5 days in Orlando

Day by day

1. Day 1: Magic Kingdom and EPCOT

   Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios, then Epic Universe in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Magic Kingdom

      Arrive before the official opening time; the first hour and the afternoon parade are the quietest moments for the most popular rides. (Full day, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      EPCOT

      Eat your way around World Showcase in the evening, when it is cooler and the pavilions are lit up. (Full day, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Dole Whip

      Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom and Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.

   4. Afternoon

      Disney's Hollywood Studios

      Head to Galaxy's Edge or Toy Story Land at opening, as queues there build quickly. (Full day, expensive).

   5. Evening

      Epic Universe

      Go to the land you care about most at opening; queues elsewhere are usually shorter later in the day.

2. Day 2: Disney's Animal Kingdom and Universal Studios Florida

   Disney's Animal Kingdom, Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure, then Disney Springs in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Disney's Animal Kingdom

      Ride Kilimanjaro Safaris early in the day, when the animals are most active and it is cooler. (Full day, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Universal Studios Florida

      Arrive before opening and head straight to Diagon Alley, where queues build fastest. (Full day, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Butterbeer

      Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley and Epic Universe's Ministry of Magic land at Universal.

   4. Afternoon

      Universal Islands of Adventure

      Ride Hagrid's and the VelociCoaster first thing, and save the water rides for the hottest part of the afternoon. (Full day, expensive).

   5. Evening

      Disney Springs

      Parking in the Disney Springs garages is free, so it makes an easy evening out even if you are not staying at Disney.

3. Day 3: SeaWorld Orlando and ICON Park and The Wheel

   SeaWorld Orlando, ICON Park and The Wheel and Lake Eola Park, then Universal CityWalk in the evening.

   1. Morning

      SeaWorld Orlando

      Check the day's show and feeding schedule on arrival and plan coaster rides around them. (Full day, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      ICON Park and The Wheel

      Ride after dark for views across the lit-up resort area. (1–2 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Smoked turkey leg

      Snack carts in Magic Kingdom's Frontierland, EPCOT and other parks.

   4. Afternoon

      Lake Eola Park

      Come at dusk, when the fountain lights up, and hire a swan boat for a slow lap of the lake. (1–2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Universal CityWalk

      Bars, live music and clubs outside the Universal parks, open later than the parks themselves.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

   About 1 hour by car each way. Getting there: Car or organised tour.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

      About 1 hour by car (Car or organised tour); about 80 km.

   2. Day

      Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

      On Merritt Island, the visitor complex displays the Space Shuttle Atlantis and a Saturn V moon rocket, runs bus tours towards the launch areas and hosts astronaut talks. Best for families, first-timers and culture.

   3. Evening

      Back in Orlando

      Dinner: try Mickey ice cream bar.

5. Day 5: Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour and Morse Museum of American Art

   Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, Morse Museum of American Art and Gatorland, then Disney Springs in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour

      Combine it with lunch on Park Avenue and the Morse Museum's Tiffany glass a few blocks away. (1 hour, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Morse Museum of American Art

      Allow time for the reconstructed Tiffany Chapel, the highlight for most visitors. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Mickey ice cream bar

      Snack carts in all four Disney parks.

   4. Afternoon

      Gatorland

      Time your visit for the Gator Jumparoo feeding show, and walk the marsh boardwalk in spring to see nesting birds. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Disney Springs

      Bars, restaurants and live entertainment by the lake, more relaxed than a club scene.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Universal Studios Florida and Epic Universe before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Walt Disney World Resort keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Lake Buena Vista ($$) suits families and budget. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 56–77 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.3 hours in December to 13.9 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Orlando
• 2 days in Orlando
• 3 days in Orlando
• 4 days in Orlando
• 7 days in Orlando

Questions travellers ask