Travel tips · Orlando · United States
Orlando travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
Orlando changed completely after Walt Disney World opened in 1971; before that, the area was known mainly for citrus groves and lakes. Today it is a fast-growing, diverse metro area with large Puerto Rican, Brazilian, Haitian and Vietnamese communities, a big public university and a strong LGBTQ+ community. Most locals live and eat far from the tourist corridors.
Key facts
- Language
- English and Spanish
- Currency
- USD
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink; ask for free ice water at quick-service counters…
- Emergency
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Things to know
- Tip about 18–22% at table-service restaurants, including inside the theme parks; quick-service counters do not expect tips.
- In park queues, one person cannot hold places for a group that joins later.
- During fireworks and shows, keep phones low and don't stand in front of seated guests.
- Never feed or approach alligators; treat every lake and pond as alligator habitat and keep children and pets back from the edge.
- Check park rules on prohibited items such as selfie sticks and oversized bags before you go.
- Outdoor rides close temporarily when lightning is nearby; summer afternoon storms are common.
- Book Magic Kingdom ahead: Tickets are dated and prices vary by day; buy in advance on the official site and consider paid queue access for busy dates.
- Book EPCOT ahead: The most popular rides may use a virtual queue or paid access; check the Disney app for the current system on your date.
- Book Universal Studios Florida ahead: Buy dated tickets online; you need a park-to-park ticket to ride the Hogwarts Express between the two original parks.
- Buy park tickets online in advance; multi-day tickets cut the cost per day considerably.
Tipping
Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at table-service restaurants (including in the parks), a dollar or two per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares, a few dollars per bag for porters, and a few dollars a day for housekeeping.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Lightning Lane | Disney's paid queue-skipping system |
| Express Pass | Universal's paid queue-skipping system |
| Rope drop | Arriving for park opening |
| I-Drive | International Drive |
| Virtual queue | An app-based queue for some rides |
| Park hopping | Visiting more than one park in a day |
What to wear
Light, breathable clothing, comfortable shoes broken in before the trip, a hat and a rain poncho for summer storms. Disney does not allow adults to wear costumes in the parks except at certain special events.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink; ask for free ice water at quick-service counters in the parks.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Phone and internet
- The Disney and Universal parks have free Wi-Fi, and US SIM cards and eSIMs are easy to buy.
- Time zone
- America/New York
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.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check United States's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Orlando?
Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at table-service restaurants (including in the parks), a dollar or two per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares, a few dollars per bag for porters, and a few dollars a day for housekeeping.
+Can you drink the tap water in Orlando?
Tap water is safe to drink; ask for free ice water at quick-service counters in the parks.
+What plugs are used in Orlando?
Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Orlando?
English and Spanish.