Orlando Attractions Update – Did you know there are plenty of free things to do in the Orlando area? Here’s some suggestions that require little to no budget!
Lake Eola is a favorite local park in downtown Orlando where you can picnic, feed the swans, or watch the fountain light show in the evening. The park often hosts free concerts, movies, and a Sunday farmers’ market.
The Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College has an impressive collection ranging from old masters to artworks by Matisse and Picasso. It offers free admission with a college or student ID. Orlando’s Harry P. Leu Gardens are 50 acres of botanical gardens with lakes and trails free and open to the public the first Monday of every month.
Arguably one of the most pleasant rides at Walt Disney World is 100 percent free! Anyone can hop aboard the iconic Walt Disney World monorail, with no ticket required. Head to the Ticket and Transportation Center and board either of the two monorail loops—one makes stops at the three Magic Kingdom resorts, Disney’s Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and Contemporary, and the other takes guests to Epcot.
The Epcot monorail completes a graceful loop around the Spaceship Earth icon before its return. Want to see the Magic Kingdom fireworks? Then stick around the Ticket and Transportation Center or make your way to Disney’s Polynesian Resort beach. You can watch the spectacular displays in both locations and the accompanying music is piped in as well.
Over at Universal Orlando Resort Take a gentle boat ride via complimentary water taxis to and from any of Universal’s deluxe hotels. There you can check out Rock ‘n’ Roll Memorabilia at the Hard Rock Hotel or relax in an opera filled Italian piazza at Loews’ Portofino Bay Hotel.
There are also plenty of free activities at Universal CityWalk as well in addition to window shopping and people watching. Kids love cooling off in the splash pad areas on hot summer days; catch a game on the big screen at the Hot Dog Hall of Fame; or dance beside the lagoon along with the live DJ.
Over in Kissimmee on highway 192 is the Old Town entertainment complex. Every night it has free music, but the real highlight is weekly classic car cruises straight out of American Graffiti.