Travel guide · United States
Orlando travel guide
Theme parks, spring-fed rivers and rocket launches an hour away
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
Orlando is built around its theme parks: Walt Disney World's four parks, Universal Orlando's three, including Epic Universe, and SeaWorld lie within about half an hour's drive of each other south-west of the city. Beyond the parks, Downtown, Winter Park and the Mills 50 district show a calmer, local side, with lakes, art museums and Vietnamese food, while clear springs, Kennedy Space Center and the Atlantic beaches are about an hour away. Plan 7 days for a first visit; the best months are January–February and October–November.
Key facts
- Country
- United States
- Best time to visit
- January–February and October–November
- Ideal stay
- 7 days
- Main airports
- MCO, SFB
- Mid-range daily budget
- $250–$450 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Theme parks and Kennedy Space Center
Why visit Orlando
- Walt Disney World's four theme parks, Universal Orlando's three and SeaWorld are all within about half an hour's drive of each other.
- Universal's Epic Universe, opened in 2025, joins the Harry Potter lands at the two original Universal parks.
- Natural Florida is close by: spring-fed swimming at Wekiwa Springs, manatees at Blue Spring in winter and alligators at Gatorland.
- Kennedy Space Center, with its Saturn V rocket and frequent launches from Cape Canaveral, is about an hour east.
- A local side many visitors miss: Winter Park's boat tour and Tiffany museum, Lake Eola downtown and Vietnamese food in Mills 50.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 17 things to do.
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Theme park · Walt Disney World
Magic Kingdom
Disney's original Florida park, opened in 1971, is built around Cinderella Castle and lands such as Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and Adventureland.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Kids
- After dark
Theme park · Walt Disney World
EPCOT
EPCOT combines rides such as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Test Track and Soarin' with World Showcase, a lakeside ring of pavilions representing 11 countries, each with its own food, shops and architecture.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Kids
- Food
- After dark
Theme park · Walt Disney World
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios has Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, with Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, plus Toy Story Land and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Iconic
- After dark
Theme park · Walt Disney World
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom mixes a zoo with a theme park: Kilimanjaro Safaris drives through savannah habitats with giraffes, lions and elephants, while Pandora – The World of Avatar has the Flight of Passage ride and glowing forests after dark.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Nature
- Iconic
Theme park · Universal Orlando
Universal Studios Florida
Universal Studios Florida is built around film and TV sets, with Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter films, home to Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, plus thrill rides and shows based on movies.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Iconic
Theme park · Universal Orlando
Universal Islands of Adventure
Islands of Adventure has Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle, home to Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, plus roller coasters such as the Jurassic World VelociCoaster and the Incredible Hulk Coaster.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Active
- Iconic
Where to stay
Walt Disney World Resort is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$$$ · Best for families and first-timers
Walt Disney World Resort
On-site Disney hotels linked by buses, monorail, boats and the Skyliner
$$ · Best for families and budget
Lake Buena Vista
Hotel corridor beside Disney Springs, between Disney and Interstate 4
$$$ · Best for families, first-timers and nightlife
Universal Orlando area
Universal's on-site hotels, CityWalk and walking paths to the parks
$$ · Best for budget, families and first-timers
International Drive
Hotels, restaurants and attractions along a long tourist corridor
What to eat
- Dole Whip — Pineapple soft-serve, often served as a float in pineapple juice, has a cult following at Disney; Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom's Adventureland is the classic place to try it.
- Butterbeer — The sweet, butterscotch-flavoured drink from the Harry Potter books, served cold, frozen or hot under a creamy topping.
- Smoked turkey leg — A huge, smoky, salty turkey leg eaten by hand while walking is a theme-park tradition.
- Mickey ice cream bar — A Mickey-shaped vanilla ice-cream bar coated in chocolate, sold from carts across the Disney parks and a classic photo prop.
- Fried alligator bites — Chunks of alligator tail, battered and fried, with a mild, chicken-like taste and a chewy texture; an old-Florida novelty.
- Cuban sandwich — Florida's signature pressed sandwich of roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard on Cuban bread, a fixture of Central Florida's Latin cafés.
When to go
The best times to visit Orlando are mid-January to February, late April to May (outside Easter) and October to early December, when the weather is warm but not oppressive and crowds are moderate. Late August and September are often the quietest months in the parks but are very hot, stormy and at the height of hurricane season. Summer, spring break, Easter and the Christmas holidays bring the biggest crowds and highest prices.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | December–February | Mild, dry and sunny with cool nights; quiet in January and early December, but the Christmas holidays are among the busiest weeks of the year. |
| Spring | March–May | Warm, mostly dry weather and the EPCOT flower festival, with spring-break and Easter crowds before May quietens down. |
| Summer | June–August | Hot, humid and stormy most afternoons, with peak family crowds until Florida schools return in mid-August. |
| Autumn | September–November | Hot and stormy in September with low crowds, then comfortable October and November weather, Halloween events and the food and wine festival. |
Getting there and around
Orlando International (MCO) is about 15 km south-east of Downtown and 30–40 minutes by road from Disney and Universal. Options include rideshare, taxis, rental cars, shared shuttles and LYNX buses, and Brightline trains to South Florida leave from the airport's Terminal C. Orlando Sanford (SFB), about 50 km north-east, mainly handles low-cost and charter flights.
Orlando is spread out and car-oriented. The theme parks lie 20–35 km south-west of Downtown, and Disney and Universal each run their own internal transport. Many visitors rent a car; others rely on resort shuttles, Disney's free transport and rideshare.
Plan your days
Four days covers two Disney parks and two Universal parks at a fast pace. A week allows all four Disney parks or Universal's three, a rest day at the pool or a water park, and a trip to Kennedy Space Center or the springs.
Practical information
- Currency
- USD
- Language
- English and Spanish
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink; ask for free ice water at quick-service counters in the parks.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Tipping
- Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at table-service restaurants (including in the parks), a dollar or two per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares, a few dollars per bag for porters, and a few dollars a day for housekeeping.
Heat, sun and dehydration are the biggest risks for visitors, so drink water and rest in the shade. Lightning is frequent in summer storms; go indoors when you hear thunder. Treat every lake and pond as potential alligator habitat, and follow official advice during hurricane warnings.
Flights to Orlando
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Orlando?
Four days covers two Disney parks and two Universal parks at a fast pace. A week allows all four Disney parks or Universal's three, a rest day at the pool or a water park, and a trip to Kennedy Space Center or the springs. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Orlando?
The best times to visit Orlando are mid-January to February, late April to May (outside Easter) and October to early December, when the weather is warm but not oppressive and crowds are moderate. Late August and September are often the quietest months in the parks but are very hot, stormy and at the height of hurricane season. Summer, spring break, Easter and the Christmas holidays bring the biggest crowds and highest prices.
+What is Orlando known for?
Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Theme parks, Kennedy Space Center, Springs and lakes and Family holidays. Walt Disney World's four theme parks, Universal Orlando's three and SeaWorld are all within about half an hour's drive of each other.
+Is Orlando expensive?
Orlando is expensive for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $250–$450 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Orlando?
Not essential if you stay at Disney or Universal and focus on their parks, but a car makes it much easier to move between resorts, eat off-site and reach Kennedy Space Center, the springs and the coast.