Is Orlando on your bucket list for your next family vacation? If so, you’ll have plenty of options to keep everyone happy. From amusement parks to aquariums, there’s truly something for everyone in Central Florida’s favorite city.
A visit to Orlando gives you access to attractions in Cape Canaveral, Kissimmee, and other surrounding cities. Start your trip with a car rental in Orlando International Airport to give you the best opportunities to see your favorite places, and then check out these must-see parts of America’s most popular destination.
Theme Parks in Orlando
Let’s start with the obvious reasons the whole world visits Orlando — Disney World! The key thing to know early in your planning about Disney is that each park is separate. If you only have a couple of days and a limited budget, you’ll want to decide whether you want your family to explore the magic of traditional Disney in the Magic Kingdom or one of its other parks, like Animal Kingdom.
If Disney World isn’t on your must-see list, Universal Studios could be your go-to theme park. Full of some of the most famous roller coasters in the country and the ever-popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter, getting through Universal could take a couple of days. Don’t miss the lesser-known but refreshing Volcano Bay Water Park!
Outside of the heart of Orlando lies Sea World, where you’ll enjoy the thrills of rides mixed with the awe of getting to know various animal species. Whichever park you choose, be sure to get there early to get the best parking. Stay late, too, and you’ll have shorter lines after many families leave to get dinner. Keep in mind you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Wear comfortable shoes, bring strollers for toddlers and to carry your belongings, and consider getting a locker for your valuables.
Other Things To Do Without Rides
If you’re planning some non-theme park adventures in Orlando, don’t worry! There’s more than enough to keep you busy.
Within an hour’s drive, take a trip to Cape Canaveral and check out the Kennedy Space Center, where your little ones will talk to astronauts and learn about the decades of history behind space exploration. Stop along the coast and visit one of Florida’s many sandy beaches not too far away from Orlando.
If you prefer to stay closer to the city limits, International Drive is a hub of activities! From a multi-story McDonalds to the quaint shops and lower-key rides at Old Town, I-Drive has it all. There, you’ll find a variety of top-rated chain restaurants and even go-kart rides!
Get up close (but not too close) to Florida’s infamous reptile, the alligator, in Gatorland. Visit the upside-down world of WonderWorks or Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Share the love of culture at Orlando’s Museum of Art or “dig into” the science of things, including a complete dinosaur skeleton, getting hands-on at the Orlando Science Center.
A Trip For the Memory Books
No matter where you go in Orlando, you’re sure to have an incredible time. Your days here will be packed with delicious food, laughs, and memories that will cement the bond between your family members for decades to come.
