Orlando, FL
Plan a trip to Orlando
Four Disney parks, three Universal parks, and a space center an hour east. Park reservations and early mornings decide whether the trip works.
- Families
- Theme parks
- Group trips
Free to run, and you keep editing after. Add who's coming or a pace like “slow mornings” to shape the result.
Orlando at a glance
Most trips run 4 to 7 days. This page covers the 4 stops worth anchoring a plan around, 3 neighborhoods to base yourself in, and what the timing looks like across the year — then you can turn any of it into a mapped Orlando itinerary you can edit and share.
- How long
- 4–7 days
- When to go
- Late January to early March and September to early November have the thinnest crowds and mildest weather. Summer brings daily afternoon thunderstorms and peak crowds at once.
- Getting around
- Rent a car unless you're staying entirely on Disney property, where the internal buses, monorail, and Skyliner cover it. Rideshare between the resort areas is reliable.
What to build the plan around
- 1
Magic Kingdom
Arrive at opening; the first two hours hold shorter lines than the rest of the day combined.
- 2
EPCOT
Best split into two visits, or one long day timed around the World Showcase in the evening.
- 3
Universal Islands of Adventure
Where the bigger rides are, and the Hogwarts Express connects it to Universal Studios.
- 4
Kennedy Space Center
An hour east on the coast, and the best non-park day in the region.
Where to stay in Orlando
- Disney Springs / Lake Buena Vista
- Closest to the Disney parks, with hotel shuttles and dinner options that don't need a park ticket.
- International Drive
- Between Universal and the convention center. Cheapest rooms and the most chain dining.
- Winter Park
- A real neighborhood twenty minutes north, with good restaurants and a museum. Where to stay if the parks are only half the trip.
A ready-made Orlando itinerary
Theme parks, character dinners, and downtime by the pool.
Orlando Family Vacation: 4-Day Itinerary9 mapped places across 4 days, free to read and copy.Orlando planning questions
- How many days do you need in Orlando?
- 4 to 7 days. Four days covers two Disney parks and one Universal park at a sustainable pace. A week lets you add rest days, which matter more than another park.
- What is the best time to visit Orlando?
- Late January to early March and September to early November have the thinnest crowds and mildest weather. Summer brings daily afternoon thunderstorms and peak crowds at once.
- Where should I stay in Orlando?
- Three areas cover most trips — Disney Springs / Lake Buena Vista (closest to the disney parks, with hotel shuttles and dinner options that don't need a park ticket); International Drive (between universal and the convention center. cheapest rooms and the most chain dining); Winter Park (a real neighborhood twenty minutes north, with good restaurants and a museum. where to stay if the parks are only half the trip). Pick based on whether you'd rather walk to dinner or pay less per night.
- How do you get around Orlando?
- Rent a car unless you're staying entirely on Disney property, where the internal buses, monorail, and Skyliner cover it. Rideshare between the resort areas is reliable.
- What should I see first in Orlando?
- Start with Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Universal Islands of Adventure. Magic Kingdom is the one to schedule first: arrive at opening; the first two hours hold shorter lines than the rest of the day combined.
- Is there a free Orlando itinerary I can copy?
- Yes. Arriv has a curated Orlando itinerary with every stop mapped and a suggested day-by-day order. Reading it is free, and you can duplicate it into your own trip to change dates, swap places, and share it with whoever you're going with.