Skip the Lines at Disney: 8 Equally as Awesome Things to Do in Orlando

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The wait times for Disney rides are legendary. Today, a wait for a popular new ride at the park can be as long as five hours.

These wait times are so ridiculous that it’s led people to start to publish wait time calendars to help you forecast the potential size of the crowd at Disney on your planned vacation days. But these calendars can’t always get it right and you might be stuck where it just seems like your entire day is spent waiting in line.

That’s when it’s a good idea to have a backup plan. There are a ton of exciting ways to explore Orlando and make the most of your vacation time. These things to do in Orlando are sure to bring a smile back to your family’s faces.

Check Out a Water Park

Although water parks can be just as crowded as theme parks during the summer months, the lines often move a lot faster. There are also lazy rivers and wave pools that allow you to relax a bit and just enjoy the beautiful Florida sunshine.

If you do decide to check out a water park, try to get there as early as possible and establish a meeting point with your family. There are lifeguards everywhere and they should be generally safe going on slides by themselves with a few safety guidelines.

The wave pool offers the opportunity to set up camp in lanai chairs similar to how you would do at a beach.

Go to a Luxury Hotel Pool

When you visit Disney, it’s always a good idea to stay at one of the themed hotels. While most people write them off assuming they’re too expensive, Disney prides itself on offering hotel rooms at an accessible price range for everyone. You might be surprised at how affordable it can be.

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But even if you aren’t able to go to the themed pool at your hotel, you can still visit other hotel’s pools and purchase a day pass. Many of these pools offer you the opportunity to order food and drinks, have a play area for the kids, and relax for a change. Plus, many of them have mini water parks and lazy rivers.

Explore City Walk

City Walk is the area outside of Universal and Islands of Adventure. It’s also the home of Margaritaville and the Hard Rock Cafe, featured later on this list.

City Walk used to be full of clubs and bars, and don’t get it wrong, there are still a lot of places to go drinking there, but there are also a lot of family-friendly arcades and fun themed restaurants.

Drop off the Kids and Hit Margaritaville

If you want to take some time to spend with your spouse or you’re traveling with friends, making a stop at Margaritaville is a must.

While this isn’t the only Margaritaville location and the chain is all over the country, the one in Orlando has a particularly tropical vibe about it that is hard to duplicate elsewhere.

Make sure you order a margarita or try a draft of the Margaritaville Brewing Company’s most popular beer, Landshark.

Check Out the Hard Rock Cafe

Kids often say that the Hard Rock Cafe is the place with all the dead people since there is so much iconography of musical artists that have since passed.

There really is quite an extensive collection of memorabilia from people like Elvis, Aerosmith, and the Eagles. It stands as a testament to the history of rock and also has a rockin’ menu.

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Go to Disney Springs (Previously: Downtown Disney)

If you like the sound of City Walk but are looking for something with less eating and more daytime activities, then you should check out Downtown Disney. It used to be the home to monster arcades and Lego stores.

But today the area has been completely rehabbed and offers fine-dining options with a waterside view and stroll through the lanes of more than fifty Disney-themed stores.

Make sure you take a look at the calendar before you go, it will be able to tell you what kind of artists and musical performers are coming through during the dates that you will be in town.

You can also use the site to locate dining options, explore the selection of stores, and learn about how to design your own storybook.

Disney Springs is the perfect place to take your family if you’ve been rained out of the theme park and are looking for something to do.

Take an Airboat Ride

When you are traveling on a budget, there are places to save and times to splurge. For around $50-75 a person, you can have a personal tour of the Everglades for your family.

Try to look for a company that offers headsets for your tour. That way you will be able to hear your tour guide as they point out various animals and natural features. The airboat can be very loud.

Going Beyond Things to Do in Orlando

The things to do in Orlando on this list all offer your family the opportunity to spend time together and have an exciting experience.

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While you may still want to head to Disney on your trip, by taking a day or two to try out other activities, you’ll have much more patience for the lines.

Thinking Orlando might not be the right destination for your family after all? We have a whole host of travel guides to help you plan your dream vacation with ease.