Solo travel · Orlando · United States

Solo travel in Orlando

How to enjoy Orlando at your own pace.

Updated 23 October 2026By the AMZBooking editorial team

Photo: The original uploader was Bobak at English Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 2.5

Quick answer

Orlando is aimed at families, but solo travellers do well with single-rider queues, mobile ordering, flexible schedules and plenty of good-value hotels on International Drive. Evenings in Downtown and Mills 50 offer a local scene. Many solo travellers base themselves in Downtown Orlando and Thornton Park.

Base: Downtown Orlando and Thornton Park
Getting around: Car
Emergency number: 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Language: English and Spanish

Solo travel tips

Use single-rider queues at Universal and on some Disney rides to cut waiting times.
Stay on International Drive for central, good-value rooms and easy rideshare to both resorts.
Eat at the bars of Disney Springs and EPCOT restaurants, where solo diners are common.
Join a group tour to Kennedy Space Center if you would rather not drive.
Use the lockers provided at roller coasters; loose items are often banned on the rides.

Where to stay

$$ · Best for nightlife, couples, solo travellers and culture

Downtown Orlando and Thornton Park

Downtown Orlando centres on Lake Eola Park, with its fountain and swan boats, and the bars and restaurants of Orange Avenue and Church Street; Thornton Park's brick streets and cafés lie just east. The Dr. Phillips Center for the performing arts and the Kia Center arena are here, but the theme parks are 30–40 minutes away.

Good: Local restaurants and nightlife; Walkable around Lake Eola; SunRail commuter trains
Watch out: 30–40 minutes from the parks; Quiet away from the bar streets on weeknights
Nearby: Lake Eola Park, Dr. Phillips Center, Church Street, Thornton Park

Great on your own

Experience · Winter Park

Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour

Combine it with lunch on Park Avenue and the Morse Museum's Tiffany glass a few blocks away.

Time needed: 1 hour
Cost: Low cost

Couples
Nature
History
Off the beaten path

Museum · Winter Park

Morse Museum of American Art

Allow time for the reconstructed Tiffany Chapel, the highlight for most visitors.

Time needed: 1–1.5 hours
Cost: Low cost

Art
Rainy day
Off the beaten path
History

Zoo · South Orlando

Gatorland

Time your visit for the Gator Jumparoo feeding show, and walk the marsh boardwalk in spring to see nesting birds.

Time needed: 2–3 hours
Cost: Mid-priced

Kids
Nature
History

Viewpoint · International Drive

ICON Park and The Wheel

Ride after dark for views across the lit-up resort area.

Time needed: 1–2 hours
Cost: Mid-priced

Views
After dark
Kids

Meeting people

EPCOT World Showcase — Graze through the country pavilions — Mexico, Norway, Japan, Morocco, France and more — and, during festivals, try small plates from extra booths around the lake.
Character dining — Disney restaurants where costumed characters visit each table are popular with young children; book these meals as early as possible.
Universal CityWalk — Bars, live music and clubs outside the Universal parks, open later than the parks themselves.
Disney Springs — Bars, restaurants and live entertainment by the lake, more relaxed than a club scene.

Sensible precautions

Heat, sun and dehydration are the biggest risks for visitors, so drink water and rest in the shade. Lightning is frequent in summer storms; go indoors when you hear thunder. Treat every lake and pond as potential alligator habitat, and follow official advice during hurricane warnings.

Emergency number: 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Staying connected: The Disney and Universal parks have free Wi-Fi, and US SIM cards and eSIMs are easy to buy.

Questions travellers ask

+Is Orlando good for solo travellers?

+Where should solo travellers stay in Orlando?

Downtown Orlando and Thornton Park: Lake Eola's fountain, bars on Orange Avenue and brick-paved streets.