Discover the Extraordinary at Ripley’s Believe it or Not Orlando: Unveiling the Unbelievable Wonders and Mind-Boggling Marvels!

Known as one of the “weirdest attractions in Orlando,” Ripley’s Believe It or Not is a celebration of all things odd, quirky, and downright amazing. With 10,000 square feet of mind-bending artifacts, scientific samples, and carefully preserved curiosities, you’ll find yourself entertained for hours as you wander through the exhibits. Fun and engaging, you’ll leave Ripley’s Believe It or Not with a heightened sense of wonder for the world around you.

An especially great attraction for families with kids, Ripley’s is located on I-Drive, right in the heart of Orlando. Just look for the precariously tilted building with a red roof, and you’ll know you’ve come to the right place!

Slip on your “I Want To Believe” t-shirt, and let’s get to Ripley’s!

Ripley’s Believe It or Not Orlando

While it might not be the first Orlando attraction that comes to mind when planning a Florida vacation, Ripley’s Believe It or Not is a great option for filling an afternoon with fun! With 16 unique galleries and many interactive experiences, taking a self-guided, self-paced tour lets you spend time marveling at the curiosities that fascinate you most.

That being said, it’s worth noting that Ripley’s Believe It or Not is not unique to Orlando; there are several locations in Florida and even in other states. If you’re looking to experience local Florida culture, this attraction might not be for you (or at least not a top pick for the itinerary). However, if you enjoy truly fun “touristy” entertainment and old-fashioned circus vibes, it’s hard to walk away from Ripley’s feeling disappointed.

Ripley’s Admission (or Not)

Tickets for the “Odditorium” are $27.99 per adult and $19.99 for children (11 and under). However, there is also a Mirror Maze attraction that requires separate admission if you wish to test your pathfinding skills ($16.99 per adult, $12.99 per child). If you’d like to tackle both the Maze and Odditorium, there is a combined ticket option for $39.99 per adult and $27.99 per child.

Tickets can be purchased online (easy breezy!) and are valid for one year from the date of purchase (so flexible!).

According to Tripadvisor, most folks spend an average of one to two hours at Ripley’s, which doesn’t seem too terribly long when given the price of tickets. In all fairness, any tourist attraction in the area will be overpriced. Ultimately, if you’ve never been to a Ripley’s – or want to see them all – then it’s worth a visit!

The Odditorium

Ripley’s Believe It or Not houses their kooky exhibits in a museum they’ve dubbed the “Odditorium,” and this one is uniquely themed to have the appearance of falling into a Florida sinkhole!

We love that this Ripley’s gives a nod to Florida, not only with the seismic sinkhole but also with a special gallery entirely dedicated to “Weird Florida!” The existence of the Skunk Ape might be up for debate, but you’ll see bona fide alligator fossils and even a real shrunken head owned by Ernest Hemingway in this extraordinary exhibit.

Other notable exhibits include “Out of This World!” and “Ripley’s Sideshow Curioddities.”

Out of This World is a celebration of all things space, with a 3,197-pound meteorite that you can touch, a piece of Mars, the Apollo 11 moonwalk reels, and – do we dare say best of all?? – the original lightsaber used by Luke Skywalker in Star Wars! For diehard fans of the OG trilogy, that alone may be reason enough to visit. The Force is strong with this Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

The Sideshow Curioddities is also a fascinating exhibit, especially for folks who enjoy circus history. A showcase of Robert Ripley’s original performers and oddities, this gallery explains how Ripley’s became a commercial success that’s synonymous with the strange and wonderful. (This special gallery is only at the Odditorium for a limited time, so be sure to check Ripley’s Orlando website for up-to-date info on the presence of rotating attractions!)

With wild wax figures, multi-headed cows, and an 8-foot-long fish, you’ll come away from the Odditorium feeling both perplexed and amazed.

Ripley’s Mirror Maze Orlando

While the Odditorium (not to be confused with Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium) may be the main draw to Ripley’s Believe It or Not, there is another attraction that’s even more mind-boggling than the museum: the Mirror Maze.

A labyrinth of infinity mirrors and LED lights, this visually spectacular maze is also spectacularly confusing! Met with your reflection at every turn, you become your own roadblock in this twisted maze. It’s no wonder the Phantom of the Opera utilized a similar tactic when constructing his torture chamber in the novel…

Oh, but don’t worry! Ripley’s Mirror Maze is about having fun, and they send search parties every 30 minutes to retrieve any lost souls. With a myriad of misdirections but only one way out, the Mirror Maze may actually be Orlando’s most challenging escape room!

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Ripley’s Believe It or Not is an unconventional and wacky attraction that screams “touristy” in the best way possible. It’s not necessarily Florida-esque, but it is great for killing time on the I-Drive and for anyone who takes pleasure in the bizarre.

While it’s definitely meant for families to enjoy, keep in mind that some of the oddities are rather grotesque in nature (like the shrunken heads and animal taxidermy), so you can use your best judgment on what you and your kiddos can handle!

Overall, a trip to Ripley’s Orlando is a great way to add some whimsy and wonder to your day!

Have you visited Ripley’s Believe It or Not in Orlando? What was your favorite curiosity? And, if you’ve been to other Ripley locations, how does Orlando compare? Let us know in the comments below!

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Featured photo: IgorSuassuna from pixabay via Canva