Hey, it’s me, Robert Urban, your local tour guide for surviving-or dare I say, thriving-during Spring Break in Orlando, 2025. I’ve been to all the places, waited in all the lines with Melissa and my three kids. (My oldest is out of the house now, but I still have twin 10 year olds, a boy and a girl) , eaten all the snacks, and yes, accidentally spent a small fortune on an oversized turkey leg that made my arms sore for two days. Consider this your insider’s guide to Orlando fun. So, grab some sunscreen, a good pair of walking shoes, and let’s get into this list of things to do—both the ones that make sense and the ones that’ll have your friends asking, “Why did you go there?”
Theme Parks & Attractions
(The Reason Your Wallet Will Cry)
1. Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World™
Classic. Iconic. Also, where my kids once begged me to wait two hours for a ride that lasted 45 seconds. But hey, you get to meet Mickey, Cinderella, and that one guy from Frozen who wasn’t a snowman or reindeer.
2. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™
If you love Harry Potter, this is the promised land. If you don’t, you will still find yourself holding a butterbeer, wearing a robe, and arguing with a stranger about which house you belong in. (I’m a Gryffindor, in case you were wondering. Melissa says I’m a Hufflepuff, which honestly feels offensive.)
3. Universal Studios Resort™ Florida
The place where you can “ride the movies” and also spend your entire food budget on one Simpsons-themed donut. There’s also a Transformers ride where Optimus Prime yells at you, and somehow, I needed that in my life.
4. SeaWorld™ Orlando
Great shows, some wild roller coasters, and penguins that judge you with their tiny, unblinking eyes. My only complaint is that when I tried to train a dolphin with a fish, the staff intervened.
5. Disney’s Animal Kingdom™
Imagine a zoo where all the animals have expensive real estate. Also, there’s a ride where a fake Yeti screams at you, and I am still not emotionally over it.
6. Pandora – The World of Avatar™
First of all, Avatar came out in 2009, so it’s a little strange that this still exists, but honestly? It’s amazing. The Flight of Passage ride will change your life, or at the very least, make you reconsider your opinion on 3D movies.
7. Fun Spot America (My Personal Favorite)
Look, I know what you’re thinking. “Robert, you just listed Disney and Universal-how is Fun Spot your favorite?” You can keep your castles and your wands. If you ask me where I’d actually go for Spring Break for a good time without selling a kidney, I’m picking Fun Spot. Fun Spot is the perfect mix of janky charm and actual fun. It’s got go-karts, wooden roller coasters, and a family vibe. My kids love it, and I love it. They love it because it is fun. Here is why “Dad” loves it:
- Free parking. I don’t have to sell a kidney just to leave my car somewhere.
- Shorter lines. One time at Disney, I waited three hours for a ride. At Fun Spot, I waited three minutes. My kids want to ride something 10 times in a row? Go ahead. Knock yourselves out.
- Old-school roller coasters. They still have wooden coasters and a huge midway with tons of other stuff. Outside of it being family-owned by good people, it just feels genuine, not manufactured fun. Most importantly, I can have a blast without spending a thousand dollars. Did I mention no lines. That actually ties with the money thing.
- Best sushi place in Orlando right in front of the Orlando I-Drive location– AYCE, but delicious, for like 25 bucks. i have spent 100s at fancy places that weren’t this good.
Also, one time, Melissa and I went here for a “date night,” and we saw a man propose to his girlfriend right before she got on a go-kart. If that’s not romance, I don’t know what is.
Space & Science Exploration
(a.k.a. Places That Make You Feel Smart)
8. Kennedy Space Center
If you’ve ever wanted to feel inspired and slightly inadequate about your life achievements, come here. I saw an actual astronaut once, and let me tell you, I have never felt lazier.
9. Orlando Science Center
My kids love this place. I love this place. It’s interactive, educational, and once, a robotic dinosaur startled Melissa so badly she threw her coffee. Good times.
Outdoor Adventures & Nature
(a.k.a. The Real Florida Experience)
10. Wekiwa Springs State Park
Beautiful springs, great hiking, and a very real chance of an alligator deciding you look snackable.
11. Bioluminescent Lagoon Kayak Eco-Tour
Basically, you kayak through glowing water, and for a brief moment, you feel like a wizard.
12. The Wheel at ICON Park
I took the kids on this giant Ferris wheel once. They loved it. I smiled through gritted teeth and pretended I wasn’t internally panicking about being suspended hundreds of feet in the air.
Arts, Culture & History
(a.k.a. The Section My Kids Skip Over When Reading This List)
13. Orlando Museum of Art
Great place if you enjoy staring at paintings while pretending you “get” abstract art.
14. Orlando Fire Museum
If you’ve ever wanted to see vintage fire trucks and learn about firefighting history, this is the place. Also, one time, I got to sit in an old fire truck, and I will never recover from how cool that was.
Entertainment & Live Performances
(a.k.a. “Hey, let’s sit down for a while.”)
15. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament™
I have never eaten a meal more aggressively. You eat with your hands while knights duel in front of you. It’s basically a live-action history lesson, except instead of taking notes, you’re gnawing on a turkey leg.
16. Orlando Improv Comedy Club
The last time I went here, the comedian roasted a guy in the front row so hard, I swear that man is still recovering emotionally.
Family-Friendly Fun & Unique Experiences
(a.k.a. Places Where I Try Not to Lose the Kids)
17. SEA LIFE™ Orlando Aquarium
Lots of fish. One time, a stingray followed me suspiciously, and I can’t prove it, but I think we had beef.
18. World of Chocolate Museum and Café
Chocolate history + free samples = the best educational experience of my life.
OTHER SPRING BREAK ADVENTURES THAT DON’T INVOLVE STANDING IN LINE
(a.k.a. How to Have Fun Without Paying for a FastPass)
1. Natural Springs (Florida’s Best-Kept Secret)
- Rock Springs at Kelly Park: It’s like a lazy river, but nature made it.
- Blue Spring State Park: Manatees. Giant, blobby, adorable sea potatoes that make you question why you stress about work.
- Wekiwa Springs: Hiking, kayaking, and a chance to prove to your kids you still have some upper body strength.
Orlando has everything—theme parks, natural beauty, space nerd stuff, and places where you can watch a medieval joust while eating a chicken with your bare hands. Whether you’re coming for the first time or just need an excuse to escape reality for a week, there’s no shortage of things to do for spring break and any other time of the year.
Rob, What About Your Favorite Three things?
Alright, my top three favorite things.
1. Floating down Rock Springs at Kelly Park.
It’s basically the Lazy River at a water park, except it’s free, smells like nature instead of chlorine, and you don’t have to dodge any rogue Band-Aids. Plus, there’s always that one guy who insists on bringing a full cooler, which is a bold move for someone who will inevitably flip over and have to chase his sandwich downstream like it’s a lost child.
2. Fun Spot (as mentioned above)
Because I like theme parks, but I also like not taking out a second mortgage to ride a rollercoaster. Fun Spot is perfect-short lines, fair prices, and the only place where you can ride a go-kart and actually legally bump into people without getting a court summons. Tons of fun things to do and something for everyone in the family, without breaking the bank. Did I mention no lines?
3. Aquatica.
Because I live in Florida for the cold. That’s right—I’m here for the one place in the entire state where I can hang out with penguins and feel like we truly understand each other. We both enjoy a chilly breeze, we both waddle when we walk too fast on wet pavement, and neither of us is built for this 100-degree heat.
So yeah, those are my top three. If you don’t agree, that’s fine. Just know that the penguins and I are silently judging you.
Things I Know for Sure About Orlando in Spring Break)
- You will get sunburned. ( Please wear sunscreen- reapply often- even if raining)
- It will rain.
- It will stop raining and then rain again.
- You will overpay for something ridiculous.
- Your kids will make you ride something terrifying.
- You will say, “Next time, we’re staying home!!
- You will absolutely come back anyway.
See you soon,
Rob