Orlando in 3 days

The theme-park capital of the world: Disney, Universal, springs and sunshine year-round. Best time to visit: January-April and September-November. Average daily budget: $160 to $320 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Walt Disney World area (Lake Buena Vista), The Disney resort bubble of four parks, two water parks and on-site hotels with transport perks.

Morning: A Walt Disney World park day. Magic Kingdom for the classics or EPCOT for food and innovation, arrive at rope drop to beat the lines.

Afternoon: Explore Walt Disney World area (Lake Buena Vista), The Disney resort bubble of four parks, two water parks and on-site hotels with transport perks.

Evening: Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Two connected lands across both parks, ride the immersive coasters and sip a Butterbeer.

Eat: Theme-park signature dining (EPCOT's World Showcase)

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: Universal & International Drive, Universal's parks plus I-Drive's hotels, dining, mini-golf and the Orlando Eye.

Morning: Swim in a Florida spring. Crystal-clear, 22°C year-round springs like Wekiwa or Blue Spring, an hour from the parks.

Afternoon: Explore Universal & International Drive, Universal's parks plus I-Drive's hotels, dining, mini-golf and the Orlando Eye.

Evening: Kennedy Space Center. A day trip to the Space Coast to walk under a real Saturn V rocket and meet astronauts.

Eat: Vietnamese food in the Mills 50 district

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: Downtown Orlando & Thornton Park, The real city, lakes, murals, craft beer and a walkable, leafy core away from the parks.

Morning: Explore Winter Park. A scenic boat tour through the chain of lakes, the Morse Museum's Tiffany glass and brick-street brunch.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown Orlando & Thornton Park, The real city, lakes, murals, craft beer and a walkable, leafy core away from the parks.

Evening: Kayaking among manatees at Blue Spring in winter.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Craft beer and gastropubs downtown

Hidden gems

Kayaking among manatees at Blue Spring in winter.
The murals and craft-beer scene of the Mills 50 district.
Sunset at Lake Eola in downtown with the swan boats and skyline.
Leu Gardens, a tranquil 50-acre botanical escape from the crowds.

Getting around

A rental car is by far the easiest way to navigate Orlando's sprawl and reach the springs, beaches and Space Center. Within the Disney bubble you can rely on free buses, monorails and boats, and Universal has walkable resorts with shuttles. Rideshare works for park transfers, and the SunRail and Brightline (to Miami and the coast) serve some routes, but distances are large.

Safety

Orlando is a very tourist-oriented city and the park areas are safe and family-friendly. Use normal caution on International Drive at night, don't leave valuables in parked cars, and stay hydrated, sun-protected and aware of sudden afternoon thunderstorms in summer. Some areas away from the tourist corridors are best avoided after dark.

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