Rest Day Ideas
Near Universal Orlando · Rest Day · Indoors
Arcade Time Orlando With Kids
A Two-Story Rest Day Near Universal
A huge, air-conditioned arcade on International Drive with modern games downstairs, pinball and retro games upstairs, and a full restaurant. Here’s what families should know before going.
Arcade Time Orlando is one of the easiest rest day wins near Universal. It’s a two-story arcade and restaurant on International Drive, a short drive from Universal Orlando, with more than 320 modern and retro games, a pinball area, and a kids’ menu. It’s indoors, it’s air-conditioned, and you can stay for one hour or four.
This guide covers where Arcade Time is, what’s on each floor, how the game credits work, the all-you-can-play deal we found, food and house rules, and how to fit it into a rest day without wearing everyone out.
No ticket needed. You pay for game credits on a card, so you can stop by for a quick visit or stay a while.
Two floors. Newer games are on the first floor. Pinball and older arcade games are on the second.
Ask about all-you-can-play. When we went, a $10 per person unlimited pass was available at the front desk, even though it wasn’t advertised.
Go during the day. It’s open late with two full bars, and guests under 18 need a parent or guardian after 10 PM.
What Is Arcade Time Orlando?
Arcade Time is a large arcade, restaurant, and bar on International Drive. The building is about 32,000 square feet across two floors, and the Orlando location lists more than 320 modern and retro arcade games. Along with the video games, there’s a pinball area, prize and redemption games, VR and motion simulator games, duckpin bowling, and Krazy Darts.
For families, the appeal is simple. It’s indoors, there’s no park ticket, and it’s easy to leave whenever your kids are done. It works on a hot afternoon, during a summer storm, or on the day after three park days when nobody wants to walk another mile.
How Far Is Arcade Time From Universal and Disney?
Arcade Time is at 6464 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819, on the stretch of I-Drive closest to Universal. That puts it much closer to Universal than to Disney World.
- From Universal Orlando: About 1 to 1.5 miles, or roughly a 5 to 10 minute drive depending on I-Drive traffic. It’s close, but plan to drive or take a rideshare rather than walk over from the parks.
- From Disney World: Roughly 10 to 13 miles, depending on which park or hotel you’re coming from. Plan on about 20 to 30 minutes, longer at busy times of day.
- Parking: There’s an on-site parking lot, and valet is listed for the restaurant. Ask when you arrive if you’re unsure where to park.
International Drive traffic can be slow in the late afternoon and evening, so give yourself extra time if you’re heading over around dinner.
What’s on Each Floor
The first floor is where the newest games are. Expect big-screen racing and shooting games, newer releases, and prize and redemption games that younger kids usually head for first. The VR and motion simulator games are part of the lineup too.
Upstairs is Arcade Time’s pinball area, which it calls Pinball Alley, along with older arcade-style games. This is the floor where parents tend to find the games they grew up with, and it’s a fun way to show kids what an arcade used to look like.
Duckpin bowling and Krazy Darts are also on site. If those matter to your family, ask at the front desk how they’re priced and whether there’s a wait.
How Much Does Arcade Time Cost?
There’s no admission fee. Games run on credits loaded onto a game card, and each game takes a set number of credits. Arcade Time’s posted Game Pass packages for Orlando start here:
| Game Pass | Credits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | 400 | $20 |
| With bonus | 800 (700 + 100 bonus) | $35 |
| With bonus | 1,200 (1,000 + 200 bonus) | $50 |
| With bonus | 1,900 (1,500 + 400 bonus) | $75 |
Larger packages and a VIP level are also available. Arcade Time adjusts its packages from time to time, so check the price at the front desk when you arrive. Purchased credits don’t expire, but card purchases are non-refundable, so start smaller if you’re not sure how long your kids will last.
Ask the front desk about an all-you-can-play pass before you load a card. When we visited, there was a $10 per person unlimited play pass that wasn’t advertised. You just went back to the front desk every 2 hours to renew it, at no extra charge. Deals like this can change or end, so ask what’s available that day and what the pass covers.
Food, Drinks, and House Rules
Arcade Time has a full-service restaurant and two full bars, so you can turn a visit into lunch or dinner. The menu has a kids’ section with options like Jr. Neon Sliders with fries, popcorn chicken, bowtie mac and cheese, grilled chicken with rice and broccoli, and chicken tenders. Menu prices aren’t posted online.
A few house rules are worth knowing before you go:
- No outside food or drinks: Unlike the theme parks, you can’t bring snacks or water bottles in, so plan to eat there or before you arrive.
- Under 18 after 10 PM: Guests under 18 need a parent or guardian with them after 10 PM.
- Cards stay with you: Game cards can’t be refunded or cashed out, and you’re responsible for keeping track of them. Give younger kids their own card or hold on to it for them.
How to Fit Arcade Time Into a Rest Day
Arcade Time works best as one part of a slow day, not the whole day. A late morning or early afternoon visit gives kids a couple of hours of fun indoors, then you can head back for a nap or a pool afternoon. Our best rest day activities near Universal Orlando guide has more ideas to pair it with.
- Arcade plus pool: Arcade Time in the late morning, lunch there, then a quiet afternoon at your hotel pool. Our Universal hotel pools guide covers the best ones for kids.
- Arcade plus I-Drive: If your kids still have energy, ICON Park and SEA LIFE are also on International Drive. Pick one or the other on a true rest day, or both for older kids.
- Rainy day backup: Florida afternoon storms are common in summer. Arcade Time is a good indoor plan to keep in your back pocket.
If you’re still choosing where to stay, Universal’s hotels and the I-Drive area keep you close to Arcade Time and the parks. You can compare hotels near Universal for your dates on Expedia.
KidsParkGuide may earn a small commission if you book through our Expedia link, at no additional cost to you.
When we went to Arcade Time, they had a $10 all-you-can-play pass per person as an unadvertised promotion. You just had to go back to the front desk to renew it every 2 hours, at no extra charge. Honestly, that’s an incredible deal for a family. The place is huge, too: two floors, with modern new games on the first floor and pinball machines and older arcade-style games on the second.
Is Arcade Time Right for Your Rest Day?
Go If…
- You’re staying near Universal or on I-Drive
- You need an indoor plan for a hot or rainy day
- Your kids love video games, prize games, or pinball
- You want something with no ticket and no set schedule
Skip It If…
- Your kids get overwhelmed by noise and flashing lights
- Your rest day needs to be truly quiet, like a nap and the pool
- You’re staying near Disney and don’t want the drive
- You were hoping for a late night out with young kids
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕Loading a big card before asking about deals. Check whether an all-you-can-play pass is available first.
- ✕Bringing snacks and drinks in. Outside food and drinks aren’t allowed, so eat beforehand or plan on the restaurant.
- ✕Going late with little kids. It’s open until 3 AM, but it’s a better fit for kids during the day, and under 18s need a parent after 10 PM.
- ✕Staying too long. Two hours of arcade lights can tire kids out as much as a park day. Leave while it’s still fun.
- ✕Forgetting about I-Drive traffic. Leave extra time if you’re driving over in the late afternoon.
Arcade Time is an easy, indoor rest day near Universal.
Two floors of games, a pinball area, a kids’ menu, and air conditioning make Arcade Time a low-effort break between park days, especially if you’re staying near Universal or on I-Drive. Go during the day, ask about an all-you-can-play pass at the front desk, and keep the visit to a couple of hours so the rest day still feels like a rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Arcade Time is at 6464 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819, on the part of I-Drive closest to Universal. It’s about 1 to 1.5 miles from Universal Orlando, usually a 5 to 10 minute drive depending on traffic.
The Orlando location lists hours of 10 AM to 3 AM every day. Guests under 18 need a parent or guardian with them after 10 PM.
When we visited, the front desk offered a $10 per person all-you-can-play pass that wasn’t advertised, renewed for free every 2 hours. Promotions like this can change, so ask at the front desk what’s available that day.
There’s no admission. You buy game credits on a card, starting at 400 credits for $20, with bonus credits on larger packages. Duckpin bowling and Krazy Darts may be priced differently, so ask at the front desk.
Yes, for most kids about 4 and up who enjoy games and don’t mind noise. Prize and redemption games are easy for younger kids, while older kids and parents usually love the pinball and retro games upstairs.
Yes. It has a full-service restaurant with a kids’ menu, plus two full bars. Outside food and drinks aren’t allowed inside.
It’s much closer to Universal. Disney World is roughly 10 to 13 miles away, so plan on about 20 to 30 minutes each way. If you’re staying near Disney, our rest day activities near Disney World guide has closer options.
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