There is nothing quite like ice skating; the feeling of gliding elegantly across the ice and creating magical memories with your friends and family. In Orlando, this is something that you can experience all year, with numerous indoor and outdoor ice-skating venues open to the public, where you can enjoy the free feeling of skating, whether it’s your first time on the ice or you’re a seasoned pro.
For those looking for a carefree base, our luxury Orlando vacation homes offer a fantastic way to enjoy your time in the City Beautiful, as well as an exclusive place you can hang your skates up after a day on the ice rink.
Here are our top picks for places for ice skating in Orlando.
Year-round places for ice skating in Orlando
The Ice Factory of Central Florida
Get your skates on because The Ice Factory of Central Florida is open year-round for families, couples, and friends to enjoy a spot of ice skating in Orlando, whatever the weather. The Ice Factory runs daily public skating sessions, with skate rentals and helmets available on-site, as well as private group and individual lessons if you want to learn or improve your skills on the ice.
There are several rinks to choose from, and prices start from $9.50 for a session on the studio rink. Skate rental costs $3.50, and ice spikes can also be rented by parents who wish to accompany their kids on the ice without skating themselves. You can also rent Bobby Sleds for $10, for a fun experience on the ice that doesn’t require skating.
The Ice Factory Of Central Florida is located in Kissimmee, not far from Disney World. Public skating takes place between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm on weekdays, and from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Saturdays. The center is closed on Sundays.
RDV Ice Den
There is daily public skating on offer at RDV Ice Den, as well as 8-week learn-to-skate courses, ice hockey, and figure skating freestyle sessions. It’s a veritable winter wonderland, even in the depths of summer!
Generally, public skating sessions take place twice a day, in the afternoons and evenings, but the exact timing changes based on other daily activities. The best place to find exact timings is on the RDV Ice Den public skating calendar. Tickets for weekday sessions cost $14, including skate rental and tax. Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday sessions are $17. The RDV Ice Den is based in northern Orlando, about a 12-minutes drive from Winter Park.
Funtania
Funtania is an indoor family entertainment center, with enough fun and games to keep the whole clan amused for hours on end. There are more than 10 attractions at Funtania, ranging from a synthetic ice rink to virtual reality experiences, arcades, and escape rooms.
Funtania’s rink is a little different because, as mentioned above, it is synthetic. Synthetic ice is created from a blend of polymers that create a high-tech plastic service that is as smooth as real ice. The major benefit of skating on synthetic ice over real ice is that it is much warmer, so there’s no need to wrap up warm to beat the chill.
Funtania is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays but is open until 09:00 pm every other day. A ‘blue pass’ for a day of unlimited access to the ice rink costs just $10. Other packages are available for access to other attractions. The center is in central Orlando, just an 8-minute drive from Universal Studios.
Seasonal ice skating rinks in Orlando
Central Park West Meadow at Winter Park
Central Park is an 11-acre haven in the middle of Orlando, a favorite spot for picnics, strolls in nature, and a full calendar of events taking place throughout the year. During the winter, ice skating brings a festive and whimsical atmosphere to this beautiful Orlando destination. The rink is hugely popular amongst families, locals, and visitors alike, and the chance to skate on real snow and ice is an unmissable one, in a state famous for year-round sunshine.
There is plenty of food and drink on offer at the Christmassy market stalls around the rink. There are also beautiful gardens to explore around the park. Prices vary year on year but are generally reasonable. Opening dates for the ice skating rink and other festive attractions in Winter Park are announced in late summer or early fall.
Light Up UFC
A 45-day annual event, Light Up UFC is a highlight of the festive calendar in Orlando. It features fabulously Christmassy events and attractions for the whole family. The main attraction is the breathtaking light display that is synchronized to music. There is also a popular ice rink, where the skating experience is enhanced by the twinkling lights and atmosphere of holiday magic that the event creates.
Light Up LFC is open nightly over the 45-day period. Some days feature special events such as meet-and-greets with Santa. The festival is free to enter, although some activities will incur a small charge. It takes place in eastern Orlando, by the University Of Central Florida.
Now Snowing In Celebration
Orlando is famous for many things, but snow is not one of them. That being said, you can still enjoy a white Christmas if you pay a visit to the town of Celebration. Located near Disney World Resort, the annual Now Snowing In Celebration event is a month-long festive extravaganza, featuring everything you could ever want from a winter wonderland. Magical lights, warming food and drink Christmas characters, and, of course, an ice skating rink are just a few of the attractions on offer in this hugely popular event. It is a favorite of families, as well as couples looking for a romantic winter date night.
Now Snowing In Celebration runs for a month, usually from late November until late December. The exact dates and times are released in the fall. The event is free to enter, but some activities may cost a few dollars to enjoy.
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