What to Do in Orlando? Here's What You Actually Need to Know

Look, I get it. You've heard Orlando is all theme parks and tourist traps. And yeah, there's definitely plenty of that. But here's the thing - this city has way more going on than most people realize, and I'm going to give you the real scoop.

Photo by Aditya Vyas on Unsplash

Let's Talk Theme Parks First (Because Obviously)

Disney World - It's Huge, Plan Accordingly

Disney World isn't just one park - it's four massive parks plus water parks. Magic Kingdom is the classic one with Cinderella's Castle. EPCOT is where you can "travel the world" and drink around it if that's your thing. Hollywood Studios has all the Star Wars stuff now, and Animal Kingdom is surprisingly cool with actual animals and that insane Avatar ride.

Pro tip: Don't try to do everything. You'll burn out. Pick your favorites and actually enjoy them.

Universal - For When You Want More Intense Rides

Universal has two main parks, and honestly? The Harry Potter areas are incredible even if you're not a huge fan. The rides are more thrilling than Disney's, and the newer attractions use some seriously impressive tech. Volcano Bay is their water park, and it's pretty solid.

SeaWorld - It's Complicated But Still There

Yeah, SeaWorld has had its controversies. But they've shifted focus to conservation and education, and the roller coasters are legitimately good. The shows are still happening too. Your call on this one.

Stuff That's Not Theme Parks

Kennedy Space Center

About an hour drive, but worth it if you're even remotely interested in space. You can see actual rockets, touch a moon rock, and the whole place makes you feel like a kid again. The astronaut encounters are cool too.

International Drive (Everyone Just Calls It I-Drive)

This is tourist central, but sometimes that's exactly what you want. The ICON Park wheel gives you great views of the city. There's mini golf, go-karts, an aquarium, Madame Tussauds, and a ton of chain restaurants. It's cheesy, but it's fun cheesy.

Lake Eola - Where Locals Actually Go

Downtown Orlando has this nice lake with swan boats (yes, really). It's free, it's peaceful, and you'll see actual Orlando residents here. The Sunday farmers market is worth checking out if you're around.

Food Scene (Better Than You'd Think)

Orlando's restaurant scene has gotten way better in the last few years. Yeah, there are still endless chain restaurants, but dig a little deeper:

Mills 50 has amazing Vietnamese and Asian food. Winter Park (just north of Orlando) has some great upscale spots. The food halls like East End Market are solid. And honestly? Some of the best food is in the theme parks now - Disney Springs doesn't require park admission and has legitimately good restaurants.

Natural Florida Stuff

Springs and Outdoor Activities

Wekiwa Springs is about 20 minutes out and it's gorgeous. Crystal clear water, perfect for swimming. You can rent kayaks too. There are several other springs within driving distance if you want to escape the crowds.

Airboat tours through the Everglades are touristy as hell but actually pretty fun. You'll see gators. Lots of them.

Gatorland

Speaking of gators - Gatorland is this weird, old-school Florida attraction that's been around forever. It's not fancy, but it's authentic and the kids love it. Plus it's way cheaper than the big parks.

Practical Stuff You Should Know

When to go: Not summer unless you enjoy feeling like you're swimming through the air. Fall and spring are best. Avoid school breaks if you can.

Getting around: Rent a car. The Lynx bus system exists but it's not great. Uber and Lyft are everywhere though.

Money: Theme parks are expensive. Period. Multi-day tickets save money. Staying off-property and driving in is usually cheaper than Disney hotels, but you lose some convenience. Bring your own water bottles and snacks - you're allowed to in most parks.

Weather: It will probably rain. Florida afternoon thunderstorms are a thing. They usually pass in 20-30 minutes. Bring a poncho, not an umbrella.

The Real Talk

Orlando is what you make it. If you just hit the major parks and eat at Olive Garden, you'll have an expensive, crowded experience. But if you mix in some local spots, plan strategically, and don't try to cram everything into one trip, it's actually a pretty fun city.

The theme parks really are impressive - say what you want, but Disney and Universal know what they're doing. Just don't let them be your entire trip.

Also, everything is air-conditioned. Like, aggressively so. Bring a light jacket.

That's Orlando. It's touristy, it's hot, it's commercial, and somehow it's still a good time.