United States · June 2023
Overview
Orlando is the theme park capital of the world: four Disney parks, three Universal parks, two Disney water parks and much more. It is a lot of fun and a lot of planning. Outside the parks, there are lakes, natural springs with manatees and charming towns like Winter Park.
Orlando was a small citrus and cattle town, incorporated in 1875. Everything changed when Walt Disney secretly bought about 110 square km of land in the 1960s. Magic Kingdom opened on 1 October 1971, followed by EPCOT (1982), Hollywood Studios (1989) and Animal Kingdom (1998). Universal Studios Florida opened in 1990, Islands of Adventure in 1999 and Epic Universe on 22 May 2025. Today Orlando receives more than 70 million visitors a year.
How long to stay: 5 to 7 days for Disney and Universal; 2 days if you only visit one or two parks.
Last updated: October 2026
Quick Facts
Location
Central Florida, about 1 hour from both coasts. Kennedy Space Center is 1 hour east; Miami is 3.5 hours south by car or Brightline train.
Budget
Per person, per day.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed | $70–110 (off-site motel) | $180–300 (Disney or Universal hotel) | $450+ |
| Food | $40–60 | $80–120 | $160+ |
| Park ticket | $119–209 (1 day) | $119–209 | $250+ (with Lightning Lane) |
| Daily total | $230–380 | $380–630 | $860+ |
Multi-day tickets cost much less per day. Hotels add a 6% tourist tax on top of sales tax.
Things to Do
The most classic Disney park, with Cinderella Castle, the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean and TRON Lightcycle / Run. The evening fireworks over the castle are the highlight.
Price: 1-day tickets roughly $119–209 depending on date (prices in 2026 passed $200 for the first time on peak days) · Tip: arrive 45 minutes before opening.
Half future, half world tour: the World Showcase has pavilions for 11 countries with their own food and shops. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is one of the best rides in Florida.
Tip: go for the food and drink festivals (spring flower festival, autumn food and wine).
Hollywood Studios has Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land. Animal Kingdom combines a zoo-style safari with Pandora: The World of Avatar.
Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure share The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (ride the Hogwarts Express between them with a park-to-park ticket). Epic Universe, opened in 2025, has Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon, a dark universe of classic monsters and a Harry Potter Ministry of Magic land.
Price: about $120–200 per day depending on the park and date.
On Florida's Space Coast, with the Space Shuttle Atlantis, a Saturn V rocket and bus tours to the launch pads. If you are lucky, you can watch a real rocket launch.
Price: about $75–85 · Getting there: about 1 hour by car.
A pretty town north of Orlando with boutiques on Park Avenue, the Morse Museum's Tiffany glass collection and a scenic boat tour through the lakes and canals.
Price: boat tour about $20.
Blue Spring State Park (manatees in winter), Wekiwa Springs and Rock Springs have clear water at about 22°C all year.
Price: about $6–8 per car.
A lake with swan boats and the skyline behind it, plus a Sunday farmers' market.
Price: free.
Transit Tips
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Airport: Uber or Lyft to Disney or Universal about $40–70; there is no free Disney airport bus anymore.
Brightline: high-speed train from MCO to Fort Lauderdale and Miami (about 3.5 hours).
Rental car: recommended if you stay off-site; parks charge parking.
Disney transport: free buses, monorail, boats and the Skyliner gondola between Disney parks and resorts.
Uber and Lyft: easy between Disney, Universal and International Drive.
Keep in mind that you need to plan your Disney days in the app (park hours, Lightning Lane bookings) several days before. The planning is part of the trip.
Helpful Words
A few basics in English can make everyday conversations much easier.
Where to Stay
Playlist
Plan & Book
Explore accommodation options and open hotel details directly from the map.
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