Florida is famous for it’s sunshine but also for its rainfall. Although the parks stay open a few of the rides may close due to inclement weather. If you can brave it out consider waiting for the storm to pass as many visitors will decide to return to their hotels leaving the queues shorter when the rides reopen. Others may decide to seek indoor entertainment and sometimes It’s nice to have something to do in the evening or just to occupy yourselves for those few hours before you fly home.

Here’s a look at more things to do when you’ve managed to drag yourself away from Universal Orlando. Depending on the time of the year you may find Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure closing earlier. For example Universal Studios closes at 5pm when Halloween Horror nights is on and by September Universal Islands of Adventure will be closing at 7 or 8pm.

Orlando Icon Park is a 20 acre entertainment complex between International Drive and Universal Boulevard. There you’ll find shops, bars and restaurants plus lots of family attractions. Individual tickets or a combination of a few are available. Parking is plentiful and free.

The Wheel

Formerly known as The Orlando Eye, The Coca -Cola Orlando Eye then The Icon Orlando and now has a change of name again to The Wheel at Icon Park.

The Wheel was built to withstand the Florida hurricanes. It stands 400 feet tall and gives spectacular views in all directions. On a clear day you can see Kennedy Space Centre.

The ride takes around 20 minutes and you can hardly tell its moving. We were lucky and had a capsule all to ourselves. There are only a few seats inside but it is air conditioned.

I really enjoyed the peace and tranquillity in contrast to to the excitement on the rides at Universal. Everything looks so different from a birds eye view. We didn’t realise Orlando had so many lakes.

There’s a small gift shop as you exit and an opportunity to buy a set of the photographs which they take of you as you enter against a green screen. Don’t feel obliged – we bought them as a souvenir. The pack contained a folder with the history of The Wheel, a selection of large photographs and some smaller ones to put in a key ring and fridge magnet which were also included. I think we paid around $40.

Madame Tussauds

Here’s a chance to meet your Idols of today and icons of the past. Another attraction to spend an hour in the cool air conditioning and have a bit of fun. I would suggest you visit around 8 or 9pm when it’s pretty quiet. You’ll have plenty of time to play with the props and get some amazing selfies without the queues.

Check out this great shot of my hubby sat at president Trump’s desk.

Gift shop at the exit as usual.

Sea Life Orlando Aquarium

I just love anything to do with the sea. We just happened to be there when The Weeki Wachee Mermaids were performing. I couldn’t resist huddling up with the children to see them in a huge tank with the fish.

There’s plenty to see including rays, sharks and turtles as well as the usual tropical and marine fish. They also have a small pool where you can touch a few sea creatures. Most exhibits have learning zones and quizzes for the children. Again there’s a gift shop at the exit

Orlando StarFlyer

Other attractions

As well as the shops and restaurants there’s also SKELETONS – Museum of Osteology, the Pearl express train which takes you around Icon Park, 7d Dark Ride, Arcade City and coming soon The Orlando Slingshot and Drop Tower.

So there’s plenty to do on a rainy day or when you’ve just a few hours to spare and all this is just in one area of International Drive.

Have you any tips for finding entertainment outside the parks – feel free to comment. We’re returning in September and if we can drag ourselves away from Universal we’ll give them a try.