Orlando built its identity on two properties: Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. Together they represent the most concentrated collection of theme park infrastructure anywhere in the world. A free Catholic shrine on International Drive — built specifically for the city's millions of religious visitors — offers a quiet counterpoint.
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Theme Parks
Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando each require advance planning — both sell out specific dates and popular ride reservations fill weeks ahead. Buy tickets and hotel reservations as early as possible.
Walt Disney World Resort Must-see
Orange County · Bay Lake
Walt Disney World spans 40 square miles across four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom — plus two water parks and 30+ resort hotels. Magic Kingdom receives around 20 million visitors per year, making it the most visited theme park on earth. Single-day tickets start at $109 and vary by date; multi-day tickets reduce the per-day cost significantly.
Disney's reservation system requires a separate park reservation in addition to purchasing a ticket. Lightning Lane passes for individual rides open at 7am for Disney hotel guests and at park opening for all others. Popular rides like Tron Lightcycle / Run (Magic Kingdom) and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (EPCOT) sell out within minutes of opening — set an alarm. Disney's app is required to manage reservations once inside the parks.
Universal Orlando Resort Must-see
Orange County · Orlando
Universal Orlando now spans three parks: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Epic Universe (opened May 2025). The Wizarding World of Harry Potter splits across Studios and Islands of Adventure — the Hogwarts Express ride connecting the two zones requires a park-to-park ticket. Epic Universe adds a second Harry Potter zone (Ministry of Magic), Super Nintendo World, and other franchise worlds.
Park-to-park tickets covering all three parks start around $180/day. Universal Express Pass eliminates the standby queue on most rides — prices rise on busy days, so buy in advance. On-site Loews hotel guests receive free Express Pass on most tiers, which typically offsets the hotel premium.
Spiritual Sites
Mary Queen of the Universe Shrine Worth the detour
Orange County · Orlando
The Mary Queen of the Universe Shrine sits on International Drive in the center of Orlando's entertainment corridor — a full Catholic church with daily Mass built in 1984 to serve the millions of Catholic visitors to the Orlando area. The complex includes the main sanctuary, an outdoor Stations of the Cross garden, and a religious gift shop.
Admission is free and the church is open daily. Mass is held at 8am, 12pm, and 5:30pm Monday through Saturday, with multiple Sunday services. The grounds are quiet even on busy theme park weekends and make a calm half-hour stop between parks.
Planning Notes
Where to stay: On-site Disney hotels include free park transportation via bus, monorail, and boat, plus 30 minutes of early entry to one park daily. Universal's on-site Loews hotels include free Express Pass on most tiers. Off-site hotels on International Drive and US-192 cost less but require a car or paid shuttle.
Book ahead: Buy theme park tickets weeks in advance — Disney requires a separate park reservation in addition to tickets, and popular days sell out. Lightning Lane ride slots fill within minutes of opening. Universal Express Pass should be purchased before arrival on busy dates. Both park systems have no refunds on tickets.
Getting around: Disney's internal bus, monorail, and boat system connects all parks and resorts with no car needed if you stay on property. Universal's parks are walkable from on-site hotels and from each other. Getting between Disney and Universal requires a car, Uber, or paid shuttle — about 20 minutes. The Mary Queen Shrine is on International Drive, between both properties.
