8 Best Orlando Activities for First-Timers

Of course, no trip to Orlando is complete without stepping inside the extraordinary realm of the Walt Disney World® Resort. With a pass for the 4 main parks that make up the resort, you have the freedom to move between these worlds however you choose. 

Experience the timeless enchantment of fantasy and adventure at the Magic Kingdom® or discover the magnificent showcase of nations inside Epcot®. At Hollywood Studios®, you can see the magic of the movies come to life, then explore the wild side with exotic encounters at Animal Kingdom®. If you choose, your pass can also come complete with admission to other exciting attractions such as Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park or the Oak Trail Golf Course.

Turn yourself into the star of your very own story at Universal Studios Florida™ and Islands of Adventure™. Inside these movie and TV-based theme parks, go beyond the screen as you face a fire-breathing dragon, fly high above the city streets with your favourite superheroes, and explore a secret school of witchcraft and wizardry. With multi-day passes, you also have the chance to enjoy other activities and attractions like the live entertainment venues of Universal CityWalk™ and the wild waterslides at Volcano Bay™. 

Immerse yourself in the playful and imaginative world of Lego with 1- or 2-day admission to Legoland Florida. Dedicated to entertaining families with children between the ages of 2 and 12, this interactive amusement park features more than 50 rides, shows, and attractions all geared toward the Lego builder within you. 

Wander the park’s 11 themed areas to see pirates perform water acrobatics, take a ride on a roller coaster through a land of dinosaurs, and put your building skills to the test as you create cutting-edge, computerised robots. If you choose to purchase a combination ticket, you’ll also get access to the Legoland Water Park. Here, fun can be had by the whole family in play areas, on waterslides, and in wave pools.

Enjoy convenient transportation between Orlando’s top attractions with the I-Ride Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley. With 2 lines and more than 100 stops along International Drive and Universal Boulevard, you can travel to sites like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, Magical Midway, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, the Orlando Eye, and many more. The trolley is also a great way to get to restaurants and shopping including the Orlando Premium Outlets, where you can find nearly 200 brand-name shops and eateries in a beautiful open-air mall.

Experience even more of the city when you pair the I-Ride Trolley with the Orlando Explorer Pass. With your choice of admission to 4 of 15 attractions, you can explore artefacts at the Titanic exhibition, enjoy a round of golf at the adventure-themed Congo River, or snap selfies with your favourite celebrities at Madame Tussauds. 

The pass also grants deals for retailers, restaurants, and activities. Take advantage of discounts at Macy’s, the Florida Mall, and the Bayside Marketplace, plus dollar-off drinks and deals for the Butler Boat Rental and the Florida Aquarium dolphin cruise.

Learn all about the magic of space travel at the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. Following convenient pickup from your Orlando hotel, you’re given access to this state-of-the-art visitor centre featuring an array of exhibits highlighting the incredible achievements of NASA. Walk in the footsteps of America’s legendary space pioneers as you touch a piece of moon rock, get an up-close look at the Space Shuttle Atlantis, and walk under the huge Saturn V, the most powerful launch vehicle ever put into operation. 

If you really want to know what it’s like to be an astronaut, experience the feeling of lift-off on the Shuttle Launch Experience. You can even check the Kennedy Space Center calendar to schedule your visit during a rocket launch and watch a shuttle roar to life in front of your very eyes.

Go flying across the waters of Lake Tohopekaliga on a nature-spotting adventure aboard an airboat. With a knowledgeable captain behind the wheel, feel the spray of the mist as the fan-powered boat roars to life and blasts you across the water at high speeds. The lake offers plenty of opportunities to spot Floridan wildlife like toothy alligators, diving pelicans, nesting turtles, and endangered snail kites. As you cruise over the water, your guide shares fascinating facts about the region and its diverse ecosystems. Before ending your tour, snap a photo with one of the resident gators for a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

Get ready to have your mind blown by the Blue Man Group, a trio of bald – you guessed it – blue men who’ll take viewers on a spectacular journey through music, comedy, and special effects to create one mind-blowing experience. For over 30 years, the Blue Man Group has been bringing their unique brand of performance art to stages across the globe. With tickets to see the show at the Universal Orlando Resort, you’ll be joining the millions of people around the world who have discovered what this weird, wacky, and wonderful group is all about.