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Universal Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Orlando

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Orlando

Updated 1 October 2026 · 16 things to do

Pictured: Universal Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

Orlando is the world's theme-park capital, and the honest truth is that most people come for exactly that: Walt Disney World's four parks, Universal's growing empire, SeaWorld's coasters. Each is huge, each is its own kind of day, and you can happily spend a fortnight without repeating yourself. Pick your park first, then book the hotel to suit.

But Orlando isn't only turnstiles. A rocket-launch museum, a Space Coast beach, leafy Winter Park and Disney Springs after dark all make good days off from the queues. Our advice: pace yourself, build in a pool day, and don't try to do two parks in one day with small children.

Don't miss

  1. 1Magic Kingdom
  2. 2EPCOT
  3. 3Islands of Adventure
  4. 4Epic Universe
  5. 5Kennedy Space Center

Walt Disney World

Four theme parks, each with its own personality. Choose by age and temperament, not by habit.

  1. Magic Kingdom

    Landmark

    Cinderella Castle at the heart of the Magic Kingdom
    Photo: Rstoplabe14 Carlos Cruz, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The one with the castle. Cinderella Castle sits at the end of Main Street, U.S.A., and around it spread the classic lands: Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland. It's the park for younger children and Disney devotees, and the evening fireworks over the castle are a proper moment.

    Tip: Arrive early, do the popular rides first and take a long break in the heat of the afternoon.

  2. EPCOT

    Landmark

    Spaceship Earth, the geodesic sphere at EPCOT, lit up at night
    Photo: Benjamin D. Esham (bdesham), CC BY-SA 4.0

    Spaceship Earth, the giant geodesic sphere, is its emblem. Beyond it, one half of the park is rides and exhibits, the other is World Showcase, a circuit around a lagoon of pavilions representing countries such as Japan, Italy and Mexico. It's the best Disney park for grown-ups, with food and drink to match.

  3. Hollywood Studios

    Landmark

    Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios
    Photo: Jedi94, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Film is the theme here, and the draws are Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Toy Story Land and the Tower of Terror, a drop ride in a spooky hotel. It's a good fit for families with older children and teenagers who want something a bit bolder.

  4. Animal Kingdom

    Landmark

    Disney's nature-themed park, centred on the giant Tree of Life. Pandora: The World of Avatar, with its floating mountains, is the main attraction, and the park has a more relaxed pace than the others, with plenty of green space.

Universal and SeaWorld

The other big names in town, and very different in feel from Disney's.

  1. Islands of Adventure

    Landmark

    The village of Hogsmeade at Universal's Islands of Adventure
    Photo: Benoît Prieur, CC0

    Universal's thrill park, home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Hogsmeade, plus Jurassic Park and Marvel Super Hero Island. The coasters here are serious ones, so it suits teenagers and families who like rides.

    Tip: Hogsmeade is magical in the evening, so consider an afternoon-into-night plan.

  2. Universal Studios Florida

    Landmark

    Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida
    Photo: HarshLight from San Jose, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0

    The film-set park next door, with Diagon Alley, the Hogwarts Express link to Islands of Adventure and a mix of screen-based rides and shows. Diagon Alley, a London street with a fire-breathing dragon, is especially fun for British visitors.

  3. Epic Universe

    Landmark

    Universal's newest park, opened in 2025 a short drive from the original resort. It has its own themed worlds, including Super Nintendo World, a Wizarding World of Harry Potter land and a How to Train Your Dragon land. It needs its own day and its own ticket.

  4. Volcano Bay

    Water park

    The volcano at the centre of Universal's Volcano Bay water park
    Photo: NBCUniversal, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Universal's water park is built around a volcano, with slides, a wave pool and a lazy river. It's a good cooling-off day when the theme parks have worn everyone out.

  5. SeaWorld Orlando

    Activity

    The Manta roller coaster at SeaWorld Orlando
    Photo: Jeremy Thompson from United States of America, CC BY 2.0

    A mix of roller coasters and marine-life exhibits. The coasters, including Mako and Kraken, are the reason many visitors come. Some travellers prefer to skip the animal attractions on principle, so it's worth deciding what you're comfortable with before you book.

Beyond the parks

Days off from the queues that still feel like a holiday.

  1. Kennedy Space Center

    Day trip

    Space Shuttle Atlantis on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
    Photo: Gzzz, CC BY-SA 4.0

    About an hour's drive east on the Space Coast, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is where NASA launches rockets. The museum has the Space Shuttle Atlantis and a Saturn V rocket, and the scale of it's humbling. If there happens to be a launch on, the whole coast turns out to watch.

    Tip: Check the launch schedule before your trip, as launch days can change plans.

  2. Cocoa Beach

    Beach

    Cocoa Beach Pier stretching out over the Atlantic
    Photo: Leonard J. DeFrancisci, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The Atlantic beach nearest to Orlando, about an hour away, with a surf-town feel, a long pier and good seafood shacks. Combine it with the Kennedy Space Center for a full day out.

  3. Disney Springs

    Neighbourhood

    An aerial view of the Disney Springs shopping and dining district
    Photo: Antgiant, CC BY-SA 4.0

    An open-air waterside district of shops, restaurants and live music at Walt Disney World, and you don't need a park ticket to wander it. It's the easy answer for a relaxed evening after a day in the parks.

  4. ICON Park and The Wheel

    Activity

    The giant observation wheel at ICON Park on International Drive
    Photo: Jared, CC BY 2.0

    A small entertainment complex on International Drive, with a giant observation wheel that gives wide views over the lakes and theme parks. It's a good, short outing for evenings when the parks have closed.

  5. Winter Park

    Neighbourhood

    A leafy, genteel suburb north of downtown that feels a long way from the parks. Stroll Park Avenue's cafés and boutiques, then take a boat tour through the canals that link the lakes.

Eat and drink

  1. Dole Whip

    Food

    Pineapple soft-serve from the Aloha Isle stand at Magic Kingdom is a Disney tradition, served in a cup or as a float. Queue for it on a hot afternoon and you'll understand why.

  2. Key lime pie

    Food

    A slice of Key lime pie
    Photo: The original uploader was Averette at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 1.0

    Florida's signature dessert: a sharp, creamy lime custard on a graham-cracker crust. Order a slice at a diner or seafood restaurant after dinner, ideally the tart sort rather than the neon-green kind.

Where to stay in Orlando

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in Orlando →

Getting around

Orlando is built for cars. A hire car makes park days, outlets and day trips easy. Disney and Universal run their own buses and monorails between their resorts and parks, and many hotels offer shuttles, so you can manage without a car if you stay on site.

When to go

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable. Summer is hot, humid and busy, with afternoon thunderstorms, and school holidays and Christmas are the busiest times. Whenever you go, arrive at the parks early.

Questions about visiting Orlando

What is Orlando best known for?
Theme parks: Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld. It also has the Kennedy Space Center nearby and easy access to Florida beaches.
How many days do you need in Orlando?
A week works well for two or three parks plus rest days. If you want all four Disney parks and Universal as well, plan for ten days to two weeks.
What is there to do in Orlando with kids?
Magic Kingdom is the classic for younger children, with Universal and Volcano Bay for older ones. Disney Springs, the Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach are good non-park days.
Do you need a car in Orlando?
Usually yes if you are staying off-site or want to leave the parks, since public transport is limited. If you stay on Disney or Universal property, shuttles may be enough.

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