Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions. Can\'t find what you\'re looking for? Contact us.
All Questions
Getting Started
- What is Things To Do ORL?
- Things To Do ORL is a local discovery hub for things to do in Orlando, Florida that go beyond theme parks and bars. We cover pickup games and sports, cafe events, local happenings, third spaces, clubs, date night ideas, and free things to do, all in one place.
- How do I find events happening this weekend?
- Visit the Calendar and click "This Weekend" in the date filter chips, or go directly to the Free Things To Do guide which is updated weekly with weekend picks.
- Is this only for Orlando proper, or does it cover surrounding areas?
- We cover the greater Orlando area including Winter Park, Kissimmee, Lake Nona, Dr. Phillips, Altamonte Springs, Oviedo, Sanford, Baldwin Park, College Park, and more. Each neighborhood has its own page with local events and spots.
- How often is the calendar updated?
- We add new events weekly and review the calendar every Monday. The "Happening This Weekend" section on the homepage is refreshed every Thursday for the upcoming weekend.
Events & Activities
- What are the best things to do in Orlando besides theme parks?
- Pickup sports at Lake Eola, the Winter Park Farmers Market, run clubs, paddleboarding on the Winter Park chain of lakes, art walks in Thornton Park, board game nights in Mills 50, and community garden volunteering are all local favorites. Check out our guide "10 Things To Do in Orlando That Aren't Theme Parks" for the full list.
- Where can I find pickup games in Orlando?
- Lake Eola Park has weekly pickup soccer (Sunday mornings), downtown courts host evening basketball (Mondays most consistent), Kissimmee Lakefront Park has sand volleyball (Sunday afternoons), and Lake Nona runs pickleball open play (Thursdays). See the Pickup Sports guide for details.
- Are pickup games free?
- Most pickup soccer, basketball, and volleyball games in Orlando are free. Pickleball open play sometimes has a small fee ($5-8) for court lights and balls. We always list the price on each event.
- What are good date night ideas in Orlando under $30?
- Free: Thornton Park Art Walk (first Fridays), picnic movie nights, sunset walk around Lake Eola. Under $15: Beginner Salsa Night ($12), Live Jazz in Mills 50 ($10). Under $30: Pottery Wheel Date Night ($28). See the Date Night Under $30 guide for more.
- Where are the best cafes to work from in Orlando?
- Downtown near Lake Eola, Mills 50, Winter Park (Park Ave), and College Park (Edgewater Drive) all have great options. The Orlando Public Library is also free, quiet, and underrated. See our "Best Cafes to Work From in Orlando" guide.
Submissions & Community
- How do I submit an event to be featured?
- Use the Submit an Event form. We review every submission and typically respond within 3-5 business days. There's no cost to list an event.
- Can I submit a recurring event (like a weekly run club)?
- Yes! In the submission form, you can note that it's recurring in the description. We'll list each occurrence individually so they show up in the calendar correctly.
- I run a venue. Can I get my events featured automatically?
- We don't have an automatic sync yet, but venues that host regular community events can email us at hello@thingstodoorl.com to discuss a partnership for priority placement and cross-promotion.
- How do I get featured in a guide?
- Guides are editorial. We write about places and events we genuinely recommend. If you think your spot or event fits a guide topic, submit it and mention which guide you think it belongs in.
Newsletter & Account
- What's in the newsletter?
- Every Thursday, you get: 4-5 hand-picked events for the weekend, a new guide or neighborhood spotlight, 3 free things to do, and a quick neighborhood pick. One email, no spam.
- How do I unsubscribe?
- Every newsletter has an unsubscribe link at the bottom. One click and you're off the list. We don't make it difficult.
- Can I save events to view later?
- Yes! Click the bookmark icon on any event card to save it. Your saved events are stored in your browser and appear on the Saved Events page (coming soon). No account needed.
Technical & Privacy
- Do you track my location?
- No. We don't collect or store location data. The site works entirely without knowing where you are.
- Do you use cookies?
- We use minimal cookies: one for dark mode preference, one for newsletter signup status, and one for saved events (all stored locally in your browser). We don't use third-party tracking cookies.
- Is the site accessible?
- We aim for WCAG AA compliance: semantic HTML, proper heading hierarchy, focus states, keyboard navigation, alt text on all images, and sufficient color contrast. If you find an issue, please let us know.
Still have questions?
Search our FAQ or get in touch directly.
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