The best free attractions in Orlando, Florida – for days when you need to save the cash
ORLANDO is buzzing again with exhilarating rides, explosive shows and amazing attractions.
Tourists are heading back now Covid restrictions have been lifted, and there’s lots to do in theme parks and entertainment centres across the city – but doing it all can add up for families.
Trisha Harbord selects ten of the best FREE and PAY attractions you won’t want to miss.
LAKE EOLA PARK
IN the heart of download Orlando, you’ll find this beautiful 43-acre park with fantastic views over the city skyline.
There are regular concerts and events, works of art and a farmers’ market.
The park is home to the Walt Disney Amphitheater, which stages free shows and firework displays. There’s a light show every night as the three-tier fountain on the lake changes colour.
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You can also watch free films such as Frozen II at Movieola on the park’s east lawn.
If you love to walk or run, there’s a mile-long track around the lake.
SPEND: You can hire a swan pedal boat for five people for £12 and there’s a café and gift shop. See visitorlando.com
DISNEY SPRINGS
YOU’LL get heaps of Disney magic here without stepping into one of the parks.
Parking and admission is free to this mini-world of entertainment.
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Look for the hidden Mickeys and enjoy the Disney Arts dance troupes and music acts on the Waterside stage.
Even if you’re not going to a Disney resort, take a free steamboat ride on Lake Buena Vista, which stops at the Marketplace.
Here you can watch the fire from the Rainforest Cafe’s erupting volcano, a Princess Parade featuring Cinderella and Snow White and build your own model at the Lego Store.
SPEND: It’s home to the largest Disney store in the world – but you can just browse! See disneysprings.com
UNIVERSAL CITYWALK
THE atmosphere is always electric as you pass through CityWalk to enter the Universal parks. Go after 6pm and car parking is free.
Or, if staying at one of the Universal hotels, pop on a free water taxi to get here.
You’ll be joined throughout the entertainment centre by stilt walkers, acrobats and magicians.
If you love karaoke, head for Rising Star to sing with a live band and backing singers.
At night, from CityWalk, you can see the light and laser shows above Hogwarts Castle in Islands Of Adventure and the lagoon at Universal Studios.
SPEND: There’s a cinema, nightclubs and bars including the superb duelling piano bar Pat O’Brien’s. See universalorlando.co.uk
ICON PARK
THE Wheel, looming 400ft above ICON park on International Drive, lights up the sky at night and can be seen for miles.
Of course, you have to pay to go on it and other major rides, but 20-acre ICON is the only major theme park you can enter for free.
And the extravagant and colourful attractions, 50 restaurants, cool bars and boutique shops provide entertainment in themselves.
There are dancing fountains and nightly light shows, plus live bands and choirs.
It’s open until 2am, so a great choice for those night owls who want to party after other parks have closed.
SPEND: The Wheel is worth a ride as the veiws are spectacular. Summer deal £16. See iconparkorlando.com
OLD TOWN
THERE’S no bigger contrast to the fast-moving theme parks than Kissimmee’s Old Town.
Here’s where you escape theme parks to find traditional American fun.
Each weekend, classic cars, hot rods and trucks drive down Main Street as the crowds look on from kerb-side restaurants and bars.
Bands blast out rock ‘n roll, pop and country music throughout the summer. And if you fancy taking to the main stage, there are free karaoke nights on Tuesday and Thursday.
Try the fun free test on Hangman Challenge. Then, if you think you can hang on bars for two minutes, pay £8 and you could win £165!
SPEND: Ticket for riding the 85ft Ferris wheel and dinner costs £9.
EPCOT
DISNEY celebrated its 50th anniversary in Orlando with its first reverse-launch coaster, Epcot’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
It may be fast, but it’s the smoothest ride ever as you hurtle through the dark encircling the moon, Earth and Milky Way while chasing a space monster who has stolen the cosmic generator.
Walt Disney World’s birthday events continue until March. Besides rides, there are new shows including light, laser and firework extravaganzas.
SPEND: 14-day Magic ticket for the price of seven with unlimited access to all Disney parks, costs £459pp, based on two adults and two children, aged 3-9 arriving before October 25. See disneyholidays.co.uk
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
THERE’S one new attraction in this amazing park which is worth the entry fee on its own.
The one-of-a-kind Bourne Stuntacular fuses live actors and stunts with film projected on a 130ft-wide, 28ft-tall LED screen.
There are explosions, car crashes, gun battles – and Jason Bourne even hangs from a helicopter as he escapes villains. A fantastic addition to Universal Studios which, with sister park Islands of Adventure, is home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Don’t miss the new Jurassic World VelociCoaster – at 70mph it is Florida’s fastest coaster.
SPEND: 14-day ticket for unlimited access to both parks and Volcano Bay water park costs £305 per adult, £299 a child, aged 3-9. See AttractionTickets.com
PEPPA PIG THEME PARK
EVERYONE’S favourite pig Peppa is wallowing in her very own theme park.
It isn’t huge by Florida standards, but it’s perfect for little ones.
Adult and child rides include Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster, Grampy Rabbit’s Dinosaur Adventure monorail and drop ride Mr Bull’s High Striker.
Cool down in the Muddy Puddles water splash zone and build sandcastles on Pirate Island.
The colourful park, next door to LEGOLAND, has a cinema and restaurant selling reasonably-priced food. It is also a certified autism centre and has special facilities for children in wheelchairs.
SPEND: One-day Peppa Pig and LEGOLAND combo ticket costs from £90 per person. See AttractionTickets.com
LEGOLAND
IT’S worth going to LEGOLAND Florida just for delicious Granny Apple Fries topped with cream! You can’t get them anywhere else, but that goes for the rides too.
The LEGO Movie Masters of Flight is one of the best around, making you think you are flying along with characters, doing a 180-degree turn along the way. More soaring for real on the suspended coaster, Flying School.
Build your own creation in Imagination Zone, learn the history of LEGO, see amazing creations and walk through Miniland USA, which is now under giant shades. There’s also a waterpark and hotel with themed rooms.
SPEND: One-day ticket from £73, water park and Peppa Pig tickets available. See attractiontickets.com
GATORLAND
A ZIP LINE called Screamin’ Gator gives you a clue that this attraction is not for the squeamish. This Gatorland adrenaline-rush adventure takes you flying along 1,200ft of track over gators and crocodiles.
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Children must be 3ft tall and those aged 8 and under accompanied by an adult. Back on the ground, families can see the animals themselves, including rare white gators, wild cats and snakes and watch a show. You can also ride through a swamp in one of the park’s off-road monster vehicles.
SPEND: Adult ticket £28, child £20. Entry and up to 2-hour zipwire adventure costs £60 per person. See gatorland.com.
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GO: ORLANDO
GETTING THERE: Virgin Atlantic offers return fares from Heathrow to Orlando from £437 per person, based on departure on January 16. See virginatlantic.com.
STAYING THERE: Virgin Holidays has seven nights room-only at the 3* Coco Key Hotel & Water Park, including Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow on January 10, from £715pp, based on two sharing. See virginholidays.co.uk.
MORE INFO: See VisitOrlando.com.