Orlando in 5 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, Iconic sights

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, Local neighbourhoods

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

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Winter Park, An elegant lakeside suburb with brick streets, boutiques, museums and a scenic boat tour.

Morning: The murals and craft-beer scene of the Mills 50 district.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Winter Park, An elegant lakeside suburb with brick streets, boutiques, museums and a scenic boat tour.

Evening: Sunset at Lake Eola in downtown with the swan boats and skyline.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Fresh Florida seafood and key lime pie

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Lake Nona & the south, A modern, sporty district near the airport with parks and easy access to the Space Coast.

Morning: Leu Gardens, a tranquil 50-acre botanical escape from the crowds.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Lake Nona & the south, A modern, sporty district near the airport with parks and easy access to the Space Coast.

Evening: Dinner at Theme-park signature dining (EPCOT's World Showcase), then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Lake Nona & the south.

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

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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