Activate Orlando

It’s not hard to find offbeat things to do in Orlando. In addition to the destination’s world-class theme parks, there is a whole raft of smaller attractions, experiences and other things to sample that add to the non-stop whirl of holiday activities on offer in this Central Florida hot-spot.

Things like Activate, the world’s first active gaming facility and something that has become a viral social media sensation in 2025. Originally opened at Pointe Orlando on International Drive among a welter of new openings at that eye-catching venue in recent months (which included the likes of Sandbox VR and Live! at Pointe Orlando), Activate has blossomed into a must-see proposition among all the I-Drive frenzy.

We had been back to see it a couple of times since then, but we had not stepped in for a full review until recently, following the announcement of a second Activate outlet in the greater Orlando area. Two in the same catchment area, surely not? But, yes, they are deadly serious, and you know it has to be a major hit when they can open two of this brand so close to each other.

But that is exactly what is happening with the opening last week of the Altamonte Springs Activate, another landmark in a part of the great Central Florida conurbation that continues to surprise. We are big fans of both the shopping and the more relaxed feel of Altamonte, and it makes for a good combination with our favourite locality of Crane’s Roost Park.

What is Activate?

But first let us answer this essential question. In simple terms, Activate is one of the fastest-growing entertainment companies in the world, with more than 50 locations across North America, Dubai and the UK. The brand continues to expand globally, further establishing its international presence in France, Germany, Norway, Denmark and more. It involves an active gaming experience where players “Enter The Game” to take part in a unique blend of physical activity and game play that promote a healthy lifestyle. Each Activate location provides fun and interactive rooms where players can work cooperatively or compete against each other while tracking their achievements.

How to play

The Pointe Orlando venue quickly became a byword for unique fun when it opened, offering a chance to jump, climb, problem-solve and laugh, as groups of two to five move between challenges in different rooms. Each dynamic game room has interactive technology that reacts in real time, ensuring an action-packed adventure each time. Tickets are timed by the hour, and each game takes from one to three minutes. Whether teaming up with friends in Cooperative Mode or going head-to-head in Competitive Mode, players track their progress through RFID wristbands that log every achievement. With new games and challenges added regularly, Activate represents a replayable experience that tests both brainpower and agility through more than 700 levels.

The Games

Pointe Orlando’s version boasts 10 high-tech rooms for immersive gaming, namely: Control, which requires fancy footwork and quick thinking to deal with a series of touch-activated floor tiles; Grid, where you strategically navigate a room with glowing tiles; Hide, a high-tech version of hide-and-seek where you have to complete random sequences; Hoops, combining basketball skills with agility and colour-matching; Mega Laser, featuring a mix of laser maze, glowing targets and beam blasters; Mega Grid, with its rapidly changing floor tiles; Portals, a quick-thinking game to identify LED portals; Press, a game room full of light-up buttons where you push patterns and master memorisation; Scan, where players interact with touch screens and scan their wristbands at the room hub to complete challenges and progress through levels; and Strike, a digital version of dodgeball featuring glowing screen wall targets. All games can also be selected for Difficulty levels from 1 to 10.

And now in Altamonte Springs, too

If the Pointe Orlando location paved the way for Activate in Central Florida (alongside the first venue in the south of the Sunshine State in Pembroke Pines, plus two forthcoming centres in Miami and Jacksonville), the latest outlet in Altamonte Springs takes things a step further with the continuation of its Florida expansion. Located in one corner of the spiffy Altamonte Mall, the 9,628sq ft attraction continues to redefine entertainment with its interactive gaming, blending digital play with high-energy challenges. It features 10 high-tech game rooms – including the TikTok viral Mega Grid, Mega Laser, Strike and Control – designed to react in real time, keeping players engaged at every turn. Adam Schmidt, Co-Founder and CEO of Activate, explained: “Altamonte Springs is a natural next step for Activate’s growth in Central Florida. It’s a vibrant, family-focused community that shares our passion for active fun and innovative experiences. We’ve seen incredible enthusiasm in Orlando, and we’re excited to expand our footprint with a space that invites players to connect, compete and keep coming back for more.”

The Details

Since opening its first location in 2019, Activate has spread globally to include the UAE, Europe and Canada. Check out the Altamonte Springs location here. For more details on Activate’s dynamic gaming experience, visit playactivate.com or follow @activategames on Instagram and TikTok. Address: Unit 2378 - 451 E Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701. Hours: Mon-Thur, 9am-11pm; Fri & Sat: 9.30am-11pm; Sun, 9.30am-10pm.

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