10 Things to Know for Your First Time in Orlando
The Best Tips, Hints, and Advice about Orlando
Orlando is a world-class destination that’s favored by travelers from all over the globe. The city offers such a large variety of entertainment, dining, and lodging options, that it makes choosing difficult at times—a delightful quandary. As one of the most popular tourist stops, you will no doubt be stunned by the sheer variety of attractions and things to do in Orlando as a first-timer.
With this in mind, learning a few tips in advance can often make your vacation run more efficiently. The sound advice presented below is intended to help you save money and time, and give you insider secrets that only locals and repeat visitors are privy to.
What are the best things to know when visiting Orlando?
1. Buy tickets ahead of time
To get the best price deal, buy your theme park tickets online and ahead of time. There are seven major theme parks in Orlando, and all offer different price packages. Both Walt Disney World and Universal’s websites offer discounts for buying tickets in advance, as well as bundling days together.
The more days you add on to your package, the more affordable each day becomes. There are also additional discounts when buying early, such as coupon books with over $150 in savings.
2. For a bit of everything, stay on I-Drive
If you want to be in the middle of all the Orlando action, opt for a hotel on International Drive. This major thoroughfare has just about everything you could ever want as a first-time visitor, from budget motels to luxury resorts, all within walking distance of hundreds of attractions.
I-Drive is known as the tourist center of the city. Here, you’ll be close to trendy restaurants, bars, shops, and popular activities. Must-visits include the famous Orlando Eye, the Pirate’s Dinner Adventure, and Madame Tussauds Orlando.
Location: International Drive, Florida, USA
For a bit of everything, stay on I-Drive
3. Free transportation
Good for: Budget
Not planning on renting a car? Make use of Orlando’s many complimentary shuttle buses which will whisk you from the theme parks to the resorts and along International Drive.
Orlando’s many resorts often partner with the theme parks to provide this service to their guests, even if the resort is not on-site. Reservations for the shuttles are often required 24 hours in advance as they fill up quickly, so make sure you check in with your hotel’s front desk or the shuttle’s official website.
4. Use FastPass for speedy entry
Skip the long theme park wait times by making use of a quick-queue pass. Walt Disney World’s Fastpass+ allows you to enter up to three attractions, free of charge. These tickets are available 30 days before your arrival at the theme park.
At Universal Studios, the Express Pass option is available for an extra cost. This is an unlimited pass that permits entry to most attractions. Additionally, this theme park offers single-rider lines where groups are often split to fill-up single seats. A perk of this option is that the wait time is often much shorter than other queues, as long as you don’t mind sitting next to a stranger.
5. Visit Restaurant Row for fabulous food
Good for: Food
Orlando’s Restaurant Row is a mile-long stretch near International Drive that serves all types of cuisine at various price points. This trendy gastro district boasts some of the best Greek, Mexican, Asian, and American food in all of Orlando.
One of the city’s top seafood restaurants, Big Fin, can be found on this eclectic dining street (come here for the Maine lobster and jumbo scallops). Other must-visit eateries include Voodoo Bayou (for Southern comfort food and creative cocktails), Seasons 52 (for New American fare in an upscale setting), and Dragonfly Robata Grill (for stellar Japanese sushi).
Location: W Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL, USA
Visit Restaurant Row for fabulous food
6. Hit the beach!
Good for: Budget, Couples, Families
If you want to visit the seaside in Orlando, the closest place is Cocoa Beach. Located approximately 45-minutes from the city, you can access this glorious stretch of golden sand via Toll Road 528.
Free parking is available near the boardwalk and at Lori Wilson Park. Expect to pay three separate tolls, totalling about $5 each way. Of course, there are plenty more beaches in Florida, each with its own charms. These include Daytona Beach, Ponce Inlet, and New Smyrna (all located an hour from Orlando).
7. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Lift Off!
Good for: History, Photo, Unusual
Have you always wanted to see a rocket launch? If so, make use of the private shuttles that venture to Kennedy Space Center. This iconic site is home to NASA, the primary launch center for human space travel.
It’s open year-round (apart from Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day) so that visitors can experience the launch complex and Astronaut Hall of Fame, even if no launches are taking place. The Kennedy Space Center is located about 45-minutes from Orlando and costs around $50 per person. The ticket price is totally worth it.
Location: Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953, USA
Open: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm (closed Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day)
Phone: +1 855-433-4210
5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Lift Off!
8. Splash your cash at the shops
Good for: Shoppers
Shopping options in Orlando include The Florida Mall, the Mall at Millenia, and two different Premium Outlets. The Florida Mall is home to a food court, various department stores, and major brands like Gap, Adidas, Coach, Foot Locker, H&M, Pandora, and Victoria’s Secret.
The Mall at Millenia is a bit more upscale, offering luxury stores like Balenciaga, Hermès, Bvlgari, Chanel, Prada, and Saint Laurent Paris. The two outlet malls, Vineland Premium Outlets and International Premium Outlets, feature year-round discounts and promotions. Many Orlando hotels include free transportation to these retail centers.
9. Dine with Disney characters, but book in advance
Good for: Families, Photo, Food
Character dining experiences at Walt Disney World Resort are often sold out months in advance, so secure a spot early if this is a must-do for your family! At this magical experience, classic Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse and Cinderella visit the table as you dine.
Character Dining includes singing and dancing, as well as plenty of photo opportunities. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available at over 15 different Disney restaurants including The Crystal Palace and Story Book Dining. Reserve a table online or via telephone.
10. Fun free attractions
Good for: Budget, Nightlife, Photo
Head over to Disney Springs and Citywalk Orlando for free entertainment like music concerts and photo-ops. These popular destinations also offer plenty of paid things to do with the family, from retail therapy to feel-good restaurants.
Disney Springs caters to younger kids while Universal Orlando is more suitable for an adult’s night out. Both of these entertainment areas boast a movie theatre and a mini-golf course. Don’t miss the scenic boat rides at Disney Springs shopping mall.
This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.