA87
What visitors say about Orlando
[Themes from visitor reviews and community threads: what people love and what to watch out for. Arrives with the community.]
Areas of Orlando
Universal areaUniversal parks55 hotels · 9 things to do
SeaWorld areaMarine and water parks40 hotels · 4 things to do
Lake Buena VistaNext to Disney Springs82 hotels · 3 things to do
Disney areaParks and resorts78 hotels · 16 things to do
International DriveAttractions and dining124 hotels · 20 things to do
KissimmeeLakes, airboats, rentals310 hotels · 28 things to do
ClermontHills, lakes, balloons18 hotels · 7 things to do
Things to do in Orlando
See all 87 things to doAttractions in Orlando
Aquatica OrlandoAquatica Orlando is a tropical water park next to SeaWorld Orlando, with water slides, wave pools, rivers, sandy beaches and kids' areas. It suits families, including those with young children, as well as thrill-seekers after steep tower slides. The water is heated in cooler months, so it stays open year-round.Clermont Waterfront ParkClermont Waterfront Park is a city park on the shore of Lake Minneola, about 35 minutes west of Orlando. With a splash pad, playground, public beach and paved lakefront paths, it suits families, walkers, cyclists and anyone who wants an easy day by the water.Dezerland Park OrlandoDezerland Park Orlando is an enclosed family entertainment center on International Drive, described by Experience Kissimmee as Florida's largest indoor attraction. It pairs a huge car museum with go-karts, bowling, arcades and more, and suits families, tourists, groups and anyone looking for a full indoor day out.Disney's Animal KingdomDisney's Animal Kingdom is a zoological theme park at Walt Disney World Resort, themed around the natural world, with hundreds of live animal exhibits alongside rides and shows.Disney's Blizzard Beach Water ParkDisney's Blizzard Beach is a water park in the Walt Disney World Resort area of Bay Lake, themed as a ski resort that melted after a freak Florida snowstorm. With 12 attractions across more than 60 acres, it suits thrill-seekers chasing big drops as well as families who want rafts, a lazy river, a wave pool and a kids' play area.Disney's BoardWalkDisney's BoardWalk is a quarter-mile waterside promenade of restaurants, shops and nightlife in the EPCOT Resort Area, built in the style of early 1900s seaside boardwalks. It suits families looking for an easy afternoon stroll, and adults who want a night out with music, drinks and dancing.Disney's Hollywood StudiosDisney's Hollywood Studios is a theme park inside Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, built around film-inspired lands and the Golden Age of Hollywood. It suits Star Wars and Toy Story fans, thrill riders and families with small kids, since there is a good mix of big rides, gentle rides and stage shows.Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water ParkTyphoon Lagoon is one of two water parks at Walt Disney World Resort, themed as a tropical bay left wrecked by a typhoon. It suits families with a mix of ages, from toddlers who need a gentle play area to older kids and adults after fast slides and big waves.EPCOTEPCOT is a Walt Disney World theme park, opened in 1982, that combines rides with a lagoon-side loop of country pavilions full of shops and restaurants. It suits travelers interested in food and world culture.
Tours in Orlando
Big Toho Airboat RidesBig Toho Airboat Rides runs airboat swamp tours on Lake Toho in Kissimmee, with alligators, birds and other Florida wildlife along the way. It suits families and anyone who wants to see nature up close, and it's a short trip from Orlando and Walt Disney World.Bob's Balloon ChartersBob's Balloon Charters runs customized hot air balloon rides over the Orlando, Kissimmee, Walt Disney World and Davenport areas, with a sunrise flight as its signature trip. It suits early risers, couples marking an occasion, and small groups or families with kids 5 and up who want a quiet look at Central Florida from above.Catboat Escapes ClermontCatboat Escapes runs guided self-drive catamaran tours on the Clermont Chain of Lakes, near Orlando, where you steer your own small two-seat boat while a guide leads the group. The company says it suits solo adventurers, couples and families looking for a hands-on way to see the lakes.Disney's Keys to the Kingdom TourDisney's Keys to the Kingdom is a five-hour walking tour of Magic Kingdom that covers how the park was created and grew, with stops in backstage areas Cast Members usually see. It suits guests 16 and older who want a deeper behind-the-scenes look at Walt Disney World, rather than thrill-seekers hoping to fit in lots of rides.International Heli-ToursInternational Heli-Tours runs scenic helicopter flights over Orlando, showing visitors the theme parks and local landmarks from the air. It suits families and first-time visitors who want to see several parks in one short trip.Kissimmee Ghost ToursKissimmee Ghost Tours runs walking ghost and history tours through historic downtown Kissimmee. It suits anyone who likes local history with a spooky twist and doesn't mind about ninety minutes on foot.Leading Edge HelicoptersLeading Edge Helicopters is a helicopter sightseeing operator based on West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kissimmee, flying over Orlando landmarks like Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld Orlando. It suits visitors who want to see the theme parks and the wider area from above, whether on a short introductory hop or a longer route.Old Florida Riverboat CompanyOld Florida Riverboat Company runs The Lillie, a 75-foot restored sternwheel paddleboat that cruises East Lake Toho from St. Cloud Lakefront Park. The 90-minute sunset cruises, with a full bar and live music on some sailings, suit couples, special occasions, or anyone after a calm end to the day.Orlando Helicopter AdventuresOrlando Helicopter Adventures runs scenic helicopter flights from Kissimmee over the Orlando area's theme parks and attractions. It suits families, first-time flyers and anyone who wants to see Disney, Universal or SeaWorld from the air, with routes ranging from short hops to longer loops.
Experiences in Orlando
Aerophile at Disney SpringsAerophile at Disney Springs is a tethered helium balloon ride that lifts a basket of guests up to about 400 feet above the West Side of Disney Springs. It suits anyone who wants a short, smooth look over Walt Disney World, including families, since there is no height requirement.Capone's Dinner & ShowCapone's Dinner & Show is a speakeasy-style dinner theater on International Drive, set in 1931 Chicago gangland, where you get in with a password. The venue pitches it at a wide age range, from young children to older adults, and it suits anyone who likes a meal with singing, dancing, comedy and a bit of audience play.Chocolate Kingdom Factory Adventure TourChocolate Kingdom Factory Adventure Tour is a guided, interactive factory and museum in Orlando that shows how cacao becomes a chocolate bar. It's a family-friendly stop that suits kids and adults alike, and it fits easily into a day around International Drive.Cirque du Soleil Drawn to LifeDrawn to Life is a Cirque du Soleil show built with Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, staged in its own theater on the West Side of Disney Springs. It mixes live acrobatics with new Disney animation, and it suits families, since the venue is listed for all ages and you don't need a theme park ticket to go.Congo River Golf International DriveCongo River Golf on International Drive is an 18-hole miniature golf course with an African jungle theme, a few minutes' drive from Universal Orlando. It suits families, couples and visitors of all ages looking for an easy hour or so of play, day or night.Disney's Fantasia Gardens Miniature GolfDisney's Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf has two 18-hole mini golf courses in the EPCOT resort area at Walt Disney World, both based on the animated film Fantasia. The Gardens course suits families and beginners, while the Fairways course is a tougher, more traditional layout for players who want a challenge.Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature GolfWinter Summerland is a miniature golf spot at Walt Disney World with two 18-hole courses, themed as Santa's off-season vacation retreat. Families can pick between a snowy course and a sandy one, and the Winter course is billed as a fun and exciting challenge for the whole family.Escapology KissimmeeEscapology Kissimmee is a live escape room venue in the Promenade at Sunset Walk, where your group works through a themed mission and tries to get out before time runs out. It suits families with kids aged 7 and up, groups of friends, and anyone planning team building or a party.Escapology OrlandoEscapology Orlando is a live escape room venue on International Drive where your group gets a private themed room and 60 minutes to solve its puzzles. It suits families, friend groups and team-building outings of up to eight players.
Happening this month
[Festivals, concerts and seasonal events, with dates and where. Coming soon.]
Where to stay in Orlando
See all hotelsFirst time, all about DisneyLake Buena Vista or the Disney area
Hotels near Disney →Universal fansThe Universal area or International Drive
Hotels near Universal →No carInternational Drive or a Disney-area resort with shuttles
Hotels with shuttles →Big group or longer stayKissimmee vacation homes and suites
Hotels in Kissimmee →Best time to visit Orlando
Winter (Dec–Feb)[Weather, crowds, holiday events]
Spring (Mar–May)[Spring break crowds, mild weather]
Summer (Jun–Aug)[Heat, afternoon storms, peak crowds]
Fall (Sep–Nov)[Fewer crowds, festivals, hurricane season]
Getting around
[From the airport (MCO) to each area, whether you need a car, park shuttles, rideshare and parking at the parks. Sourced and reviewed. Coming soon.]
Orlando community
No questions yet. Questions and trip reports from visitors will show up here when posting opens.
Orlando on social
[Posts from creators, visitors and official accounts, embedded from Instagram and TikTok. Coming soon.]