Orlando, Florida is a top family destination, mainly because of Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando theme parks. I would recommend the following:
3-4 days: This is a good amount of time to visit the major theme parks, especially if you have kids. I would suggest:
-1-2 days at Walt Disney World, including the Magic Kingdom and either Epcot or Hollywood Studios. 2 days if you want to see multiple Disney parks.
-1 day at Universal Studios Florida to experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and thrill rides like Revenge of the Mummy.
-1 day to relax at your hotel pool, visit Downtown Disney or Disney Springs for shopping and dining, or take a scenic boat tour.
5-7 days: For a longer, more leisurely visit that includes time for other attractions, 5 to 7 days is ideal. In addition to the theme parks, you can:
-Visit SeaWorld Orlando, Legoland Florida and Kennedy Space Center on the Space Coast.
-Check out the Orlando Eye Ferris Wheel and Madame Tussauds wax museum.
-Explore Orlando’s dining and nightlife, especially around Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk.
-Take day trips to Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg or even the beach.
-Not feel rushed to fit everything in, with extra time for meals, lounging and unplanned adventures.
8 days or longer: For a complete Orlando experience with no FOMO (fear of missing out), I would recommend 8 days or more. At this length, you can see all major theme parks without feeling pressed for time. You can also experience more areas outside the tourist hubs like:
-Historic downtown Orlando, including Lake Eola Park.
-Museums like the Orlando Museum of Art and Leu Gardens.
-Outdoor recreation at Wekiwa Springs State Park and the Orlando Wetlands Park.
-Orlando’s flourishing food and brewery scene beyond the theme parks.
-Day trips as far as St. Augustine, Blue Springs State Park and Cocoa Beach.
In summary, the ideal Orlando getaway depends on your interests, budget and desired balance of activities vs relaxation. But in general, 3-7 days is a great range for most visitors to experience Walt Disney World, Universal and other top attractions at an enjoyable pace. Have a magical vacation!
Itineraries
1. Itinerary
Itinerary for a 3-day trip to Orlando, Florida, including favorite restaurants, activities, and must-see sights.
Day 1: Theme Park Day
Morning:
- Visit Universal Studios: Experience thrilling rides, shows, and attractions based on your favorite movies and TV shows.
Lunch:
- Grab a bite to eat at one of the many dining options within Universal Studios.
Afternoon:
- Continue exploring Universal Studios or head over to Islands of Adventure for more thrilling rides and attractions.
Dinner:
- Dine at Antica Pizzeria, a highly-rated Italian restaurant in Orlando.
Day 2: Exploring Orlando
Morning:
- Visit the SEA LIFE Aquarium: Get up close and personal with a variety of marine life at this popular attraction.
Lunch:
- Enjoy a meal at The Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant with a diverse menu.
Afternoon:
- Explore International Drive: This bustling area offers shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
- Visit ICON Park: Take a ride on The Wheel at ICON Park for stunning views of Orlando.
Dinner:
- Savor a delicious meal at Wine Bar George, a popular restaurant in Orlando.
Day 3: Day Trip and Outdoor Activities
Morning:
- Take a day trip to Kennedy Space Center: Learn about space exploration and history at this fascinating attraction2.
Lunch:
- Grab a bite to eat at one of the dining options within Kennedy Space Center.
Afternoon:
- Visit Gatorland: Get up close with alligators and other wildlife at this unique attraction.
Dinner:
- End your trip with a meal at Norigami, a highly-rated sushi restaurant in Orlando.
Remember to follow local guidelines and safety protocols during your visit. Have a great 3-day trip to Orlando, Florida!
2. Itinerary
Day 1: Immerse Yourself in the Magic of Disney
Morning: Start your day at Keke’s Breakfast Café, known for its delicious Floridian French toast and pancakes. Then head towards the iconic Walt Disney World Resort. Start with the Magic Kingdom Park, home to Cinderella’s Castle and the enchanting lands of Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, and Frontierland.
Lunch: Take a lunch break at the Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom. Enjoy French-inspired cuisine in an enchanting setting inspired by Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
Afternoon: Spend your afternoon exploring EPCOT. Here you can discover exciting attractions, enchanting international pavilions, and award-winning fireworks.
Dinner: Dine at the California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Magic Kingdom while savoring dishes made from the freshest ingredients.
Day 2: Adventure and Wildlife in Orlando
Morning: Kick off your day with a breakfast at Se7en Bites, a Southern-style bakery and café. After breakfast, make your way to the Universal Orlando Resort. Start with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, an absolute treat for fans of the franchise.
Lunch: Enjoy a unique dining experience at the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley, featuring classic British fare.
Afternoon: After a magical morning, switch gears to a thrilling afternoon at Islands of Adventure, where you can explore Marvel Super Hero Island, Jurassic Park, and more.
Dinner: Wind down at CityWalk’s Hard Rock Cafe for a classic American dinner and a rock ‘n’ roll vibe.
Day 3: Exploration Beyond Theme Parks
Morning: Start your day with a refreshing breakfast at Briarpatch, a local favorite known for its brunch menu. Then, head to the Orlando Science Center. The center offers a variety of interactive exhibits that make learning fun.
Lunch: Head to Prato in Winter Park for some Italian fare. Their handcrafted pasta and pizzas are a hit with locals and tourists alike.
Afternoon: After lunch, explore the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, about an hour’s drive from Orlando. It’s a fascinating journey through the history and future of space exploration.
Dinner: Enjoy a final dinner at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood. Known for its upscale dining, the restaurant offers fresh seafood, premium hand-carved steaks, and a notable wine list.
Orlando, Florida, is more than just theme parks. With its rich food scene and a variety of educational and recreational attractions, Orlando has something to offer for all kinds of travelers. Enjoy your 3-day trip to this sunny city!
3. Itinerary
Sure, I can act as a travel guide for you. Here is a sample 3-day itinerary for Orlando, Florida, based on some of the information I found online.
Day 1: Experience the magic and thrill of Orlando’s theme parks
- Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Keke’s Breakfast Cafe, a local chain that serves pancakes, waffles, omelets and more.
- Head to Walt Disney World, the most famous theme park in Orlando and the world. You can choose from four different parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Each park has its own attractions, shows, rides and characters.
- For lunch, enjoy some international cuisine at Epcot, which features pavilions representing 11 countries, such as Mexico, France, Japan and Morocco. You can also sample some of the food and drinks at the seasonal festivals that take place throughout the year.
- After lunch, continue exploring the other parks or hop on the Disney Skyliner, a gondola system that connects Epcot, Hollywood Studios and some of the Disney resorts. You can enjoy the views of the parks and the surrounding areas from above.
- For dinner, head to Disney Springs, a shopping, dining and entertainment complex that offers something for everyone. You can choose from a variety of restaurants, such as The Boathouse, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, Morimoto Asia or The Edison.
- End your day with some fun at Splitsville Luxury Lanes, a bowling alley that also features live music, billiards and arcade games. You can also grab a drink at their bars or watch a movie at their cinema.
Day 2: Discover the marine life and adventure of Orlando’s water parks
- Have a light breakfast at The Glass Knife, a bakery and cafe that offers pastries, sandwiches, salads and coffee.
- Drive to SeaWorld Orlando, a theme park that combines marine life exhibits, shows and rides. You can see dolphins, whales, sharks, penguins and more. You can also ride roller coasters like Mako, Manta and Kraken.
- For lunch, stop by Shark’s Underwater Grill, a restaurant that lets you dine next to a shark tank. You can order dishes like fish tacos, crab cakes, burgers or salads.
- After lunch, visit Aquatica, SeaWorld’s water park that features slides, pools, rivers and beaches. You can also experience some unique attractions, such as Dolphin Plunge, which takes you through a dolphin habitat; or Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, which drops you from a trap door.
- For dinner, enjoy some casual fare at Miller’s Ale House, a sports bar and grill that serves wings, nachos, steaks, ribs and more.
- End your day with some entertainment at ICON Park, a complex that features attractions like The Wheel, a 400-foot observation wheel; Madame Tussauds Orlando, a wax museum; or SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium.
Day 3: Experience the movies and magic of Orlando’s other theme parks
- Start your day with a delicious breakfast at Hash House A Go Go, a restaurant that serves huge portions of comfort food like chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, corned beef hash or flapjacks.
- Head to Universal Orlando Resort, another popular theme park in Orlando that consists of two parks: Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Each park has its own attractions based on movies, TV shows and comics.
- For lunch, head to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which spans both parks and recreates the magical world of Harry Potter. You can dine at The Leaky Cauldron or The Three Broomsticks; shop at Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade; or ride attractions like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey or Escape from Gringotts¹².
- After lunch, continue exploring the other attractions in both parks or take the Hogwarts Express, a train that connects the two Harry Potter areas. You can also ride other rides like The Incredible Hulk Coaster, The Simpsons Ride or Revenge of the Mummy.
- For dinner, head to CityWalk, Universal’s shopping, dining and entertainment complex. You can choose from a variety of restaurants, such as Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food, The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Vivo Italian Kitchen or Hard Rock Cafe.
- End your day with some fun at Blue Man Group, a live show that combines music, comedy and art. You can also catch a movie at their cinema or dance at their nightclubs.
I hope these itineraries gives you an idea of what to do in Orlando for three days. There are many more things to see and do in this city that I couldn’t fit in this sample itinerary. If you want more information or suggestions for your trip planning,
you can check out these websites:
- https://www.visitorlando.com/
- https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/orlando