Best Things to do in Orlando Alone
So you’re planning on visiting Florida (or at least thinking about it), and who can blame you? Brilliant weather all year round, theme parks galore, and plenty of fun things to do. But what about a solo trip to Orlando? Does the idea of going by yourself sound daunting? Don’t worry, there are tons of free activities and fun things to do for singles. In this guide, you’ll discover the best things to do in Orlando alone, the pros and cons of traveling solo, and tips on making the most of your trip.
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Things to do in Orlando By Yourself – Table of Contents
Where to stay on an Orlando solo trip
Whether you initially embark on a solo trip to Orlando intentionally or, like me, it’s a couples trip gone wrong, one of the big decisions is where to stay.
One option is to stay in a resort; however, doing this solo has pros and cons. Firstly you have the total room cost and the resort fee to pay alone. Let’s face it; families or couples usually dominate resorts, so if you go down this route and want to meet people, do your research and read plenty of reviews first.
I stayed at the Avanti International Resort on International Drive, and while I talked to a few people, it wasn’t somewhere I could meet fellow travelers to spend the day or night with. It was a good resort, though, for its location and facilities.
Another option is to stay in a hostel. I booked one night in Bposhtels to see if I could make friends there and then stay back at my resort. The hostel advertised social activities, but I turned up when I was told, and no one was there or by the dismal pool. So I went exploring and didn’t go back, but you’ve still got a better chance of meeting people in a hostel that you can spend some of your vacation with.
If cost is a factor, stay in Kissimmee, but if convenience is more important staying close to International drive would be better. Of course, you can also remain downtown, but this is further away from the typical tourist attractions.
Things to do in Orlando Alone
Get a Theme Park Pass to Universal Orlando or Disney World
The thought of going to Universal Studios alone can be daunting. However, I threw caution to the wind and bought a “Park a day, three-day pass” and it was the best part of my trip. Not only is Orlando fun to do solo, but it ticks off a bucket list activity, particularly if you’re a fan of Harry Potter.
When I first saw solo rider queues, I thought this would be great to meet other solo travelers. However, while there are the odd few people alone, most people in these queues were couples or families that didn’t mind separating to get on rides quicker. In some cases, the lines didn’t go much faster at all.
Another great thing about going to Universal Orlando Resort or Walt Disney World is that you can get photos taken with the characters and not awkwardly ask people or rely on selfies.
If you’re a resident of the USA or Canada, check out these special discount tickets.
Icon Park
If you’re wondering what you can do in Orlando alone at night, then Icon Park on International Drive might have the answers. The many outlet malls to other popular attractions such as Madame Tussauds, Pirate Cove adventure golf, and Sealife Orlando to the illuminated Ferris wheel. Icon Park is also a great district to enjoy in the evening. From the infamous Sugar Factory to the shisha bars and nightclubs.
The well-known Museum of Illusions has fun mind-bending exhibits that will provide plenty of entertainment on your solo trip to Orlando.
Spend the day at Disney Springs
I chose Orlando Studios over Walt Disney World, but a fun thing to do alone in Orlando is to go to Disney Springs. Spend the day shopping, eating at themed restaurants, and just generally enjoying the free entertainment and the glorious sunshine. You can easily spend the entire day here and not get bored, which is why it is one of the best free things to do in Orlando.
Spend the evening at Universal City Walk
Like Disney Springs, Universal City Walk is free to enter part of the popular park day and night. The best restaurants on Universal City Walk are lively, colorful, and fun places to hang out in the evening and there are plenty of great bars. In fact it’s one of the top places in Orlando for nightlife (for tourists at least). It certainly beats spending each evening on International Drive or Downtown.
Things to do alone in Orlando Downtown
Lake Eola Park
Lake Eola is an excellent place to people watch on a solo trip to Orlando or spot local wildlife.
If you want to take an enjoyable walk:
- Head to downtown Orlando to Lake Eola Park.
- Somewhat of a hidden gem, follow the orange blossom trail through the historic winter garden and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
- View the magnificent fountain and feed the majestic swans.
You could easily spend the day here reading a book and saving money with a delicious cost-effective picnic.
Winter Park
If you’re looking for art and culture, Winter park makes a great destination filled with landmarks and attractions. From boat tours to botanical gardens and sculpture parks.
You can also admire the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art pieces on Park Avenue or catch a small creative production at the Fred Stone Theatre at Rollins College.
If you happen to be traveling during the second Thursday of the month, then head here for Popcorn Flicks in the Central Park area to watch a classic film for free.
Kennedy Space Centre
Kennedy Space Centre is one of the most visited places in Orlando and it also makes a great adventure for solo travellers. Getting there independently can be difficult without a car. There is no direct method of travel and your route would involve several buses and a taxi. Fortunately, though there are many Kennedy Space Centre excursions from Orlando. Best of all, travelling as an organised group means you’re more likely to meet people.
When you get to the Space Centre you will have the opportunity to explore exhibits and displays of some of the most iconic space memorabilia in history. Your experience is brought to life through interactive shows at the two Imax theatres. There is even an option to take a simulated launch ride into space.
Mead Botanical Garden
Who doesn’t like a butterfly garden on an Orlando solo trip? Just a short stroll from downtown Orlando you will soon be getting lost in the beautiful 3 mile stretch of walkways, gardens, oak trees, flora and fauna, and of course, a wide range of butterflies. Best of all, this is one of the free solo things to do in Orlando.
Things to do in Orlando alone that are a bit further out
Fun spot America – Kissimmee or Orlando
If you’re looking for fun things to do alone in Orlando and you don’t want the price tag of Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando, then head to Fun Spot America in Kissimmee. Sure, the rides are a bit retro, but you can have so much fun for the price. Even food, drinks, and souvenirs are so much cheaper than in central Florida. You can even upgrade your entrance ticket for barely $10 and take on the sky coaster, the highest in the world.
Kissimmee isn’t far from International Drive, but unless you want to change a lot of buses, the easiest way is to grab a Lyft or an Uber. You can also go to the Fun Spot America in Orlando, easy to get to by bus.
Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) & the Orlando Science Centre
The Orlando Museum of Art is perfect for admiring international works of art and pieces from local artists. A short walk away is Loch Haven Park and the Orlando Science Centre. The fact that all these big attractions are close to each other makes excellent things to do in Orlando alone as you can make a full day of it.
Grab a show at Sea World
So this one is a little controversial as there are many arguments against watching shows involving sea life. However, whatever your thoughts on that side of the park (I wasn’t a fan of that either), for me, sealife had better thrill rides than the other parks. The roller coasters were out of this world, and there are many other fun things to do alone in Orlando here.
How best to meet people on your Orlando solo trip
The best way to meet people depends on your personality; some individuals don’t necessarily want to meet other people, in which case, you will have no trouble in Orlando. Others (like me) are happy to spend time on their own but also would enjoy sharing the experience. My advice is to have the courage to spark up a conversation with people everywhere you go. People are generally friendly, and even if it is a passing conversation, it will often be all you need.
If you want to meet people you can explore, travel, and spend some time with properly, then hostels, around the pool, or out at bars / lively restaurants will be a good option. You can also use apps and forums to meet other like-minded travelers. Orlando is good for singles, especially if you’re open to meeting people on dating apps or travel forums. There are plenty of bars and restaurants
Fun things to do alone in Orlando in Summary
So, is Orlando good for solo travellers? I’ve provided a realistic view of what to do in Orlando alone based on my experience of spending 10 days there. I have traveled solo to many places, and Orlando was the most difficult. I found it more challenging to meet people I could spend time with, but I still had a good time alone, and I always felt safe (aside from downtown at night, as that can be a little sketchy). Whether you’re going to the museums, amusement parks, landmarks, or attractions, there are many fun solo things to do in Orlando.
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