Orlando Ghost Tour Review: A Unique Thing to Do in Orlando at Night

by Sheila Hayes | SheMamaMaps

When you think about things to do in Orlando, ghost hunting probably isn’t the first activity that comes to mind.

Most Orlando vacations revolve around Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, theme parks, water parks, and massive resort hotels. But there’s another side of Orlando that many visitors never experience—and an Orlando ghost tour is one of the more unusual ways to discover it.

If you’re looking for things to do in Orlando at night, especially something outside the theme parks, an Orlando ghost tour combines local history, spooky stories, and an evening walking tour into one experience.

We recently added an Orlando ghost tour to our Central Florida adventures, and it was a completely different experience from the attractions Orlando is famous for.

Whether you’re planning an Orlando family vacation, couples getaway, weekend trip, or simply looking for something different to book during your stay, here’s what to know before adding an Orlando ghost tour to your itinerary.

Why Book an Orlando Ghost Tour?

There are hundreds of tours and attractions to choose from in Orlando, but many are concentrated around the theme parks and International Drive.

A ghost tour offers something different.

Instead of spending another evening waiting in ride lines, you get outside, walk through the city, and learn about Orlando’s history through stories connected to actual locations.

The experience combines several things I enjoy when traveling: walking tours, history, storytelling, and getting beyond the most touristy parts of a destination.

You don’t necessarily have to believe in ghosts to enjoy it, either.

Think of an Orlando ghost tour as part historical walking tour and part paranormal experience.

What Happens on an Orlando Ghost Tour?

The ghost tour takes place after dark, which immediately gives the experience a different atmosphere than a traditional Orlando sightseeing tour.

As you walk between stops, your guide shares stories about Orlando’s past, local legends, unusual events, and reported paranormal activity.

Rather than hearing the stories inside a theater or staged haunted house, you’re standing near the actual places connected to them.

That’s what makes a walking ghost tour interesting.

A building you might walk past without noticing during the day suddenly becomes much more intriguing when you’re hearing about its history after dark.

Depending on the specific Orlando ghost tour you book, experiences may vary in length, route, historical focus, and paranormal elements. Always check the current tour description before booking so you know exactly what’s included.

Is the Orlando Ghost Tour Scary?

An Orlando ghost tour is very different from visiting a Halloween haunted house.

Don’t expect actors jumping out from behind corners or elaborate horror sets.

The experience relies much more on storytelling, atmosphere, history, and the possibility of paranormal activity.

That makes it a good alternative for travelers who like spooky experiences but don’t necessarily enjoy intense haunted attractions.

However, some of the stories naturally involve death, tragedy, or darker parts of local history.

If you’re traveling with younger children, check the specific tour’s age recommendations before purchasing tickets.

For older kids and teens who already enjoy ghost stories, paranormal shows, mysteries, or true crime, this can be a fun addition to an Orlando family vacation.

Orlando Ghost Tours With Teens

Orlando has no shortage of attractions for younger children, but finding something different to do with teenagers can sometimes be more challenging.

That’s one reason I like experiences like this.

A nighttime ghost tour doesn’t immediately feel like an educational activity, even though you’re actually learning quite a bit about the destination.

For teens interested in paranormal activity, local legends, mysteries, history, or creepy stories, this is worth considering.

It’s also an activity the whole family can experience together without spending another full day inside a theme park.

Things to Do Before Your Orlando Ghost Tour

Because ghost tours generally take place in the evening, you can easily combine one with another Orlando attraction during the day.

If you’re staying around International Drive, you could spend part of the day exploring ICON Park, visiting SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, or checking out Madame Tussauds Orlando before heading to your evening tour.

Families could also spend the day at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando, or Discovery Cove, although I’d be cautious about scheduling a walking tour after an especially long theme park day.

Orlando also has plenty of bookable experiences beyond the major parks, including airboat tours, helicopter tours, food tours, sightseeing tours, kayaking excursions, and Kennedy Space Center day trips.

If you have several days in Central Florida, compare Orlando tours and attractions before your trip rather than automatically spending every day inside the theme parks.

Turn It Into an Orlando Weekend Getaway

You also don’t need an entire week to experience Orlando.

A ghost tour works particularly well as part of an Orlando weekend getaway.

You could check into your Orlando hotel Friday afternoon, have dinner, and take an evening ghost tour. Spend Saturday visiting one of Orlando’s major attractions, then enjoy your resort or explore another part of Central Florida on Sunday before heading home.

For Florida residents, that makes Orlando an easy quick getaway without committing to a full theme park vacation.

And because there are so many Orlando hotels and resorts, you can usually find accommodations ranging from inexpensive hotels to luxury resorts and vacation rentals.

Where to Stay for an Orlando Ghost Tour

Where you should stay in Orlando depends on the rest of your itinerary.

Orlando is extremely spread out, so I wouldn’t choose a hotel based solely on the ghost tour unless that is the main purpose of your trip.

If you’re planning to explore more of the city, consider a Downtown Orlando hotel.

Staying downtown can put you closer to restaurants, nightlife, Lake Eola Park, and other local Orlando attractions.

If most of your vacation revolves around attractions, you may prefer an International Drive hotel.

International Drive has a huge concentration of Orlando hotels and resorts near ICON Park, SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Orlando, restaurants, entertainment, and other attractions.

Families primarily visiting Walt Disney World may prefer a Lake Buena Vista hotel, Disney Springs hotel, or one of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

If Universal Orlando Resort is the focus of your vacation, look at hotels near Universal Orlando, including Universal’s own resort hotels and nearby properties.

The important thing is to check the location of your hotel against everything you plan to do.

A hotel that looks like it’s “in Orlando” can still involve a substantial drive to your attractions.

Orlando Hotel Areas to Compare

When searching for accommodations, compare:

• Downtown Orlando hotels
• International Drive hotels
• Hotels near Universal Orlando Resort
• Hotels near Walt Disney World
• Lake Buena Vista hotels
• Disney Springs hotels
• Orlando family resorts
• Orlando vacation rentals

Rates can change dramatically based on dates, holidays, special events, and school vacation periods, so compare current Orlando hotel prices before booking.

Other Unique Things to Do in Orlando

If a ghost tour sounds appealing because you want to experience Orlando beyond the theme parks, there are plenty of other options.

Consider adding a Lake Eola Park visit, an Orlando food tour, an airboat ride through Central Florida wetlands, kayaking, a sightseeing tour, or a day trip outside the city.

One of the most popular Orlando day trips is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Florida’s Space Coast.

Depending on how much time you have, you could also book excursions to natural springs, take an airboat tour, visit nearby beaches, or explore other Central Florida destinations.

This is one reason I recommend looking at Orlando tours and activities before finalizing your itinerary. There’s much more available than most first-time visitors realize.

What to Wear on an Orlando Ghost Tour

Wear comfortable shoes.

This is a walking tour, so supportive sneakers or comfortable sandals are much more important than dressing up.

You’ll also want to prepare for Florida weather.

During summer, Orlando can remain hot and humid well into the evening. Lightweight, breathable clothing is usually your best option.

Florida rain is another consideration.

A compact umbrella or lightweight poncho is worth keeping in your bag, particularly during the summer rainy season.

If you’re visiting Orlando during winter, check the evening forecast. Central Florida can occasionally get surprisingly cool after sunset.

Getting Around Orlando

Transportation is another factor to consider when planning your ghost tour.

If you’re flying into Orlando International Airport (MCO), you’ll have several options for getting around, including renting a car, using rideshare services, booking an airport transfer, or relying on hotel transportation for certain attractions.

Whether you need an Orlando rental car depends heavily on your itinerary.

If you’re staying at a resort and primarily visiting nearby theme parks, you may not need one.

If you’re planning to explore Downtown Orlando, visit multiple areas of Central Florida, take day trips, or move frequently between attractions, compare Orlando rental car prices with the cost of using rideshare services throughout your trip.

You can also look into Orlando airport transfers if you’d rather have transportation arranged before arrival.

When Should You Book an Orlando Ghost Tour?

I recommend booking ahead if there’s a specific date you want.

Tour availability can vary, particularly on weekends and during busy travel periods.

And, unsurprisingly, ghost tours can become especially popular as Halloween approaches.

Before booking, check:

• Current ticket price
• Available tour times
• Meeting location
• Tour duration
• Age recommendations
• Walking distance
• Accessibility
• Weather policy
• Cancellation policy
• What’s included with your ticket

If your dates are flexible, compare several Orlando ghost tours and walking tours to see which experience best fits your group.

Planning an Orlando Vacation Around the Tour

One of the advantages of an evening tour is that it doesn’t take an entire vacation day.

For example, an Orlando itinerary could look something like this:

Morning: Relax at your Orlando hotel or resort.

Afternoon: Visit ICON Park, SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Orlando, or another Orlando attraction.

Dinner: Grab an early dinner before the tour.

Evening: Take the Orlando ghost tour.

That gives you several completely different experiences without trying to squeeze another full theme park day into your vacation.

Another option is to schedule the ghost tour for your Orlando arrival day.

If your flight arrives early enough, check into your hotel, have dinner, and take the tour that evening.

That can be a much better use of an arrival day than purchasing an expensive theme park ticket you’ll only use for a few hours.

Orlando Ghost Tour FAQ

Are there ghost tours in Orlando?

Yes. Orlando has ghost tours and haunted walking experiences that explore local history, legends, and reported paranormal activity.

Are Orlando ghost tours good for families?

That depends on the tour and the ages and personalities of your children. Families with older kids and teenagers who enjoy spooky stories may especially enjoy the experience. Check current age recommendations before booking.

Are Orlando ghost tours scary?

Traditional ghost walking tours generally focus more on storytelling and atmosphere than jump scares. They’re very different from Halloween haunted houses.

How long does an Orlando ghost tour last?

Tour duration varies by operator and experience. Check the current booking information for your chosen Orlando ghost tour before purchasing tickets.

Should I buy Orlando ghost tour tickets in advance?

If you have a particular night in mind, booking ahead is a good idea. This is especially true for weekends and popular travel periods.

Do I need a rental car in Orlando?

Not necessarily. Your need for a rental car depends on where you’re staying and the attractions you’re visiting. Compare rental cars, airport transfers, hotel transportation, and rideshare costs before deciding.

Where should I stay in Orlando?

Popular areas include Downtown Orlando, International Drive, Lake Buena Vista, Disney Springs, the Walt Disney World area, and the Universal Orlando area. Choose your hotel based on the attractions and tours that make up most of your itinerary.

Is an Orlando Ghost Tour Worth It?

If you’re looking for something completely different from Orlando’s theme parks, I think a ghost tour is worth considering.

It’s particularly well suited for couples, groups of friends, families with teens, repeat Orlando visitors, paranormal fans, and travelers looking for unusual things to do in Orlando at night.

It also gives you an excuse to explore another part of Orlando rather than spending your entire vacation moving between theme parks and resorts.

And that’s something I increasingly appreciate about visiting Orlando.

There is so much more here than the attractions most people immediately associate with the city.

Planning Your Orlando Trip

If you’re planning an Orlando vacation, don’t stop after booking your theme park tickets.

Compare Orlando hotels and resorts, check Orlando vacation rentals, look at available Orlando ghost tours, and explore other Orlando tours and attractions before your trip.

If you’re flying into Orlando International Airport, you can also compare rental cars and airport transfers ahead of time.

Planning these pieces together can help you choose a hotel in a location that actually makes sense for your itinerary instead of spending a surprising amount of your vacation driving across Orlando.

Whether you’re visiting Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, International Drive, Downtown Orlando, or simply spending a weekend exploring Central Florida, adding an evening experience can make your trip feel completely different.

For travelers looking for unique things to do in Orlando at night, an Orlando ghost tour deserves a spot on the list.

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