Visit Orlando
The theme-park capital of the world — home to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and, since 2025, the brand-new Epic Universe park.
Where it is
Orlando sits in central Florida, about an hour from the Atlantic coast and 90 minutes from the Gulf. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is one of the busiest in the U.S. and roughly 20–30 minutes from the main resort areas. Kennedy Space Center on the Space Coast is about 45 minutes east.
Why visit
The theme parks
Nowhere else has this concentration: Walt Disney World's four parks, Universal's three (including new Epic Universe), plus SeaWorld — more than a week's worth in one city.
Epic Universe (new in 2025)
Universal's first major new park in decades opened May 2025, with five worlds including Super Nintendo World and a new Wizarding World.
Year-round warmth
Mild winters make Orlando a prime cold-weather escape, and the parks run all year.
More than parks
Kennedy Space Center, real-city culture in Winter Park and downtown, outlet shopping, and natural springs nearby.
Best time to visit
Verdict: spring (Feb–April) and fall (Sept–Nov). For the lightest crowds, target September (kids back in school) or early November. Spring has the best weather but watch for mid-March spring break. Summer is hot, very humid, stormy, and crowded; the winter holidays (late Dec–early Jan) are the busiest and priciest of the year.
| Season | Weather | Crowds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Feb–Apr) | Warm, low humidity | Medium–High | Best weather; avoid mid-March spring break |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Hot, humid, stormy | High | Daily thunderstorms; hurricane season begins |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Warm, easing humidity | Low–Medium | September is the lightest; avoid Thanksgiving |
| Winter (Dec–Jan) | Mild, pleasant | Very High at holidays | Dec 20–Jan 3 is peak; mild and nice otherwise |
→ Use the Best Time to Visit calculator
Getting there & getting around
Getting there: fly into Orlando International (MCO); the smaller Orlando Sanford (SFB) serves some budget and charter flights.
Getting around: Orlando is spread out and built around driving. A rental car is the most flexible option for reaching different parks, dining, and day trips. If you're staying entirely on Disney or Universal property, their free internal transport (buses, monorail, boats) can cover you without a car. Rideshare is plentiful but adds up over a week.
Top attractions
- Walt Disney World Resort — four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom) plus two water parks.
- Universal Orlando Resort — Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and the new Epic Universe (2025), plus Volcano Bay water park.
- Epic Universe — five worlds: Celestial Park (hub), Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk.
- SeaWorld Orlando — marine park with major roller coasters.
- Kennedy Space Center — about 45 minutes east; a top day trip.
- ICON Park — the observation wheel and entertainment on International Drive.
- Winter Park & downtown Orlando — the city beyond the parks: museums, lakes, dining.
Book tickets & tours
Theme-park tickets, skip-the-line passes, and day tours (including Kennedy Space Center) sell out in peak weeks — check live availability and prices.
Where to stay
Orlando's lodging splits into a few zones, each with trade-offs around price and how close you are to the parks. Our full comparison breaks them down.
Compare Disney area, Universal area, International Drive, and Kissimmee by who they suit and price.
Compare Orlando areas →Food, family & nightlife
Eat: beyond the parks, International Drive and downtown have everything from cheap eats to fine dining; Winter Park is the foodie pick. With kids: the whole city is built for families — parks, mini-golf, ICON Park, and Gatorland. After dark: Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk for dining and entertainment, downtown Orlando for a local bar scene.
Events
Marquee annual events include EPCOT's festivals (Flower & Garden in spring, Food & Wine in fall), Halloween Horror Nights at Universal (Sept–Oct), and the winter-holiday celebrations across all the parks (Nov–Dec).
Local tips
- Arrive at park opening ("rope drop") to beat the worst lines and afternoon heat.
- Summer thunderstorms roll in most afternoons — plan indoor or water rides then.
- Buy park tickets ahead and use the official apps for wait times and reservations.
- Stay hydrated and pace yourself; multi-park days are a marathon.
What it costs
Orlando is unusual: your hotel may be the smallest line item. Theme-park tickets are the budget driver.
| Style | Per person / day | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ~$120 | Value hotel, one park day amortized, quick-service food |
| Mid-range | $250–400 | 3-star hotel, daily park tickets, sit-down meals |
| Luxury | $600+ | On-property deluxe resort, park-hopper + extras, fine dining |
→ Estimate your trip with the Trip Budget Calculator
Suggested 5-day itinerary
Day 1: Magic Kingdom. Day 2: EPCOT (plus a festival if it's on). Day 3: Universal's Epic Universe. Day 4: Islands of Adventure or a rest/pool day at the hotel. Day 5: a day trip to Kennedy Space Center, or SeaWorld.
Nearby destinations
Kennedy Space Center / Cocoa Beach (about 1 hour east), Tampa & Busch Gardens (1h 30m west), St. Augustine (2 hours north), and Legoland in Winter Haven (about 45 minutes).
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Orlando?
Four to seven days for a multi-park trip. Each major park is a full day, and you'll want a rest or pool day in between. A single resort (just Disney or just Universal) can be done in 3–4 days.
What is the best time to visit Orlando?
Spring and fall. For the lightest crowds aim for September or early November; for the best weather, February through April (but avoid mid-March spring break).
What is Epic Universe?
Universal's newest Orlando theme park, opened in May 2025. It has five worlds, including Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, a new Wizarding World of Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon, and the Celestial Park hub.
Do I need a car in Orlando?
It helps a lot, since the city is spread out. If you stay entirely on Disney or Universal property and don't plan day trips, their free internal transport can cover you. Otherwise, rent a car.
Quick facts
- Main airport: Orlando International (MCO), ~20–30 min from the resorts.
- Major parks: Walt Disney World (4 parks), Universal Orlando (3 parks incl. Epic Universe), SeaWorld.
- Epic Universe opened May 22, 2025.
- Best months for low crowds: September and early November.